by Lydia Rose
STAY WITH ME
Lydia Rose
FOR LINDA
CHAPTER ONE
In the early morning light, Christine Harper sat on a bench overlooking the River. Her breath caught as a white sailboat came into view. The sails taunted her as the sailor raised an arm in Christine’s direction. Her arm automatically came up in response, but no emotion showed on her face. It was moments like this that would bring Christine back to three years ago except it wasn’t a sailor waving, but her lover Jacqueline.
Jacqueline had always said sailing was the only place she felt so free. She loved feeling the wind in her face with the sound of the sails rustling against the wind and the water hitting the bow. The last time Jacqueline went out on the water, she was alone. Christine was tired and she wanted to sleep instead of taking an early morning sail. The report concluded that Jacqueline must have been knocked unconscious as the boom swung across the boat. The blood evidence was the only detail the Coast Guard had to explain Jacqueline’s disappearance that day. Christine had given up on trying to get Jacqueline to wear a life jacket because she hated the confinement she felt wearing one. Jacqueline’s body washed up on shore two days later.
Seeing the location of the sun, Christine knew it was time to get ready for work. Climbing the stairs up to the house, thoughts of selling the home had long left her mind. The house had been Jacqueline’s design and had been her dream house. The in-ground pool overlooked the water and from the inside, water views could be seen from most of the rooms. The house’s three levels each had a balcony. The top level of the house was the master bedroom and office. The middle level had four guest bedrooms and over the years each room became their friend’s special getaway. The main level of the home was warm and inviting. The kitchen was spacious with many cabinets, granite countertops and a separate full size refrigerator and freezer. The large great room had a corner fireplace with floor to ceiling stone work. The dining area overlooked the water and even evening dinner parties showed spectacular views. It was the perfect house for entertaining.
No, Christine felt she would never sell the house, but the boat she did. She couldn’t stand to see it sitting at the end of the dock mocking her. It felt like a monster who took Jacqueline away from her.
Since the accident, Jacqueline slept only four to five hours a night. As she walked down the hall to her bedroom, her eyes gazed into the office. The desk was exactly how Jacqueline had left it three years ago and Christine had yet to change a thing. The movie script she had been working on was still in the computer unfinished. The Oscar that Jacqueline received five years before her death still sat on the corner of her desk. Jacqueline had said it was her inspiration to write better and better scripts. Christine closed the door of the office so the room wouldn’t taunt her every time she walked by.
During the thirty minute ride to work, Christine tried to erase thoughts of Jacqueline from her mind. As she booted up her computer at work, she could hear her co-workers coming into the building. Christine was checking her emails when her best friend and co-worker Sally poked her head in the doorway.
“Hey, Chris,” she said cheerfully. How are you this morning?”
Lifting her eyes from the screen, she smiled. “Hi Sally. I’m fine. Did you have a good weekend?” Christine took notice to the blond hair that surrounded Sally’s face. Normally, her hair was pulled back while at work and she realized that Sally must have been running late today.
Sally’s eyebrows rose in mischief. “I’ll tell you at lunch,” she said with a wink and walked away.
Sally had become Christine’s best friend after Jacqueline’s death. It was Sally who had gotten Christine back on her feet. Christine wanted to stay in bed and allow the grief to consume her, but Sally wouldn’t allow that to happen. Sally practically moved into Christine’s home and made sure she got up for work and had eaten even against Christine’s wishes. Sally continually ignored Christine’s request to be left alone and took charge until she found a way to go on without Jacqueline.
Christine and Jacqueline had been together for fifteen years. They met in college, Jacqueline was a professor teaching a writing course and Christine a senior. Jacqueline became an educator because her own writing career wasn’t paying the bills at the time. Christine running late for a class ran down the hallway and turning the corner without slowing ran directly into Jacqueline. The papers Jacqueline had been holding flew in the air and scattered around the floor.
“I’m so sorry,” Christine said as she bent down to pick up the papers from the floor.
“I assume you have a class to get to?” Jacqueline asked without looking her way.
“Yes, but let me help first.” Christine insisted.
“Then you knocking into me would be for nothing.” Jacqueline continued picking up papers.
It wouldn’t be for nothing, Christine thought looking at her. “I’m really sorry, professor.”
Jacqueline finally lifted her eyes and met the blue eyes staring back at her. “Jacqueline Stevens,” she said standing. “And you are?”
“Christine Harper.” She said diverting her stare from the hazel eyes that watched her intently.
“Well, Christine Harper, get to class.”
It wasn’t long before the two women began to search each other out during the day. Christine even sat in on one of Jacqueline’s classes. She waited until the class emptied before she approached Jacqueline who had her back to her.
“Hello, Ms. Harper,” Jacqueline said without turning around. “Run into any professors lately?” She asked with a wide smile as she faced Christine.
“Hi Professor,” Christine said shyly.
“Jackie,” she corrected.
Christine smiled. “Jackie, would you like to have coffee with me?” Christine knew she was being forward, but she had to get to know this woman.
Again that beautiful smile appeared as Jacqueline pushed her dark hair behind her ear. “I have another class in a half hour.”
Christine wondered if this was Jacqueline’s way of saying she wasn’t interested.
“Are you available at four o’clock?” Jacqueline asked moving closer to Christine.
“Yes, we can meet at Starbucks?” Christine asked finally opening her smile to match the one she was watching.
Jacqueline wrinkled her nose and said. “There are too many students hanging out there. Do you know Carol’s on tenth?”
Christine smiled. “Yes,” she said knowing this was a lesbian coffee house. Now she wondered if this was Jacqueline’s way of asking if she was a lesbian.
“I’ll see you later, Ms. Harper,” Jacqueline said picking up her briefcase.
“Chris,” she said as she walked out the door.
Christine arrived early at the coffee house and asked for a table in the back where they could have privacy. As Jacqueline walked into the coffee house, Christine motioned her over.
“Hello, Ms.,” she stopped and corrected herself. “Chris.”
“Hi, Jackie.”
The waitress came over and took Jacqueline’s order.
“I’ll have a black coffee and a bear claw.” Jacqueline looked at Christine who only had coffee. “Don’t you want something to eat?”
“Coffee is fine,” she said knowing she was too nervous to eat anything.
The waitress left them alone and Jacqueline shrugged out of her jacket. Christine couldn’t help but notice her figure through the light green blouse. As her eyes returned to Jacqueline’s face, a smile grazed her warmly showing she had been caught.
“How old are you, Christine?” Jacqueline asked as the waitress brought her order over.
Christine waited until they were alone before answering. “I
’m twenty-two.”
A smile appeared before disappearing. “Christine, I’m thirty-four years old.” Her sigh was deep.
“Is that supposed to shock or scare me away?” Christine asked resting her chin on her hand as she stared at the hazel eyes across the table.
“Twelve years is a big difference,” she said leaning across the table to emphasize her point.
Christine didn’t care about the age difference. All she knew was that she wanted to get to know this woman.
For the next three months, they kept their relationship quiet. After graduation, Christine accepted a position at a nearby brokerage firm and began her life in finance. Christine moved into Jacqueline’s apartment three months later.
Jacqueline did not return to teach the fall semester because she felt her writing could now support her. It was late September, Christine noticed how quiet Jacqueline had become over the last few days. Christine waited until Friday night to have a discussion with Jacqueline.
Jacqueline laid on the couch facing the television, but her eyes remained unfocused as she stared at the screen.
Christine crawled next to her and asked. “What’s going on, Jackie?” She asked taking her hand.
Jacqueline looked at Christine as if she were trying to find the right words. “I sold a screenplay,” she said finally.
“That’s wonderful,” Christine said kissing her mouth. “Then why the long face?”
“I have to go to California,” she said softly.
Oh my God, Christine thought. Is she breaking up with me?
“I may be gone for months, Chris. It won’t be fair to you that I’ll be three thousand miles away.”
“Are you breaking up with me?”
“Chris, it won’t be fair to you. I don’t want to do that to you.”
“I love you, Jackie.”
Jacqueline took Christine in her arms. “Oh, baby, I love you too.”
“Then we don’t have a problem,” Christine said taking Jacqueline in her arms.
Jacqueline smiled. “I’ll fly home as much as I can.”
Jacqueline’s first movie script was a mild success, but it did open the door to more offers. Within five years, Jacqueline’s success allowed them to build a home on the river and a sailboat at their dock. Their lives had become a true love story, but it ended as a Hollywood tragedy.
CHAPTER TWO
At noon, Sally popped into Christine’s office. “Are you ready to go to lunch?”
“Ready,” Christine said picking up her suit jacket.
As they sat across from each other, Christine began probing. “So who is he?” She asked grinning.
“I spent the weekend with Steve Wilkes.” Sally answered smirking.
Christine put her hand to her forehead. “Sally, he’s married and more important, he’s a client.”
“He’s separated.” Sally insisted.
“You know how Harold feels about anyone dating a client,” Christine said firmly.
Harold Williams, the manager of the firm enforced this regulation because of a problem years ago when a secretary broke up a marriage of a large investor. Harold told the staff that the firm’s reputation could be tarnished and he wouldn’t stand for it happening again.
“I’m not going to marry him, Chris.” She sighed. “So relax.”
Christine looked at her friend and knew Sally’s choice in men gave her a terrible track record and she feared this affair wouldn’t fare any better. “Be careful, Sally. I would hate to come to work every day if you weren’t there.
Sally’s smile tried to reassure her friend. “Don’t worry, Chris. Everything will be alright.”
“We’d better get back,” Christine said looking at her watch. “I’ve got David Lerner’s daughter coming in at one thirty.”
“He was so young,” Sally said picking up her jacket. “His daughter must have been devastated.”
David Lerner was one of the firm’s largest investors and a sudden illness took his life quickly. David’s daughter Laura had lost her mother during childbirth and David raised his daughter alone. Now at the age of thirty years old, she was an orphan.
“Come in, Ms. Lerner,” Christine said as the door to her office opened. She had met Laura at the funeral two months earlier. Looking at her now, she could still the pain etched on her face. “Please have a seat.”
“Please call me Laura, Ms. Harper,” Laura said taking a seat across from Christine.
“I will as long as you call me Chris.” She hoped her smile conveyed the sincerity in her voice.
“Thank you, Chris.” Laura looked at the warm blue eyes and felt reassurance.
“I have the papers all ready for you to sign,” Christine said reaching for her folder on her desk. “Have you decided on a beneficiary yet?”
Laura shook her head reluctantly. “That will have to remain unanswered at this time.”
“We can always add one at a later date,” Christine said knowing that her parents had no brothers or sisters and there were no other family members. She thought Laura would marry one day and add a husband name’s to the investments. “Do you have any questions or requests on the investments your dad had?”
“I really don’t know much about it,” Laura said looking at Christine.
“I can schedule an appointment to go over everything with you?” Christine offered the lovely woman sitting across from her. Christine’s impression of her at the funeral hinted of a pretty woman, but the sadness she carried that day hid most of her beauty. Today, Laura looked completely different. She had been dressed in a black skirt and jacket at the funeral, but today she wore tan slacks, a green collared shirt and boat shoes. The light brown hair came just to her shoulder and the dark blue eyes almost looked unreal. She hoped they weren’t contacts and then thought, what difference does it make to me?
“I’ve seen you sitting in the morning on the bench overlooking the water.” Laura paused as if it was an effort to speak. “I can make us dinner Saturday evening if you’re free and you can give me an overview of the portfolio.”
Well, this is an unusual request, Christine thought. Then she remembered what an effort for her to go anywhere when Jacqueline died. “That would be nice, Laura.
Laura stood and extended her hand. “Thank you for everything, Chris.”
Christine took the extended hand. “What time would you like me Saturday night?”
“Is seven o’clock all right with you?”
Christine smiled. “Perfect. I’ll see you then.”
Christine sat back down in her chair once Laura left the office. She knew she should have insisted that they go over the investments in the office, but for some reason she found herself saying yes.
CHAPTER THREE
Christine was surprised that Laura never called her to ask if what she was making was to her liking. Knowing she really didn’t have a preference on what was being served, she carried a bottle of white and red wine along with her briefcase.
The house was illuminated brightly as she rang the bell.
“Hi, Chris. Please come in,” Laura stepped to the side so Christine could enter. Laura couldn’t help notice the slight scent of perfume as Christine walked by.
“Hi Laura,” she said handing the bottles of wine to Laura. “I wasn’t sure what we were having, so I brought both.” Christine’s chuckle brought a smile to Laura’s face.
“I’m sorry. I should have called and asked you if you had an aversion to any food.” The blush rose from her neck to her cheeks.
“I eat just about anything,” Christine said as she walked into the great room. “Would you like me to open one of the bottles?”
“Please.” Laura showed Christine to the kitchen. “I made a fish stew, so white is appropriate, but I believe you drink what you like.” Laura handed the wine opener to her and went back to the stove.
Christine opened the bottle of white wine as Laura reached for two glasses. Blue eyes met blue eyes as Laura handed a glass to Christin
e.
“I started a fire in the fireplace. April can be so chilly,” Laura said as she stirred the stew. “You must get cold sitting on that bench so early in the morning?” Laura asked as then saw the slight twitch of Christine’s lip.
“I don’t mind,” Christine said, but she knew when she sat there all she felt was numb.
“You’re even out there in the rain.” Laura smiled. “Are you looking for something?” She knew that her comments weren’t welcomed, but she couldn’t stop herself.
Christine was stunned that Laura had been watching her often. Then she thought, she can’t sleep either. “It’s become a ritual, I guess,” Christine said with a shrug. There’s no need to tell her about Jacqueline. The last thing you need is to breakdown in front of a client.
“I like to look at the water too, but I do it from the comfort of the house.” She smiled and led Christine to the great room.
“It must feel strange for you to be back home again?” Christine asked changing the subject.
“I’m not sure I’m going to keep the house,” she said looking around the room. “This was never our family house and I never lived here full time.”
Christine thought this is everyone’s knee jerk reaction. She herself had thought about selling Jacqueline and her house. “Don’t make any rush decisions, Laura. Wait awhile so you aren’t sorry.
“I guess you speak from experience?” Laura asked looking at Christine. “Did you feel the same way?”
Christine’s eyes widened in the realization that Laura knew about Jacqueline. She realized with her dad living two doors away would have mentioned it to Laura.
Christine’s lip twitched again.
“I’m sorry about, Jacqueline. My dad said it was a tragic accident.” She touched Christine’s hand in sympathy.
“It was.” Christine didn’t elaborate. Even though three years had passed, she still couldn’t talk about it to someone she barely knew.
Laura pointed to a small table by the window. “Please have a seat, Chris and I’ll get our dinner.”
Christine took a seat facing the water. From the illuminated yard, she could see the steps that led to the dock below. She knew David loved to fish and she wondered whether Laura did too.
