Don't Let Go

by Sheryl Wright

  Towering over Georgie, Lori made several attempts to get the bowtie just right but without luck. Admitting she couldn’t do it on someone else, she said, “Sorry.” Turning to Tyler in frustration, she asked, “How ’bout you, tiger?”

  Stepping up beside them, Tyler took the cufflinks out of Georgie’s fidgety hands and fitted them to her shirt cuffs. Once both were properly secured, she reassured her, “There you go, that’s one thing done. I’m really not sure about the tie,” she said, then had an idea. “Hold tight.” Retrieving Marnie’s tablet from the counter, she explained, “I’m sure I can look it up. There has to be a million How-To-Tie-A-Bowtie pages!” Before she could type in the first word in the search box, Zoe pushed past her and Lori.

  “Let a real woman show you how to do that!” she repeated in mockery of Lori, but before she could do anything, she managed to spill her glass of wine down the front of Georgie’s shirt.

  “That’s it!” Lori grabbed Zoe by the arm and dragged her out of the apartment.

  Skippy made a mad dash for the kitchen drawer that held the dishtowels, while Tyler stood helpless. Georgie raised her hand, signaling for everyone to stop. Without a word of complaint, she made her way back up the stairs.

  Heading straight into the master bath, stripping off her shirt on the way, she ran cold water slipping the stained shirt into the sink before thinking club soda might’ve been a better choice. Not sure if the shirt could be saved, she left it to soak before washing away the wine that had penetrated the starched cotton to soak her skin. In the walk-in closet, standing in front of the long stack of folded shirts, she had to admit she had no idea what to wear. Tyler had chosen the tuxedo and probably the shirt that went with it. She owned several white shirts but after examining the index card for each, she was sure none would do. Unwilling to admit to Tyler or even Lori that she didn’t know how to match anything herself, her only option was her Mess Dress uniform. It was clean and pressed and good to go, although the idea didn’t make her happy. The tuxedo had been chosen by Tyler and for some reason, not wearing it felt like she was letting her down. She also had a pretty good idea that what had just happened was no accident. Both Lori and Marnie had warned her that their niece was up to something.

  Georgie began laying out all the intricate pieces required to assemble a military uniform. Rank insignia, command badges, miniature medals, and her wings. She had just brought up her uniform checklist when something occurred to her. Stepping in front of the full-length mirror she checked her tux trousers carefully. By luck or by fluke they were free of wine as were her shoes. She smiled at her image, challenging an unseen nemesis. She might seem old and broken to some, but she’d be damned before she let Zoe make her look like a fool!

  It hadn’t taken Tyler very long at all to get cleaned up and changed. Now, standing in the bathroom of the guest bedroom, she checked her hair and makeup one more time. She hadn’t planned on going to the extra fuss of putting her hair up but Zoe’s little stunt had spurred her on. She couldn’t figure out for the life of her what the woman’s problem was.

  Flicking off the light switch, she headed for the door. It was almost eight thirty. She wanted to be at Georgie’s side, and not just because of Marnie’s order. Tonight she felt an overwhelming need to shield her and the thought of her standing alone spurred her to move faster.

  Chapter Eleven

  By the time Georgie marched back down the antique staircase, Lori was back, along with Marnie, Stella and Leslie. Jack Pulaski, just back from driving Henry home, stood with most of the family men. Skip, Anthony and Ethan were all decked out and looking dashing. She thought the women of her family looked lovely tonight too, especially her sister and Lori. It was almost eight thirty, time for Marnie’s last-minute talk or what she often thought of as her Go Briefing. “Where is Lou?”

  Marnie glanced up from her tablet, taking a long hard look at her sister. “What happened to your shirt?”

  Before Georgie could try to explain, Lori skated in, wrapping her leather clad arm around her. “I love it. I think you look fantastic!” Turning to Marnie she explained, “Our helpful little niece managed to spill a glass of wine down Georgie’s new shirt.”

  Marnie finally nodded. “You’re right Lori, very nice. You look great sis! Okay, let’s get on with this…”

  Georgie interrupted, counting off the names of those missing. “Lou, Bonnie, Zoe, Tyler…”

  “Let’s not worry about the first three for now,” Marnie said, before pointing to the stairs, “and Tyler’s here.”

  Everyone turned their attention to the circular staircase. Of course, it wouldn’t have mattered if they were to suddenly self-combust or jump out the windows, Georgie wouldn’t have noticed. For her, in that moment, the only existing thing was Tyler Marsh.

  When Tyler stepped from the bottom stair, Georgie was there, silently offering her hand. She’d always considered Tyler attractive but in the sleek sleeveless dress she was absolutely stunning. Feeling breathless, standing only feet apart, the desire she felt was overwhelming. It was hard to take in all of the woman. Her subtle curves, her delicate neck, slender soft arms and her hair. Georgie had always loved that color; the dark natural shades that contrasted so beautifully with her piercing blue eyes. Her hair was up, but a few tendrils had been allowed to escape and it was all Georgie could you not to reach out…

  “All right you two, let’s get on with it!” Marnie ordered, shattering the moment and reminding her that the room was full of family.

  Georgie listened along with everyone else as Marnie delivered orders for the evening. Tonight wasn’t just New Year’s Eve, it was business. Getting drunk or acting like an ass in front of employees and customers was unacceptable and she drummed that in before going over the list of VIPs and her expectations for the evening. Finally she reminded everyone to have fun, sending them to man their posts.

  Georgie had been assigned three objectives: listen to a pitch by a local charity, and another from the Coast Guard. The third was clearly Georgie’s crucible. She was to be seen by everyone as having fun. Usually a mandate of that type would have driven her to abandon ship. This year though, she had Maggie at her side, and the real confidence came from knowing she could count on Tyler. She believed it was a combination of her competence and confidence that she found so reassuring.

  As everyone scurried off to their duty stations, Marnie looked to her and then Maggie. “You dog! Come here,” she ordered. It was probably just as incredible to Marnie as it was to everyone else when the dog complied with her order. Retrieving what the dog was carrying in her mouth, she examined it carefully. Holding it up, she asked, “Georgie, is this your tie? Your bowtie?”

  Realizing the dog must have picked it up, somehow knowing it was important, Georgie praised Maggie, “Good girl.”

  Shaking her head, Marnie stretched it out in her hand, inspecting it for dog goober. Satisfied that it was still presentable, she looked to her sister then shook her head. “Too ‘Chippendales’ for me!” With surprising swiftness, she wrapped it around the dog’s neck and had it tied in seconds flat. “Now you match your mommy,” she said, awkwardly patting the dog’s head before dismissing it outright. Handing Tyler her tablet, she warned, “You’re my backup tonight, kiddo. Seems as how I’ve lost my assistant somewhere.”

  “What about…” Tyler started to ask.

  Georgie took the tablet from her hand, and opening the same kitchen drawer Skippy had accessed earlier, shoved it in. “Ready!” she announced with a smile.

  While Marnie shook her head, Lori wrapped an arm around her. “She’s back, baby!”

  “Mrs. Pulaski,” one of the security people interrupted, “I was told to tell you when the Coast Guard people got here.”

  Marnie thanked him, pushing past Lori and Georgie to retrieve her tablet. Handing it to Tyler again, she said with a smile, “You’re on kiddo. Get her upstairs. I’ll join you shortly.”

  As ordered, Georgie headed up the back stairwell with
Maggie leading the way and Tyler beside her. Halfway up she stopped, and turning to Tyler said quietly, almost shyly, “I…You look…Wow!”

  “Thank you,” she offered sincerely. “So do you. The vest without the shirt…” She shook her head, pleased. “I love it; it’s so you,” she said, continuing her climb up the stairs.

  If Georgie had been overwhelmed by the sight of Tyler coming down the stairs, the sight of her going back up took her breath away. Forcing her eyes away from that most amazing view, she pushed herself to concentrate on the meeting ahead. Lucky for her it was the Coast Guard who would be doing most of the talking today. The local commander had an idea for a new safety product but lacked the technical expertise or the funding to get it done. Tonight was the night that had been set aside for situations just like this. While there were only two pitch sessions specifically scheduled for her, she knew there would be more. There always were. It was something her father and Henry had started long ago. They believed, as did she, that using their expertise and resources to help their community was just as valuable as their generous cash donations, and in some cases, more.

  Walking into Henry’s apartment, turned VIP suite, Georgie immediately noted that things were not as they should be. The mystery of her missing family members was immediately solved. Zoe, who should have been at Marnie’s side welcoming new guests and generally being helpful, was seated on the piano bench beside the woman musician Marnie had hired. They were flirting and kibitzing outrageously and were distractingly loud. Bonnie, Lou’s wife, was schmoozing with a young Coast Guard officer while her husband had cornered the commander. To make things worse, Lou was smoking a honking big cigar, which was definitely a no-no. Not just tonight but anytime. After all, this was Henry’s home. And if there was anything Henry hated, it was stale cigar smoke. Before Georgie could even consider what to do, Tyler gave her arm a squeeze. “I’ve got this. Why don’t you grab us something to drink? I believe the bar is in the dining room.”

  “You…something. What will you…have?”

  Grinning, she set Georgie at ease. “Wine, please. Something red but not too sweet. You pick.” And with that she headed first for Zoe and the musician.

  Georgie couldn’t tell what was being said from where she was standing, but she noticed Zoe’s quick change of attitude. While her niece stood and left the room, the musician, now suitably chastised, began her first set. It was some nondescript light jazz piece and surprisingly unobtrusive. At the bar, she was tempted to order a stiff drink but heeding Marnie’s warning, took two glasses of wine, and turned in time to watch Tyler take on Bonnie and Lou. She was smart. There was no denying that. She intrinsically understood the advantage of divide and conquer. First she interrupted what Georgie could only describe as a full-blown flirting session between a young Coasty and Lou’s wife. Whatever Bonnie had been told by Tyler, it was enough to spur her into action. She immediately clamped onto Lou and steered him out the door. “Nice!” she acknowledged under her breath.

  A moment later Tyler was there, retrieving her wineglass, and making the introductions to the Coast Guard Commander and his young communications officer. She was amazing, managing the interaction from start to finish.

  Some minutes later, when Georgie realized the proposal the commander was discussing was the very thing she’d been working on, she became quite excited. Here was one of her secret projects. One of many. They were ideas and technologies that intrigued her, but more than that, they were projects she instinctively knew Lou would shut down simply because they were ideas beyond his grasp. Now she had proof positive that she was on the right track with her Rescue App, and could take the Coast Guard’s needs directly to the board for approval.

  When they finally wrapped up, Tyler left her on her own while she escorted the Coast Guard officers out. Checking her watch, Georgie was shocked to learn it was after ten. The room was busier now with several more guests. Some had gathered around the piano. She admired the way the young musician could carry on a conversation without missing a note.

  The bar, a natural gathering space, was crowded too. Seeing everything in order and not wanting to be dragged into a conversation, she signaled Maggie and slipped out of the apartment intending to check on the rest of the party.

  The foyer was jammed with a combination of caterers attending to the buffet next door. Slipping into the service stairs, she was about to head down when something caught Maggie’s attention. She took a few steps up the stairs before turning back to Georgie. “Stand down.” It was her release command, and meant the dog was free to pursue her interest. Following the dog, she headed up the stairs to the roof level. The door was propped open, and snow was tracking in.

  For several years now the roof had been used as a smoking lounge for the VIP guests. Though lights and propane patio heaters illuminated and warmed the area, it was easy to see how the raging snow had driven even the hardiest smoker inside. She didn’t mind and neither did Maggie who was busy rolling and playing in the new swelling powder. It was spectacular. Blowing in from the lake, the wind was fierce yet the snow was soft somehow, almost sweet. She stood there enjoying the fierceness from inside a bubble of artificial light and warmth. The snow pelted the bare skin of her face and hands, covering her with silver dollar-sized snowflakes that would melt before she could wipe them away. It was invigorating and freeing, and made her feel alive.

  She sensed before she heard Tyler. Turning, she could only wonder if the woman thought she was absolutely mad to be out in this. Instead, she recognized the very thing she felt. Alive! She also looked…cold? Whipping her jacket off, she wrapped it around Tyler’s bare shoulders, pulling the lapels closed tight. In the dreamlike glow, fierce winds whipped around them, cocooning them while soft heavy snow fell all around. It was ethereal and magic all at once and for the life of her, she couldn’t let go. Since the day she’d come home from Afghanistan, she had been living day-to-day. Days had become weeks, the weeks months, and she had accepted that she had found a way to live. But here, now, with this woman standing in front of her, living wouldn’t be enough. She felt alive; more alive than she’d ever felt.

  Tyler held her gaze, and instead of taking hold of the jacket, she placed her hands over Georgie’s. “It’s amazing. The storm’s energy,” she qualified. “I’ve never felt anything like it.”

  There was so much she wanted to say. So much she wanted to ask. Yet, standing here, so close together while the snowstorm raged on, she understood there was absolutely no need. In a way, Tyler understood her better than she understood herself. If she’d thought differently, the last few hours had certainly proven that wrong. The woman just seemed to get her. And it wasn’t just her ability to figure out what she was trying to say and say it for her. Tyler was her own person and had no problem raising her own concerns, offering solutions and even lobbying, as she had this evening, on the Coast Guard’s behalf. Georgie loved that.

  “You were wonderful tonight,” Tyler told her. “When you showed the Commander the logic diagram for the rescue app, I thought he was going to cry. He really thought he was about to revolutionize marine communications. At least he felt better when you told him his networking solution was superior. That was very nice of you.”

  Georgie practically blushed at the praise. No matter how much snow came down or how much wind whipped up, standing here in this moment, holding Tyler’s hands, all she could think about was how much she wished she could kiss her. Perhaps they could find time to talk. She wanted to, no, needed to explain some things, make sure of some things. She didn’t want to make a mistake with Tyler. She needed to explain. It was just that standing here, in this moment, all she wanted was to kiss her. It would be so easy to overlook policy, forget caution, let go of who she was for what she wanted, but that wasn’t Georgie DiNamico.

  Deciding to explain, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes for the tenth of a second she needed to see the words she wanted to share. Suddenly Maggie was beside her, pressed hard against her leg. She
opened her eyes to the last face she ever wanted to see.

  “There you are! We couldn’t figure where you got to,” Zoe said, with a mischievous smile. “Look who I found. Just in time too. I think Dad was going to bore her to death.”

  Georgie just stood there angered and offended. Tyler had dropped her hands when Maggie had warned of the intrusion. “Tyler Marsh,” she said, now offering her hand to the newcomer.

  “Dr Margaret O’Shea.”

  If Tyler recognized the name of Georgie’s former partner, she did not indicate it, just coolly shook her hand.

  Zoe implored them, “Now that all the formalities are done with, can we move back into the blessed heat?” It sounded like a question, but she was already through the door.

  Tyler and Margaret, however, were waiting for her. Feeling trapped, she placed one hand on the dog’s head, signaling with the other for the two women to lead them back inside. What the hell else could she do? Nothing, until someone explained to her why Margaret was there and why she’d been allowed to get as far as the ninth floor, much less up to the roof. It was easy to imagine that Zoe was part and parcel of whatever was going on. She was leading the group back down the stairs and directly into Henry’s apartment. The place was even busier now and if there was one rule Marnie had, above all else, it was no family fights in front of the guests. That might keep her from wringing her niece’s scrawny little neck, but it wouldn’t stop her from demanding answers from her ex. “Why…are—you—here?”

  “Georgie!” Zoe admonished. “Margaret’s our guest. She’s here with her father.”

  “It’s all right Zoe; you know Georgie doesn’t like surprises.” Margaret said it with such aplomb one could almost ignore Georgie’s glacial expression. “You must be the doctor helping my Georgie,” Margaret said to Tyler. “I’m Dr O’Shea. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m sorry I missed your name when Zoe introduced us. Whatever were you two doing out in that storm? It’s just crazy out there! Talk about a night not fit for man nor beast!”