CHAPTER SEVEN
Sam braced herself as she opened her front door. She really had become too used to coming home at night and neither seeing nor speaking to anyone else until she returned to work the next morning.
Haley smiled and held up a six-pack of Guinness. “Feel like a real woman’s beer?”
Sam smiled and motioned Haley to follow her inside. She had been stretched out on the sofa looking at the catalogs from the day’s mail; why, she wasn’t sure, since she did the majority of her shopping directly on favorite Internet sites.
Haley pulled her keychain out of her pocket and opened two bottles.
“That’s handy.” Sam took a long swallow and tried not to make a face. Guinness was an excellent beer but definitely an acquired taste.
“I was a Girl Scout.” Haley tipped her bottle back. “Really.” She held up the pocketknife packed with utility blades so that Sam could see the emblem on its side.
“I once subscribed to a camping magazine to get one of those, haven’t been camping since I was a kid. I keep it in the kitchen junk drawer. I’m always using it for something.” Sam turned down the volume of the television.
Haley settled into the sofa and propped her feet up on the low square coffee table. “Is that okay?” She lifted both feet.
“That’s what it’s there for.” Sam did likewise.
Haley relaxed and watched the local news. “I went back to the dentist today.” She smiled, showing her teeth. “I’m okay. He’s stabilizing my teeth with invisible braces for a few weeks just to be on the safe side. I didn’t realize how much teeth could move around. My stitches have all dissolved.” She ran her finger over her lips. “I can’t even tell it happened.”
“I wouldn’t have noticed the braces if you hadn’t told me,” Sam said, studying Haley’s face.
“I know, I started to ask for purple just to see what people would say, but I don’t smile enough on the job for anyone to notice.” Haley shrugged.
Sam studied her. “How about that eye? Did they notice that at work?”
Haley looked away. “I told everyone I got up in the night and thought I didn’t need a light turned on.”
Sam knew enough to realize that Haley wanted to talk or she wouldn’t be here in the first place. She was amazed that Haley had said this much.
Haley turned back to Sam. “Hey, you remember that ER nurse Lisa?”
Sam grimaced. “The one who liked me so much?”
Haley chuckled. “She gave my dentist’s office a heads-up to watch out for you.”
“What?”
Haley snickered, covering her braces with her hand. “I know the hygienist. She showed me the file. Lisa made a note on my chart to be alert about you. I wondered why she asked which dentist I used. She still thinks you’re the one who gave me the split lips.”
“Well, how nice.” Sam set the half-empty beer on the coffee table. “What’s the deal with her anyway?”
Haley grinned and nodded. “I thought you were interested.”
“Oh, yeah, we had such great chemistry.” Sam exaggerated a shiver. “No, I mean, is she one of us or homophobic or just mean?”
“Yes, no, maybe from what I could find out. Jeanie knows her from years ago when they both were on the party circuit. Lisa was married, had two children, and gave them up when she came out—sees them once a month for an afternoon. She’s spent years trying to get her oldest son to speak to her especially now that he’s almost finished high school. No luck.”
“Damn, that must be awful.” Sam’s opinion of Lisa shifted.
“I told Jeanie that you had nothing to do with my loose teeth. She just cackled. She’s seen you in the office enough to know better. I think that’s why she showed me the notation—she thought it was hilarious.” Haley’s face was the picture of innocence.
“Why does that give me little comfort?” Sam asked. “You’re getting a kick out of yanking my chain, you turd.”
Haley nodded. “Guilty.” She held up a fresh bottle of beer.
“Go ahead. I’m still working on this one. I just ate and feel bloated enough as it is. Have you had dinner? Pardon my bad manners. I’m such a brute.”
“I grabbed a burger when I stopped for these.” Haley pointed to the six-pack.
“I’m glad you came by. We don’t do this often enough. Why do you think that is?”
Haley sighed. “Look.” She hesitated, staring at her hands. “It was KD. Okay?”
Finally, Sam thought. “No, that’s not okay, on so many levels. Do you think she has the right to mistreat you?”
“It’s not her fault. She was abused as a child.” Everything in Haley said she had to believe that.
“Bullshit,” Sam snapped. She made herself calm down before she continued. “Haley, you’re one of the gentlest souls I know. Why should anyone hurt you?”
Haley’s eyes filled with tears. “She just does.”
“For how long?” Sam’s tone softened.
Haley was crying as she said, “About a year. I just didn’t want to believe it would continue and become worse. We’d been okay up until then.”
“Just okay?” Sam felt her heart going out to the other woman. Her eyes filled also. “What are you going to do about it?”
Haley shook her head. Her body shuddered with the emotion of saying any of this aloud.
“What do you want me to do?” Sam took Haley’s hand in hers.
Haley stared at Sam blankly. “I honestly don’t know.”
“Yes, you do.” Sam took a deep breath. “How often does this happen?” Sam pointed to her own lips and eye.
“If KD is working and going out with friends, we’re okay. If jobs and parties slow down, the least little thing will set her off.”
“Like being over here now? Simply talking about her?”
“She’s away for a job in northern Virginia for the rest of the week. I’m safe.” Haley took a deep breath. “You won’t say anything to her, will you? She’d go off the deep end if she knew about this conversation.”
“Did you hear what you just said?” Again, Sam made herself tone it down—too much emotion would spook Haley. “So you time what you do by her mood swings?”
“Sort of.” Haley ran her hands through her hair. “She really isn’t a monster.”
Sam tapped the glass bottle against the table. “Is she going through menopause? God, that’s such a cliché to ask, but I’m speaking from experience. I know I can sense a change in my moods, and I’m only in the early stage of it.”
Haley shook her head. “Don’t feel bad. I tracked her fits by the calendar, thinking it was part of her cycle when she was getting ready to start her period.”
Sam nodded.
“But it doesn’t follow that, either.” Haley glanced at her wristwatch. “I have to go. She calls about eight thirty or nine o’clock, knowing I fall asleep early.”
“Because you can relax and rest when she’s not around?” Sam asked. “I’m betting she only calls on the landline.”
“Because I’m a morning person and wake up early.” Haley began to shut down the conversation. “She uses the phone card for long distance.”
Sam held her hands up as though in surrender. “Don’t be a stranger. My door is always open to you. I’ll even keep my mouth shut if that’s what you need.”
“You…quiet…” Haley blew air between her lips.
“And I like to take long walks on the beach and watch sunsets.”
“Oh, God help us all, you’re going to start Internet dating again, aren’t you?” Haley stood and turned toward the front door.
“How else will I meet anyone?” Sam lowered her voice seductively. “I like to walk in the rain and rebuild engines.”
“Woo, that was good, gave me the chills in a good way. Are you posting your personals on video now? You sound pretty convincing.” Haley crossed the living room.
“Sounds better than I like to lie around on the sofa in sweats and doze during television reru
ns,” Sam said.
“You think?”
Sam handed her the remaining half of the six-pack. “I don’t need that temptation.” She patted her abs. “I may be getting back into hiking.”
“You go, butch. Put me on your speed dial. I’ll find you if you need rescuing. I owe you one.” Haley tapped the cell phone that was always in her pocket.
“Damn, Paul said pretty much the same thing.”
“We do know you. I thought you promised last time to let Paul and me pick out the next date for you.” Haley said it with a straight face.
Sam pushed Haley out the front door. “Like you two are any better at romance than I am.”
“Sleep well.” Haley waved without looking back.
“Be safe,” Sam whispered.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Stand in front of me for just a second.” Sam guided Paul by the arm so that he blocked her from the rest of the people in the room. She had purposely finished their dance close to the wall.
“Wardrobe malfunction? Is this where I get to flash your boobs at everyone? I thought we were saving that for later.” Paul stood as placed and discreetly looked above Sam’s shoulder at the CMU wall as soon as he realized what she needed to do.
Sam lifted her right boob and adjusted the cup sewn into the strapless, knee-length dress. “Jeez, these things won’t stay put.”
“Your cup overfloweth?” Paul said without lowering his eyes.
“How much have you had to drink?” Sam eased Paul to his left.
Paul laughed. “Nothing so far but a diet cola. I’m giddy being the token gay guy.” They meandered toward the center of the dance floor as the band took a break.
Sam looked about the Powhatan Ruritan Club’s main room. The building was forty feet square with cinderblock walls. The main entrance led directly into the multipurpose area that was thirty feet deep. The far wall from the entrance was divided into restrooms, kitchen, and a small raised stage.
“I think someone saved the decorations from the senior prom.” Sam studied the crepe paper streamers and balloons disguising the acoustic tile ceiling. “My mom made me go with my best friend who just happened to be a guy.”
“Have you kept up with anyone from your graduating class?” Paul glanced about at the small groupings of people cutting their gazes at them.
“Nope.” Sam had been the only one from her class accepted at the University of Virginia who actually earned an undergraduate degree. Once college and jobs took over, her group of friends had spread over the East Coast and made little attempt at staying in touch through their parents.
“My school was big enough for a GL club and influenced by D.C.’s fed employees enough to allow it. We were a very chic group, majority of us still get together when we go home for Christmas.” He looked at the drab white paint on the walls and floral curtains that were in style when he and Sam graduated from high school. “I feel like this is where the Waltons went to socials.” He guided her toward the food, and more importantly, the large coolers with beer on ice. “Allow me.” Paul opened a Heineken for each of them.
Just as Sam was about to take a swallow, she felt herself lifted off the floor in a bear hug. She managed not to pour the contents of the bottle down the front of her red dinner dress.
“I didn’t think you’d show up!” The baritone voice boomed in Sam’s ear.
She was now deaf, as well as dizzy, but she instantly recognized the source. “Dumbass, put me down!” She smacked the arm around her waist. “Jake!” Sam handed her bottle to Paul as she turned and slapped the big man’s shoulders simultaneously as though checking football pads. Jake Heflin was 6’8” of brawn and beer gut.
“Sammy!” He looked her up and down and whistled.
Sam gestured from one man to the other. “Paul, Jake. Jake, Paul.” She looked at Paul as she spoke. “Jake was my best friend in high school.”
“She came to all the football games. I dragged her to the prom. Her mom bribed me.” Jake winked at Paul.
“I bet you were an offensive lineman,” Paul said.
Jake held up his hand for a high five and smacked Paul’s palm.
“Yowzer.” Paul shook his hand.
Sam looked at Jake and nodded toward Paul. “He’s my best bud now.” She grinned at Paul.
“She’s a fag hag.” Paul shrugged.
Jake grinned. “I get it. You finally came out as a lezzie.” The music paused as Jake finished the sentence.
“To everyone,” Sam said with a shrug.
“Sorry,” Jake said as the music started again. “It’s a gift.”
“Well, at least we gave them something new to talk about,” Sam said. “Both of you stand in front of me, facing out.” Sam spun the men around, nudging them shoulder to shoulder, and adjusted her boobs. She slapped each man in the middle of the back when she was done.
Paul looked at Jake before they turned to face Sam. “So you knew in high school that she was a lesbian.”
“I knew that I wanted to ask her out but also knew not to. Then I noticed she was reading a lot of Rita Mae Brown. Even I could put that two and two together.” Jake watched the dancers.
“And there I was, thinking you were a dumb jock, and you knew I liked girls before I did.” Sam hit her forehead with the heel of her hand. “Guys had it made back then. All those cute girls they were expected to ask out and too immature to treat them right.”
“It wasn’t that easy,” Jake said. “I was focused on football—a sports scholarship was the only way I made it into college.”
“You were cute, a jock, smart, and could have asked any girl out and had her take you up on it, but instead, you hung out with me,” Sam said.
“You said I was smart.” Jake grinned. He patted his stomach. “But not smart enough to stay in shape.” Jake was the girth of Paul and Sam combined. “I’ve been divorced twice, have a construction business that takes all my time, and I’m primed for a heart attack.”
“Damn.” Sam’s eyes were on the moving bodies filling the dance floor, one in particular.
Paul and Jake followed her gaze.
Jake chuckled. “Can you believe Cindy Taylor went from head cheerleader to making a living with ballroom dancing, winning contests and teaching two-left-feet guys like me? She told me all about it after explaining how much she cleaned her husbands out for in divorces. I just backed away.” He held up both hands. “Been there, done that, and wore holes in the T-shirt.”
Sam continued to stare.
Paul snapped his fingers inches from Sam’s face.
Jake grinned. “Go for it.”
“What?” Sam said.
“Go for it. She’s bored as hell with men. If I was such a dumbass in high school not to take advantage of all the willing girls, don’t you do the same now with the frustrated divorcees.” He nodded toward the dance floor. “I bet there are at least a half dozen of them who would be flattered as hell if you propositioned them. You’re finally fashionable, girl.” He gave her a little push.
“Get out of here.” Sam looked at the single women scattered about, clearly bored with revisiting old boyfriends and one another.
“Go for it,” Jake said again. “I’ll keep your boy here company and safe from all us rednecks.”
Paul nodded vigorously.
Sam shrugged and stopped her shoulder movement before she dislocated a boob. She wandered toward the refreshments again and fell in step behind Cindy Taylor.
Cindy’s hair was the same length as in high school, barely touching her shoulder blades. She had blended brown with black when she last had her hair dyed. She didn’t appear to have gained any weight, just repositioned what she carried as a girl’s body matured into a woman’s. Sam’s eyes lingered on the low-cut back of the dress that dipped below Cindy’s waist.
Cindy had been one of the girls in high school who appeared to have it all together. Her bases had been covered—parents with well-paying jobs, home in the newest subdivision, and self-confidence to try
out and win spots in any activity. Cindy had played softball and basketball, as well as being a cheerleader for football. If she had had any self doubts, she had hidden them well. Sam, on the other hand, had reached her adult height in ninth grade and felt tall and awkward around anything but books and Jake. Sam had fallen in with the misfit clique and enjoyed other nerdy, nervous teenagers as she figured out it was okay to be big and gay.
Cindy sensed someone behind her and turned. She stared and grinned. “Sammy Moyer?”
“Guilty.” Sam smiled as though meeting a new client with a homeless multimillion-dollar business.
“Cindy Taylor.” She pointed to her badge. “I dropped both married names and took my own back.”
“I never changed mine.”
“So I just heard. Jake never was subtle.” Cindy’s smile openly invited anything.
“That’s what I always liked about him.” Sam wished she had a collar to tug at.
“I always wondered why you two didn’t date.” She shook her head. “Makes sense. So you always preferred other girls?”
“Oh, yeah,” Sam said. Their conversation had taken a surreal turn.
“Smart. I never tried it with a woman, not even in college when most girls do.” Cindy sighed.
“That makes us even. I never tried it with a man.”
“No loss there.” Cindy laughed until she snorted. “Whew. I haven’t done that in a long time. I always thought you’d be fun to get in trouble with.” She placed a hand on Sam’s arm.
“It’s never too late to try things, you know.” Sam felt herself blush. She was sixteen again.
Cindy raised her eyebrows.
“Do you live in the Richmond area?” Sam asked.
“Downtown in a loft and love it.”
“How about dinner next week?”
“You don’t waste any time, do you?” Cindy was clearly amused and intrigued.
“I’ve waited twenty-five years,” Sam said.
“Then the answer is yes.” She reached into a small handbag for a business card and jotted another number on the back. “My personal cell number is the easiest way to catch me.”
Just A Little Romance Page 5
