Kindling

by Agnes H Hagadus

  “It makes it a little easier looking at it that way.” The honking of the horn informed Geraldine it was time. “I’ll text when I get home. You text when you are safe to.”

  “I’ll do that.” Allison managed to control her urge to kiss Geraldine. Another round of honking and the cowgirl was out the door.

  Allison watched as Geraldine entered the station. It wouldn’t be long until the cowgirl was on her way. Hopefully, she would be safe until she reached home.

  As Allison cautiously entered the flow of traffic, she wondered if Geraldine would be safe when she returned home. The voice of her navigation system informed her she was heading in the wrong direction.

  In so many ways, Allison realized she probably was. But something she had learned on her vacation. One has to be ready to face life. To make changes when forced to. And one has to hold onto the ones they love.

  ()()()()()()()()()()()()()

  Morning had come too soon for Lucy. Spending the night in the arms of the woman she loved had been amazing. But it had also been the most difficult thing in the world to do.

  Acting as if this was normal was not easy at all. Lucy enjoyed the sparse conversation with her friends. She couldn’t refer to them as fellow boarders anymore. They would always be connected, if only by the hatred they had faced.

  After hearing Jessie and Thelma had plans for the bed and breakfast, other than a bed and breakfast, it saddened Lucy. They would always be welcomed there, but it wouldn’t be the same as this time around.

  What was Lucy doing now? She was taking one last walk around the grounds. She knew she and Dallas should be on the road. Her fiancée needed to be on the road. The sooner she left, the sooner she could make it to her moms.

  It would be the last time, for quite some time, that Lucy would see scenery such as The South had to offer. The air had a different scent. She was attempting to memorize every moment.

  The sun was still creeping over the horizon. Lucy knew it was time she headed back to the bed and breakfast. Dallas would follow in her rig, but when they hit Atlanta, they would part ways.

  A deep breath was taken. Partially, it was to inhale the now familiar scents. Partially, it was so Lucy could steady her breathing.

  The thought of leaving Dallas in about an hour was enough to set her anxiety off. It was something she hadn’t realized she’d suffered from until she had come up against the formidable Dallas.

  The crackling of a branch startled Lucy. She stopped in her tracks. The familiar voice caused her breathing to steady. Now if her heart would stop pounding in her ears.

  “I’m sorry, Lil Lady. I was wondering if you were avoiding me.” Dallas winked as she cautiously approached her fiancée. “I don’t want to leave. Yet, we have to begin our journey.”

  “I wish it was a journey together.” Lucy closed the distance between them. She settled in the awaiting arms. “I know we technically will always be together, but…”

  “You just want to make love all day and all night.” Dallas chuckled at the slap on the back she received. “I know, Darlin. I want to be with you as many minutes in the day as humanly possible.”

  There was silence as they enjoyed the embrace. The sun was barely breaking the horizon, yet they knew they had to go their separate ways.

  “I hope you have plenty of coffee.” Dallas was the first to reluctantly pull away from the amazing embrace. Her heart was aching like it had never ached before.

  “I have one of the souvenir mugs filled to the top.” Lucy took Dallas’ hand. “It’s not the staying awake, though I didn’t sleep much. For a very good reason. It’s concentrating on the road I’m worried about.”

  “I’ve been there many times, Darlin. But not exactly like this.” Dallas squeezed Lucy’s hand. “In the past, I was bored. Or I was thinking of my moms.”

  “Or thinking of your latest conquest?” Lucy knew Dallas hated even mentioning her past. It was something Lucy hated as well. But if they were to continue to make strides, they would have to discuss everything, especially their pasts.

  “Or one of my conquests.” Dallas sighed in disgust. There had been nothing wrong with her past. While there had been a few who had not understood there were no strings attached or had attempted more than she wanted, she always was up front with the women she had intimate relations with.

  Yet, Dallas was beginning anew. Even though she was a strong woman and knew her own faults and strengths, she also knew she needed to continue to learn. She couldn’t limit herself and had to challenge herself.

  If that challenge meant facing her past and inner demons, so be it. “It’s not that I’m ashamed of my past. It’s just that I hate what it does to you. I know it’s not pleasant thinking of your fiancée with another.”

  “It’s not pleasant. But it’s also a part of life. It’s rare, anymore, that one meets in high school. Where they fall in love and manage to live that happily ever after.” Lucy had thought she had had that at one time. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be.

  “Or even ‘save’ yourself for the person you want to be with for the rest of your life.” Lucy released Dallas’ hand. “I’ve only had a handful of lovers. Only one did I think was the one, before you.” She hastily added the last part. It caused Dallas to softly chuckle.

  “I guess what I’m trying to say is that it will be a sore subject for me.” Lucy closed the slight distance between them. “I won’t always react the way I should. But I love you and will do my damnedest not to react in a negative way.”

  Dallas was uncertain of how to react. She wanted to ask her moms if they could manage another day without her. Even if it meant traveling behind her fiancée and spending the night with her, she craved it.

  But life must go on. In this case, Dallas was expected in Montana. She had a duty to her moms. It wasn’t even duty, as they had always been there for her. She would do no less for a friend, if she were in the position to do so.

  Lucy needed to return to her store. Her mother awaited her return. So many people were counting on her for a living. It was past time her fiancée returned to her responsibilities.

  “Life is too short for the negative. But we can’t always help our gut reaction.” Dallas hoped her words would be accepted for how they were intended.

  That was to point out a truth that sometimes is forgotten. We are human beings. We are fallible. We continue to grow with each day we are granted, sometimes taking those inevitable steps backwards.

  “Just like life is too short for us to be separated for too long.” Lucy hoped Dallas would understand it wasn’t intended to be a slap to either one. It was stating a fact.

  A fact that could, hopefully soon, be rectified. After all, Lucy owned her own business. Her mother and assistant managers could usually handle most everything that happened.

  Yes, Lucy was needed for certain transactions. But she could do those long distance, couldn’t she? It was something she would have to look into, immediately upon her return.

  “Oh, Darlin.” Dallas wrapped her arms around her fiancée. Life was never easy. Transitioning was never easy. But this was nearly impossible. “We’ll make this work, I promise. I know my moms. They’ll make certain it works for us.”

  Lucy swallowed hard. The sun was now peeking over the horizon. It was time they made their way to their respective vehicles. It was time they were on the road.

  But neither wanted to break the embrace. Neither wanted to be the one to make the first move that would lead to their separation for an untold amount of time.

  Finally, it was Dallas who reluctantly moved away. She made certain she had a firm grip on Lucy’s hand. “I say a fresh cup of coffee is in order, before we head out to the open road. I can follow you, at least until Atlanta.”

  Dallas couldn’t bring herself to say that was when their paths would diverge. It was a given, at least for the unforeseeable future. Yet, she could not bring herself to verbalize it.

  “We will make it work. And sadly, gonna need a coffee and m
ore.” Lucy squeezed Dallas’ hand. “Some of the night was enjoyable. But I didn’t sleep much overall.”

  “Me either, Darlin.” Dallas remembered the tastes and touches. Those were more than pleasurable. But the thought of separation was nearly too much to even think of sleeping.

  There weren’t any more words spoken as the pair made their way to the bed and breakfast. Already, both vehicles were packed and ready to go.

  As they made their way to the porch, Melissa was sat in the chair by the entrance. “You ladies travel safely. If you are ever in Middletown, New York, look up the Walker Bed and Breakfast. Family discounts will apply.”

  “We’ll keep that in mind.” Dallas nodded. She waited for Melissa to say more. It seemed the innkeeper knew it was a difficult time and that limited verbalization was the key.

  Jessie and Thelma remained behind the desk. Dallas wondered if they were having as much trouble as she and Lucy were having. Letting go is never easy.

  The couple nodded as Dallas and Lucy made their way into the kitchen. Coffees were procured in travel mugs. The pair then made their way to the parking area.

  Dallas was facing the big rig. The inanimate object that was so much a part of her life. In the past, the open road was her sanctuary. Now, it was like being sentenced to solitary confinement.

  “Time is awasting, Darlin.” Dallas turned so she was looking Lucy in the eyes. “I really did want to see your store. Or for you to meet my moms. Or for me to meet your mom. One day.”

  Lucy fell into open arms. She would have to compose herself, before she was able to attempt to drive. “This will happen. Repeating makes it happen sooner.”

  They both laughed at Lucy’s attempt at humor. Dallas kissed her fiancée with a passion and urgency. This would be the final time they were able to touch one another. It would have to last. But not another lifetime.

  “In you go.” Lucy didn’t know a great deal about big rigs, but knew it wasn’t as simple as starting a car. “I’ll program my navigation system. I’ll wait for your signal.”

  Dallas had trouble speaking for one of the few times in her life. “I love you Darlin. I can’t say it enough. I’ll text when I can. And call when I’m settled for the night.”

  “I’ll do the same.” Lucy gently kissed Dallas once again. “And I love you. Like I’ve never loved anything or anyone before.”

  Both were shedding tears as they separated. Lucy had to wipe the tears away and take several deep breaths before she could event think of starting her car.

  The signal came. Lucy was on her way with the annoying voice of the navigation system directing her towards her home and business.

  But it was away from the woman she loved. Lucy had to stop thinking along those lines or she would never be able to continue towards the great state of Michigan.

  Each turn, Lucy’s eyes were on her rear-view mirror. She couldn’t see Dallas in the seat of the big rig but could sense her presence.

  Finally, it came time. Lucy had to continue north on interstate seventy-five. It would take her nearly the entire way to her home and business.

  Lucy nearly slammed on the breaks or at least signaled to turn off. Instead, she found a strength she didn’t want to have, at least not in this case. Straight ahead she ventured. And many thousands of miles would soon separate her and her love.

  Dallas made certain Lucy was taken care of. No speed traps for her better half. At least, not while the truckdriver was following her.

  There were numerous times when Dallas had wanted to flash her lights. Maybe stop and have an early lunch. But both needed to be on their way.

  As the outskirts of Atlanta came into sight, Dallas had cringed. It was time. Lucy would head north, while Dallas would head west, before turning northwest.

  Time would not be their friend. But to know that there was someone who loved you and would wait a lifetime for you was all one needed to live some semblance of a normal life.

  ()()()()()()()()()()()()()

  The sun was already beginning its descent. There were a couple boarders, along with some of Sam and Abby’s crew, remaining at the bed and breakfast. Melissa and her husband remained as well.

  Yet Thelma and Jessie hadn’t been able to settle. They had left Penny and Elvira in charge. There were things to discuss. Things that would affect their employees.

  So what were the couple doing? The roar of the motorcycle and vibration beneath them was comforting. It didn’t matter where they were headed, as long as they were together.

  As Jessie guided The Black Panther, she had always known it would come down to the fact it didn’t matter the roles they had in life.

  At one time, Jessie had only dreamed of being a firefighter. It had consumed her, more than her next conquest. She had thought she had known what it would take to become the next great firefighter.

  Kathy had easily shown Jessie she wasn’t even close. More so, Kathy and Candy had shown her she wasn’t as ready for life as she had thought she was.

  Thelma had always thought she needed to be a businesswoman to prove to her parents, though long dead, that she was worthy of their love and the money they had left her.

  Why? When Thelma had graduated business college, it was the only time her father had hugged her and she had actually felt love radiating from the man. Her mother had beamed as she took picture after picture of the two.

  Those pictures were either destroyed or never developed. Thelma had never seen them at any rate. Her parents must have realized graduating college had not changed the person she was or who she was attracted to.

  As they rounded the corner, they knew exactly where their destination would be. It wasn’t long before they were roaring into the back of The Reading Café.

  Thelma easily dismounted The Black Panther. Jessie stretched as she placed her helmet upon the seat. “I’ll make the phone call.” Jessie waited for a response. It wasn’t long before Kathy was in the back alley with them.

  After certain things had happened, the security had been heightened into the living quarters above The Reading Café. There was no longer glass in the door and only certain people had the codes.

  “What brings you two here?” Kathy was as stiff as ever. She stood with her arms across her chest. Though she was happy to see her adopted younger sister, she was still unable to fully express it.

  Jessie took a step forward. “We were thinking of doing something. We thought spending the evening with you and Candy would help make the decision for us.”

  Kathy glanced at Thelma. It was never easy for Kathy to read anyone. But she sensed it wasn’t alarming. It was, for lack of a better word, her friends wanting to transition in some way. “Candy and I were planning on dinner alone. But looks like it’s a quartet now.”

  “We appreciate it.” Thelma waited for the two tall, dark haired women to lead the way. The two were truly like sisters and she didn’t want to impede on any moments they shared.

  It wasn’t long before the three were in the apartment above the bookstore. Thelma had made her way over to the window. It looked over most of downtown Albany. In fact, one could gain a glimpse of a school yard.

  At the moment, it was abandoned. All the children were safe at home, hopefully. But there would be times throughout the following day when it would be brimming with children.

  How many of those children would be bullied, or worse, because they were different in some way? It could be because of the color of their skin. It could be because they had a stutter. It could be because some already knew they loved differently than society’s norm. Or it could be because they had realized they had been born into the wrong body.

  Though Thelma worried about interacting with children, could she afford not to take on the challenge she and Jessie were contemplating?

  Thelma had been in such deep thought that she never heard Candy enter. She had never heard Rocket doing his usual puppy greetings of his mom.

  “Is everything ok?” Thelma jumped at the sound of Candy’s vo
ice. “I didn’t mean to startle you. I was surprised to find you here. And even more surprised when you didn’t answer whether you’d like a coffee or not.”

  “I’m always up for a truly decent coffee.” Thelma knew she couldn’t joke her way out of an answer. “It’s just…” Her eyes met with Jessie’s. The nodding of her wife’s head informed her she was already explaining things to Kathy.

  “We enjoyed our opening week at the bed and breakfast, outside of some of the outside influences.” Candy was patient with her friend. She knew she had to be. “It’s just that Melissa planted an idea into my head.”

  “Waiting.” Candy leaned against the window. Though it was well insulated, she could still feel the heat from the afternoon sun.

  A deep breath was taken before Thelma continued. “Have you ever considered adoption?” The gentle growling caused Thelma to laugh. “Besides someone of the four-legged persuasion that is.”

  Candy hadn’t expected the question. She stared at her wife for a long moment before giving an answer. There was no way with Kathy’s past trauma that she would even consider suggesting adoption or fostering.

  But it didn’t mean Candy couldn’t think about it for her friends. “I think being a mother is the greatest gift.” Candy turned so she was staring into identical emerald eyes. “But it doesn’t mean you have to give birth. There are so many children in need of a loving home…”

  “That’s the thing.” Thelma had to watch reacting. She could easily become angry. “Georgia law gives same sex couples no rights when it comes to adoption. In fact, we have very few rights.”

  “Oh, Thelma.” Candy gently pushed herself off from the window. She hugged her friend. “I’m so sorry. I’ve not researched much. I do know Georgia isn’t one of the friendlier states when it comes to the LGBTQI community.”

  “No, it’s not.” Thelma sighed. “But we have an idea. Something we’d like to discuss with our best friends. After all, you’d be spending time at the plantation with us.”