by Lydia Rose
“Please Sam, leave me alone.” Catherine’s words were severe and firm.
Sam left the house without saying another word.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Sam’s calls to Catherine went unanswered all evening. She got into her truck and drove over to the house. Her heart sank when she got to the house and Catherine’s SUV wasn’t in the driveway. Sam sat there sitting in the driveway feeling her life falling apart again.
Catherine drove to a park and sat in her truck. She didn’t want to be at the house when Sam came over. Catherine knew by ignoring all of her phone calls that she would show up at her house in the morning. When her phone rang, she almost threw it out the window but glanced at the screen. “Hi, Patty,” she said softly into the phone.
“I am so sorry, Cate. Mom, told me she came to see you,” Patty said with a deep sigh.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do, Patty. I feel so lost,” Catherine admitted.
“What do you mean, what are you going to do?” Patty asked with concern in her voice.
Catherine tried to laugh. “I don’t mean that. I mean about Sam.”
“Do you love her, Cate?” Patty asked.
Catherine nodded, but didn’t speak because her never ending stream of tears was beginning again.
“I can’t hear you,” Patty said loudly.
“Yes, Patty, I love Sam.”
“So there’s nothing to do.”
Catherine chortled. “Mom said she didn’t want to hear from me until I came to my senses.”
Patty sighed again. “Mom and dad do what’s best for them. They always have and now you want to throw away your happiness because of what she said?”
“Well...” Catherine said softly.
“Well nothing. It’s her loss. Don’t screw up your life because she can’t handle this.” Patty continued ranting. “For God’s sake, it’s 2015. Gay marriage is legal in this state. Just because mom lives in a world of her own, you don’t have to follow her. What has Sam said about all this?”
“I sent her away yesterday.”
“So you’re trying to handle this on your own?”
“Yes, I have to.”
“Sam must be going crazy. Have you thought about her feelings and what you’re putting her through?”
“I told her I needed time to be alone.”
“I’ll give you time to think, but if you throw away happiness for our mother, you’re crazy. Do you want me to come down?” Patty’s voice softened.
“No. It’s not necessary. I have to work through this on my own.”
“Cate, I ask only one thing.” Patty sighed again. “Don’t shut out Sam. She can help you get through this.”
“Thanks for calling, Patty.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” Patty insisted.
Catherine stayed away from the house all morning and into the afternoon. She didn’t want to face Sam yet. She couldn’t.
Sam’s cellphone rang again the moment she stepped into her house. “Sam, I’m sorry I haven’t called you back.”
“I’ve been worried about you, Cate. Are you okay?”
“No, I’m not okay.”
“Let me come over,” Sam begged.
“No. Please, I need some time. I have to work through this.”
“Are you sure?” Sam asked softly as tears stung her eyes.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” Catherine said before she disconnected the call.
Sam was still holding her phone as she slid to the floor in tears. Her heart felt broken in two knowing she was losing Catherine and she could do nothing to stop it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“Hi,” Catherine said when she called Sam Monday night.
“How are you?” Sam asked with her eyes closed.
“I was busy at work which kept my mind occupied.” Catherine took a deep breath. “How are you, Sam?”
“Heartbroken.” Sam admitted. “I wish you would let me help you get through this. We can work this out, Cate.”
“How can you help me out? Your parents didn’t disown you because of who you love.”
Sam sighed. “How do you know what I went through with my parents? Sam began to get angry and regretted her next words. “Are we over, Cate?”
“I don’t know, Sam. I’m sorry.”
“I am too,” Sam disconnected the call.
Sam didn’t hear from Catherine the rest of the week and as much as it pained her, she didn’t call Catherine. Sam was sitting on her patio on Saturday morning when Amy yelled over the fence.
“Hey, Sam. Is Cate with you?” Amy asked.
Sam shook her head.
“Will you see her later?”
Sam shrugged and watched Amy leave the fence and go through the gate.
“What’s going on?” Amy asked.
“Cate and I aren’t seeing each other anymore.”
“What?” Amy asked shocked.
“Cate doesn’t want to see me anymore.”
“What happened?”
“Her mother,” Sam said softly. “She told Cate not to contact her again until she came to her senses.”
“That woman,” Amy growled. “I never liked that woman. All she wanted from her children was for them to be these perfect little robots. Why do you think Cate took off for Indiana and didn’t come back? She wasn’t even married to Alan when her parents moved to Florida. I believe she married him because there was nothing to come home to.” Amy shook her head. “So she broke up with you because of her?”
“Apparently. She doesn’t want to see me or talk to me. Cate said she needs to be alone and work this out.”
“So, she didn’t break up with you?”
“It’s the same thing, Amy. She won’t let me help her work through this. She wants to do it alone. I know the next time Cate talks to me, she’ll tell me it’s over.”
“You don’t know that,” Amy insisted.
“She’s not going to give up her family for me.”
“Let me speak with her before you get all nuts,” Amy said.
“Don’t interfere, Amy. I appreciate it, but leave it alone.”
“Okay, I’ll see you later.” Amy went back to her house. As she came through the patio door, she whispered, “Yeah, I’ll leave it alone.” Amy laughed.
****
Catherine heard a car pull into her driveway and prayed it wasn’t Sam. She looked at the window and saw her sister getting out of the car.
“What are you doing here?” Catherine asked as she opened the door.
“I came to talk some sense into you.” Patty pushed past her and walked inside.
“Are you still shutting out Sam?” Patty asked going to the refrigerator for a bottle of water.
“She has nothing to do with this. This is my problem and it’s something I have to work out.”
“You’re being unreasonable, Cate. This has everything to do with Sam. Have you already decided you don’t want to see her anymore?”
Catherine shrugged. “If my own parents won’t accept my relationship, how is anybody else..?” The tears began again. “I can’t live like that.”
Patty took Catherine into her arms and held her as she cried.
After an hour, Catherine began to calm down again.
“Put your bathing suit on, we’re going to the beach.” Patty held up her hand as Catherine was about to protest. “Change your clothes.”
Catherine went into the bedroom to change into her suit. When she came out, Patty had her suit on too.
“Let’s go.” Patty pushed Catherine out the door.
They were sitting peacefully on the beach when Patty spotted Amy walking toward them. She stood up. “Amy, it is so good to see you again.”
“You too, Patty. I didn’t expect to see you here.” Amy looked down at Catherine. “How are you, Cate?”
Catherine forced a smile. “Fine,” she said hiding her red eyes behind the dark sunglasses.
Patty shrugged. “Have a seat Amy.” Patty sat
on the blanket and gave Amy her chair.
“I spoke with Sam this morning,” Amy said looking at Catherine.
Catherine kept her eyes averted and didn’t acknowledge her statement.
“How is she?” Patty asked.
“She looks as bad as you do.” Amy offered, looking at Patty with a shrug. “What are we going to do about these two?”
Catherine turned her head and lifted her sunglasses. “You two are going to do nothing. You should be happy about this Amy. You were bitching to me only a few weeks ago.”
“I’m not happy, Cate. I was wrong to object to your relationship. I thought Sam seduced you, but I was wrong. I’ve seen you two together and I know in my heart that you belong together.”
The three women got quiet and didn’t notice someone watching.
Sam stood on the boardwalk watching the three women and their animated conversation. She could tell that they were arguing with Catherine even though she couldn’t hear what was being said. Sam stood there for a long time before she walked away.
Patty and Amy began to speak with each other and ignored Catherine. “How are your husband and the kids?” Patty asked.
“They are all good thank you. What about your husband... and you have a daughter, right?”
“Yes. They’re both good too. You’ve been married for how long now?”
“Fourteen years. The time just flies by and before you know it you’re old,” Amy said with a laugh.
“I’m younger than you two, but I know what you mean. The older I get the more I realize that life is so short. Before you know it, it’s gone.”
“Would you two stop it?” Catherine asked. “I know what you’re trying to do.”
“We’re not doing anything except catching up with each other,” Patty said winking at Amy.
“You’re both married,” Catherine paused. “To men. You have no idea what I’m going through.”
“Have you forgotten when you told mom you were going to marry Alan?” Patty asked.
Catherine didn’t say anything so Amy asked, “She didn’t like him?”
“She thought he was too old for Cate, since he’s twelve years older. My mother wouldn’t even attend their wedding. Bob and I flew out to Indiana for the wedding. My parents didn’t even acknowledge the day.”
Catherine’s head turned remembering the pain she felt at her mother’s rejection. “I forgot about that.”
“This is no different, Cate. You didn’t listen to her then, so why are you listening to her now?”
“I don’t know.”
“Last week you were so happy.” Patty touched Catherine’s foot. You were so in love and this week, you turned your back on a woman who is probably the best thing that’s ever happened to you. Just because mom was right about Alan, doesn’t mean she’s right about Sam.”
Amy stood up. “I’m going to leave you two ladies alone now.” Amy went to stand in front of Catherine forcing her eyes upward. “Listen to your sister, but more importantly, listen to your heart.”
“It was good to see you again, Amy,” Patty said hugging her.
“You too, Patty.” Amy whispered into Patty’s ear, “Keep working on her.”
Patty laughed. “I will.”
Patty and Catherine continued to sit quietly.
“I won’t tell you how to live your life, but...”
Catherine cut her off. “You could have fooled me.”
Patty chuckled. “What I was going to say is that all I’ve ever wanted for you was to be happy. That’s all I can wish for you as I hope you would want for me.”
“I know and I do,” Catherine said as she sniffled. “I’ve been so happy and one visit from mom turned my whole world inside out and upside down.”
“She’s like a bad storm. She blows right in and doesn’t worry about what’s left in her aftermath.”
Catherine laughed. “Thanks for coming down today, sis.”
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” Patty stood up to move her chair so it was out of the sun. As she did, she saw Sam standing on the boardwalk. Patty held her hand up for her to wait. “I’m going to call Bob and I have no signal here. I’ll be right back.” Patty walked toward Sam. “Hi, Sam. Let’s get out of Cate’s view.” They walked behind the dunes and sat on an empty bench. “I’m sorry for opening my big mouth.”
Sam shrugged. “If it didn’t happen now, it would have later.”
Patty put her hand on Sam’s hand. “Don’t give up on her, Sam. She loves you and she has to work through this on her own. Cate’s always been like that. She would never let anyone help her work out her problems. She always had to do it her way.”
“This is nothing like Cate has ever had to deal with before. I’m not sure she’s strong enough to be with me.”
Patty squeezed Sam’s hand. “Yes, she is. Trust me. She’s the strongest person I’ve ever met,” Patty sighed. “I just have to make sure when she works through this, you’ll be there.”
“I don’t know, Patty. I’m not sure I’m strong enough.”
“Was your life better before Cate came into your life?” Patty was asking the hard questions.
“No, I had no life after Robin passed away,” Sam admitted freely.
“Then Cate’s worth the wait.”
Sam stood up. “Thanks for trying,” she said before walking away.
Patty walked back to where Cate was sitting. “How’s the family?”
“Guess who I saw on the boardwalk?” Patty asked ignoring Cate’s question.
“Who?” Cate asked looking at her.
Patty smiled. “Sam.” Catherine turned away. “Amy was right.” Catherine looked at Patty again. “She looks like she hasn’t slept in days.”
“Sam has to forget me. I’m not worth the effort. I’ll call her tonight and tell her that,” Catherine said softly.
“You’ll do no such thing. If you finally come to your senses, do you want her to be moved on?”
Patty was right, but Catherine wasn’t going to admit that to her. She felt terrible for hurting Sam this way. Sam didn’t need to feel that someone else has just left her without looking back, but she didn’t know what to do.
“How about we go back and get changed. You owe me a dinner for driving all the way down here,” Patty said with a chuckle.
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
Sunday morning, Catherine went over to the grocery store to pick up staples for the week. As she got out of her car, Sam was right there.
“Hi, Cate,” Sam said as she found herself right in front of her.
“Hello, Sam. How are you?” Catherine asked self-consciously.
“Not good,” Sam said with a grin. “How are you?”
“I wish I could say better than you.” Catherine wore the same grin.
“I miss your friendship, Cate.” Sam looked at Catherine, but her face showed no emotion. “Of course, I miss you being my girlfriend, but we were friends first.” Now Sam looked at her shoes so she wouldn’t have to see the blank stare on Catherine’s face. Sam waited for Catherine to say something. When she didn’t, she said, “It was good to see you, Cate. Enjoy your day.”
“I miss our friendship too,” Catherine said before Sam walked away.
“That doesn’t have to end, Cate.”
“Can we go backwards?”
“We can try. Would you go to dinner with me tonight?” Sam asked holding her breath.
“I’d like that,” Catherine said.
Sam released the breath she was holding and smiled. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“See you later,” Catherine said keeping her smile in check.
As she walked through the grocery store, she wondered if she should cancel dinner with Sam. She said yes before her brain could fully comprehend the consequences of the question posed to her. Could they go back to being friends? How could she be in the same room with Sam and not want to touch her, to taste her? This is a big mistake her brain screamed.
****
>
Sam was on cloud nine as she got ready for her date with Catherine. Well, maybe a date wasn’t the right word, but at least she was going to spend time with her. It had been a long hard week not being with Catherine, but she was going to wait, as Patty had asked her.
As she drove to Catherine’s house she repeated her mantra. She’s not your girlfriend, she’s your friend. Don’t open the car door for her, don’t hold her chair. Just be her friend.
Sam pulled into Catherine’s driveway and walked to the door. Before she could knock, Catherine opened the door.
“Are you ready?” Sam asked seeing that Catherine was wearing a peach sleeveless summer dress.
“Yes. Come on inside. I just want to get my sweater.”
“That’s okay. I’ll wait out here.” Sam went back to the truck and repeated her mantra. Yeah, but that dress, she said to the empty truck.
Catherine came out and climbed in the truck. “Where are we going?”
“There’s a place nearby that serves fresh homemade pasta. Is that okay?” Sam asked.
“Sure.”
Again, Sam didn’t rush to Catherine’s door. She allowed her to get out by herself and Sam walked into the restaurant ahead of her. They were seated at their table and both women picked up the menu.
“Is there anything you can recommend?” Catherine asked.
“The veal is great and so is the spaghetti and meatballs.”
Catherine ordered a glass of wine and Sam a beer.
“I’ll have the veal with penne and the shrimp cocktail.”
“I’ll have the calamari and the spaghetti and meatballs,” Catherine added when the waitress left the table. “I’ll share my calamari if you share your shrimp?”
Sam nodded and shrugged, “Sure.”
“Did you cut your grass today?” Catherine asked with a grin.
Sam tried to keep her face from showing her emotions as she answered. “Every Sunday,” Sam said picking up her glass of beer. “How has school been?”
“Good. There are English and Finance professors who have offices near me. They’ve been very nice and friendly.”
