by Lydia Rose
Sam returned to the living room carrying a tray with their coffee. She set it on the coffee table and they both took a seat. “So what movie did you bring for us to see?” Sam asked, not mentioning the photo and the struggle they had just been through.
Catherine got up and reached for her purse thinking the movie she brought was suddenly wrong. The love story revolved around a man and woman who were engaged to be married when the bride meets someone else. The person she meets is another woman. When she chose the movie she thought the story line would satisfy both of them. Now she wasn’t so sure. Catherine handed the DVD to Sam who read the information on back.
Sam looked at Catherine and then stood up to put the DVD into the machine.
They both sat quietly as the movie began. The first part of the movie was the man and woman falling in love and then the woman meets Lena. The gay woman wasn’t overly feminine, but she wasn’t butch either. Sam fidgeted in her seat as the love scene played on the screen. Catherine found herself rooting for the main character to choose the love Lena was offering. Unfortunately, as in Hollywood’s tradition she went back to the man. Catherine sat there as the credits rolled with tears falling down her cheek.
Sam looked at her. “Are you okay?” she asked with a chuckle and handed Catherine a tissue.
Catherine took the offered tissue and wiped her eyes. “That was so sad.”
“It’s only a movie, Cate.” Sam was still chuckling.
“I know, but she loved Lena and went back to Paul.” Catherine blew her nose.
“That’s life. It’s easier to live the way the rest of the world lives instead of following your heart,” Sam sighed. “So many women have married just because they didn’t have the strength to live the life they were supposed to.”
“You didn’t,” Catherine said turning on the sofa to look at Sam.
“No. I knew what I was from a young age and I would have rather remained alone than to be with a man.” Sam shrugged. “My parents never pushed me into dating. They knew what I was too,” she giggled. “Probably before I did. For Robin it was different. She was so feminine that her parents forced her into dating. She told me she was miserable, but she went through the motions. After she graduated from college, she told her parents she was gay. They didn’t take it well and her relationship with them was strained the rest of her life.”
“That’s so sad,” Catherine began to cry again.
Sam reached for Catherine without thought and held her close. “You’re very emotional tonight. Is everything okay?” Sam asked as she rubbed her back.
“I don’t know. I didn’t cry like this when I left Alan.”
“Maybe you need to grieve: for your marriage, for the loss of love and for the new life that lay ahead. Let it out, Cate.”
Catherine laid her head on Sam’s chest and cried. She felt so secure in her arms that her hand went around Sam’s waist. Sam kissed Catherine’s forehead and continued to rub her back until the sobs ended.
Catherine sat up. “Thank you. I feel better now.” She lowered her eyes. “I’m sorry. That’s so embarrassing to lose it with someone you barely know.”
Sam looked at her face. “Don’t be embarrassed. I’m glad I could be here for you.” Sam stood up. “Go wash your face and I’ll drive you home.”
Sam drove Catherine home and walked her to the door. “If you need anything, give me a call.” She hugged Catherine to her. “Good night, Cate.”
“Thank you for everything,” Catherine said. “Good night.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
The next morning, Catherine woke up still feeling depressed. She had no idea where these feelings were coming from. Catherine got up and went to the bathroom. Instead of taking a shower, she crawled back into bed. Catherine fell back to sleep in hopes of making the depression leave her body.
It was after two o’clock when she left her bed. She couldn’t remember the last time she stayed in bed that long. Catherine moved slowly, but she went to take a shower. As she stepped out of the water, she heard banging on her door. She reached for her robe and went to the door. When she opened the door, she saw the look of fear on Sam’s face. “Is everything all right, Sam?”
Sam entered the house. “I’ve been calling and texting since nine o’clock this morning.”
Catherine walked into the kitchen and pushed the button on the coffee maker. “I’m sorry that you worried. I didn’t hear the phone.” She looked at Sam still seeing fear in her eyes. “I just got up,” Catherine said with a shrug of her shoulders.
Sam took a seat at the snack bar. “I’ve been going out of my mind with worry. You were so depressed when you left my house, I thought...” Sam didn’t finish.
Catherine went over to Sam and put her arm around her. “Oh, Sam. Yes I was depressed, but I would never do anything to myself.” She could see the tears in Sam’s eyes. “You’re right, I never mourned for my marriage and it just all came out.” She squeezed Sam to her. “Thank you for caring. It’s been a long time since someone cared that much, but I promise you that I would never harm myself.” Catherine reached for a tissue and wiped the tears from Sam’s face. “Oh, honey. I’m really sorry I put you through this morning.”
Sam hiccupped. “I’m just relieved that you’re okay. Please, if you ever feel that way again,” Sam took Catherine’s hands, “call me. I’ll be here for you. I know what it’s like to have your whole life turned upside down.”
Catherine smiled and leaned forward to kiss Sam’s cheek. “You’re a good friend, Sam. I love you.” Catherine leaned back. “Have you eaten today?”
Sam shook her head, “I was too worried.”
“How about I make us some breakfast?”
Sam looked at Catherine’s partially opened robe. “Maybe you should get dressed and I’ll start breakfast?”
Catherine looked down at her robe which had begun to open exposing her breasts. “Oh, I’m sorry, Sam.”
Sam giggled. “Hey, don’t apologize. As much as I’m enjoying the view, I don’t want to embarrass you.”
Catherine smiled wide for the first time since opening the door. “I’ll be right back.”
Sam went to the refrigerator and took out ham and eggs. She was just adding the eggs to the pan when Catherine returned to the kitchen.
“Smells good,” she said as her stomach grumbled.
“Would you pour the coffee while I finish?” Sam asked with a nod of her head.
Catherine poured the coffee and added cream to each cup. Sam brought the plates over to the snack bar. “Sit down, Cate.”
Catherine dug into the eggs as if she hadn’t eaten in days. She was half way finished before taking a breath.
“I guess you were really hungry,” Sam said with a chuckle.
Catherine looked at her plate. “Sorry. I’m being a pig.”
“No you’re not. I love to see a woman with a hearty appetite.” Sam smiled. “I’m glad you’re feeling better. Would you like to take a ride on my boat after you eat?”
“You have a boat?” Catherine asked.
“Yeah, it’s been sitting at the dock for much too long. I go there to start it once in a while, but haven’t taken it out for so long.”
“I’d like that,” Catherine said with a smile.
After they ate and put the dishes away, Sam reached for her keys. “I’ll go get the boat keys and come back and get you. Bring a hat and put some lotion on to protect you from the sun.”
After Sam left, Catherine added suntan lotion to her exposed areas. She reached into the closet and took out a baseball cap. She pulled her hair into a pony tail and put the cap on her head. A quick search and she found her dark sunglasses.
When Sam got back to the house, she asked, “Should we bring water with us?”
“I’ve got a cooler already loaded,” Sam said smiling and looked at the woman standing in front of her. “You look good,” she mumbled. “I mean, much better.”
Catherine walked into Sam’s arms. “Thank you a
gain.”
Sam squeezed Catherine and then released her. “Come on. Let’s go for a ride,” she said with a smile.
Once they pulled away from the dock, Sam drove them to the center of the bay and headed south. After cruising the bay for a while, Sam slowed the boat so Catherine could see the homes from the water. She told her about the storm and how the water filled the streets, and the devastation that occurred to the island’s infrastructure.
“I wasn’t able to live at my house for months even though I never got water in the house. I hope we don’t see a storm like that ever again,” Sam sighed. “I thought about leaving the island, but the mainland was also devastated,” she shrugged. “Storms occur everywhere and you can’t hide from Mother Nature.”
“I’m glad you and Amy didn’t lose your homes. In Indiana we had tornados. At least with storms here, you have time to get away from it. When a tornado hits you only have moments. You’re right, storms happen everywhere.”
Sam put the boat in neutral and reached for the cooler. “Water, Cate?”
“Sure.”
Sam took out two bottles and handed one to Catherine.
“It’s so peaceful out here. It gives you a different perspective of the island from the water.”
Sam now drove them north so she could show Catherine the areas that were affected by the storm. She pointed out the beachfront association that burned down during the storm. The only thing left now was just sand. Sam showed her where the ocean had breached and took all the homes in the area except for one lone house that sat high and dry with the ocean and bay swirling around it. Sam told her about the homes that came off their foundation and ended up in the bay.
“I’m sorry, Cate. I brought you out here to cheer you up and I’m telling you about the worst catastrophe this island has seen in decades.”
Catherine touched her arm. “I’m okay. Really.”
“How about when we get back, we go get a bite to eat?” Sam asked.
Catherine nodded. “I’d like that.”
Sam docked the boat and put the cover back on.
“Thanks for taking me out on the boat. I had a good time,” Catherine smiled.
“Thanks for sharing your time with me,” Sam said keeping her eyes averted. She was beginning to enjoy Catherine’s time too much. It was a need to be with Catherine that she hadn’t felt since Robin and it worried her. She worried that Catherine would see the way she was beginning to feel. She said she would never seduce her and she would keep that promise. It was the pounding in her heart that made her feel alive for the first time in two years.
Sam drove them over to a small café where they had dinner. As they ate dinner, Catherine noticed a change in Sam’s demeanor. “Are you okay, Sam?”
“I’m fine.”
“You’ve gotten so quiet since we left the boat.” Catherine bit her bottom lip as she watched Sam’s face.
“Just lost in thought. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. We both have a lot to think about,” Catherine said with a smile.
Sam’s head shot up and her mind screamed. What the hell does that mean?
When they got back to Catherine’s house, she asked, “Would you like to come inside, Sam?”
“I think you should get some rest. I’ll call you in the morning.”
“And I promise to answer the phone,” Catherine said with a grin as she opened the truck door. “Thank you for a beautiful day, Sam.” She reached for Sam’s hand that was lying on the seat between them. “You’re a wonderful friend. Good night.”
“Sleep well, Cate. Good night.” Sam waited until she was in the house before she pulled away. Now she began to berate herself. How can you fall for a straight woman? It’s only going to bring you grief. Yeah, well tell that to my heart. Maybe Catherine feels something for you too. No, she’s just a nice person who’s very touchy feely. Be her friend and forget that you’re falling for her. Yeah, right. The conversation with herself didn’t bring any answers, but only more questions.
Catherine changed into her pajamas and sat in the living room. She flipped through the channels trying to find something to hold her interest. After a few minutes she settled on an old movie. She began to think about Sam. She realized that she was very lucky to have her in her life. They enjoyed each other’s company despite each woman living such different lives. Then she wondered, were they so different? Catherine turned off the television and went to bed.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Sunday morning, Sam called Catherine at nine o’clock. “Good morning, Sam,” she answered the phone cheerfully.
“Hi. How are you today?” Sam asked.
“I’m good. I took a run already and feel refreshed. Would you like to go to the beach?”
Sam sighed, “Would you be very disappointed if I begged off?”
Catherine chuckled. “If you’ve got a better offer, I understand,” Catherine teased.
“I wish,” Sam said. “Since I worked all week, I’ve got things to catch up on around here. Why don’t you come over at lunchtime and I’ll make us lunch?”
“No, Sam, I’ll bring lunch and we can eat it outside on your nice patio.”
“Sounds perfect, Cate. Go enjoy the beach and I’ll see you later.”
“Thanks.”
Catherine decided she had been neglecting her home since moving in too. She stripped the bed and began doing the laundry that was piling up. She also vacuumed the small house. At eleven thirty, she went to pick up a couple of sandwiches. Catherine pulled into Sam’s driveway at noon.
When Sam opened the door, she noticed the old pair of cut-off jean shorts and an old stained t-shirt that completed her outfit. “Been working hard,” she said with a chuckle.
“Yes, I have,” Sam answered wearing a wide smile. “And I’m starved too.”
Catherine held up the bag. “Well, let’s eat then.” As she walked through the living room, she noticed the photo was still missing.
“I’ll grab some sodas and meet you out there.” Sam took the soda, plates and napkins and walked outside.” She had opened the awning to shade them on the patio. “So did you have a nice time on the beach?”
“You made me feel guilty about neglecting my house. I stayed home to do laundry and cleaning,” Catherine pouted. “You spoiled my morning.”
“Oh, yeah. It was all my fault.”
They both giggled and bit into their sandwiches.
After lunch was cleared, Sam offered, “Sit and relax Cate, while I cut the grass.”
“I brought my Kindle with me. I’ll lie on one of your lounge chairs and read.”
Sam went into the shed and pulled out the machine. She first used the trimmer to trim the edges of the lawn.
Catherine began to read, but her eyes kept drifting toward Sam, watching her move around the yard. While her back was to Catherine, she could see the muscles flex in her back. She lowered her eyes as Sam turned, and tried to concentrate on what she was reading. Catherine now watched as Sam walked her mower up and down the grass in a line. She went inside to get a bottle of cold water. Her mouth was so dry that she drank half the bottle before she came outside. Walking over to Sam, she handed her a bottle.
“Thanks. I could use this.” Sam took a long swallow of water and handed the bottle back to her. “Thanks again.” She started the lawn mower again and finished cutting the yard.
Catherine went back to her seat and gave up on reading. Her sunglasses covered her eyes, so her eyes followed Sam around the yard. She never heard someone calling her until Sam shut off the mower and pointed to Amy’s house. Ray was trying to get her attention. She turned and said, “Sorry, Ray. I didn’t hear you.”
Ray chuckled. “Would you two like to come over for steaks tonight?”
Catherine looked at Sam who nodded. “Sure, Ray. What time?”
“Amy will be home by four thirty. How about five?”
“Thank you. We’ll be there.”
Sam finished cutting the grass and pu
t the lawn mower away. She walked over to the patio. Can I leave you alone while I go take a shower?”
“Sam, you don’t need my permission. I’m fine hanging out by myself. Go.” Catherine pointed with her hand.
Sam smiled and went into the house. She stripped off her clothes and stepped into the warm shower. Sam wondered if Catherine had been awake while she cut the grass. Every time she looked to the patio, Catherine’s eyes were on her. She couldn’t be certain because of the sunglasses. Maybe she had fallen asleep and that was the reason she never heard Ray calling her. Sam decided on a black pair of shorts and a pink golf tee. As she stepped out onto the patio, she heard Catherine do a wolf whistle.
“Don’t you look hot,” Catherine commented. “I wouldn’t have guessed you’d be able to pull off hot pink, but it looks great on you.”
“I think that was a back-handed compliment,” Sam said chuckling. “Don’t go away.” Sam went back into the house and came back carrying a picture frame.
Catherine looked up and Sam handed it to her. “Is this the photo you wouldn’t let me see the other night?”
Sam nodded.
Catherine looked down at the photo and couldn’t believe her eyes. Sam was wearing a beautiful black dress. Her hair was longer and she also had on heels. Robin was wearing a similar dress in white and holding a bouquet of flowers. Catherine was stunned by what she saw and her hand moved across the frame. “Is this your wedding picture?” she asked, looking at Sam.
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you want me to see this?” Catherine asked not understanding.
“I thought you would laugh when you saw me in a dress.” Her eyes lowered. “I thought you would think it looked like a man playing dress up.”
Catherine stood up and walked over to Sam. “I think you and Robin look beautiful. I can see the love you have for each other in this photo.” She wrapped her arm around Sam. “You look wonderful in this dress, but I like you just as much when you dress like yourself.” Catherine squeezed Sam closer to her.
