by Lydia Rose
Laura placed two bowls of stew on the table. The salad and warm bread were the next items added to the table. Laura watched as Christine took the first bite of food.
“This is absolutely fantastic, Laura. I’d forgotten you’re a chef.” Christine remembered her father telling Christine what a wonderful chef Laura had become.
“I was, but I left my job in New York when dad became so ill,” she said softly.
“Your dad was very proud of your accomplishments. He bragged what a wonderful chef you were. You have plenty of time to decide if you want to go back to New York. I’ll explain the income you are going to receive.” She grinned. “After I finish this wonderful stew.”
“I almost forgot why you were here. I hope this was okay that I asked you to work on a Saturday night?”
Christine winked. “If you cook like this every Saturday night, you can ask me anytime to work weekends.”
“I don’t usually make anything extravagant for myself.”
“Did you leave a boyfriend back in New York?” Christine asked casually.
Laura smiled. “No boyfriends,” she said looking at Christine. “I’m gay too.”
This time it was Christine who smiled. “That was something your father never mentioned.”
Laura giggled easily. “No, my dad would never say anything to you about that.” She frowned. “It’s not that he had a hard time accepting my sexuality, but it was something he didn’t brag about either. I think he was just disappointed that he would never walk me down the aisle or bounce a grandkid on his knee.”
“But lesbians are doing both today especially with the change in the law.” Christine now touched Laura’s hand in comfort.
“My hours at the restaurant didn’t make it easy to maintain a relationship. I left for work in the afternoon and didn’t return home until after one in the morning. Hours like that can make your girlfriend think she’s single. I came home early one evening and found her in bed with someone else.”
“Ouch,” Christine said.
“I didn’t blame her. She was tired of me never being around.” Laura smirked. “So I’ve kept my life uncomplicated after that.” Laura reached out and touched Christine’s hand. “You were with Jacqueline a long time weren’t you?”
“We were together for fifteen years.” Christine answered softly.
“I hope to find that someday,” Laura said mournfully.
“It wasn’t always easy, Laura.” She looked across the table looking at her. “Jackie’s career took her to California for months on end. Early in our relationship, she sold her first script. She was gone for three months before she found anytime to come home for a weekend.” Christine chuckled in remembering. “I remember seeing a picture of her in a magazine with the lead actor from the movie. The caption read, Josh Taylor and his girlfriend Jackie out sailing off Catalina Island.”
“That couldn’t have been easy for you?”
“I went crazy until I could get her on the phone.” Christine admitted and remembered the conversation.
“Is there something you want to tell me, Jackie?” Her voice showed anger.
“What are you talking about, Chris?” Jacqueline sighed. “Let’s not play any games. Tell me what’s got you so upset?”
“I saw the picture of you and Josh,” she said still angry.
Jacqueline’s response was a laugh. “Oh, honey, he’s teaching me to sail.”
“What else is he teaching you?” Christine was growing impatient. “Stop laughing. I’m three thousand miles away and you’re having a blast with some movie star.” Christine felt the tears sting her eyes. “Jackie, if you want this relationship to end, please tell me.”
Jacqueline stopped laughing and her voice mellowed. “Oh, honey. He really is teaching me to sail. I was going to surprise you when I got home.” She sighed and continued. “What the picture didn’t show you was that Josh’s boyfriend was on the boat too.”
“He’s gay?” Christine asked shocked.
“Yes, Chris, he’s gay.”
“The tears that fell onto her cheek were no longer of sadness. “I’m sorry for not trusting you, Jackie.”
“Don’t apologize, Chris. I know how hard this is on you, but I do love. You have my heart, Chris. You always will.”
“We laughed about it when she came home, but it was still hard on our relationship. I thought about ending the relationship those first few months.” Christine admitted. “But I loved her too much.” Christine’s eyes drifted out the window as the tears touched her eyes.
“Let’s have our coffee on the sofa and you can explain those papers you brought with you.” Laura knew it was time to change the subject.
As they had their coffee and dessert, Christine explained the different stocks, bonds and mutual funds to Laura.
“Your dad kept himself diversified and I suggest you do the same. Your income from the portfolio should be about $10,000.00 per month. If you need more, we can always sell something.” Christine watched the shocked expression on Laura’s face as she continued to go over the portfolio.
“Chris, after the expenses of the house, there isn’t anything I really need. I also have the life insurance and the cash he left.” Laura breathed in deeply. “I guess I can afford to take the summer off?” She said with a grin.
Christine closed the folder and put it back in her briefcase. Standing, she held out her hand to Laura. “Thank you for a wonderful meal, Laura.”
“Thank you for coming here tonight and doing this on your night off.” Laura smiled as she released Christine’s hand. “You are welcome to share a meal with me anytime.”
“Don’t say that, Laura,” she said chuckling. “You might find me at your doorstep every evening.”
At the doorway, they wished each other good night.
CHAPTER FOUR
In May, Christine had the landscapers add flowers to the beds and the pool company opened the pool for the summer. Since the phone calls for her Memorial Day barbecue had been made Christine went outside to sit on the patio.
The sun was shining and the air felt warm as Christine picked up her book and began reading. As the hours ticked by, Christine looked at her empty water bottle and went back into the house. Stepping into the shade of the house, she tossed the empty bottle into the recycling can. As she reached for another bottle, the doorbell rang.
“Hi, Chris,” Laura said as the door opened.
“Hi,” Christine acknowledged thinking it had been weeks since she had seen Laura.
“I got the message about your barbecue.” Laura followed Christine into the house. “I wanted to thank you for inviting me and find out if I could make something for the party.”
“I usually have the sides catered and then throw hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill,” Christine said with a shrug, but then she saw the disappointment on Laura’s face. “If you want to make something, my friends and I would enjoy your efforts.”
“I was thinking of smoking a turkey. I could bring my smoker over here and while the turkey is cooking, help you get ready for the party.” Laura added a grin to her comment.
“You’ll be a guest. I certainly don’t want to put you to work.” Christine didn’t know Laura well enough to ask her to act as co-host to her party. Her other friends rarely asked if they could help her with the preparations.
“I don’t mind, Chris,” Laura said with a shrug. Then she grinned. “I know how you can pay me back.” Her eyebrows rose in mischief. “I don’t have pool and I can see you have a beautiful one here.”
Christine looked at her face and then into the back yard. “You are welcomed to use the pool anytime, Laura.”
****
The following Friday, Christine left the office at four o’clock. She drove home wishing she had taken off her suit jacket before getting into the car. As she stepped out of the car in her driveway, she draped the jacket across her arm and opened the front door. Walking into the house, her purse and jacket were dropped on a chair and
her pumps were removed from her feet. She walked over to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water. Twisting the cap off, she walked to the sliding glass door and took a long drink of the cold water. As her eyes lowered she saw Laura lying on a lounge chair. The bikini top was untied and Christine couldn’t resist looking at the firm body lying there. Laura turned her head and saw Christine at the door. A wave came up in acknowledging her presence which exposed part of her breast. Christine sucked in a breath before she took another long drink of water. Having no choice, she opened the sliding glass door.
“Hi,” Christine said as she stepped onto the patio.
Laura reached for the strings on her top and retired the loop. “You’re home early,” Laura said sitting up. “I thought I would be gone before you got home. I’m sorry,” Laura said reaching for her towel.
“No need to apologize, Laura. I told you to use the pool.” Christine watched Laura’s smile appear and suddenly her face felt flush.
“The last thing you need after a hard day is to come home and find someone in your yard,” Laura said chuckling.
Christine untied the bow on her blue silk blouse and opened the top three buttons. She could feel her panty hose sticking to her legs. “It got so warm today.” The bottle came to her lips again. “Would you like something to drink?” Christine offered.
“That water looks good,” Laura said running her hand through her light brown hair.
“I’ll get you a bottle.” Christine turned to go back into the house.
Laura rushed to her side. “I’ll get it. Why don’t you put your suit on and join me for a swim?”
The two women looked at each other and Christine’s head nodded in agreement. “I think the water would feel great after wearing these clothes all day.” Her hand fanned over her outfit.
“You look nice,” Laura said seeing what was left of the suit Christine had been wearing. “Even though I would be very uncomfortable if I had to dress like that every day.” Her giggle filled the yard causing Christine to chuckle too.
“I’ll go change,” she said walking into the house.
Laura went to the refrigerator and removed a bottle of water from the shelf. She twisted off the cap and gravitated to the mantle on the fireplace to look at the photos. There were pictures of Christine and Jacqueline and many with friends and family. There was one that caught her attention. You could tell it had been taken more than a decade ago and Laura’s finger traced the contours of Jacqueline’s body. A smile crept across her face in remembrance.
Christine stripped off her clothes and pulled out a one piece dark blue bathing suit from the dresser drawer. Pulling the suit on she looked at herself in the full length mirror and thought for a forty year old woman, she looked good. Her dark brown hair was worn shorter these days and some days the wrinkles around her eyes began to show. She never had the body that Laura had, but most women didn’t. Laura’s five foot five frame didn’t carry any excess fat, but wasn’t excessively thin either. Her breasts were small, but were perfect for her body frame. The light brown hair just reached her shoulders and her light green eyes were clear and bright. Christine looked at herself again in the mirror and thought she was too tall and her feet were gigantic. At five foot nine she towered over most women. Her breasts were full and her arms muscular from her daily workouts.
Coming through the sliding glass doors, Christine saw Laura in the pool gazing out onto the river below. She dropped her towel onto a lounge chair and walked toward the pool stairs. Laura turned around and her gaze followed Christine into the water.
“Oh that feels so good,” Christine said as the water reached her waist. She dove under the water and surfaced on the other end of the pool.
Laura watched the gracefulness of Christine’s body as she cut through the water and thought she reminded her of a gazelle.
“Do you think the water is too warm?” Christine asked as she glided over to Laura.
“No,” she said shaking her head. “It feels wonderful.”
Christine swam back to the stairs and climbed out. She reached for her towel and began to wipe off the excess water from her body.
“Are you done?” Laura asked with a laugh.
Christine smiled. “I thought I would sit on a lounge chair for a while.” She positioned the lounge chair so it would face the river. Christine laid her towel out on the chair and lowered her body. Behind her she could hear Laura getting out of the pool.
“Do you mind if I put my chair next to yours? Laura asked with her hand on the lounge chair.
Christine looked up and said. “Make yourself at home.” Her hand motioned to the space next to her.
The two women watched as a few boats went back and forth in front of house. Christine was happy that no sailboats crossed her vision.
“You know.” Laura began. “We met a long time ago.”
Christine turned in her chair and faced Laura as if she were studying her face.
“I couldn’t have been more than fourteen years old.” Laura turned on her side so she could face Christine and continued. “Do you remember helping a clumsy kid who had gotten clobbered by a large wave?” Laura laughed. “I thought I was going to drown that day, but then a hand reached out and pulled me up.”
“That was you?” Christine asked amazed. She now remembered the girl choking as she came up for air. Christine helped her get out of water and when they reached the sand, a smile filled with braces thanked her over and over again.
Laura rolled onto her back and faced the river again. “Can I tell you something embarrassing?”
“It’s up to you, Laura,” Christine said with a laugh.
“I told my friends that day that I was going to marry you someday.”
Christine laughed deeply. “I’m sorry, Laura. I shouldn’t laugh.” But the laugh continued.
“That’s okay. My friends laughed too. They said you can’t marry a woman.” Laura’s voice deepened. “I guess even at that age I knew who I was.” She faced Christine again. “It’s a small world, isn’t it?”
“When did you remember it was me?” Christine asked facing Laura.
“It was the photos on the fireplace mantle. When I saw your face in the picture with your friends, I knew it was you.” She explained smiling.
“I guess if you were fourteen then I was twenty-four.” Christine grinned. “You’ve grown into a beautiful woman, Laura,” she said not meeting her gaze.
“Thank you.” Laura suddenly felt shy knowing her first crush on a woman was now her friend. Swallowing hard, Laura asked. “Would you like to have dinner with me, Chris?”
Christine chuckled. “I owe you dinner, Laura. I can see what’s in the freezer to make?” Her legs came over the side of the chair.
Laura lightly touched her arm. “Chris, I’m asking you out.”
“Oh,” Christine said as she froze in place. “I don’t date, Laura.” She lifted herself off the chair.
“You mean you don’t want to go out with me?”
Christine couldn’t meet the eyes she knew was staring her way. “I can’t go out with you, Laura.” Her eyes met Laura’s eyes. “I’m sorry.” How could she explain to Laura that dating anyone would be cheating on Jacqueline?
Laura looked at the sadness on Christine’s face and understood. “You haven’t been out with anyone since Jackie died. Have you?”
Christine shook her head.
“Do you think Jackie would have wanted you to stop living your life?”
Christine had heard it all before. All of her friends had said the same thing. It didn’t matter what they all thought. It only mattered what she wanted and she didn’t want to go out with anyone.
Christine picked up her towel. “Stay as long as you want, Laura.” She disappeared into the house.
****
The following morning, Christine stayed out of the backyard. She knew everyone was right that Jacqueline would not have wanted her to spend the rest of her life alone. She wouldn’t have wan
ted that for Jacqueline either, but just the thought of being with another woman was too much to think about.
The doorbell rang and she knew before she opened the door who it would be. “Good morning, Laura,” Christine said seeing Laura standing on her front porch.
“I brought homemade muffins as my apology for yesterday.” Laura handed the basket and turned to leave.
“Are you trying to make me fat?” She asked with a chuckle. “You help me eat these or I’ll eat them all myself.”
Laura turned around smiling. “Well, we can’t have that, can we?” Laura took a seat at the counter as Christine made the coffee.
“Butter of jam?” Christine asked as she went to the refrigerator.
“Both,” Laura said smiling.
“Maybe I ought to watch what you eat?” Christine asked giggling.
“I don’t gain weight,” Laura said with a shrug.
“Oh, you’re so young.” She tapped Laura’s arm. “Just wait a few years. I’m going to have to run two miles on my treadmill to work off these muffins.”
“We can go to the boardwalk and run?” Laura offered. “I love the beach. I wish my dad had bought a house close to the beach, but he loved to fish.”
Christine poured them each a cup of coffee and took the seat opposite Laura. “I’m sorry too,” Christine said softly looking at Laura. “I don’t want you to think I was rejecting you. My friends have tried to fix me times up so many, but I’m not ready.”
Laura nodded. “I understand, Chris. You don’t have to explain anything to me.”
“Thanks for understanding, Laura.”
After breakfast, they drove to the boardwalk and ran until they were exhausted. Sitting on a bench they finished drinking the water they carried.
“Do you think we’ve run off the muffins yet?” Christine asked breathing heavily.
“I hope so because I can’t run anymore,” Laura said wiping her brow with the back of her hand.
Christine laughed. “How about a swim after we shower this sweat off ourselves?”
