Unexpected Lightning

by Cass Sellars

  Parker smiled and nuzzled into the warmth of Syd’s neck. “I did, but you must have missed it while you were sleeping with other women.”

  “Oh yeah. That might have been it. You caught me.” Syd’s dark eyes fired at Parker as she ran her teeth along her uninjured shoulder.

  “Enough, we have a walk to take and dinner to prepare. You act like you’re sexually deprived,” Parker teased, wishing they were alone.

  “I am. I need you all the time.” Syd winked and nipped Parker’s bottom lip gently. “Everything okay at the office?”

  “Yeah. I told Quint about the notes and the flowers. He said he would do whatever we needed, and he would keep an eye out at the office. I have to handle a personnel situation tomorrow, so I’m going to go in early.” When Sydney looked at her curiously, she continued. “It seems the new guy, Chris Newkirk, cornered Jenny and told her that Mike in sales is playing music that is offending him from a religious perspective because it’s secular music, and he likes the all-Jesus-all-the-time station. So, I’m going to go play preschool referee to two grown adults who can’t figure out how to share the sandbox.”

  “I think I would rather deal with my criminals and lawyers all day. At least I know what to expect most of the time.” Syd rolled up before pulling Parker to her feet. “What would you like for dinner?”

  “I say we do an empty-the-fridge exercise. We have a ton of leftovers, as well as cheese and fruit that will all go bad if we don’t eat it. Go tell Mia to join us if she wants while I change?”

  “Done. I love you, in case I haven’t told you today.” Syd smiled.

  Parker fought the uneasy feeling that came with returning to the office. It was silly, she thought. There were tons of people, and she had never felt unsafe before. She dearly wished for the before; she should have appreciated it more.

  ***

  “Why do I always feel like I’m about to explode when I leave here?” Mia groaned and carried her plate into the kitchen.

  “At least we made a serious dent in the fridge space. I was starting to be afraid to go in there.” Parker stacked dishes and walked in behind Mia.

  “I hate to eat and run again, but I have a deposition with two warring families at seven, so I’m aiming for the shower and then bed. Thank you for having me.” She hugged Jenny and then Parker.

  “You’re family, Mia. You don’t have to thank us.” Syd walked her to the door and accepted a tight hug before she made her exit.

  “Someone’s a little attached to you, love,” Parker whispered when Sydney locked the door behind her.

  “Huh?” Syd was uncomfortable at the perceived inference and began to protest, “Baby, I haven’t done—”

  “Love, that wasn’t an accusation. I think it’s sweet. She feels like she can lean on you, like she can talk about Sandy. She needs that.” Parker’s smile was reassuring, not accusing.

  Jenny led a tottering Olivia into the kitchen. “You look tired, Park. Why don’t Sydney and I take Olivia for a walk, and you go have a nice bath?” Jenny topped off Parker’s wine and handed her the glass.

  “That sounds good,” Sydney agreed. “You stay here and relax.”

  “I think I’m in love with both of you now. I can’t think of anything that sounds better.”

  Sydney gathered Olivia into her arms and moved for the stroller.

  “Go.” Jenny shooed Parker toward the tub and walked out the door with Syd.

  “Thank you for going with me, Sydney, not that I gave you much choice.”

  “Are you kidding? I get to spend time with Gangster Baby and her mom, and you made Park rest for five minutes. I should be thanking you.” Syd was quiet for a moment, hesitant to ask Jenny about Parker’s state of mind. “Is she okay, you know, after today?”

  “Yeah, she’s good. She’s happy you’re keeping her in the loop. The Becky stuff freaked her out a little, but she’s fine now. She’s just worried about work crap and dealing with that new guy tomorrow. She has to be careful that she doesn’t get DPI in some religious discrimination hot water, that’s all.”

  “I can see why she’d rather do the construction stuff sometimes. At least there’s less human drama.” Syd dealt with human drama, too, but the dynamics Parker had to deal with seemed somehow more irritating.

  Jenny turned the stroller around at the end of the block when Olivia’s eyes became heavy. “Between Frank’s ogling and the new guy’s fanaticism, the fact that Ben never says anything makes him the most normal of the bunch.” Jenny shook her head.

  “Thanks for being her right hand. She couldn’t do any of this without you.”

  “Well, thank you for making her so happy. She adores every cell in your body, Sydney. I’ve known her for a long time, and she’s so happy with you.” Jen steered back up the hill toward the sidewalk. “You’re good for each other, and I love you both.”

  Syd felt her thin arm slide around her waist, and Syd stopped to hug her. “I’m glad you’re here, and thank you for knowing when I need a push in the right direction.”

  Syd held the front door, and Jen steered the stroller inside. “That’s what friends are for, right?”

  Syd brushed her teeth and found Parker wrapped in a silk robe on the cool sheets of their bed.

  “Thank you for a wonderful little rest. I feel magnificent.”

  Syd stripped off her pants and tossed the shirt onto the pile. “And you look just as magnificent. What else can I do for you?” She grinned mischievously. Pulling the sash away from the robe, she kissed along Parker’s ribs.

  “That’s a really good start.” Parker arched against Sydney’s demanding mouth and exploring fingers. “Don’t stop.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Parker gratefully accepted a to-go mug of tea from Sydney. She could still feel Syd’s body under her hands, succumbing to her the night before.

  “You were amazing last night. You do amazing things to me.” Parker felt Sydney’s strong hands under her hair, gently exposing the flesh at her neck, which she kissed softly.

  “I can’t get enough of you ever, baby. Come home soon, so we can do it again.” She smiled and caught her in a long, slow kiss before Jenny coughed from the hallway.

  “If I’m interrupting early morning kitchen sex, you’ll have to forgive me; someone is hungry.” Jenny looked down at Olivia, who was headed straight for Syd’s legs.

  “Sy-ee up!”

  Syd pulled the toddler into her arms and addressed her seriously. “How about a tasty array of pureed organic crap in a jar? Yum.”

  “Yum,” Olivia parroted.

  “Well, I’ll leave the gourmet selections to you. I have to go deal with less mature humans in their twenties and thirties.” Parker kissed Olivia’s round cheeks and accepted another from Sydney.

  ***

  “Good morning, Chris, please have a seat. I’m sure Mike will be here any minute.” Parker gestured to the pair of gray fabric chairs in front of her desk.

  “I would like to ask you something before he gets here.” Chris’s formal tone put Parker on guard.

  “Go ahead.”

  “Do you believe in God?” He leaned over his knees and offered a concerned stare.

  Parker took a deep breath before she replied. “Okay. Chris, you need to understand a few things. First of all, my religious beliefs are none of anyone’s business unless and until I choose to share them in a suitable setting. Second, it is highly inappropriate to discuss those things in this setting. If you have human resources concerns, Jenny or I are the proper people to talk to, but only about your concerns, not our personal lives or anyone else’s beliefs. DPI respects your freedom to exercise your religion, but you can’t push that on anyone else at work. Do you understand?” Parker held his gaze to make her point.

  “Yes, and I don’t. But I shouldn’t be expected to drink at parties or listen to secular music if it offends me. Or accept other things that aren’t right.” He looked as if he were pouting.

  “Agreed. That’s why
we’re having this meeting.” Parker noticed Mike heading toward her office. “Good morning, Mike. Please, close the door behind you.”

  Mike slid the remaining visitor’s chair a few feet away from Chris’s before he sat. Parker took a long breath. “Okay. Mike, I understand that there was some conflict yesterday concerning your music being too loud.”

  “I never even touched the volume, Parker. It has been that way for two years.” Mike looked incredulous at being sent to HR for something so minor.

  “I understand that it has never been a problem before, but we have to be sensitive to other people who work around you. I’m going to have to ask you to refrain from playing music while Chris is in the office, or perhaps you could wear headphones in one ear so that it doesn’t prevent you from hearing the phone or other people since you’re here to work first and foremost. That way, you could still listen to music.” Parker knew the compromise would be unsatisfactory.

  Mike looked at Parker and shook his head. “Is that all I need to do? Can I go now?”

  “You’re excused. Thank you for your cooperation, Mike.”

  “Yeah, sure.” He shook his head and looked glaringly at his coworker.

  “Is there anything else you wish to discuss, Chris?” Parker tried to offer him a neutral expression when he didn’t move to stand.

  “I guess things are just different here. Where I grew up, I never saw anyone drink or do drugs, and I never knew anyone with sexual, um, problems. It’s just not normal…for me, I mean.” He looked sincere and uncomfortable and completely oblivious to how inappropriate his comments were.

  “Chris, I know you don’t mean for your statements to be offensive, but you can’t call someone’s sexual orientation a ‘problem’ because it’s not. You can believe whatever you want about someone who lives in a manner counter to your religion, but you can’t let that manifest at work. You have to treat everyone the same whether they drink, smoke, go to a temple or a synagogue instead of a church, or marry someone of the same sex. Just like they have to do the same for you. Do you understand?” She sighed and wondered how long people would be so concerned about other people’s lives even when it had no effect on them.

  He shrugged. “So, you’re saying that I can’t even ask someone if they’re homosexual or what their religion is?”

  “Yes. It’s highly inappropriate, Chris, because it’s none of your business. Just like it would be inappropriate for someone to ask you a question about your sexuality or religion. Chris, you’re here to do a job. The only thing you should be worried about is doing your job to the best of your abilities. Do you understand?”

  He nodded and stood to leave. She wondered if he had missed the numerous gay couples at the CTI party who had no reason to hide who they were while in the home she shared with Syd. He seemed to process his thoughts and forced himself to refrain from speaking them aloud. He turned and left her office without saying anything else.

  Parker sighed loudly and dropped her head onto her desk, already exhausted at only 8:30 in the morning. She shoved notes into Chris Newkirk’s file and packed up the day’s work to head home. She caught movement out of the corner of her eye and watched Jen and Sydney head toward her office.

  “What’s happening? Is something wrong?” Parker’s pulse raced at the sight of them, and she moved from behind her desk.

  “Why would anything be wrong?” Jenny smiled teasingly at her.

  “Um, because my girlfriend brought you into the office where you had no plans to be and a small child is missing and…”

  “I had a last-minute meeting with payroll over the errors, and rather than have another car here, Syd brought me in, and I’ll just drive your car home. Betty and Nicole are entertaining Olivia until you’re ready to go, if that’s okay.”

  “Of course, it’s okay. I just got scared for a moment.” Parker blew out a loud breath. “It’s just been a stupid morning already.”

  “Yeah, we ran into Frank and crew in the parking lot. Chris looked like he just woke up from a very faraway place, and as usual, Ben said nothing to anyone. Frank just looks at the ground now. I think Syd scares him.” Jenny chuckled at the strange dynamic.

  “It’s no wonder after their little show at the party.” She pointed at Syd, thinking about her and Mack’s interaction with poor Frank. “Remind me to tell you about my meeting later. You’ll love it.” She gathered her bag and hoisted a stack of multicolored folders into Syd’s arms.

  “Will do. Thanks for watching Olivia. I owe you.”

  “Hardly. I love that little girl. I think she might remind me why I shouldn’t walk into traffic after a day in this zoo. Well, her and a particularly handsome woman in the hallway.” Her stage whisper was exaggerated for Sydney’s benefit. “Ready?”

  “At your service, Ms. Duncan.” Sydney headed toward the elevator and waited for Parker to catch up.

  “Got everything?” She moved the files to the opposite arm and pushed a strand of hair away from Parker’s eye.

  “Pretty sure I left my sanity back there, but I’ve managed without it this long…”

  “Let’s go home, baby. I’ll spike your tea and rub your feet.”

  Syd’s disarming smile centered Parker and reminded her that this was just a job. The most important part of her life stood with an armful of her work.

  Parker walked into the data processing office where Betty was playing hide-and-seek with Olivia, who was crawling around Nicole’s ankles.

  “Ready to go, Olivia?” Syd called, causing the toddler to hurtle in her direction.

  “Sy-ee up!” She stared up in the same pudgy-armed pose she had offered during the breakfast ritual.

  Parker took the files and nodded at Olivia’s favorite non-parent. “She wants you, love. Take it while you can.”

  Syd crouched down, staring into Olivia’s huge black eyes, and felt the child grab at her neck. With one arm firmly around her, she lifted her over her shoulder and blew loudly into her round belly. Delighted squeals echoed over the office, irritating more than one person not enchanted with a shrieking child in the workplace, Parker was sure, since she had once been one of them. She walked quickly to open the door of the car and strapped Olivia into her seat. She suddenly longed for the quiet their home promised.

  By four that afternoon, Parker chucked the last file onto the coffee table and watched Olivia sleep soundly on the sofa next to her. Syd worked intently in the loft, her hard features locked in concentration while she recreated a Maclean murder scene for the DA’s office. Jenny pushed through the door, looking uncommonly unnerved.

  Jenny’s entrance caught Sydney’s attention, and Jenny motioned for her to come downstairs.

  “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Or worse, an accounting department who can’t get their shit together,” Parker joked.

  “What’s up?” Sydney clearly sensed it wasn’t a moment for joking.

  Parker watched nervously as Jen unloaded her bags.

  She opened her phone and handed a photo of the now familiar white envelope and square of paper to Sydney. “Mack sent a unit to retrieve the original when I told her.”

  “Where was it?” Parker asked before her girlfriend could.

  “On your car. Under the wiper on the driver’s side. Nothing on the outside this time, but I could tell it was the same as the others, so I took a picture of the message.”

  Syd turned the phone around so she could read the words.

  You built your life on Satan’s lies

  The kind of life that all despise

  You whore your soul to the evil dyke

  You know inside it’s me you like

  Your persistent gaze, it burns my skin

  I’ll do my best to ignore your sin

  Regret must fill your mind at night

  Her fingers groping you aren’t right

  “Tell me who you saw today and what was said.” Sydney sounded angry and accusatory.

  Parker reflexively took a step back
and stared at her before she tried to formulate an answer. Syd didn’t scare her, but the intensity paired with the circumstances was reminiscent of their first few months together. She tried to ignore the anger that wasn’t directed at her. “I had a meeting with Chris Newkirk and Mike Reynolds about the argument over the radio. I had to explain to Chris that he couldn’t ask people about their personal lives, including calling sexual orientation a sexual problem. Quint came by with Terry Carver to touch base and told me the city released the CTI project starting Monday and then you guys. That’s it.”

  “What do we know about this Newkirk kid? He was here for the party, right?” Sydney paced away and then back again, her fists clenched at her sides.

  “Yes, he was, but he doesn’t even seem like he likes me much. He considers gay people something to avoid, from what I gathered today. He also isn’t very assertive, and this just doesn’t sound like him.” Parker wanted Syd to see it the way she did.

  “Please, tell me you’ll both be here all day tomorrow.” Sydney swept her eyes between them.

  Parker nodded and walked to the bedroom. She sat quietly on the bed and scanned through emails on her phone. She sent Quint a message informing him that she would be working from home another day and fought the feeling of being held captive by a nameless bully. Tears of resignation coursed down her cheeks. She didn’t deserve this; they didn’t deserve this. She was angry. Not afraid, purely angry.

  Sydney shut the bedroom door. “Can I say something, or are you too mad right now?”

  “Go ahead.” Parker shrugged and stared at her hands, not looking at her. She didn’t want Syd to see how upset she was, as it would add to the burden she felt Syd was carrying already.

  “I’m always apologizing, I know, but I am sorry I spoke like that. It wasn’t at you. I just got upset, and Jenny tells me I go to the ‘scary place,’ and I didn’t mean to. I can’t stop what I can’t see, and I got a little crazy.”