by Harper Bliss
“Who’s we?” Eileen trailed Philip.
“The usual suspects. Your folks, Julia, and James. The rest of the guests aren’t expected for an hour or so.”
“Why did Mom say ten sharp if she meant eleven?” Eileen groaned, not really asking either Phil or Naomi.
“Got me. Not like I had anything to do, though. New Year’s Day is always a letdown and ushers in another slog to survive. And in all likelihood, the new year will be just as disappointing as the last.”
“I see you’re a glass half-empty kind of guy,” Naomi joked. “Is that a Callahan trait?”
“Yes,” both answered simultaneously.
In the library, her mom sat in a wingback and her father slouched in a matching one all the way across the room.
“Look who I found loitering in the foyer.” Phil swept up a Champagne flute from the refreshment table by the door.
Everyone exchanged hugs and happy New Year wishes.
Julia said, “Naomi, it’s so good to see you.” She gave her a heartfelt hug. “Why’d you bring the wet blanket?”
“She wasn’t needed to gain entry?” Naomi bantered, offering Eileen a brilliant smart-ass smile.
“It’s not too early for me to take a nap upstairs.” Eileen yawned.
“You’ll do no such thing,” her mom said. “Have a seat, dear.”
Eileen wondered if she was about to receive a tongue-lashing like the good old days. She met Julia’s eyes for a hint but only received a who knows shrug.
Her mom studied Naomi, who sat next to Eileen, with a look that wasn’t entirely polite, but could be considered barely passible for welcoming. So far, both Eileen and her mom had opted not to even hint at the dustup.
Philip sat next to Julia, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “It’s like old times, except we’re all old.”
Julia elbowed him. “Speak for yourself.”
Eileen yawned again, followed by James who sat on the other side of Julia.
“See, Smelly Ellie can barely stay awake.” Philip laughed.
Julia whispered something in his ear, causing Philip to slap his knee, laughing even harder.
Eileen threw serious shade at her baby sister. Julia stuck her tongue out. Her mom scowled and their dad appeared to be dozing.
“Eileen, when are you leaving?” Her mom spoke loudly to commandeer the conversation.
Eileen made a show of consulting the clock on the fireplace mantel, not wanting to rehash the conversation they’d had in private, when her mom had shown her true colors. “Is brunch over before it even started?”
Her mom’s thin lips puckered and she crossed her legs. “I mean, when are you going back to work, now that the holidays are almost over?”
“Oh, I’m staying put for a while and working from Derby.” Eileen reached for Naomi’s hand, needing her touch to get through what she was about to say. “You seem in an awful hurry for me to leave, but not everyone feels that way. Most importantly, Naomi.”
There was a silence in the room, but Eileen sensed from the supportive expressions on everyone’s faces aside from her mom, they were on Eileen’s side.
Finally, Julia broke the spell. “Did you extend the lease?” Julia asked as if she’d already known this was the plan, but wanted to make it clear she hadn’t shared the news with their mother.
Eileen nodded.
“Guess that means I have even more reason to visit,” Philip said.
Julia swiveled her head to him. “You barely visit now.”
“You aren’t as fun as your sister. Just look at her—the life of the party.”
Eileen was smothering yet another yawn.
“Good grief, I can never win in this family,” Julia joked.
“What will you photograph in Derby? There won’t be another Christmas tree lighting until next December.” Her mom seemed to appear flippant, a fake smile on her lips, but there was a biting edge to her tone. Her expression darkened, “I can’t believe you’re willingly giving up your career for this… town.” Her gaze landed on Naomi.
“Mom!” Julia gasped, digging her nails into James’s thigh. “When will you get it through your thick head that Eileen had a stroke.”
“What’s this about a stroke?” Philip questioned Julia, but his eyes soon found Eileen’s. “Is that true, Ellie?” He spoke with tenderness.
Eileen nodded, her eyes dropping from his gaze.
Eileen felt Naomi’s hand on her back.
Finally, Eileen said, “Yes. That’s the real reason why I came home.”
“Why didn’t you call me?” Philip’s forehead puckered.
“I… I didn’t want people to know,” Eileen stuttered, realizing how this would affect her cousin.
“I’m not people. I’m your Philip. That’s what you used to call me when we were kids.” His wounded expression spoke volumes, solidifying the guilt in Eileen’s gut.
“I’m sorry, Phil. It was my stupid pride.” Eileen squeezed Naomi’s hand tighter.
Phil leaned forward. “What can I do to help? Just name it and I’ll do it.”
“I don’t… just, be there for me, I guess. It’s going to be a long road until I’m back to what I used to be.”
Philip nodded as if he’d never leave her side and Eileen wondered if he’d literally do that.
Julia leaned into James.
Naomi casually blotted her left eye with the sleeve of her sweater.
“But don’t let it beat you,” her mom said.
Julia started to speak, but Eileen motioned for her to stop. Stiffening, she turned to her mom. “Beat me? How is it beating me, Mom?”
“By not going back to work.”
“I am working. I’m writing op-ed pieces and tomorrow, I’m starting my memoir.”
“What about your career, though?” Her mom folded her hands primly in her lap.
Her dad bolted upright in his seat. “Jesus, Trudy. She’s won prizes. Traveled to more countries than all of us put together and you’re acting like she hasn’t accomplished a goddamn thing.” He swatted the air as if brushing everything aside. “And the daughter sitting before me doesn’t look beaten at all.” His eyes landed on his wife’s. “She could have died. Can’t you get that through your brain? She could have died!” He emphasized each word in the last sentence.
Julia stifled a sniffle, Philip wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
“But she didn’t—” Her mom’s voice cracked, the first chink in her armor, but it was difficult to pin down the source of the emotion: frustration or sadness. “Is it wrong that I only want the best for my daughter?”
“Then let her get well without pressuring her to hurry the hell up.” Her dad’s nostrils flared. “Besides, I like having her here and not in harm’s way. I’m proud as hell, Ellie, but you’ve given your old man so many potential heart attacks over the years. Whenever I heard where you were and how close to the action…” He raked a hand over his thinning gray hair. “It’s more than most parents can take.”
“Are you implying I never had a sleepless night?” Her mom bristled. “What mother wants their child on the front line?”
He stared as if unsure he believed her words or stiffening shoulders.
“That was the life she chose. I’ve only wanted…” Her voice wavered and she left the rest unsaid.
No one spoke for several moments.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to check with Maggie about brunch.” She rose and made for the exit, her eyes glistening.
“Well…” Julia looked to Phil as if wanting him to complete her sentence.
He took a deep breath.
Her dad left the room.
“And that’s how prim and proper Massachusetts families hash out decades of family strife,” Eileen joked, although she didn’t find any of this humorous.
“I don’t think she means to be so… cold.” Julia’s words came out stilted. “She’s just… different.”
Eileen still hadn’t found the courage to tell Julia
everything that had transpired that day when her mom had come to Eileen’s apartment.
Philip wiped his eyes. “I need a refill. Julia help me get drinks.”
“What?”
Philip jabbed an elbow into her side and jerked his head to Eileen and Naomi on the opposite couch.
“Oh, yes. Of course. Drinks. We should leave and get drinks. Come on James.” James stood, putting a hand out for Julia to get up.
After the door closed, Naomi whispered, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
“Good thing I paid my rent upfront for a year.”
Naomi blinked. “A whole year. You’re really staying?”
Eileen laughed. “Did you think I was pulling a fast one on you? Or were you secretly hoping I’d dash off on an assignment? A long-distance relationship may be easier with the likes of me. I mean, you just witnessed how my family deals with things. If that doesn’t scare you off, I don’t know what will.”
Naomi let out a puff of air. “You’re insufferable.”
“That’s my point. And I was raised by an expert on how never to show emotions. Or love, for that matter.”
“I hate to break it to you, but you don’t have to be anything like your mother. You’ve already shown great strides. She’d never volunteer at the hospital and give Tyson a camera. Or contemplate starting a photography class. Not to mention the care packages you handed out on Christmas morning to all the children in the hospital. All those cute turtles. You are insufferable, but in an adorable way because you try so hard not to show how much you care about people, but you can’t stop yourself from caring.” Naomi linked an arm through Eileen’s. “I’m not letting you go.”
“That seems to be the case, given the lock you have on my arm.”
“Will you just shut up and kiss me.”
Eileen complied.
Pulling away, Eileen flicked one of Naomi’s silver turtle stud earrings.
“Don’t even say you’re a turtle again,” Naomi said with exasperation.
Eileen tilted her head back and laughed. Recovering, she said, “Like I said, I don’t mind being a turtle, as long as I’m your turtle. God knows I could use some saving.”
“Did you just propose marriage?”
“Trust me, if I do, you’ll know. I’m not letting you go either, Naomi Weaver.”
“If you do?”
Eileen playfully groaned. “Should I have said when?”
Naomi smiled. “I think it’s funny you think you’ll be the one who proposes first.”
“Did you just propose to me?” Eileen cupped Naomi’s cheek.
“Trust me, when I do, you’ll know.”
“What if we do it at the same time?”
“That would be a miracle.” Naomi inched closer to Eileen’s lips.
“It seems to be the time of year for them.” Eileen’s mouth moved even closer.
“There’s always next year. No need to rush now that I know you’re staying.”
“If I wasn’t staying, would you propose?” Eileen pressed her forehead to Naomi’s.
“You’re insufferable. Kiss me like you never want to lose me.”
“Easily done, because I don’t.”
Their lips met and neither pulled away.
THE END
About Harper Bliss
Harper Bliss is the author of the Pink Bean series, the High Rise series, the French Kissing serial and many other lesbian romance titles. She is the co-founder of Ladylit Publishing and My LesFic weekly newsletter.
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About T.B. Markinson
T.B. Markinson is an American living in England. When she isn’t writing, she’s traveling the world, watching sports on the telly, visiting pubs, or reading. Not necessarily in that order.
Her novels have hit Amazon bestseller lists for lesbian fiction and lesbian romance.
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Copyright © 2018 by Harper Bliss & T.B. Markinson
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.
Cover design by Caroline Manchoulas
Published by Ladylit Publishing - Hong Kong
ISBN: 978-988-79123-6-1