Chapter Twenty-Four
Joyce arrived at the clinic early for her appointment with Dingo. She sat with the dog on her lap and tried to control the silly grin on her face. The attempt was futile. She’d gone to sleep with thoughts of Amanda and she couldn’t wait to see her. Their interaction had been so easy and natural over dinner last night. The evening had proven to her that she’d been right to fight for her forgiveness. It had also allowed her to believe a romantic relationship with the younger woman might not be so absurd after all. Holding her hand had been purely instinctive and she hadn’t fought it. It felt right.
Kissing her had seemed as appropriate in the moment, but she’d stopped herself, although she still couldn’t figure out how she’d managed to do so. She’d stared at Amanda’s full lips with a hunger she hadn’t experienced in years. She’d wanted to taste those lips even more than she’d wanted to that night in her art studio, but her intuition had told her to wait. She wanted to make sure she didn’t rush anything. It might make their progress excruciatingly slow, but having to take a step back would be much worse. It seemed to be working. Some twelve hours had passed since their dinner and she could honestly say she didn’t regret holding Amanda’s hand. She couldn’t wait to do it again. That was something.
Setting the pace was new to her, but she found she was enjoying doing so after following Evelyn’s lead for twenty-eight years. It was a responsibility she took very seriously, knowing that Amanda’s anxiety and lack of experience would keep her from initiating the first caress, the first kiss, or the first anything. She promised herself to always keep that in mind.
When Doug Perry showed up in the reception area and started talking with the lady behind the desk, she smiled at him timidly. She was still embarrassed by the scene she’d caused the last time she’d been in his presence. Instead of returning her smile, he glared at her with disdain and turned his back to her. Obviously, he wasn’t ready to forgive her behavior.
Or perhaps he disapproved of her relationship with Amanda. If so, he wouldn’t be the only one. She started wondering if anyone had seen her holding Amanda’s hand last night. The thought tied her stomach into knots. Feeling sick, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The fact that other people’s opinions affected her this way was another reason to take things slow with Amanda. If a simple glare from Doug Perry was enough to almost make her wish she hadn’t held her hand, she’d been right not to kiss her. She had to get this indecisive bullshit under control before she could move forward. Amanda deserved more than a wishy-washy woman by her side.
“Ms. Allen, we’re ready for Dingo,” Isabelle announced.
“Good. I’ll follow you.”
Joyce took Dingo in her arms and carried him to the exam room. He could have walked, but holding him comforted her and she didn’t want to appear upset when she saw Amanda. She shouldn’t have worried because as soon as Amanda entered the exam room, the knots in her stomach disappeared and she felt her mouth shape into the silly grin she’d temporarily lost. Amanda wore a similar expression, the light in her eyes betraying her excitement.
“Hi,” the veterinarian said softly.
“Hello,” Joyce answered in the same foolish, adolescent intonation.
Amanda cleared her throat and when she spoke again she’d found at least some of the professional tone she clearly wanted to maintain in Isabelle’s presence, “So, today’s the day,” she started as she brought her attention to Dingo, who was standing on the exam table. “We’ll remove Dingo’s soft bandage and we’ll send him home without any bandage. Still no jumping for the next two weeks, which will be a lot more difficult to control without a bandage. Then one last visit with me to take X-rays and confirm he’s back to normal. How does that sound?”
“It sounds perfect. We’ll both be happy to be back to normal. We can’t wait to go out hiking with a good friend of ours. Right, Dingo?”
Joyce enjoyed seeing the blush on Amanda’s face and found it difficult not to chuckle. Amanda cleared her throat again. “Well, you’ll be able to do that very soon. You have the scissors, Isabelle?”
“Yes, right here.”
Joyce watched quietly as Amanda and Isabelle freed Dingo of his soft bandage. The dog lay obediently on his side as they cut through the multiple layers of cotton wadding and soon his leg was uncovered. The odor was not nearly as bad as it had been the first time they’d removed his bandage, but the sores were still there. His leg also appeared smaller than his other back leg, probably because the hair that had been shaven had not grown back yet. “He looks a little funny,” she said, making both Amanda and Isabelle giggle.
“He will for a while, I’m afraid, but give it a month and it will be like nothing ever happened. Trust me,” Amanda offered.
“I do,” Joyce answered truthfully, causing another blush on Amanda’s freckled cheeks.
“Good. Okay, so we’ll go get him clean now. I assume you want to wait.”
“You know I do,” Joyce confirmed.
“Yeah, I figured. Isabelle will come get you in the waiting room when we’re ready.”
Joyce hoped Amanda would send Isabelle ahead with Dingo. She desperately wanted a moment alone with her, to tell her how much she’d enjoyed their evening together or to hold her hand again for a few seconds. But Amanda followed Isabelle and Dingo and she was left alone in the exam room. She sighed dramatically and went to sit in the waiting room, where she daydreamed about Amanda until Isabelle came to get her again.
Amanda and Dingo were already in the exam room when Joyce entered. “Well, we officially have a clean, bandage-free Dingo here,” Amanda announced gleefully as Dingo wagged his tail with enthusiasm.
“Wonderful,” Joyce exclaimed.
“We’ll get you an antibiotic cream for the sores on his leg. Apply it generously every morning and every night. You’ll see that they’ll heal very quickly now that his leg isn’t covered with a bandage anymore.”
“That’s good to hear.” Joyce would be happy to see those sores go away.
“Now for the not-so-happy part of the news,” Amanda started as she wrinkled her nose.
“What?” Joyce asked with apprehension.
“Well, Dingo has full access to his leg now and the sores will be crazy itchy while they heal so he’ll want to lick them.”
“Oh no, I see where this is going. That damn plastic cone will have to be over his head at all times, right?”
“I’m afraid so. At least until he doesn’t try to lick his leg anymore.” Dingo started frenetically licking one spot on his leg, as if underscoring Amanda’s point.
“I get the idea,” Joyce granted. She grabbed Dingo’s face and physically kept him from licking his leg. “I have one at home, but I think he’ll chew through to the bone by the time I get home if we don’t put one on him right away.”
Amanda and Isabelle chuckled. “Isabelle, would you go get us an Elizabethan collar, please?”
“Sure,” the vet tech agreed.
Isabelle left the room and Joyce cursed the fact that she had to hold Dingo’s face with both hands and miss her chance to touch Amanda. At least she could talk. “I really enjoyed our time last night. I can’t wait for tomorrow,” she whispered in that same silly tone she’d said hello earlier.
“Same here,” Amanda murmured back. She leaned against the table and brought one hand to Dingo’s neck, caressing him before she rested her hand on Joyce’s. The contact was delightful and appeasing. “Do you have any idea what you want to do?”
Do I ever, Joyce thought. She shook those thoughts away. “I figured we could go for a walk in your neighborhood, stop by the museum or any of the small shops around there if we feel like it. I just want to spend time with you.”
“That sounds lovely.” Amanda dared to caress the back of Joyce’s hand with her index finger.
“Mhm,” Joyce agreed, closing her eyes to better enjoy the touch of Amanda’s finger. “I’ll meet you in front of your building around one?”
/> “Perfect,” Amanda answered before Isabelle came back with the collar she’d requested. They struggled to adjust the plastic device around Dingo’s neck, laughing more than the situation justified. Joyce simply couldn’t help her laughter. Her heart was overflowing with joy that needed to be expressed and laughter was the most natural way for it to come out. She imagined Amanda’s laughter came from the same place. Isabelle’s giggling, however, probably came from her amusement at their behavior. Joyce truly didn’t care.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Amanda was still feeling giddy on her walk back home that Friday. She’d been floating all day long after Joyce had left the clinic with Dingo. She’d ignored Doug’s reproachful looks. She was happy. Sooner or later he would see that and accept it. If he didn’t, then he wasn’t the friend she thought he was. She’d managed this long without friends and she could do it again if she had to. She liked Doug, but if she had to choose between him and Joyce, the choice was clear.
Remembering that her fridge was empty, she decided to grab dinner to-go at the Bagel Café before she went home. She’d already ordered her turkey, cream cheese, baby spinach, and tomato sandwich when she spotted them, or she would have turned around and left before they could see her. Barbara and Heather were sitting at a table close to the front windows.
Amanda stood at the counter with her back to them, waiting impatiently for her sandwich, praying it would arrive before they noticed her. When she risked a glance in their direction again, however, Heather was looking at her with a friendly smile and waved. She was waving politely back when Barbara turned around and noticed her.
The young woman on the other side of the counter handed Amanda a brown paper bag and she headed for the door only to hear Barbara’s dictatorial voice call out to her. “Amanda, please come and join us for a minute.” She felt trapped.
She grunted internally and reluctantly made her way to the table but didn’t sit, holding her paper bag with closed fists. “I can’t stay, but I hope you have a pleasant evening.”
“Sit down for a minute, young lady, before you run away again. I’m beginning to think it’s me you’re running from,” Barbara said with a loud, obnoxious laugh.
“Mom,” Heather pleaded, “if Amanda says she can’t stay, let her go.” Heather then turned to her, “I’m really sorry about what happened the other night. I, for one, think you and my aunt would make a great couple. Don’t listen to anything my mother says.”
“Shut up, Heather. A great couple? You can’t be serious. But of course, I should have known you would encourage your aunt’s ludicrous behavior.”
Amanda watched as mother and daughter argued, thinking she should probably make her escape, when Barbara looked up to her, “You realize my sister will be eligible for Social Security before you reach forty, right? Think about it, Amanda, and get out of this before it’s too late. Before you cause Joyce and yourself more pain.”
Amanda wanted desperately to find a witty comeback, but nothing came. “Barbara, Heather, it was lovely to see you. Good night,” she simply said. Then she smiled, turned around, and walked out of the restaurant as calmly as she could. As soon as the door closed behind her, she quickened her pace and by the time she reached Norumbega Parkway, she was practically running. Certain they could no longer see her, she slowed down and took a few deep breaths to calm herself.
She couldn’t believe how snooty Barbara could be. She vowed not to let her words get to her. She couldn’t help but feel compassion for Joyce though. With a sister like Barbara, it wasn’t surprising that she’d been so insecure about their age difference. She could only hope Joyce would somehow break free of the severe judgment she’d been subjected to all her life.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Joyce and Amanda walked down Central Street to Main Street at a leisurely pace. They didn’t talk much. They didn’t even stop to visit any of the shops inside the red brick buildings decorated with beautiful arched windows that lined up the sidewalk. They just walked as closely as they could without holding hands. Joyce desperately wanted to but would never dare on such a busy street in bright daylight. Instead, every time their arms accidently rubbed against each other, she took pleasure in the sensation of Amanda’s sweater against skin left bare by the sleeveless top she was wearing. She often glanced at Amanda, who met her gaze every time. The moment was almost magical.
Then the beautiful, blue mid-September sky they’d walked under quickly filled with dark clouds and rain started falling with the same intensity with which the sun had been beaming a few minutes earlier. Joyce and Amanda laughed as they rushed inside the first store they could reach, a nearby candy store.
“It must be fate,” Amanda said with the excitement of a child in…well, in a candy store. Joyce watched with amusement as Amanda, eyes wide open, took in the colorful sight of sweets all around them. Hard candy, lollipops, caramel, toffee, chocolate, truffles, the options were endless. The aromas that filled the air were mouth-watering. Anyone with a sweet tooth would find bliss in this shop, and Amanda obviously was among them.
“Pick something. Anything. I want to treat you to your favorite,” Joyce offered enthusiastically.
“Okay, but it will be hard to decide.”
“Take your time. We can’t go anywhere while it’s raining anyway.”
Joyce followed Amanda to each of the candy displays placed all around the store. She walked close behind her and breathed in the smell of fresh rain on her red hair. While the array of sweets that had Amanda so excited left Joyce almost indifferent, she salivated at the thought of kissing the neck exposed by her ponytail.
“I saw your sister and your niece last night,” Amanda revealed as she stood in front of a display showcasing homemade fudge.
“Oh?” Joyce simply asked, abruptly awakened from her own sweet fantasy.
“Yeah. They were at the Bagel Café when I stopped by to get dinner.”
Before she realized what she was doing, Joyce took a step back to put some distance between her and Amanda, the mere mention of her sister’s name sufficing to make her more self-conscious. She’d been entirely focused on Amanda before, but now found herself looking around the store to check if she spotted any familiar faces. She hated herself for it. “Did they say anything to you?”
“Yes. They said hi, of course.”
“Of course,” she repeated cautiously, hoping Barbara hadn’t said anything else but knowing her sister well enough to realize her hope was delusory.
“And then your sister said I should put an end to our relationship before we get hurt. Something along those lines, anyway. I can’t remember exactly. Our age difference really bothers her, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, it does,” Joyce confirmed with a deep sigh.
“Is that why it bothers you so much?”
She sighed again, wondering how the conversation had turned so serious so quickly. “I think so. I’m not certain. It doesn’t help, that’s for sure.”
“That’s what I figured,” Amanda said casually. She walked back to the section where they’d seen gourmet chocolate truffles and Joyce followed. “Personally, I don’t care what your sister thinks. You should know that. Your age doesn’t matter to me. I understand it’s not that easy for you to discard your sister’s opinion, but I really hope you can find a way to do it.”
“So do I. I’m really trying.”
“Good.”
“Good?”
“Yeah, good. What more can I ask for? Besides chocolate truffles, that is.”
She grinned and Joyce couldn’t help but smile back. The simplicity and the absence of pressure in her attitude were so refreshing and so exactly what she needed. She put enough pressure on herself. Amanda’s unconditional support was a blessing. “Truffles, huh? Are you sure that’s what you really want?”
“Yes. Everything else looks delicious, but these chocolate truffles are the only things I can’t live without today.”
Joyce chuckled. “Well, that settles it, t
hen, doesn’t it?”
They ordered a box of four truffles and Amanda insisted that Joyce select one of them. The rain subsided soon after Joyce paid for the chocolate creations and they headed back toward Amanda’s condo. They’d barely made it to Franklin Street before the rain started again and Amanda invited her inside. She briefly hesitated before she accepted the invitation, wanting to spend more time with Amanda and to see her personal space.
“Coffee?” Amanda offered as Joyce looked around her open concept kitchen and living room. No one else had seen her condo yet and she wished she’d put more time into decorating it now that Joyce was observing its bare walls.
“Yes, thank you.”
Amanda filled the coffee machine with water and ground coffee and pressed the start button while she kept an eye on Joyce’s every move. “I haven’t put much thought into decorating it yet,” she felt obligated to explain.
“It’s lovely as it is. Uncluttered, open. I love it.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. Your furniture looks great in the space. You could use one or two strategically placed pieces of artwork, maybe, but that’s all.”
“Thank you. But speaking of artwork, maybe you can help me decide where to hang Dingo’s portrait. I can’t decide by myself. It’s on my dresser right now, leaning against the wall, but I’d like to hang it somewhere.”
“Sure, I can help you with that. But don’t feel like you have to hang it because I painted it.”
“I don’t. I really want to hang it. Milk?” She poured coffee in two large coffee mugs and started pouring milk in her own.
“Yes, please.”
Amanda poured milk in the second coffee mug and handed it to Joyce. “Would you like to sit on the balcony? It’s my favorite place to sit. It’s covered, so I can use it even when it rains.”
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