The Game of Denial

by Brenda Adcock

  BETH CHASE RUBBED her face and sat up in bed. Her final year of nursing school meant she had begun actually working in a hospital setting, caring for patients. She had stayed up long hours before, but being up all night for the third shift was new and exhausting. She stumbled out of bed in her pajama pants and college t-shirt and made her way toward the coffeemaker. She started the brewing cycle before wandering back toward the bathroom and a shower, which would hopefully bring her fully awake. It was after lunch already, but breakfast sounded to die for. She looked at the clock in the kitchen and began preparing bacon and eggs. Four eggs would be about right, along with a dozen strips of bacon, toast, juice, and coffee. She loved breakfast. It was the best meal of the day no matter what time she ate it. She ran her hands along either side of her head and ruffled her fingers through her short caramel-colored hair. The best thing about short hair was that it dried quickly.

  She had just set everything on the kitchen table and was preparing to chow down when the doorbell interrupted her plans. She ran across the front room of the small house she rented and opened the door, prepared to tell whoever it was that she'd already found Jesus and he was starving.

  She was shocked when she saw the couple standing on her stoop. "Brad! Fran! What are you doing here?"

  "Good to see you, too, Sis," Brad said, smiling.

  Beth stepped back and invited them inside, embracing each of them with a smile.

  "Sorry. I just got up a little while ago and was getting ready to eat breakfast," Beth said as she led them through the house.

  Brad looked at his wristwatch. "It's two in the afternoon, you slug," he said.

  "Cute house," Fran commented as they followed Beth into the kitchen.

  "I worked until seven this morning."

  "We should have called first," Fran said as she looked through cabinets for a coffee cup.

  "On the left, next to the sink," Beth said over her shoulder.

  Fran set a mug in front of Brad and relaxed into a chair as she unbuttoned and removed her jacket.

  "So what brings you two lovebirds to Richmond?" Beth asked. "I know you can't be that bored with each other yet." She grinned at Brad. "Or you're not the stud you bragged about being."

  "We need to talk about Mom," Brad said.

  "What about her? Is something wrong? I just talked to her a couple of days ago and she didn't say anything about a problem."

  "She's fine," Brad said.

  "Then what's up? Is it Tully again? Kid's an asshole," she managed around a mouthful of food.

  "Jesus! You ask too many questions," Brad said.

  "Well, it's because I'm not getting any answers." She picked up her mug of coffee and washed her food down. "God, I'm hungry," she said.

  The back door opened and a bubbly blonde bounced through it. "Bacon, bacon, bacon! Do I smell bacon? Hope you left at least one slice for me, baby."

  Fran covered her mouth to keep from spitting coffee on the table and looked at Brad. Without waiting for an introduction, the blonde dropped her shoulder bag on the counter and stepped next to the table. She extended her hand and said, "I'm Kristi Stinehour."

  After she shook hands with Brad and Fran she leaned over the table slightly, dropping a light kiss on Beth's lips while she filched the last slice of bacon from Beth's plate.

  "I saw that," Beth said. She set her mug down and said, "This is my brother, Brad, and his wife, Fran." She looked at her brother and sister-in-law and shrugged.

  "Super!" Kristi exclaimed. "I've been trying to convince Beth to take me home with her for a visit, like forever."

  Fran couldn't suppress a grin. "How long have you been together?" she asked.

  "A couple of years," Kristi said as she nibbled the bacon.

  "I wish you could have come to our wedding," Fran said.

  "I couldn't get away from the hospital. We were in the middle of a humongous research project."

  "Are you a nurse too?" Brad asked.

  "Not all women are nurses, Brad," Beth answered, rolling her eyes. "Kristi's a research biologist at the hospital where I'm training. She's an older woman by a couple of years." She smiled. "But I like older women." She leaned her head back and looked up at Kristi. "Like the song says, older women make better lov--"

  Kristi placed a hand over Beth's mouth. She rested her other hand on Beth's shoulder and squeezed it lightly. "You say the sweetest things, baby, but not always at the right time. I've been around nasty germs and about a dozen other semi-toxic things you don't want to know about, so I've got to grab a quick shower."

  "You want me to fix some eggs for you?" Beth asked as Kristi skipped out of the kitchen.

  "I'm good. Freddie and I stopped for croissants before I came home. I can be bribed with fresh coffee though. I won't be long."

  Brad looked at his sister and continued to sip his coffee.

  "Go ahead, Brad," she sighed as she leaned back in her chair. "Ask whatever questions you have and get it over with."

  "How long were you planning to keep this little secret?" he asked.

  "Long as I had to," Beth said.

  "Does Mom know?"

  "What do you think? No one knows except Kristi's family and a few friends at work." She smiled at Fran. "And Fran's mother."

  "What?" Fran gasped. "You told my mother you're a lesbian?"

  "Actually, she guessed. That night we all went dancing at Mo's. Really good gaydar. She promised not to tell anyone and, from your reaction, it looks like she kept her promise."

  "How did your friend's family react?" Brad asked.

  Anger flashed across Beth's eyes. "She's not "˜my friend'," she said, making quote marks with her fingers. "Kristi is my lover and that look on your face right now is exactly why I haven't felt the need to mention how I live my life. Kristi's parents don't care other than to ask me not to hurt her."

  Fran stood and wrapped her arms around her sister-in-law. "Congratulations, Beth."

  Beth smiled sheepishly. "I've asked Kristi to marry me and we're planning to drive to Iowa after I graduate."

  "Why Iowa?" Brad asked.

  "Because it's legal there, dummy," Beth said.

  "But it's still not legal here."

  Beth looked at him incredulously and said sarcastically, "Really? I did not know that, Bradley. Virginia may be for lovers, like the license plate says, but only if they're the politically correct kind. I can be a nurse anywhere and Kristi is looking for a position in states that will recognize our marriage."

  "You'd leave Virginia?"

  "In a happy, hurried heartbeat to be with the woman I love, big brother. Wouldn't you?"

  Kristi swept back into the kitchen wearing sweatpants and a lightweight sweatshirt. She wrapped her arms around Beth. "You say the sweetest things, baby." She planted a playful kiss on Beth's lips before pouring a cup of coffee and adding one packet of sugar substitute and a dollop of creamer. She set her cup on the table and made Beth scoot back a little so she could sit on her lap.

  Besides her unruly blonde curls, Kristi had stunning blue eyes behind her wire-rimmed glasses. She was petite and absolutely adorable. It was clear that Beth was thoroughly smitten.

  "I hope you'll invite us to the wedding," Fran said.

  "Would you come, Brad?" Beth asked.

  Brad glanced at Fran. "You're my sister, Beth. I love you and want you to be happy, but if I were you I wouldn't invite Tully."

  "Duh! I already know that. I thought I might have to slap him around a little at your wedding. I had to break up a fight in the barn between him and Ray."

  "When was that?" Brad asked.

  "The night before we went to Mo's, I think."

  "Did you find out what it was about?"

  "No, but I have a guess. I'm pretty sure Ray's gay."

  "That can't be," Brad said. "He was a horn dog in high school."

  "Tully was the horn dog. Ray just went along to be with Tully."

  Fran placed her hand on top of Brad's. "Honey, do you think that'
s what Tully meant that night?"

  "What night?" Beth asked, looking confused.

  "We had an argument over Christmas and he asked how I'd feel if another guy came on to me," Brad said. He looked at Fran. "He might have been talking about Ray. I didn't take it too seriously."

  "It was the next night that he verbally attacked Mom for the first time," Fran added softly.

  "So when did this attraction to other women begin?" Brad asked.

  Beth shrugged. "I don't know really. It just happened, like the most natural thing in the world. Then it scared me shitless. It wasn't until I left for college that I finally began to explore my feelings." Beth rubbed Kristi's back and chuckled. "Kinda went a little crazy for a while."

  "How did you meet Kristi?" Fran asked.

  "Can I tell this part? Please, please, please," Kristi asked, looking over her shoulder at Beth.

  Beth smiled at her and nodded. "Try not to embarrass me too bad," she said.

  "Badly. It's an adverb, sweetness," Kristi corrected affectionately. "We met at a party," Kristi said. "Sweet thing here was over her drink limit. Totally unable to fight off the horde of hot women climbing all over her."

  "It wasn't a horde, but they were hot," Beth said. She looked at Fran. "She loves to tell this story, but it's always grossly embellished."

  Even Brad couldn't restrain a smile.

  "None of them were as hot as you, sugar," Kristi said as she turned to wrap herself closely against Beth. "You're such a chick magnet." She sighed.

  "The story, hun," Beth reminded her.

  "Oh, yeah," Kristi said, sitting up. "Anyway," she started again, dragging the word out. "I had finished my orals that day and was pretty sure I'd aced them. I felt the need to celebrate. So I sucked it up, walked over, and broke up the orgy that was threatening to break out at any second."

  "Jesus," Beth said, rubbing her hand over her face. "It wasn't an orgy."

  "I grabbed her hand and pulled her up off the couch," Kristi continued, apparently unfazed. "I re-buttoned her shirt and pushed it back into her jeans--"

  "Copping a feel while you were at it, I might add," Beth said.

  "I did not," Kristi protested. "My hand slipped."

  "Did too. I wasn't that damn drunk," Beth said. "Then she informed me she was taking me home."

  "Well, I did."

  "You didn't say it was gonna be your home."

  Kristi stroked Beth's cheek and kissed it. "And now it's your home and you're just as hot as you were then."

  "Did you know Mom's gay?" Brad asked calmly.

  Beth blinked and sat up. "Mom!? My mother?"

  "I didn't believe it either. Mom and Dad were married nearly a dozen years."

  Kristi giggled then suddenly stopped and covered her mouth. "I'm sorry," she said quietly.

  "Just because a woman's been married and has kids doesn't mean she's straight, Brad," Beth said with a frown. "Most of the older lesbians I know have been married."

  "Tully thinks my mother and Evey are involved with one another," Fran said.

  "My mom's sleeping with your mom?" Beth shook her head in disbelief.

  "I don't think they've been together intimately, but the desire may be there nonetheless," Fran answered.

  "Cool, I think. Does that upset you?" Beth asked.

  "My mother's an adult. She's free to do whatever she wants with her life," Fran said. "I was raised by two women, remember."

  "That's really kinky," Kristi said.

  "They seemed friendly enough at the wedding," Beth said. "Actually made kind of a cute couple. Mom could do worse." She glanced at Fran. "Sorry, but your mom in that tuxedo was smokin' hot. If she dug younger women and I was single, I might've been interested."

  "Thanks, I think," Fran said.

  "Is that why you popped in here today? To find out how I would feel about my mother being a lesbian?"

  Brad blushed, but didn't answer.

  "Well, obviously I don't give two shits in the wind."

  "God, Beth," Brad exhaled. "When did you start talking like this?"

  "When I decided to grow the fuck up and start being who I am without worrying what other people think." She nuzzled Kristi's neck playfully. "Wanna visit the farm with me sometime, sweet thing?"

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  JOAN WAS SHOCKED when Meg poured a bowl of cereal and joined her for breakfast.

  "This is a pleasant surprise," she said, folding her newspaper and bringing her cup to her lips. "Do you want me to fix you something more substantial than cereal?

  "No, thanks. This is good," Meg answered as she shoveled a mound of cereal into her mouth. "I need your advice," she said as she chewed.

  "Swallow first," Joan said patiently. She winced as Meg forced the mouthful of food down her throat.

  "You don't care if I like boys, do you?" Meg blurted.

  Joan closed her eyes and concentrated on not spitting her coffee across the table. "Of course not," she finally said. "Have you found someone you like?"

  Meg shrugged. "No. I don't have time for guys right now. I need to plan my life first."

  Joan leaned back in her chair. "I see. Do you have a plan in mind?"

  Meg nodded. "I think so. Thought I'd run it by you though." She snickered. "After all, you'll probably be the one paying for it."

  "All right," Joan said carefully and waited for the other shoe to drop.

  "I've decided to go to college next fall," Meg announced.

  "That sounds like a wise decision."

  "I have the application filled out already."

  "Where are you hoping to go?"

  "Oh, I'll get in. That shouldn't be a problem. I'm applying to Central Virginia."

  Joan was sure the surprise showed in her face. "What made you choose that university?"

  "Well, here's the deal, Mom. I've decided I want to be a photographer. Central V has a first-rate photography curriculum within their art department. I'm really interested in macro and that area is eat up with dynamite subjects."

  Joan saw the liveliness in Meg's eyes and she couldn't stop smiling as Meg plunged ahead, as if she had to convince her mother of the worth of her choice. "The dorms are reasonable, even if I have to share a room. I've already talked to Fran about it and she'll let me work at her gallery on the weekends so I can learn how to display my photographs. I sent her a few from my portfolio already and she's considering them for the gallery. Cool, huh? And I'm putting together a larger portfolio to send to the director of the art department."

  "Sounds like you've got everything well in hand, honey."

  "So you'll let me go?"

  "You're an adult, Meg. You don't need my permission."

  "I won't do it unless you approve." Meg lowered her voice. "I respect your opinion, Mom."

  "I'm flattered, sweetheart, and have to admit I didn't see this coming." Joan nodded. "Of course I approve."

  "I don't think I'll get rich as a photographer, but it's what I want to do."

  "The money doesn't matter as long as you're happy doing what you do. You could make a million dollars and still be unhappy with your life."

  "Fran suggested I go down for the summer to get settled in and work with her at the gallery."

  "Sounds like another good idea."

  JOAN WALKED INTO her office a few hours later. Her secretary brought her a cup of coffee and she was just settling down to review the mock-ups for a proposed campaign when Charmaine came in and sat down. Joan's secretary brought in a cup of coffee and set it on the coffee table. Joan removed her reading glasses and repositioned them on top of her head.

  "I want to begin the process of turning the agency over to you, Charmaine," Joan said. "Tucker will prepare the paperwork whenever we're both comfortable with the transition."

  "This is sudden," Charmaine said. "Why the rush?"

  "There's no rush. But sometime within the next year or so should be enough time for everyone to adjust to the change. Our managerial styles are very similar already."<
br />
  "Why now?"

  "It's time you accepted more responsibility and I'm tired. Perhaps the thrill is gone."

  "What will you do?"

  Joan shrugged. "I might spend some time in France. Your Mama and I always talked about retiring there one day."

  "Does this have anything to do with Mrs. Chase?"

  Joan smiled. "Not at all. I think we're good friends."

  Charmaine snorted. "So are Giancarlo and I."

  "Mrs. Chase and I aren't quite as...close as you and Giancarlo."

  "That's a pity."

  "What are you planning to do about Giancarlo?" Joan asked ignoring the comment.

  "What do you think I should do about him?"

  "He's not sharing my bed. Are you bored with him yet?"

  "Not quite. He has more talents than I originally suspected," Charmaine said.

  "Be sure to warn him that you might be working longer hours in the future." Joan looked around her office. "There have been times when I felt like I lived here. Fran called the other night."

  "Still enjoying wedded bliss?"

  "I didn't inquire about her personal life. She's driving up to check out a couple of local artists to display in her gallery. I thought I might invite everyone over for dinner while she's here, even Giancarlo."

  "He'll be shocked. Are you inviting Monica as well?"

  "It's a possibility," Joan said.

  "You dog!" Charmaine teased.

  "Every dog has its day, dear. It's time I had mine again."

  "Hear, hear!"

  "CIAO, DARLING," MONICA enthused as she swept into Joan's office.

  Joan removed her glasses and set them on a stack of papers on her desk. She stood and walked around it to greet Monica with a warm kiss. "I wasn't expecting you, but it's a pleasant surprise nonetheless. Would you like some coffee?"

  "I'd like another kiss. Then perhaps some water to help my temperature return to normal," Monica said seductively.

  "I'm expecting company in a few minutes. Fran's in town for a couple of days," Joan said as she rested her arms around Monica's waist.