Party of Two

by Tey Holden

  “Wow! You have the entire collection of Adriana Marcos books. I didn’t know you read lesbian romance novels. Are they yours or one of your moms?”

  Alex looked up. Shit!

  Blair took one of the books from the shelf. “Shit! This one is signed!” She looked at Alex who was still on the phone and was pursing her lips. She took another book from the shelf and realized it was also signed. She again looked at Alex. She pulled out a third, only to find that it was also signed. “Oh! My God! Alex, these books are signed. Are all of them signed?”

  Alex was off the phone now and replied. “Yes.”

  “How did you ever manage this miracle? Do your moms also know her? Oh my God! This is unbelievable!” Blair was fascinated with the collection.

  Alex smiled in awe. “Are you familiar with those books?”

  “Are you kidding? You are not a good lesbian if you haven’t read Adriana Marco’s books. I’ve read them all, more than once as a matter of fact! She’s my favorite author. She’s actually my hero. You know what I like most about her books?”

  Alex’s mind was racing. Oh God! This was too much. How could she tell Blair about the books and the moms and the wonderful, adventurous and crazy story of their lives?

  “What do you like most about the books? And why is she your hero?”

  “You are going to think I’m crazy. I mean, like most people, I like the passion and the love with which she writes, but what I love about her books are her dedications.”

  “What?”

  “She dedicates all her books to her partner. I get goose bumps thinking of how she must love that woman. I mean a woman who writes with such passion must be capable of great love. I can’t imagine being loved like that! I’ve always thought that her partner must be the luckiest woman on earth. She must also be a wonderful woman to inspire such love. That’s why she’s my hero. She writes about their love with such hunger that it raises the hair on my skin. I think that she must love with the same intensity that she writes.”

  Alex bit her lower lip as her heart picked up quite a rhythm. Blair was looking at the books and couldn’t see her. “And you get all of that from the dedications?”

  “And the stories. You’ll think I’m an idiot, but I’ve actually cried reading her books. You have no idea how I’ve wished so many times to have that kind of love someday with someone.” This was when she looked at Alex and saw that her eyes were filled with tears. “What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”

  “No, I’m okay. It’s what you’ve just said, and what I’m about to tell you that frightens me.”

  “What frightens you?”

  “Not all her books are dedicated to her partner. There is one, the third—.”

  Blair interrupted her. “Yeah, I know. The one she dedicated to her daughter. That dedication is beautiful too. By the way, her daughter’s name is Alex also.”

  “Yes,” Alex smiled. “Blair? Pull out the third book and read what she wrote when she signed it for me.”

  Blair did as Alex instructed and read it. She paused and seemed puzzled. “I don’t understand.” She looked at Alex. “Oh my God!” Blair was momentarily paralyzed. She came over and knelt on the floor in front of Alex. “Is this? Are you? Are you telling me that—?” She swallowed. “Shit! Shit, shit!”

  Alex chuckled seeing the look of shock on Blair’s face. “Yes, you spoke with her on the phone when I was sick, and you took very good care of her Little Bit. And if you were to see my biological mom, you would see an exact replica of me in my old age.”

  Blair was stunned. “Dear God! Are you serious?” She knelt on the floor in front of Alex. “Are you putting me on? Na! I can’t believe this is real! Is this the payback for the liver transplant prank I had coming to me?” She dropped back and sat on her heels, still waiting for Alex to come clean on the prank. But she got nothing back. Alex remained silent and bit her lower lip, smiled and shook her head.

  “You are serious! Oh my God! And, these are the women who want to meet me?” Alex nodded. “And you are the Alex in the stories?” Alex smiled and continued to nod.

  “Oh my God! Oh my God! You little rascal?” Blair laughed nervously. “Jesus, are you resolved to kill me? I cannot believe that you are Adriana Marcos’ daughter. Oh my God! What I just said—.” Blair was exhilarated. “You are going to kill me in so many ways! I feel like I will turn grey before my time.”

  Alex chuckled and blushed. “What you just said is very true.”

  “About what?”

  Blair was mesmerized looking at her. “Do you remember when you told me that you were looking for a real love that would last forever?” Blair nodded nervously. “It’s real, Blair. It exists. I’ve lived it every day of my life. And because of that, it’s the love I seek also.”

  This time it was Blair’s eyes that filled with tears. The realization of this moment was overwhelming for both women. That she and Alex had dreamed of finding the same love based on the same people was such an extraordinary coincidence that it was almost too hard to believe and much less comprehend. How life had intertwined their paths to come together was even harder to understand.

  “I want the same love and I won’t rest until I find it. That’s why I understood what you said. I’ve always felt anguished thinking that I may not be able to find what my parents have. You cannot believe the life they’ve had. I may sound stupid speaking like this of my own parents, but my mothers are the most awesome women in the world, and they’ve adored each other for a lifetime. I want you to meet them. They are not fictional characters. They are very real people, Blair, as real as we are.”

  Alex wiped the tears from Blair’s eyes with her thumbs. “Are the stories also real?” Blair asked.

  Alex smiled. “M’Addy says the readers always ask that same question. She thinks people want the stories to be real because the stories give them the hope to find a love like theirs. So, to answer your question, yes the stories are real because their love is real.”

  Chapter 8

  Just when they were happily talking and enjoying the moment, Blair’s phone rang. “This is rare, I’m not on call tonight. It’s Pat,” Blair said after looking at her phone screen. “Hi Pat, what’s going on?”

  “Listen, honey, Megan felt a little dizzy and sort of fainted, so we called an ambulance and we are in the hospital. I’m here—.”

  “Which one?”

  “Yours.”

  “I’ll be right there. I’m only two blocks away.”

  Blair got up running. “Megan is in the hospital.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “She fainted. I have to go.”

  “I’m coming too.”

  The hospital was only two blocks away from Alex’s flat, so they decided they would get there quicker on foot. Blair looked worried, but in control. They walked fast. Alex was in good shape and her legs were as long as Blair’s so they walked in unison.

  They got to the emergency room and went straight in, finding Pat in the reception area.

  “Where is Megan?”

  “I don’t know. They took her in and told us to stay here.”

  “Where’s Pete?”

  “At the sitter’s.”

  They talked briefly about what happened and Blair left to go into the emergency area. Alex began to follow her, but Pat held her by the arm. “You need to stay out here, Alex. They only allow medical personnel back there.”

  Blair was so worried thinking about Megan, that she didn’t even look back. Alex then began to talk to Pat. Two hours later, Blair walked out wearing her scrubs. She wanted to smile, but she just could not manage it. Her face was drawn. Alex stood up the minute she saw her. “It’s a valve in her heart. Apparently, it hasn’t worked for a while. Pat, did you know that she had this condition?” Pat didn’t answer, and just stared down at the ground. “You knew? Jesus! How come no one told me? A doctor in the family, and I don’t get to know these things? Incredible! Why? Do you know why she wouldn’t tell me?”
r />   “She didn’t want to worry you when you were away at school.”

  “My God! How long has she known? I can’t believe this!” The question was rhetorical, since Pat remained silent. Pat looked at Alex who was listening attentively.

  Blair continued. “She’s stable now. But she will need surgery to replace the valve.” Blair exhaled. She looked worried. “I need to pick up Pete from the sitter.”

  “Don’t worry, honey. I will pick him up, and I will keep him for the night.” Pat’s face was solemn and held a bit of guilt for not having told Blair about Megan’s health concerns.

  “Pat, don’t tell him anything, he’ll just worry. I’ll talk to him later. Just tell him that Mommy is working extra hours.”

  “Alright, dear. When are they doing the surgery?” Pat asked.

  “Tomorrow at seven a.m. They don’t want to wait.”

  Alex was worried also. “Are you—?”

  Blair knew what Alex would ask. “No. I can’t. She’s a relative. Hospital policy won’t allow it. But I want to be here.”

  “I’m glad you’ll be there for her. I’ll check with you later and don’t worry about Pete.” Pat reassured her.

  “Okay. Thanks, Pat. Hi, Lisa. Thanks for coming.” Lisa had come to join Pat tat the hospital when she heard of Megan’s situation.

  “Sure, sweetie, anytime,” Lisa responded.

  Pat was about to leave with Lisa, but before she did, she pulled Alex aside. “Don’t leave her alone. Even if she tells you she’s fine, she’s not. She just doesn’t show it. She’s always been like that. She thinks she has to be strong for everyone. The only time I’ve seen Blair shaken up in her entire life was the other night at the bar with you. You are big in her life, Alex. Take care of her. She’s a big baby.”

  “I know, Pat. I won’t leave her. I’ll bring her home with me. I live two blocks away from here. She was in my flat when you called. And I know how she feels about me.”

  Pat looked at her. “I don’t think you do yet. You don’t know her that well. Just hang on to her. She’s the best, Alex. I hope you are smart enough to see what you have in her.”

  Alex wondered what Pat meant, but she just smiled and nodded. When Pat and Lisa left, Alex took Blair’s hand. “Are you okay?” Blair regarded her, but said nothing. Her face, however, said a lot. She looked tense and seemed to be far away in thought. “Let’s go outside and get some fresh air.” Blair followed her out, as if on autopilot, still deep in thought. Once outside, they sat on a bench on the far side of the courtyard, where Blair remained quiet and removed from reality.

  “Blair?” Blair looked at her. “Talk to me.”

  Blair looked into empty space. “Sorry, I’m trying to figure out why she didn’t say anything about her condition to me. Now that I think about it, after Steven passed away, all she talked about was the importance that I appear as Pete’s legal guardian, in case anything ever happened to her. She had me go to the attorney that very week.” She paused deep in thought. “Now, I understand her urgency. She wanted me to keep Pete, if anything happened to her.” Her face filled with anguish and her eyes filled with tears.

  Alex draped her arm over her shoulders and drew her closer. “Come here. Oh God, you are freezing.” Alex took off her jacket and wrapped it around her and hugged her even tighter.

  “What if she doesn’t make it? I don’t know what I’m going to do if she doesn’t make it, Alex.” She paused. The knot in her throat was not letting her talk. “What am I going to do about Pete?”

  “Let’s not think about that and hope for the best. Things will work out. She’s strong and she will do well.”

  In spite of Alex’s words of comfort, Blair continued on her downward spiral, her mind already going to the worst-case scenario. “Pete is so little. I’d have to care for him. I’ll be responsible for him. I don’t know how I will be able to do that!” She paused and looked at Alex. “Even if she does well in surgery, it’ll take time for her to recover. She’ll need care and Pete will need to be looked after. I need to work to pay the bills.” She felt overwhelmed with the gravity of Megan’s health condition and the gravity of the situation.

  Alex pulled out of their embrace and brushed back Blair’s curly hair. “Listen, you are not alone in this. You have Pat and me. Earlier this evening, you came to my place offering your help and giving me everything you have, remember?”

  “And just look at me now! How will I be able to help you now when I can’t even help myself? I can’t help anyone!” She exclaimed in desperation. “What a piece of shit I am!” She got up and paced up and down in front of Alex.

  Alex took her hand and stopped her pacing. She stood up and took her other hand and held them to her sides. “Blair Reilley, look at me.” Blair reluctantly looked at her. She hated feeling so vulnerable. This was not the picture she wanted to portray to Alex. The gorgeous green eyes, however, were looking back at her with such sincerity that she felt the love they conveyed.

  “I won’t let you do this! Don’t be so hard on yourself. We need to take one thing at a time. Blair, I’m going to help you through this. You and I are going to face this together. We will take care of Pete together and then we will help Megan recuperate. The most important thing now is for Megan to come out of her surgery okay and that she recovers so that she can resume her life. I’m sure that you’ve handled this type of surgical procedure before and have seen people recover. Megan is young and strong and she will be fine. Pete needs his mom. So, let’s focus our energy towards that. Let’s not assume the worst, okay?”

  “Yeah, one thing at a time, okay. Thanks.” Blair nodded, as she began to get her footing again. However, Alex could still see the torment on her face.

  “Don’t worry about Pete. Since I’m not working now, I can take care of him. And I can look after Megan when she gets out of the hospital. I can come and stay with them, and if there’s not enough room in your house for me, you can stay in my flat, so that you can go to work, and I can stay in your room at your house. This would only be temporary. As soon as Megan is better, we’ll take her over to my moms, she can recover there with the fine country air. Pete would love it there too.”

  “Alex, I can’t let you do that! I can’t inconvenience you or your moms.”

  “You are not inconveniencing anyone. I want to do this. And my moms have help at their house. And you can’t refuse my help. A few hours ago, you were trying to help me giving me everything you have. Now it’s me who wants to help you.”

  Blair was quiet. She knew she needed help. “Let’s do what you said, take one thing at a time for now.”

  “Do you need to stay here at the hospital tonight? Because I think you need to get some rest, if you are going to be here at seven in the morning for the surgery.”

  “There’s nothing for me to do here tonight. She’s in the ICU. They’ll call me if there are any developments, but I’ll stay because I don’t want to be too far. You can go home.”

  “No, I’m not leaving you here alone. Either I stay here with you, or you are coming home with me. Personally, I think the second option is the better choice. You need to be rested tomorrow. My flat is close and you can walk here early tomorrow morning, or sooner if they call you.” Alex thought that Addy’s purchase of the flat years ago was a blessing in more than one way. It served them well then, and now she was taking full advantage of its convenience being so centrally located and close to the hospital for Blair.

  Blair didn’t object. She knew Alex was right, and she was too exhausted to even think, much less to argue with her. When they arrived at the flat Blair collapsed on the sofa. She slouched back and ran her hands through her hair. Still reclined on the sofa she looked at Alex. She sighed and closed her eyes, still unbelieving the curve that life had just thrown her.

  “You are so tense. Let me massage your shoulders. Turn around.” Blair turned and Alex began to apply pressure to the very tense muscles. Unwillingly, Blair moaned. “That feels good.” She moaned again. S
he spoke as Alex massaged her. “I like how you always remain positive and look for any bright spot to try to make things better.”

  Alex continued to massage Blair’s shoulders as she spoke. “I don’t like to dwell on the past. I’m the kind of person who takes stock of the situation, picks up the pieces and drafts a plan to move on. There’s only one way to go in life and that’s forward. There’s no point in looking back at what could have been, or what could have happened. The past is gone. The future remains ahead and the present is just a stage for the imminent future.”

  “Wow! That’s profound.” Blair sat up. The massage was too good and she was beginning to feel things she couldn’t allow herself to feel right now. “You have an incredible way to look at things and to lift my spirit. I feel as if everything is possible with you.”

  “Good. Why did you get up? Lay down let me continue my massage and do what I want to do.”

  “Which is?”

  “Take care of you.”

  Blair cocked her left eyebrow.

  “You said that you are always doing things for people. Maybe it’s time that you let someone take care of you for a change,” Alex said in her usual sweet tone.

  Blair stared as if unable to comprehend such an offer. “Except that we haven’t known each other for that long, and that we are barely starting a relationship.” She immediately corrected. “Or friendship, or whatever this is. You have no obligation to help me through this, or to take care of me.”

  “But I do!”

  “Why?”

  “Because I want to.”

  Blair smiled. Alex spoke so effusively and confidently that she found no way to refute her argument. The blonde was forceful about what she wanted and there was no possible way that such a force could be contained.

  Alex continued. “It’s the type of obligation that you feel bound to from the depth of your soul. I told you that I am a very real person. I’m not some kind of flake, who abandons people just like that!”

  Blair continued to smile appreciating the adorable face and the wonderful, kind words. How she wanted to kiss her at that very moment was beyond imaginable. Her faced must have sent the right signals, because it was Alex who came forward and kissed her. It was a gentle brush on her cheek and later on her lips. As if she had been afraid to kiss her. It was a hesitant mixture of want and fear. Blair enjoyed her tribulation and finally cupped Alex’s face and kissed her also, first on her cheek and then her lips. The blue eyes glowed, filled with tears. The walls that were holding her emotions together, all of a sudden collapsed. Her anguish over Megan’s condition, the enormous responsibility on her shoulders regarding Pete, and the agony of having to hold back from passionately kissing the woman she had madly fallen in love with. It was an incomprehensible moment, which left her breathless and helpless.