Not A Good Reason

by McCarthy, G. L.

  “What do you mean?” TJ never thought she’d hear Alex talking negatively about Cyn.

  “Cyn still picks women who are “A” types. That is professional women who have a strong go-getter personality. It’s what gets them through medical school, internship, etc. They know what they want and go for it. Now that’s great for them, but if the person they go after is a little on the easy going, quiet side then there may be trouble down the road.” Alex knew first hand that this scenario matched her issues with Dr. Dez.

  “So if she doesn’t stand up for herself now she’ll regret it later?” TJ knew she was very easy going and had let Cyn make all the plans, not wanting her to think she was controlling.

  “Exactly. You can’t get mad at someone when you’ve let them run your life and then you decide otherwise. It’s like false advertising. You sold them an easy going laid back girlfriend and now you’re pissed when they do all the driving for you.” Alex knew that could be the main issue.

  “I get you. I guess you’re right about the universe. Cyn needs to step up this time or end up single again.” TJ was beginning to feel a little sorry for Cyn who may end up with no friends at all, if this current relationship ended quickly.

  “Yes, and I’m not so sure she will. But that’s her problem, not ours.” Alex wished she could snap her fingers and get TJ another girlfriend. But the universe would take care of this too.

  “Can I bunk here for the night? I think I’m a little to drunk to drive home, not to mention have the energy to talk to my father about why I’m in this condition.” TJ wanted to talk to her father when her head was clear and rested.

  “Absolutely. I’ll let Oliver know we have a guest spending the night.” Alex didn’t realize how strange that sounded until she saw TJ’s expression. “He hangs out in the guest room and watches TV after we’ve gone to bed.”

  Alex broke the news to Oliver who was fine with sharing and after tucking everyone in, made the coffee and put all the leftovers away. Tomorrow was Friday and then she’d get her girlfriend back for two days. Alex just hoped she’d be up for some fun.

  Chapter 22

  TGIF – was all either one of them thought of when the alarm chirped to life. Sam was feeling a little better or her pain threshold had increased. The ibuprofen and glass of water were on the night stand and Alex was already up and in the bathroom turning on the shower. Sam felt blessed and knew that with the arrival of the weekend would also come twenty questions about what she’d had to do the past three days. Sam had already had a confrontation with one of the instructors who seemed to have a chip on his shoulder about women, lesbians or American Indians. Sam wasn’t sure which one it was, if not all could be setting him off. But she was doing her best to stay clear of Sergeant Vance. It helped having Cap on her side especially when he gave Vance a look that translated to Sam as easy boy she’s one of the good guys. Maybe being teacher’s pet wasn’t helping, but Sam would take all the help she could get, even if one instructor didn’t like it.

  “Good mornin’, Lover. How are you feeling this morning?” Alex walked around to Sam’s side of the bed to help her stand up, if needed.

  “Better or worse I’m not really sure. I think I’ve hit my plateau as far as how much these muscles can hurt. But I do feel stronger. Thank you for getting those protein bars and drinks, I think they’ve really helped.” Sam was really hungry and knew she would need a lot more to build herself up. “Could you give me a few more bars and make me two egg sandwiches this morning?”

  “You bet. Now off to the shower with you. Can you manage on your own?” Alex needed to get to the kitchen and start cooking.

  “No problem. I’m still clean, just needed to get loosened up.” Sam stood and kissed Alex softly.

  “I can hardly wait until tomorrow and we get to sleep in.” Alex felt the effects of that kiss and wished they could go back to bed.

  “Me too.” Sam took a deep breath and slowly shuffled off to the shower.

  Alex pulled out the big skillet and started cooking eggs. Then she grabbed a bigger paper bag to put in the extra protein bars along with two drinks. Leftover orange chicken had protein and carbs so it would be good for lunch. Alex had everything packed and waiting when Sam flew by with a quick kiss as she passed through the door.

  “Have an easy day. Call me if you can on the way home.” Alex wanted Sam in addition to Oliver and TJ to play with tonight. “Hey, Oliver, are you around?”

  “Yes, Alex.” Oliver appeared by the doorway coming from the living room.

  “Is TJ still asleep?” Alex didn’t want to knock on the guest room door if she was.

  “Not now. She was up crying most of the night. Don’t tell her I said so, I don’t want her to think I tattled.” Oliver liked TJ even if she couldn’t see him; she thought his trick was awesome.

  “You’re not a tattler. Just a good caring friend. Thank you for telling me.” Alex walked past Oliver and ever so slightly brushed against him. “Sorry. Oh my gosh, I felt you.”

  “Really? I’ve been trying to move bigger objects. Maybe I can be solid for a little while.” Oliver could touch himself, but that wasn’t anything new.

  Alex placed her hand on his shoulder and felt something, not really solid but definitely something more than yesterday. So she put her arms around him and give him a gentle hug.

  “I’ve wanted to do that for a very long time. Keep up the good work.” Alex’s hug was as if he were a hummingbird, but Oliver felt it and that’s all that mattered.

  “Thank you, Alex. It has been a very, very long time.” Oliver disappeared as soon as he replied. He didn’t want Alex to see the tears.

  “Wait till I tell Sam.” Alex assumed he’d be as emotional as she was at that moment so she didn’t mind his swift exit.

  Gently knocking on the guest room door Alex could hear TJ’s voice and figured she was on the phone with her father. TJ opened the door and motioned to Alex to come in.

  “Yes, Dad. I’m fine. I mean I will be soon. I’ll explain it all when I see you. Bye.” TJ clicked her phone closed and moved towards Alex for a sisterly hug.

  “How are you this morning? Headache?” Alex gave her back a gentle rub and figured TJ would have a headache since she wasn’t much of a drinker.

  “Oh, yes. I shouldn’t drink. I can’t sleep when I drink. It’s weird how it affects me. I was awake most of the night. But I’m better today. I cried myself dry so no more tears for my short lived relationship with Cyn. Onward and upward I say.” TJ faked a big smile.

  “That ‘a girl. That’s what we want to hear. So do you have time to eat breakfast with me?” Alex still needed to take a quick shower.

  “Can I get a rain check? My dad’s waiting at home. I know he won’t let this wait until after work.” TJ’s only saving grace was that it would be short and sweet since they both needed to get to work.

  “Call me when you get off work. We’ll do something. Sam will still be exhausted and no fun.” Alex walked TJ out and gave her another good long hug before she got in her truck and left.

  Now it was time for Alex to get in gear and get ready for work. This was going to be a long day now that Cyn was preoccupied with her new girlfriend. Alex was going to be on the outside looking in and didn’t like it one bit. But what can you do? She’d just have to wait and see how it all played out.

  Alex had the house to herself, as there was no sight or sound from Oliver. Alex had either thirty minutes to eat a full breakfast or take fifteen for toast only and get to school early. She opted for toast and two cups of coffee which took twenty minutes and no rushing around. Along with a visit to the guest room to talk to Anna and Ramon and let them know she hadn’t forgotten them.

  As Alex drove she wondered if her life was going to settle down and things would go back to being boring and routine. A little boring wouldn’t be all that bad, but somehow in the back of her mind she knew something would come up. All this Cyn drama had certainly taken her mind off Megan’s gift. When Alex pull
ed into the parking lot she had enough time to stroll to class, but no stopping to talk in the teacher’s lounge. Cyn’s mustang was missing, but then she may be coming from Dr. A’s house and misjudged the time. It wasn’t Alex’s problem so she just parked and walked to her room. Several girls were waiting, like always, as they were just as anxious to get this day over with.

  When the lunch bell rang and there was no sign of Cyn, Alex headed for the cafeteria with the rest of the girls and caught sight of her in the gazebo on her cell phone. Alex remembered back when she wanted to be on the phone with the new girlfriend all the time. It was wonderful, but never seemed to last as long as you’d like. Dr. Adrienne could be crazy busy or having the afternoon off it was something she could control and right now she was available to talk. But as time passed it could be another story. It was Friday and the special was corned beef hash so Alex gave Joey a big smile when she put a huge helping on her plate.

  “Thank you, you girls are the best.” Alex headed for the back of the kitchen to eat with Frederick who was waiting as always.

  “No, Cyn again today?” Frederick stopped reading his paper when he saw Alex come through the door.

  “Nope. She’s on her cell phone in the gazebo to the new girlfriend, I’m guessing.” Alex gave a half hearted smile as she took her seat.

  “I never thought she’d blow you off like this. Is this normal for Lesbians?” Frederick knew it wasn’t for his guy friends.

  “Sadly it is. Everything revolves around the new girlfriend, so old friends get dropped down quite a bit on the priority list.” Alex started rearranging her hash to let it cool.

  “I’m sure Cyn will be back. She just needs some time.” Frederick really didn’t know what else to say.

  “Oh I know she’ll be back. It’s just that things won’t be the same. Before this I knew Cyn had my back, but now I’m not so sure. The fact that she’s just now telling me about this is the hardest part to take. I thought we were closer than this. I guess I was wrong.” Alex took a bite and stared off into space.

  The rest of their lunchtime was spent in silence as Alex really was at a loss. Cyn had been such a close friend that this sudden change had left her feeling empty in a way. Thankfully she had Sam and TJ who was also feeling the loss. This weekend was not going to be spent mourning the loss of Cyn, but a party of such. Sam hopefully could move enough to have some fun. Alex would call TJ and the three of them could work on their trucks – weather permitting. As well as barbeque a few steaks like old time. Well almost like old times.

  Chapter 23

  The rest of the day dragged by as most Fridays do when you want them over. When the final bell had rung and Alex was locking her classroom door her mind shifted into weekend mode. She would head for the store and look for a tritip for Sunday’s dinner. It helped knowing the butcher as tritip was still an unknown delicacy on the east coast. Not to mention only getting one per side of beef made them extra scarce. But rib-eye steaks were also needed for tonight as well as Saturday’s festivities.

  As Alex strolled through the store, with her prized meat safely wrapped in white paper, she headed for the produce section. As she sorted through the onions, looking for the biggest and firmest, she heard a familiar voice. Glancing over her shoulder she spotted them, Cyn and Dr. A were here too. Oh joy, thought Alex as she decided to stay focused on her current task. She’d let them come to her, if that was the universe’s plan. Otherwise she’d leave them to their shopping.

  “Alex, is that you?” Dr. Adrienne came up and placed her hand on Alex’s arm.

  “Hey, Dr. Delgado. Long time no see.” Alex didn’t acknowledge Cyn since she had wandered away.

  “You look great. How are you feeling?” Dr. A was in a very good mood.

  “Really good. You look as lovely as ever. How are you?” Alex needed to remember to stay impartial since she didn’t know how much Dr. A knew about Cyn’s private life before they hooked up.

  “Excellent. I don’t know if Cyn told you yet, but we’ve started dating and it’s wonderful. I owe you one for ending up in my hospital so I could meet her. Where did she go?” Dr. A turned to look for Cyn.

  “That’s great. She did mention it on Thursday. She’s a nice girl. I wish you both the best.” Alex now knew that Dr. A knew very little about Cyn’s relationship with TJ, and that was probably the reason she was hiding out. She didn’t want that ‘look’ from Alex.

  “We should all get together and go out sometime. I’d like to get to know Cyn’s friends.” Dr. A didn’t have a clue that this was probably never going to happen at least not in the foreseeable future.

  “Right. Maybe when Sam finishes the academy and we get settled into a regular routine.” Alex wondered how long Cyn was going to hideout.

  “Sam is going to be a police officer? Where will she be working?” Dr. A was curious.

  “She’ll be working here in Hastings, for Sheriff Taylor.” Alex could see a gleam in Dr. A’s eye and wondered what she was thinking.

  “A woman in uniform, you lucky girl. Well I need to find my girlfriend and get going, if we’re going to get this dinner cooked tonight. Nice seeing you and I’ll check back in a few weeks to see how everything is going with you two. Take care.” Dr. A was a little annoyed with Cyn for disappearing, but would let it slide this time.

  “Thank you and you two have a good evening.” Alex now knew what that look meant. Dr. A liked a woman in uniform, but she needed to find her own, Sam was already taken.

  Alex wandered around until she felt the new lovebirds were out of the store. When she finally did head for the checkout stand the coast was clear.

  “Hey Alex. How was your holiday? You went out West, right?” Terri was quite the source for information in Hastings as well as the store owner.

  “Yes, New Mexico. My holiday was fantastic. How about you?” Alex wondered if Terri knew anything about Dr. A’s past girlfriends.

  “Good, it was all good. Hey, I see your friend has a new girlfriend. Wasn’t she seeing TJ?” Terri wondered if she had it wrong.

  “Yes. But you know. I guess they just decided to be friends.” Alex had her fingers crossed in her pocket as she told that one.

  “Oh yeah. It’s so hard to meet that one special person. Like you and Sam. You two just seem to fit. How’s the training coming?” Terri was up on everything and everyone.

  “Good. She’s really sore, but loves it. I guess that’s why they started on Wednesday so the cadets would only have to kill themselves for three days instead of five.” Alex had forgotten how small a town Hastings was.

  “Wonderful. Well your total comes to $35.33.” Terri started to bag everything.

  “Wow, that’s all.” Alex pulled out two twenties and laid them on the counter.

  “We have a one time twenty five percent discount gift to our regulars. You haven’t been in to get yours until now.” Terri had a fantastic memory as well as a cheat sheet.

  “Terri, that is so sweet of you. Thank you so much.” Alex also knew that this special treatment was one of the big reasons she loved living in a small town.

  “Times are hard and we appreciate those loyal customers who shop with us and not those big chains. You have always been one of those customers.” Terri also knew where everyone shopped as well.

  “Well you will always have our business. Thank you.” Alex grabbed the bags with one hand and slid her wallet back in her jacket pocket with the other. Now it was time to call TJ or just stop by her work and make the dinner date.

  As Alex walked to her truck she never realized just how close Spicer’s Garage was to the grocery store. She could only hope that TJ had her head in an engine and hadn’t see Cyn and Dr. A leave the store. As Alex walked into the garage she could tell by the way TJ was staring at the wall that she probably did see the couple leave. Alex would act like she didn’t know anything about what had just happened.

  “So this is where the magic happens?” Alex was three feet away and ready to give TJ a big
hug.

  “Yes, ma’am. We work miracles here.” TJ turned around and her eyes were a dead give away that she’d been crying.

  “Hey Little Sis. I just bought the most beautiful ribeye steaks and would like you to come over to keep me company again tonight, please. Sam will probably eat and then head off to bed like last night. What do you say?” Alex wouldn’t pry unless TJ wanted to talk.

  “Sounds like a great plan to me. Can I bring anything?” TJ was off beer.

  “How about some Root Beer. I’m not sure if we still have any left from the last time you brought some over.” Alex wanted her sober when she drove home, if she didn’t spend the night.

  “I can pick up that item. What time?” TJ looked at her watch.

  “As soon as you can get there. You will be the fire starter and chef. If that’s okay?” Alex knew it would give her something to do instead of thinking about Cyn.

  “Works for me. I’ll see you in an hour or so.” TJ gave Alex a hug with just her arms as she had greasy gloves on.

  “Fabulous. See you then.” Alex hugged with all her might and gave TJ a wink when she let go.

  The one good think about Sam being in bed early made it easier for TJ to be around the couple. No one wants to be around a couple in love, when your heart is breaking.

  Alex figured an hour or so translated into an hour and a half since TJ would go to the store then home to change. As she backed into the garage she wondered if Sam would be home a little earlier since it was Friday. Tomorrow would be a day to sleep in and lounge around the house. Even if they did have another house guest. But first Alex needed to get out of her work clothes and into something more comfortable and warm. The house had a slight chill to it and the thermostat definitely needed to be turned up. So far no real snow had made its appearance, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t coming. The later it came would be just fine with everyone around.

  With no sign of Oliver, Alex assumed he’d appear when needed to get Sam out of her truck. So her attentions were focused on the steaks and giving the seasoning a head start before TJ needed to throw them on the grill. The final chore was to prepare the onion and have it wrapped in foil, ready to go.