Outing of the Heart

by Lisa Ann Harper

  When Sid saw her she gave a low whistle of appreciation. ‘You look a million dollars, Babe. How come all this for Swiss Chalet?’

  Ten reddened. How to get out of this?

  ‘It’s not for the restaurant silly, it’s for you.’ Well, that was true enough. ‘Our first night out together in ages.’

  ‘In that case, what I’ve chosen isn’t good enough,’ she declared firmly, compressing her lips.

  ‘You don’t have to change, Sid. You look fine.’

  ‘Yes I do. Now I’m not satisfied.’ She turned on her heel and made straight for the closet, rummaged briefly and changed her shorts to the cotton chinos with the patch pockets. Now she felt better. The white T-shirt could stay. This time it was Ten’s turn to cast admiring glances. “My, she’s something special all right,” she thought.

  While Sid collected her keys and wallet, Ten retrieved the gift packages with the card and placed them on Sid’s bedside table for her to discover later. She would carry her shoulder bag, big enough to carry her little purse later. So far so good.

  Driving downtown wasn’t a frenetic experience tonight, the evening being balmy and peaceful. Boisterous revellers would not be heading off to their favorite haunts ’til much later. Meanwhile, a golden sunset was still spreading itself hotly over the rooftops.

  Ten was a little quiet, anxious about the events which would be unfolding. Thea had said not to worry, but she couldn’t help it.

  ‘Everything OK, darling?’ Sid reached for Ten’s hand.

  ‘Yes, yes,’ she hastened to reassure her, perhaps too quickly, but Sid noticed nothing.

  The restaurant was crowded, this being the time for family business, but their wait wasn’t long. Ten had lost some of her appetite by this stage, but Sid was ready to tuck into a surf and turf with French fries and a side salad. Ten settled for the spare ribs with Swiss Chalet’s special sauce. She passed on the fries.

  Sid remembered their earlier conversation and toward the end of the meal remarked that she would still like to give vegetarianism a try. ‘You?’ She looked inquiringly across.

  ‘Yes, I’m still game,’ she concurred. ‘We just have to make the start.’

  ‘Tomorrow?’ Sid raised that eyebrow again.

  ‘Tomorrow.’

  They were on to coffee, so Ten raised her cup in salute.

  It was time. She could postpone no longer her role in Thea’s plan. She picked up her purse and began rummaging through. ‘Oh.’ she exclaimed, in a semblance of shocked dismay, ‘I’ve lost my wallet.’

  ‘What?’ Sid’s head jerked back from her casual scanning of the room. ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Well it’s not here. Let me think. The last time I had my purse …’ she paused, ‘ …was when we went over to Reine’s.’ She tried to look bemused. ‘Perhaps it’s there?’

  ‘Let’s check the car first,’ Sid suggested. ‘It could have dropped between the seats. Otherwise the house. Did you have much in it?’

  ‘I … I … don’t remember,’ she said distantly, not liking this.

  Sid stood up saying: ‘I’ll go settle up then we’ll check the car, then the house.’ She had no choice but to go along with it, but when the car search proved fruitless, she suggested they were so close to St. James Town, it would be quick and easy to drop over there. Almost eight-thirty, the timing was perfect. A swift, betraying heat rose unbidden to color her cheeks. If Sid objected? “This is the one and only time I’ll go through this,” she vowed. “Never again. My nerves can’t stand it.” She’d just begun to relax when Sid suggested they phone.

  ‘Save driving over. They may have company,’ she contended.

  It was getting worse. She didn’t want to risk a call, someone else might answer, Sid would hear party sounds. Her chances of getting her over there were slipping away. Damn. Damn. She wasn’t going to be able to pull it off.

  One last try. ‘Look Sid, it’s so close, let’s just go.’

  They were each standing either side of the car, talking over top of it.

  ‘I’m pretty sure since it’s not in the house, that must be where I left it.’ She waited, heart thudding against her ribs.

  ‘OK. It’ll put your mind at rest, I guess.’

  ‘Thanks Honey.’ She breathed a sigh of relief as she got in.

  ‘What about credit cards?’ Sid was still worried.

  She didn’t want to talk about the wallet. It wasn’t in her nature to fabricate and all this sat very uncomfortably. But for the fact it was in a good cause, she wouldn’t be doing it at all. As they turned into guest parking she noted the cars … but then a Saturday night people were always visiting.

  When Sid buzzed to announce them no one spoke, but the door opened. ‘That’s funny,’ she said, ‘they usually say: ‘Hello, come on up’.’ As they stepped off the elevator and made their way to the apartment Ten expected to hear music, but it was quiet. Sid gave a short sharp knock. The door was immediately opened and suddenly a burst of sound as everyone shouted: ‘SURPRISE.’

  She stepped back totally stunned then laughed, turning towards Ten who still remained in the hallway. ‘You knew about this, didn’t you,’ she accused.

  ‘I hope it’s all right. Thea said you like surprises.’ She looked worried, but her brow cleared as she observed the delight on the girl’s face. Then Sid looked at her archly and said: ‘Have you found your wallet now?’

  A sheepish look. ‘Yes.’

  They moved forward into the room but progress was slow, bursting as it was at the seams with well wishers. Some were coming up to Sid giving hugs and kisses; others thumped her on the back, grinning at her discomfort with all this attention. Someone started the music again, Kylie singing, ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS, very loud. The floor vibrated beneath Ten’s feet and up through her cast, but she didn’t mind, it was fun. This was great in fact. All these women. She couldn’t get over it. Reine took her aside and sat her down in a vacated chair. ‘What’ll you have to drink, Ten?’

  ‘A red wine, please.’

  ‘My dear, you look stunning tonight.’ Reine gave a very good imitation of a leer. ‘Pity Sid’s my best friend,’ she concluded as she turned away on her errand.

  Propped in her corner Ten was able to observe the assembled throng. She picked out some faces she’d seen at softball, but many were new. “Was one of them Karen?” Really no point in trying to guess. It was Thea who turned up with her drink and having handed it over, perched her ample backside on the arm of the chair.

  ‘Any problems getting here?’

  ‘My heart was in my mouth a couple of times,’ she took a sip, ‘but, as you can see, we made it. How’s it been for you?’

  ‘Everything went just fine. There was only one last minute cancellation and that’s been more than made up for by people bringing friends. You know how things grow.’ Thea’s enlarged eyes rolled dramatically then she went on. ‘Everyone’s here, just about. One late arrival to upstage the birthday girl, but that’s typical of Trent.’

  Trent. Ten remembered the name. The self-assured woman she’d met at the game and The Rose … the Two-Step.

  ‘Probably sporting her latest conquest,’ Thea amended, looking about her at the crowded room. She and Trent went back a long way so she took her as she found her.

  Reine and Thea didn’t have a large apartment, but they’d managed to create a feeling of space by moving the table to one side and the plants, normally in front of the sliding doors, relegated to the bedroom. Many of the guests had spilled out onto the balcony, mostly the smokers. Thea excused herself, needing to keep an eye on things.

  Ten observed a lively, yet relaxed atmosphere and felt good. At the moment Sid was nowhere to be seen, swallowed up by old friends, no doubt eager to catch up on the latest, she calculated. Varied cross-sections of women from all walks of life were here. Some really young, sporting brightly dyed hair, with or without nose ring or stud. One had a ring at the end of her eyebrow and a series, climbing up her earlobe.

 
“Why would she do that?” she wondered. It didn’t seem to enhance her appearance. “Perhaps it’s a signal?”

  Other women had a sporty look; big loose shorts, desert boots and socks. They were often in pairs so the couples were into look-alikes. “Only bed would tell the difference,” she smiled to herself. Yet again there were the ultra femmes; makeup, nail polish, accentuated red lips. They epitomized the trendy look of lesbian chic, still sweeping some of the glossy magazines. Whatever their preferred style they all seemed to be mixing … no problem.

  From across the room a tall, overly thin woman was taking special note. She hadn’t seen Ten arrive, but now her eyes were glued to her, watching her sit at ease in the big chair, not talking, but obviously interested in all that was going on. She had been struck by the radiance of this beauty. She found her dark somewhat sultry looks with large, flashing eyes quite an irresistible combination. She knew she was perving on her body too. That clinging black dress allowed her imagination to run riot over what lay beneath. Her eyes narrowed. No one seemed to be hanging about. This interesting newcomer it appeared, was on her own then. She began to make her way, slowly.

  Drinks were flowing freely, the volume level steadily rising. Someone had changed the music to a disco beat … M.C. SAR & The Real McCoy had just finished their U.S. Airplay Hot Mix of ANOTHER NIGHT and now they were onto the Club Attack Mix of RUN AWAY. A few couples had made some space for themselves where they stood and were beginning to dance, gyrating to the hypnotic beat in a way that gave Ten pleasure just to watch. One day she’d dance again, but the wait seemed awfully long. She gave a deep sigh.

  ‘That sounded very sad on a happy occasion,’ a voice commented behind her. She jumped in surprise, turning around to see a well dressed, rather plain woman, bending over the back of her chair.

  ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,’ she apologized in a warm, soft voice. ‘I was watching the dancers too, then heard you sigh.’ She held out her hand. ‘My name’s Lyndall.’ Ten had to twist awkwardly to shake.

  ‘Tenille,’ she said and added: ‘Not a drama.’ She returned to her scrutiny of the dancers, not knowing what to say next.

  ‘Are you a friend of the guest of honor here or a friend of a friend, so to speak,’ Lyndall enquired, trying to make conversation.

  ‘Oh, a friend of Sidonie’s,’ she replied: ‘And of Thea and Reine’s too.’ Just then Thea returned to view, making her way towards them in a flurry.

  ‘Oh good. You’ve met. Lyndall is one of our counsellors at the centre I was telling you about. I was planning to introduce you, but I see there’s no need.’

  Lyndall’s eyes were now even keener in her appraisal. ‘Are you interested in counselling?’

  ‘No, not that part of it.’ She smiled at the very idea. ‘But I would like to do something useful and Thea told me of an opening as a receptionist. I’ve never done that type of work but, if shown, I think I could manage. It all depends on what the centre is looking for,’ she finished a little hesitantly.

  ‘Mm..m. I think someone just like you,’ Lyndall supplied, feeling more and more pleased with this turn of events, never taking her eyes from the captivating face in front of her. ‘It’s a committee decision of course, like everything these days, but I can tell you, people haven’t been beating a path to our door.’ By now she had come round to the front of the chair and standing before her could really appreciate the exciting swell of her breasts and the slim hips, as she looked down.

  ‘Tenille has a background in nursing, although she’s not doing that at the moment,’ Thea clarified. Ten held up the offending cast.

  ‘Laid up and on canes,’ she laughed hollowly. ‘That’s why you heard me sighing just now.’

  ‘Oh, I see. But this state won’t last for ever and then it’ll seem like it happened to someone else.’ Lyndall smiled encouragingly down at her. Ten believed Lyndall’s clients would like her a lot. A positive and sure attitude emanated from this woman.

  ‘Can you tell something of what the job would entail, Lyndall?’ she asked. Before she could answer Thea interjected. ‘I can see you’re in good company Tenille, so I’ll go attend to the party trays. Now that you’re here I want them to start circulating.’ With this she bustled off on her important business, leaving Lyndall wondering what all that meant. She settled down to some serious talk with this engaging stranger.

  Some time later, Sid came upon the two of them, heads close together. It was as though she had been stabbed. Was this jealousy? “Don’t be silly,” she chided herself. They pulled to an abrupt stop, Sid, arm in arm with a large, solidly built woman whom she introduced as Milka. She had been trying to get over to this side of the room for some time, although wouldn’t have believed just how long it would take. It was important to her that Milka and Ten meet. A quizzical look at Lyndall made Ten hasten to make the introductions.

  ‘We just met,’ she added diffidently, feeling the need for some reason, to explain the situation, although this must have been perfectly obvious. Sid’s manner was making her feel recreant. Left on her own for so long, now she was back, but something was different. Was she being oversensitive? Sid only nodded in Lyndall’s direction then quickly turned back to Ten.

  ‘There’s nibblies out there,’ she pointed her head in the direction of the kitchen. ‘You want I bring you a selection on a plate, Babe?’ Her proprietary tone and use of the endearment gave the clear message of her interest in this intriguing woman. Ten declined the offer, but felt better about Sid.

  Lyndall made an excuse to take off. “I’ll leave the field to her,” she thought, “for now. She’s much too young for a mature woman. I’ll get to her on the volunteer staff at the centre. There will be lots of time there to get to know her. I’m not going to let this one get away.” She turned back for another good look. Her eyes had not deceived her. This woman was ravishing. One thing for certain, once seen she would not be easily forgotten. Not only did she have looks; her beguiling face showed a delightful play of emotions, every nuance of mood change. She liked that. But those eyes. They were worth all the rest. On their own they would have turned a plain woman into a beauty and certainly Tenille could not be called plain. Her skin was delicately translucent. When she had lifted her head she wasn’t just compelling, she was exquisite.

  Lyndall hadn’t felt this worked up over a woman in a long time. Possibly getting too old, losing her drive? Obviously the right one hadn’t come along. This made Tenille doubly special. She vowed, there and then, to do all she could in her power, to bring her over to her side. She reckoned that a young, callow butch wouldn’t be too much competition. What she lacked in looks herself, could more than be made up for in experience. She’d been around; knew how to get what she wanted. Her problem of late had been she’d not seen anything to get her pulse racing … ’til now. “What a break. Thea, I could kiss you.”

  Milka was warming to Ten and just about to launch into how far back she and Sid went, when someone else came up to them and insisted on taking Sid away. ‘She’s in good hands,’ Milka assured her and Sid believed it so.

  The party was taking off like a bubbling pot. It was wall to wall women and good times flowed. Someone had brought along their Madonna collection so all the women who could, squeezed into the dance space for VOGUE, for old time’s sake. At this point Edina came up to Milka to persuade her she really could shake it one more time.

  Ten was left once again, to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the evening for Sid’s sake. What a birthday they were giving her. She expected to see her up dancing. They couldn’t dance together, but there would be sure to be others who would like to partner her.

  ‘All alone, but not feeling blue I hope.’ Trent appeared before her; glass of red wine in hand.

  ‘This is for you,’ handing over the drink with a broad smile. She was looking very handsome all in white, the collar of her crisp cotton shirt turned up, the buttons undone far enough to reveal an expanse of perfectly tanned flesh, drawing the ey
e down to a deep cleavage.

  Surprised and pleased Ten accepted the wine asking: ‘How did you know what I like to drink?’

  ‘No, I’m not prescient,’ Trent laughed openly into her face. ‘I just checked with Thea. How are you Tenille?’ Her voice changed to one of warm concern.

  Staying standing in front of Ten blocking her view, Trent effectively forced her to concentrate all her attention on herself. Her hair, thick and tawny, with shades of auburn and red, was cut very short in an expensive Sassoon style, suiting her wide forehead and high cheekbones. Age had given a certain gauntness to the face, but this only served to enhance her attractiveness. There was no mistaking the strength of her character. Not someone to be taken lightly. She watched; the slant of the cool hazel eyes, flecked with gold highlights, the slow curl of the sensual smile; the gentle rise and fall of the breasts, her undeniable magnetism.

  ‘Oh, not so bad Trent. Feeling a bit frustrated though.’ Ten’s eyes darkened as she sighed. ‘I’m stuck here with this cast, unable to move, whilst all around me women are enjoying dancing to the music.’

  Trent laughed again. ‘I can fix that. Wait, I have to find a chair.’ She put her drink on the end table then turned on her heel and was gone. Ten was both mystified and captivated. “What could she be up to?” The woman quickly returned, having managed to obtain a folding chair from the balcony and set herself down so they were face to face.

  ‘Place one knee here, between mine,’ she moved Ten’s leg with the cast with both her hands. ‘The other, just to the outside, there. Good. Now, give me your glass.’ She put it beside her own on the table. By now the music had changed and Rene Geyer was singing, CLOSE.

  ‘This one’s a good one,’ Trent was looking pleased. She held up both hands, palms up and out towards Ten. ‘Place your hands against mine. Palm and fingers flat.’ She did as she was bid, almost under a spell.