by L L Shelton
Lily Ann sat and stared in between the papers. Her eyes lifted to meet Jewel’s. “Excuse me.” Her face was turning pale; she bolted out the door. Jewel stood and ran after her, only to stop to inform the other parents that she would be right back. Lily Ann stopped where the hallway formed the letter T. She leaned on the wall with one hand as a brace, bent at the waist, her breaths quickening. Emotions overwhelmed her. Her first ever panic attack, and it was full-blown. It all came forth. Stress. Grief. Tiredness. She fell to her knees and sobbed.
“Hey, come on. We can work this out. Bobby is a brilliant, happy young man. He may need a little extra help. Nothing that can’t get handled.”
Between heaves, Lily Ann spoke with stuttering words. “I-I-It’s j-j-just everything. The family misses our parents. The stress of it all. I’m so t-t-tired.” She broke again into uncontrollable sobs.
“Take a deep breath before you hyperventilate.” Jewel’s words of comfort and care echoed in the school hallways.
Lily Ann nodded her head up and down in agreement. She straightened her back and took in a deep breath of air. Her forearm erased the tears from her cheeks.
“Better?” Jewel asked.
Her head moved up and down again. She smiled at the young teacher and received a smile back. Lily Ann’s eyes got wide, and the smile disappeared. Her cheeks puffed out. Her fist came to her mouth. “Oh god,” she muttered out before vomiting on Ms. Robert’s shoes.
His sister had been gone for ten minutes. “You okay?” Bobby asked when Lily Ann walked back into the classroom.
After a million apologies and endless scrubbing of the shoes in the girl’s bathroom, Lily Ann gathered her lost composure. They talked in the restroom about a plan for testing Bobby over puked sandals. “I’m okay. I was a little sick.”
“Sick? You got a bug?” he asked.
“I don’t think so,” Lily Ann answered.
Bobby looked from his sister to Ms. Roberts. “She can’t be pregnant. She likes girls. Two girls don’t make a baby.”
“Bobby! I’m sorry, Ms. Roberts.” Lily Ann blushed.
“Why are you in your stockings, Ms. Roberts? Where are your shoes?” Bobby asked as he stared at her toes.
“Okay, we are out of here. I will be in touch, Jewel. Thank you, and I am sorry about the accident.” Lily Ann looked down at Bobby before she brought her eyes back up to meet the light blues. “Good night.” Lily Ann gave Jewel a soft nod.
“Night, Lily Ann. See you tomorrow, Bobby.” Jewel approached the next set of parents. With a slight turn of the head, she glanced behind as Bobby and his sister slipped out the door.
Calming earth tones covered the walls of Gayle’s waiting area. A beautiful young girl sat behind the receptionist’s desk, staring at a computer screen while Lily Ann waited, glancing at her phone every so often. The office door swung open, and a woman walked out, followed by Gayle. They exchanged soft smiles. Gayle motioned one minute to her and escorted the new hire to the front door. The conversation between the two women continued for a few minutes before they parted. Lily Ann admired Gayle — an older woman with the most alluring personality and a mastermind in business — who controlled G’s Nightly Escorts like a fine-tuned instrument. “Thanks for responding to my text. Please, let us go to my office.” With a light touch of the elbow, she guided Lily Ann through the door. “Hold all my calls, Mary,” she told the young girl behind the desk.
“Have a seat,” Gayle said. She walked around the cherry oak desk. “Would you like a drink?” Gayle stopped short at the minibar and poured a glass of brown liquid.
“No, thank you,” Lily Ann answered. “Have I done something inappropriate or something wrong?”
“Not at all,” Gayle assured while the glass lifted to her lips. She sat and leaned back in the office chair. “I brought you in here to do a check-up. How have you been? You’ve worked here for three years, and the customers love you. You get more personal requests than any other man or woman at the agency.”
Gayle was checking up on her? It was merely hours earlier when a panic attack overwhelmed her body, resulting in her tossing cookies on a stranger, and now her boss was asking if she was okay. Lily Ann thought about saying the famous words, I am fine, but that’s a lie. “Somewhat stressed, but don’t think for a minute I would let it interfere with my job here.”
Walking around the desk, Gayle grabbed a hand, pulling Lily Ann to the leather couch. “I would never think such a thing. But I do not enjoy knowing that something is stressing you. I can see the tiredness blanketing your face. I take it you are still working two jobs?” Gayle knew Lily Ann’s entire story. The death of her parents, the custody of her siblings, and the day job. She made it a point to know everything about her employees.
“Yes, but,” Lily Ann paused, taking a breath before continuing. “I have been thinking about leaving my secretary’s job and just working for you. The money I make is plenty to support the family. I enjoy working here. The clients are therapy for me.”
“Awe, I have found that in the past — the therapy part, that is. Can I tell you a story?” Gayle finished her drink and sat the empty glass on the table. She leaned back in a half-turn with her legs crossed and her head resting in her palm. She didn’t wait for an answer before starting the story. “I was living on the streets — eighteen and homeless. A lady named Donna took me in. She taught me how to dress and take care of myself.” Gayle looked around and flipped her hand. “Taught me the business. I learned that I could help people, but they also helped me. If not for her, I might be dead. The hardest part was letting her help me.” She leaned forward, whispering, “I was a little stubborn.”
Lily Ann absorbed the words in her testament. “It’s difficult, letting people in when you are the one in charge.”
“Yes, it can be hard.” Gayle placed her hand on top of the young lady’s thigh. “You need to let people inside of that heart of yours. Let them help you. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. How about some time off?”
“I can’t. Suzy is about to graduate. Bobby’s birthday is coming up. David is preparing for his first fight. It’s just not a good time for a getaway.”
“Then later. I have a beach house in Nags Head, North Carolina. Promise me you will take off two weeks in July or August for a vacation?” Gayle squeezed her thigh.
“That is more than generous,” Lily Ann responded.
“Promise me you will take the getaway time?” Gayle requested again.
Lily Ann looked at her hands that laid in her lap. “Thank you. Yes, I will take a vacation.”
“Good. Now, one more promise. Promise me that if your client list gets too much to handle, you will let me know. I have other girls that can take some of your load. Let those walls down that you have built so high.”
For the second time today, Lily Ann’s soul broke. She leaned over, crying into her hands. Comforting motherly arms pulled her into an embrace. She cried her heart out, releasing the emotions twisting her inner being. After a while, she sat up, swiping at the tears. Crying felt good. Lily Ann tucked her hair behind her ear. “Thank you, Gayle.”
“Anytime, kiddo.”
10
“Sit down. All that pacing’s making me nervous.” Jewel grasped the wrist of her best friend and pulled her down on the couch. She landed between her and Beverly, the woman Jewel brought along for the double date with Avery.
“Do I look okay?” Carly asked for the thousandth time.
“You look amazing. Except, you have that ‘I am about to puke at any minute’ look on your face. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you this nervous. You like this girl.”
“Stop. We’re not alone,” Carly whispered.
“Oh, please.” Jewel looked at her date. “Her face is glued to her phone.”
Carly straightened as a voice rang out, “Hey, ladies.” Avery. Carly stood and wiped the sweat from her palms down both thighs. The footsteps came closer until Carly felt the sweet breeze of her breath. The
intoxicating smell of her perfume filled the air.
“Hi,” Avery whispered. The scent of mint mouthwash escaped with a single word.
“Hey,” Carly replied. “You smell nice.”
“And you look amazing,” Avery replied. Her eyes scanned the tight jeans to the flannel shirt that was one button away from revealing cleavage. They stood there, wearing smiles.
“Hello? Over here. Double date.” Jewel laughed. “Hi, Avery. I would like you to meet Beverly, my date.” Beverly escaped from her phone long enough to give a smile. Jewel rolled her eyes. “What she lacks in social skills, she makes up for in the bedroom.”
A short drive later, and they all arrived at Luna’s Lounge, one of the hottest lesbian spots for miles around with a bar, pool tables, darts, great food, dance floor, and the coolest mechanical bull. The place was jumping tonight. Ladies lined the pool tables, and the dance floor brimmed with women.
Avery leaned against the bar, staring at Carly with her fingers wrapped around the neck of a beer bottle. Damn, this woman’s desirable. “You want to dance?” Avery asked as a slow song played from the band. The floor cleared out as the line dancers tried to catch their breaths. Like a herd, they headed toward the bar.
Carly held her arm out with her elbow bent. “You guide me to the dance floor; then, I will lead you.” She smiled. Carly pulled Avery close as soon as they reached the dance floor, while Avery wrapped her arms around her neck. The heat between them built. With a firm hold on full hips, Carly swayed. By the angle of the arms wrapped around her neck, Carly was a good two inches taller than Avery. She was curvy — sexy, dangerous curves. When Avery’s cheek laid on Carly’s chest, Carly wrapped her arms around the small of her back and pulled her into her. Touching their heads together, Carly whispered, “You feel good.”
They swayed with hips molded in the perfect fit, and the two fell into a hyperspace of bliss. As the song slowed to the last few beats, they parted. Only inches from each other, they shared the same air. “Avery,” Carly whispered.
“Carly come on. They started.” Jewel was pulling at her arm. Carly turned her head toward her friend who blocked the first kiss. She would fuss about that later.
Avery stepped back. “Started what?” she asked.
“Bull riding contest. I entered,” Carly said with a flash of a smile.
“Wow. Okay, that’s a surprise.” Avery took Carly’s arm and placed it in the crook of hers. “Let’s go.” They walked to the back of the bar.
Avery pinned the number to Carly’s back with Jewel standing in front of her rubbing her arms.
“How many contestants?” Carly asked.
“Ten, but only one good as you. Candice is here. She’s been fighting with her wife for the past thirty minutes in the corner. I don’t think her mind is in the ride. The rest are drunk newbies.”
“Is this dangerous?” Avery interjected.
“It can be. If you don’t know what you are doing,” Carly answered. “Lucky, I do.”
Jewel looked around at Avery to see the worry registered on her face. “Carly, your date looks worried.”
Carly spun around and reached out, finding Avery’s forearm. “Hey, I do this all the time. Relax and enjoy.” Carly gave her that sexy smile, and Avery melted.
“That’s easy for you to say. I have to watch you get tossed around like a salad. Be careful.”
“She won’t get thrown around if she remembers to keep her thighs tight to the bull and her top loose. She has no problem remembering to toss her arm in the opposite direction of the bull’s spin, but I can’t keep her legs closed.” Jewel turned her friend around. “Legs closed. The time to beat is twenty-seven seconds.”
“Got it,” Carly barked
A voice came over the intercom. “Contestant number five, please make your way to the bull.”
Jewel guided Carly by the elbow, but they got stopped by a third hand. Avery kissed Carly on the cheek. “Please be careful,” Avery muttered her worry. Carly blushed.
Jewel joined Avery back on the side of the mat after helping Carly on the bull. “You like her,” she said.
“I do,” Avery answered.
“When she falls off, we have to go get her. You want to be the one?” Jewel asked.
“Yes, please, I would love that.”
The tone shifted in Jewel’s voice. “Don’t hurt my friend. I will have no problem coming after you.”
“I have no intention of hurting her, but that’s good to know.” Avery’s smile cut short when a loud buzzer sounded. She watched the tail of the bull jolt into the air, then twisted along with her beautiful date. Carly held on tight and rode the bull to perfection. Her long legs tight against the leather saddle with her arm raised over her head, she twisted with each move. Avery held her breath. A stir below her stomach surged while watching the bull riding woman.
Thirty-four seconds later, Avery rushed over to help Carly to her feet and guide her to the bar. “Oh my god! That was so intense. I didn’t breathe the entire thirty-four seconds.” Avery grabbed the two beers from the bartender and turned to face Carly, placing one in her hand.
Jewel grabbed her friend in a hug. “Hell yeah! You broke your record tonight and came in first. Listen, a blonde just asked me back to her place. I need to bail on the double date.”
Carly brought her beer down from a long draw. “Where’s Beverly?
“I dumped her an hour ago. She didn’t even notice because she remained buried in her phone. Can you Uber back to the marina, or can I leave my car?” Jewel offered.
“We’ll Uber,” Avery spoke up.
Jewel kissed Carly’s cheek. “You okay?”
“I’ll be fine. Go. Have fun with your blonde. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Carly listened while Jewel’s heels clicked away. She leaned in. “Hey, want to get out of here?”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Come on. I’ll tell you which way to walk when we get outside.” Carly tipped her beer up and finished the bottle.
The fresh, crisp air rippled over their flesh, and Carly lifted her head, taking a breath. She spun to her right with Avery following, their arms interlocked. “Straight ahead, is there a billboard sign on the top of a roof?”
“Yes,” Avery answered.
“Head toward that and tell me when we get to the donut shop on the corner. It will be to your right.” Carly took a step.
“Tell me about yourself,” Carly said as she got in step with the beautiful woman.
“Not much to tell. I got raised in foster care. I went to roaming early in age. Just go where the wind takes me. No family. No girlfriends.” She nudged Carly’s shoulder. “How about you? Want to share any?”
“I used to be a fisherman—” Carly started but got cut off.
“Why did you used to be one? Can’t you still be one?” Avery asked.
“You need your sight to navigate the boat.”
“You could have people do that for you. Hire someone.”
“No. I don’t see that happening. Most people shy away from me because of the blindness. Plus, I am a little protective over my boat.”
“I see. That’s a shame. I bet you were a wonderful fisherman. Maybe one day, we can take your boat out.”
Carly stopped in mid-stride. The word ‘we’ caught her off guard, not remembering the last time she was in a ‘we’ situation. Carly asked a question while she tried to play off the onset of panic by a simple word. “You know how to handle a boat?”
Avery stepped, causing Carly to walk again. “No, but I am sure you can teach me.” Avery stopped walking. “We are at the donut shop which closed down. The sign says out of business.”
“Really? That place had the best-double-dipped donuts. That’s a shame. Let’s turn right, walk two blocks, then turn left. We will be at the beach.”
Following the directions to the word, they arrived at a beautiful cove. The moonlight glistened off the water, and gold sparkles twinkled in the sand. “Oh, Car
ly. It’s breathtaking.”
“I remember. The water and the sand are talking to you. Listen.” Carly spooned her from behind with her chin resting in the crook of her neck. Her arms wrapped around her in a soft embrace, and she inhaled, taking in the smell of her date and the water.
Avery closed her eyes. The swooshing of the waves filled her heart and soon drummed in rhythm with every beat. She opened her eyes, and the sand held a musical conversation, each speck answering the next in response. “Yes, I hear it. Amazing.” Avery turned to face Carly. “You are amazing.” Leaning into her, Avery was inches from the touch of a kiss. A scream wailed out into the dark.
Carly lifted her head to the sound. “That came from the right. Take me there,” Carly said.
“What is that?” Avery asked as she guided them around a rock.
“Sounds like a sea turtle. It’s hurting. Look for it,” Carly said just as she tripped over a small boulder.
“Be careful. I’m nervous it’s so rocky over here. I don’t want to hurt you.” Avery words trembled from her over the sound of the waves.
“Guide me. I’m fine. Get me to the turtle.”
Avery did just that. She told Carly when to lift her leg and when to scoot. The pace was slow as they came over a large rock covered in slimy seaweed, a giant sea turtle laying in the sand beyond. A fishing line wrapped around both back legs cut deep into the flesh. Carly felt Avery stop, and she came to a halt with her.