by Aurora Rey
“Do you not get along with your family?” After their mother’s death, she and Meg had grown even closer to their dad. They still spoke several times a week and she always looked forward to spending time with him. The idea of not being close to family gave her a pang of sadness for Lia.
“Oh, we’re far too Southern and civilized not to get along.”
Alex raised a brow. “But?”
“We have somewhat of a ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy. They love me, but my being a lesbian makes them extremely uncomfortable. Keeping a certain distance has been easier, for them and for me.”
“Do you go home very often?”
“Once every year or two. I usually plan it around my best friend, Sally. She lives in New Orleans now, which is just about an hour from my hometown. I went down for her wedding, after each of her kids was born. I see my parents, my brothers and their families, but I don’t spend so much time with them that we run out of things to talk about. She’ll be with her in-laws for the holidays, so it’s just me and the whole Brooks clan.”
The pang of sadness Alex felt grew into a full wave of sympathy. She wasn’t naive about how much homophobia there was, but having a supportive family and living where she did shielded her from dealing with it on a daily basis. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. They really do mean well, and they do love me. To be honest, it was as much me as it was them. I got comfortable in New York, and my ex hated what she called the ‘backwoods.’ With her distaste, it became easier to avoid the whole thing.” Lia paused for a moment and frowned. “It’s actually kind of horrible of me.”
Alex offered her a reassuring smile. “Not at all. The path of least resistance can be an effective survival mechanism.”
“I guess. Thanks.”
Alex rinsed their empty dishes and loaded them into the dishwasher. She notched another black mark in her mind against Lia’s ex. The marks were starting to add up. She wanted to make her feel better, though, and harping on what a raging bitch the woman was likely wouldn’t accomplish that. Instead, she said, “So it might be a really great chance to reconnect with them.”
Lia visibly brightened. “It might just.”
“When are you going?’
“I fly out on the 23rd and back on the 27th.”
Alex scooped the leftover risotto into a container and put it in the fridge, then ran hot soapy water into the pot. “That’s perfect. I can give you a ride to the airport.”
Alex smiled as she scrubbed the starchy pan. In her thirty-three years, she’d never dropped off or picked up a girlfriend from the airport. She liked the idea of being the last person Lia saw when she left and the first when she returned.
“That’s a long drive for you just to give me a ride.”
“It’s not. I’m heading to Boston for the week. It’s my present to myself for not closing a single day in the summer.” Alex didn’t know why, but it suddenly felt important that she be the one to see Lia off.
“That is so thoughtful, but my flight out is at like six in the morning.”
Even better. “Well, then, clearly the best plan is for us to go to Boston the day before. You can stay at Meg’s with me and then it’s only a twenty minute ride to Logan from there.”
“I really don’t—”
Alex interrupted her. “It’s no trouble at all. Besides, my dad will love you. Since he retired and started spending winters in South Carolina, he likes to say he’s developed a thing for Southern women.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.”
Lia refilled their wineglasses and led the way into the living room. “I’m not going to lie, not having to drive from here to Boston in the wee hours of the morning makes me very happy. Almost as happy as the prospect of seeing Meg again and meeting your dad.”
Alex gave Murphy a chew bone for being good and they both followed her. He stretched himself out on the living room rug and happily went to town. Lia curled up on the couch while Alex lit a fire. Once the flames had taken hold, Alex joined her. “It’s going to be great, and it’s always nice to have company for the ride.”
“Agreed. So, what about you?”
“What about me?” Alex had pulled Lia’s feet into her lap and was rubbing them lightly.
“Do you have an ex? A string of exes?”
Lia had been very open, so she wasn’t not going to answer, but chose her words carefully. “I wouldn’t say a ‘string.’ I had a girlfriend in college, and one serious relationship shortly after, with my first boss.”
“Oh.”
“Exactly. Let’s just say it didn’t end well. Since moving here, I’ve mostly kept to casual dating. It seems to be easiest, considering how much of the population is transient.”
That was not the thing to say to the woman she was currently dating. They really hadn’t talked at all about what their relationship meant or where, if anywhere, it was going. Still, it sounded bad, even if Lia was only around for a few months herself. She watched Lia, looking for signs of irritation or worse. What she did, however, was crawl into Alex’s lap.
“Well, I’m glad there aren’t a lot of transients around at this time of year. I imagine the competition can get pretty stiff.”
“Lia…” Alex wasn’t sure what to say. She didn’t want to make empty promises or to start talking about feelings, but Lia was so different from the women she usually dated. Her feelings for Lia were, too, although she didn’t want to slap a label on them.
“Shhh.” Lia put a finger to her lips. “I’m teasing you. I like what we have. I like that it’s fun and uncomplicated.”
For some reason, that made Alex feel worse rather than better. But before she could think about why that might be, Lia’s mouth was on hers. Thoughts quickly turned into needs and Alex allowed herself to be swept away by touch and taste and the heat that poured from Lia into her.
Chapter Twenty
With only intermittent snow flurries, the drive to Boston was uneventful. They arrived at Meg and Rob’s house late in the afternoon. Alex pulled into the driveway behind an old Buick, looked over at Lia, and smiled. “I’m really excited for you to meet my dad.”
Lia tried to imagine the man who’d raised both Meg and Alex from the time they were toddlers, the retired-cop-slash-single-dad. To say she was curious was a massive understatement.
They grabbed their things and walked into the house. She instantly recognized Patrick McKinnon from the photos scattered around Alex’s loft. He was sitting in an easy chair in jeans and a flannel shirt; there was a pair of reading glasses perched on his nose and he appeared to be working on a crossword puzzle. The resemblance was striking, and she imagined she was getting a sneak peek of what Alex would look like in thirty years.
He bounded out of the chair like a man in his prime. “Ali! It’s about damn time you showed up.”
Alex got swept up in a bear hug. When she pulled away, she punched him in the arm. “Just because you got nowhere to be, old man, you think the rest of us spend our time lounging about?”
Lia watched them tease one another. It was obvious the harassment was an essential part of their relationship. The bond, the love, between them was palpable. It made Lia’s heart beat uncomfortably in her chest and she couldn’t decide if it had to do with Alex or with her own anxiety around seeing her family. Before she could start ruminating, Meg breezed in from the kitchen.
“You’re here.” Meg hugged her, then Alex. “Your timing is perfect. I just put on the afternoon coffee.”
“I’m sure you mean after-nap coffee, with Pop here.”
Patrick swatted at his daughter with a rolled up newspaper. “I never did manage to beat the sass out of you, did I? Aren’t you going to introduce me to your pretty friend here?”
Alex rolled her eyes, but with affection. “I don’t know. Are you going to treat her the way you treat me?”
“Of course not. She’s a guest.”
“Right. What was I thinking? Pop, this is
Lia.” Alex turned to Lia. “Lia, this is my dad, Pat.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. McKinnon.” Lia extended her hand.
Pat took Lia’s hand, brought it to his lips for a kiss. “Please, you must call me Pat. And the pleasure, I assure you, is all mine.”
Lia decided to risk Alex’s ire by egging him on. “Why, thank you.” She turned on a little bit of drawl. “Alex never mentioned that her father was so charming, or so handsome.”
“All right, all right. That’s enough out of you two.”
“You’re just jealous that she likes me.” Pat winked at Lia while elbowing his daughter in the ribs. “I can’t help it if I’m still a looker.”
“Ah, but what are you looking at?” Meg poked him, then headed back into the kitchen. She returned with a tray loaded with a pot of coffee, mugs, and a plate of cookies.
If Meg was a treasure trove of stories about Alex, Patrick was the mother lode. Throughout the afternoon and evening, he spun tales of his daughters’ mischief and mishaps, interspersed with their accomplishments and his proudest moments. Lia learned that Alex was the star catcher of her high school softball team and graduated third in her class. A distaste for physics resulted in her losing the salutatorian slot to Meg by a fraction of a point. And while she’d never been girly, Alex went through a brief phase in middle school during which she sported a perm and wanted to join a girl band. After getting her first job at a local donut shop, she abandoned dreams of playing the electric guitar in favor of becoming a famous chef.
It grew dark and they switched from coffee to wine. At around seven, Meg pulled a gorgeous lasagna from the oven. The conversation moved to the dinner table and they were joined by Rob, home from his job at one of the local architecture firms.
As they took their seats, Meg dished lasagna onto plates and passed them around. Rob passed around a giant bowl of salad, followed by a basket of garlic bread. Alex emerged from the kitchen with a second bottle of wine and started refilling glasses.
“Meg, where’s your glass? Did you leave it in the kitchen?”
“No, I’m fine with water.”
Alex looked at her sister. “That’s not like you, especially once the semester is over.”
Lia had an immediate suspicion about Meg’s abstinence. She’d had an almost identical interaction with Sally right before Sally told her she was pregnant with her first son. Lia looked from Meg to Alex and back to Meg.
“Well,” Meg said finally, “I’m not supposed to drink wine again until after the baby is born.”
Lia watched Alex, then Pat, respond to the news. There were shouts, a couple of happy expletives, hugs, and a few tears. It was so touching to watch. She was happy for all of them, and a little sad that she’d not been present when her brothers and their wives made similar announcements. If her eyes were a little misty when she raised her glass to toast the impending arrival, no one seemed to notice.
They ate and drank and, by the time they called it a night a little before eleven, Lia’s sides ached from laughing. She’d developed a full-blown crush on the entire McKinnon clan, even if half of them were technically Sullivans. Since Patrick was only in town for the week, he was staying at Meg’s as well instead of his own house in Boston. With him in the guest room, Alex and Lia were bunking on a futon next to a computer desk and a weight bench. Meg had made it up nicely, though, and Lia wasn’t about to complain about having to snuggle up close.
“The next time we’re here, this room will probably be a nursery.”
Even though it was just a figure of speech, Lia got a flutter in her stomach at Alex’s assertion of a next time. “It’s very exciting. I remember how giddy I was when I found out Sally was pregnant. You’re going to be an amazing auntie.”
Alex climbed in against the wall and motioned for Lia to join her. “If by amazing, you mean spoil them rotten and drive their mother nuts, then yes.”
“That is exactly what I mean.” She slid in next to Alex. “Just don’t tell Meg I said that.”
When they were burrowed under the covers, Lia found herself saying, “I don’t want to go to my family anymore. Can I just stay with yours?”
Without hesitating, Alex replied, “Of course.”
Lia sighed. “I know you know I’m just kidding, but that’s very sweet.”
“I know you’re just kidding, but I mean it nonetheless.”
Alex looked at Lia in the silvery light coming through the sheer curtains. She loved the way Lia’s hair fell across her forehead and the pillow. She had never been big on a woman’s hair, but every time she was around Lia, all she wanted to do was bury her hands in Lia’s unruly tumble of curls. She took a lock of it, wrapping it around her finger. Lia smiled at her.
“I have a very serious question to ask you.”
“What is it?”
Alex saw a flicker of concern in Lia’s big brown eyes, but kept her face stern. “Are you at all capable of being quiet?”
Understanding dawned and Alex enjoyed watching Lia’s expression go from concerned to confused to aroused before returning to a state of concern. “With you, I have absolutely no idea.”
Alex grinned. “Well, I guess we’re going to have to try it and see.”
Lia was completely quiet. Almost. She let out one tiny moan, then managed to contain herself. When she came, she bit her fist. It was one of the sexiest things Alex had ever seen.
When the alarm went off a few hours later, it was clear Lia did not want to get out of bed. After some subtle encouragement, she grudgingly extricated herself, took a quick shower, and dressed. Alex was waiting for her in jeans, a sweatshirt, and a Red Sox cap.
“You’re going to be fine.”
Alex’s words eased her unspoken worries. Lia smiled and nodded. “Thanks.”
When they arrived at the airport, Alex pulled up to the ticketing and departure area for Delta. Before Lia could stop her, she hopped out of the car and pulled Lia’s suitcase from the back.
“Very chivalrous. Thank you.”
“I had an ulterior motive.” She gathered Lia in her arms and indulged in a long, lingering kiss.
“No complaints here.”
Alex leaned back, but didn’t let her go. “I’m going to miss you.” She hadn’t meant to say it, hadn’t planned on letting their parting get weighed down with any sort of significance. Yet, there it was.
Alex’s assertion took Lia by surprise. It was the kind of thing a girlfriend would say. It was exactly what she’d been thinking, but was afraid to say out loud. “Me too.”
“Good, because if it was just me, we’d have a problem.”
Alex kissed her senseless again and then let her go. Lia mustered a smile. “Have a wonderful Christmas.”
“You too. Let yourself have fun, but not too much fun.”
“I think I can manage that.” Somehow, Lia had come around to the idea of spending time with her family. She was pretty sure Alex had more than a little something to do with it.
“Text me, call me, and eat a beignet for me.”
Lia saluted. “I will. See you soon.”
She gave Alex another quick kiss and then hurried into the terminal so that she didn’t have the chance to get sentimental or, worse, clingy. She stole a glance back and saw Alex standing where she’d left her. Alex lifted her hand in a wave that she returned. It was that image she took with her as she made her way through security and boarded the plane.
Chapter Twenty-one
Much to Lia’s relief, her flights, and the connection in Atlanta, were uneventful. It was early afternoon when she landed and she easily made her way to baggage claim, then the new rental car facility built as part of the reconstruction after Katrina. The temperature was in the low fifties and felt downright balmy compared to the near zero it was when she left Boston that morning.
After claiming her car, Lia pulled out of the garage and made her way to Airline Highway, turning off to take the Gramercy Bridge across the river. As she wound her way a
long the River Road, she was hit with the sweet and pungent smell of burning sugarcane. She rounded a bend and saw the line of fire in the field, the smoke billowing up and across the road. It was a common practice on the sugarcane farms—burning what was left after the stalks were harvested. It helped to feed the soil for the next season. It was one of those things, she realized, you sort of forget about when you’re away for a long time. As a kid, she and Sally would complain about the smell. Now, she welcomed it and allowed herself to be glad that she was home.
When Lia pulled into the driveway, her parents came out to stand on the porch and welcome her. They did the same thing when she was in college and came home for winter break or summer vacations. It always made her feel special. This time, it made her feel special, but a bit guilty as well.
She climbed out of the car and they exchanged hugs and kisses. Her dad took her suitcase and she followed them inside. Mama had a penchant for painting and sewing curtains, so it wasn’t surprising to find new colors in the living room and kitchen. Lia admired the choices and made a mental note to seek her advice when she had a place of her own to decorate.
She went to her room and found it unchanged. The pink and green quilt she’d chosen for her sixteenth birthday was still on the bed; the white eyelet lace curtains Mama made dressed the windows. She crossed the hall to the bathroom she used to hate having to share with her brothers. The counter, once crowded with toothbrushes and hair products held only a vase of silk flowers and a decorative soap dispenser. She did, however, spy a basket of toys in the bathtub. Clearly, Mawmaw and Pawpaw were equipped for sleepovers with the grandkids.
Lia spent most of the afternoon helping her mother get food ready for the family’s annual Christmas Eve party while her father and brothers finished building the bonfire. Theirs would top fifteen feet and be one of hundreds that burned along the levees, lighting the way for Père Noel. Probably close to a hundred aunts, uncles, cousins, and family friends would stream in and out for hours—eating, drinking, and making merry. As a kid, she’d loved Christmas Eve even more than Christmas morning.
