The Promise

by JM Dragon

  She approached the steps to the cottage and Claire didn’t move, seemingly lost in thought. Who wouldn’t be in a place like this? Tonight, they were going out on a date. As much as this pained her to think so, this might be the only one. She’d read enough over the years to know Claire didn’t do commitment. Even her engagement was open-ended. She had even admitted as much the night before.

  I can’t do that, no matter how much I feel about her. It would eventually kill me. The question is, how do I tell her that without looking like an idiot? I don’t think I can live with the fear she is going to cheat on me.

  “Is it to your satisfaction? I worked tirelessly over that yesterday.” Kris chuckled as Claire started and turned quickly. The look of surprise on her face swiftly changed to a giant smile.

  Claire placed her good hand on her hip and nodded. “Sure, but you left a mark or two.”

  “What!” Kris clambered up the few steps and stared in the direction of Claire’s pointed finger. “But…but that’s nothing. It’s part of the makeup of the wood.”

  “Even so….” Claire began to laugh, and Kris stared at her.

  “You were teasing me.”

  Claire moved closer. “Absolutely.” She kissed her gently, and they lost themselves in it for a short while.

  When they broke apart, they both grinned. She guessed they would appear foolish to anyone passing by. Thankfully no one did.

  “You have a fabulous smile, do you know that? It’s infectious too.”

  Kris fluttered her eyelids a few times at the compliment. “Actually, no one has ever said that to me but you.”

  “Then they must all be blind. Ah, sorry, your friend Jess is the exception.”

  Kris frowned at the mention of Jess’s name. I have to call her and let her know about this change in circumstances. It’s only fair.

  Claire moved toward the door and held out her hand for the key. When Kris handed it to her, she rolled the ornate brass object in her palm. She remained doing that for some time.

  “Anything wrong, Claire?”

  Claire glanced up, and Kris was sure she didn’t see her at that moment. She apparently was lost in a world of her own. “Claire?”

  “Sorry, everything is just fine. In fact, never better.” Claire placed the key in the door and went inside.

  Now that was odd, even for her.

  Following her, Kris breezily said, “Right, you’re in charge of the stirring of the decking paint and cleaning the brushes…oh and no stepping on the fresh paint.”

  Claire stood in front of her and gave a slow smile and then saluted. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Kris winked. “I think together we can have this done by lunch. Shirley will be amazed, I’m sure.”

  Claire shook her head and laughed. “So will I. I’m with you one hundred percent and I think the together works for me.”

  Kris walked up to Claire and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Me too.”

  †

  Shirley placed her hands to her face in a V shape that covered her mouth, clearly overcome by the work completed. Claire smiled at the older woman’s reaction. In truth, it was her reaction too. Kris had worked so hard to finish it before Shirley turned up. For some reason only fathomable to Kris, surprising Shirley was important to her.

  Claire moved away from the tree she was leaning on and smiled at Shirley. “What do you think? Has our girl done good or not?”

  Shirley moved her hands away from her face and nodded, then indistinctly spoke.

  “Sorry, I didn’t get that.”

  Shirley cleared her throat. “Your girl has done mighty fine, and I’m sure you helped.”

  Claire shrugged and walked to stand next to Shirley as they faced the cottage façade.

  At that moment, Kris came from around the back of the building and grinned as she saw them.

  “What do you think, Shirley?”

  Shirley pulled Kris into a hug and tightly held her.

  Tears coursed down the older woman’s cheeks, and Kris looked surprised. Then eventually untangled herself from the hold.

  “Does it pass muster?”

  “Oh yes it does. It reminds me of my time here, although that time was short. Oh yes indeed, the cottage knows the people it wants to live inside it.” Shirley moved toward the cottage and ran a hand along the railing of the deck steps. “My Ricky sanded down the rails and painted them before we came to live here. They sparkled just like the deck does now.” She turned around quickly and stared at them both. “Do you feel like you’ve come home when you are here?”

  Claire swallowed hard. It would be so easy….

  “Yes, I do. If I had the money, I’d ask to rent it from Grams and live my life out here. Sounds crazy I know, but I love it.”

  Kris’s eyes sparkled as she spoke, and a part of Claire wanted to join in the euphoria, but she held herself back. “It’s a nice place.”

  Shirley shook her head and put the picnic basket on the deck. “One day you will have to take a chance, Claire. I hope you don’t miss the important ones. She turned to the path that led her back to Seasons and disappeared behind the bushes.

  “You wouldn’t like to live here, Claire?”

  Claire turned to Kris and tried to understand her expression. She couldn’t. “Pipe dreams, Kris. It’s only for a summer vacation. Okay, let’s go have our lunch by the sea. I’ve been looking forward to this since I woke up.” Claire linked arms with Kris, who picked up the hamper and they set off for the beach.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  The Curiosity Bar was definitely twenty times more popular this evening than on quiz night. Well that probably had to do with it being Friday. Fortunately, they had booked a booth near the middle of the bar. From the seats you could pretty much see all around you if you wanted—though you’d have to switch seats to see the other half. Kris held back a chuckle at how absurd that thought was. She and Claire could start a new fad changing seats halfway through dinner.

  Shirley was in town tonight meeting a friend and had offered them a lift. She said she’d be going home around ten if that was okay with them. Claire had jumped at the offer, saying they could both drink that way. Kris didn’t care either way, but having a couple of glasses of wine instead of watching others was a change. Besides, drinking together seemed important to Claire.

  Tonight was quite warm, so the fire pit in the middle of the room wasn’t lit, although the table surrounding it was heavily populated with a group of women laughing and obviously enjoying each other’s company.

  Kris glanced around and didn’t see the server from the previous time they were there. In a way, she was glad. She couldn’t work out why, but that didn’t matter. What was her name? It had a familiar ring.

  “I see Summer isn’t working tonight.”

  Now I know why I’m glad. Give me strength from the pangs of jealousy. “I noticed that too. Pity.” She cringed inside at her pathetic response. “I see Fern is here tonight though.” Kris pointed at the corner of the bar.

  Claire turned and looked for a few seconds, then moved her gazed to rest on Kris. “Does she own the place? She acts like she does. It’s in the way she holds her body.”

  Kris semi-smiled. “She owns the place and said she was here most days, except the quiz night, obviously.”

  “You think your friend Jess is sweet on her?”

  Kris was surprised at the question and frowned. “I just think there’s history. It doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a sexual history, does it?”

  “Sure it does. We’re lesbians, after all. We love our drama and our history of lovers.” Claire eyed her and shrugged. “Okay, maybe not all lesbians. For the record, many of my old friends are happily committed to their partners and it works great for them.” Claire picked up her menu.

  Kris balled her fists and held her breath. What the heck do I say now? I’m so out of my league here. Every time we get to an intimate point, I can’t seem to get it right. What the heck is wrong with me? “Doesn�
��t work for you, then. I need the bathroom. Be back soon.”

  She stood and headed for the door without a backward glance at Claire. Then someone called her name as she held the door to the bathroom.

  “Kris, how wonderful. I thought you’d never visit us.”

  Fern’s voice boomed in the room.

  “Hi, Fern. Yes, in fact this is my second visit. I was here for the quiz.”

  “Darn, I had a family event to attend.” Fern looked around and then back to her. “With Jess tonight?”

  Kris wanted to laugh but instead shook her head. “No, another friend.”

  Fern gave her a hard look, then smiled. “My, you are a friend magnet.”

  “I need to go. A bathroom break.”

  “Of course, later.” Fern turned away and was as quickly engrossed in conversation with the table next to the door.

  Kris escaped through the door. “Damn, this isn’t turning out how I expected.”

  Five minutes later, she headed back to the booth, and Fern must have been watching for her because she waved as Kris passed. Embarrassed, she gave a small wave back and slid into the relative obscurity of her seat.

  “You look flushed. Is something wrong?” Claire asked in a quieter voice than usual.

  Kris shook her head. “Nope, have you decided what you are having?”

  Claire sighed and placed her menu on the table. “Kris, if this was a bad idea, I’m sorry. We can call Shirley and get a taxi home.”

  Kris pursed her lips and closed her eyes. I’m so crap at this. What a miracle…me sitting with Claire Tremont and on a date too, and all I can do is mess it up.

  “I’m sorry, it’s me. All my fault if that’s what you think I’m feeling. I want to be here, truly I do.” She gently touched Claire’s injured hand, which rested on the table motionless. “I guess I’m out of my depth. Who would believe the wonderful Claire Tremont would date me—a nobody.” Claire opened her mouth to speak, but Kris waved her attempt away. “I’m afraid, Claire. Afraid that tonight is the only date we will have, and frankly, my mind is all over the place at the thought.” She held back the sting of tears.

  “Oh, is that all?”

  The nonchalant way Claire spoke had Kris’s hackles rise. So, this really was no big deal to her. I’m such an idiot. “Is that all?” she echoed as her head dipped to gaze at the cutlery on the table and then menu, the words of which her tears blurred.

  Then a warm hand covered the one that held Claire’s. “Hey, please don’t cry. One of the things I like about you, Kris, is you care so much that everything has to be picture-book right. It isn’t, as we both know, but in truth, it’s me who should be wondering why someone as wonderful as you is sitting with me. You have to agree I’m a cranky, spoiled rich kid who can wallow in self-pity at times. Who’d want to be around such a person?”

  Kris lifted her head and gave Claire a watery smile. “I do.”

  Claire grinned. Kris’s blood rushed through her system wiping away her doubt.

  “I’d kiss you right now, but it’s kinda hard in one of these booths unless you want to sit next to me.” Claire wriggled her eyebrows, and they both burst out laughing.

  “Later, for sure.”

  “I’m going to have fillet steak with duck-fat-roasted potatoes. If it’s half as good as the pork belly, then I want the name of this chef.”

  Kris shook her head and entangled her fingers in Claire’s. “I might be able to provide that. We can ask Fern.”

  Claire nodded, bent her head, and placed a tender kiss on Kris’s palm. “Just so you don’t forget about that kiss later.”

  “Never, and I think I’m going to have the same as you. It sounds delicious.”

  †

  Replete from the sumptuous meal, they ordered triple chocolate cheesecake—something they found out they both always chose when eating out. They agreed that if they asked Shirley, she would have a recipe and make it for them. An empty bottle of Venge 2013 Oakville Estate Vintage Merlot stood in the center of the table. Claire had insisted they order it.

  Kris hadn’t looked at the wine list, so she didn’t know the process. When Claire enthused that she’d never seen this vintage outside the swanky restaurants in the city, Kris decided it must be expensive. Leaning back in the bench, she patted her stomach. “I think once a year I’m going to take a trip out here to partake in this kind of food and the wine. I’ve never tasted anything like it. Great choice, Claire, and the price of the meal is reasonable too although I’m not sure about the wine.”

  Claire, leaning back in the seat, her right hand on the waistband of her trousers, waved a finger at Kris. “Once a year might be right. If I lived here, I’d be tempted to eat out all the time, and who knows what would happen to my figure. The wine, by the way, is one I remembered having just before the accident.”

  Kris shrugged. “Well, my hips expand at the idea of fattening food, so trust me, I’d be worse.”

  Claire looked directly into her eyes and gave her a soft look that made her smile. “We could counter that darned metabolic problem by running on the beach every morning. So tell me, this Fern person, are you sure she is interested in Jess?”

  Kris frowned. Claire had changed the subject rapidly. “Yes, at least I believe they have history…I mean I don’t really know. Why do you ask?”

  Claire tilted her head slightly, which would give her a view of the bar. “She’s been looking in our direction for the last half an hour. In fact, I’d say she’s glued to the spot.” She grinned. “I know I’m a bit of a draw with the beauty and all.” She flicked a hand at her scarred face. “Still, it’s odd.”

  “I don’t care about her. We said tonight was about getting to know each other.”

  “Good call. So, you have told me about your parents and where you lived and worked at in the city, but what you haven’t told me is your love affairs.”

  Kris screwed up her face. “Oh please, do you have to ask that?”

  Claire grinned. “Sure I do. I need to know the competition.”

  “If it was in the past it isn’t.”

  “Trust me, the past catches up to you. Take my tryst with Racheal and how you felt about it. So the more you tell, the less of a shock it is when that person or people turn up.”

  Kris heard a resigned tinge in Claire’s voice. She took a deep gulp of air. “I don’t have any old lovers. I’m going to be the world’s oldest lesbian virgin. I’ve been waiting for the right one, old fashioned I guess. That’s me.”

  Kris stared at Claire and saw surprise, and what she expected next—derision—didn’t happen. Instead, Claire had a look of what she could only say was awe.

  “You’re waiting for the right one?”

  “Yes, guess that makes me weird.”

  Claire moved forward in the seat and shook her head. “Never weird.” She smiled and held out her hand. Kris took it.

  “I’m not that pure for you. I’m not ashamed of my past…well, the past I remember…it’s after all what makes us who we are. Thank God I’m not a murderer, right? I did meet Racheal last weekend, but she is in my past for good.”

  The emphasis on the word good helped Kris, but how could a virgin lesbian and a socialite reprobate—frankly, that was what Claire had been—work? “We are poles apart socially, Claire. You know that, right?”

  Claire shrugged. “Yeah, I know that, but I figure if we both want to be together, that’s the most important thing.”

  Kris drew in a deep breath. “To me, yes. I’ve fallen for you in a big way, but I won’t be used. I don’t want one of those open relationships, Claire. I’m sorry.”

  Claire stared at her and was about to speak when another voice intervened.

  “So, Kris, introduce me, please.” Claire was given an intense stare. “It is you.”

  Kris almost jumped out of her seat at the ashen expression on Fern’s features as she gazed at Claire. The woman looked like she was going to collapse. Does she know Claire? Surely one of them would
have mentioned it.

  “Fern, are you okay? Please sit.” Kris motioned for her to sit, and the woman virtually poured herself onto the bench. Her eyes never left Claire. Kris glanced at Claire, who raised her eyebrows and shrugged.

  “Fern, this is my friend, Claire, her—”

  “I know.” The short words were stilted, in total contrast to the upbeat woman Kris had met in the past. Unable to think of something to say, she looked at her watch. It was eight forty-five.

  “Hi, Fern. I don’t think we’ve met before.”

  “Do you want a drink? We were just going to order another bottle.” Kris wasn’t sure they were, but it was as good a line as any now.

  Fern turned to look in her direction, but Kris had the distinct impression she didn’t see her. Then she turned her head to stare at Claire again.

  “I’m not sure what the problem is, Fern, but frankly, right now you are being a bit weird, and we don’t need that.” Claire’s voice was firm.

  “You really don’t remember me?” This time her voice was incredulous.

  Claire scratched the back of her ear and frowned. “Can’t say I do. When did we meet, exactly?”

  Kris watched the two women. She was sure from Claire’s manner she didn’t recognize Fern. Fern on the other hand looked completely disorientated.

  “You broke my heart,” Fern whispered.

  Claire scrunched up her face and didn’t say anything.

  “When did you meet Claire, Fern?”

  “She was in her sophomore year at college and on summer break at Seasons with the family. I was working as a waitress at this place. It was called Rascals back then. You thought I was the most beautiful woman you’d ever met. Do you remember me now?”

  The words floated accusingly between the two women. So this is what Claire meant by how exes could be trouble.

  Claire lifted her hand and traced a line down the scars on her face. “I’m sorry, I really don’t know you. As you can see, I’m not the person I was back then. Hell, I don’t even remember how old I was in sophomore year.” Her lips twisted. “I had an accident two years ago, and I lost some of my memories.”