Complications

by Mj Williamz

Mel laughed.

  “No. Why? Should they have been?”

  “Yep. I told her all about you.”

  “Well, that took two minutes. Then what?”

  “We just visited. It was so wonderful. I’ve missed her so, Mel.”

  “Good. I’m glad you got some good time with her today. Not all days are going to be good, you know,” Mel said.

  “I know. So, I’m grateful for the ones that are.”

  They sipped their drinks.

  “So Dorinda wasn’t there most of the time, huh?” Mel said.

  “No. She went to the store. She must have run other errands, too, because she was gone four hours. I’m not complaining, though. It was nice without her.”

  “What are you going to do about the evenings when she’s there with you?”

  “Deal with it, I guess.”

  “You sure you don’t want me going with you?”

  “I’m sure.”

  “Okay.”

  Mel ordered another half pitcher for herself and a lemon drop for Susan.

  “By the way, Joey invited us over for dinner tonight,” Mel said. “I told her I didn’t know how you’d be feeling.”

  “That sounds wonderful. What time?”

  “I’ll text her.”

  Plans were made for Mel and Susan to be at Joey’s at six. Susan seemed nice and relaxed when they left the bar.

  “One car or two?” Mel said.

  “Better take both. Neither of us wants to leave our car here, do we?”

  “Not if we don’t have to.”

  They arrived at Joey’s house at precisely six o’clock.

  Samantha opened the door and greeted Susan with a hug and a peck on the cheek.

  “So good to see you again. Come in. Come in.”

  Mel followed Susan in and was also given a hug.

  “I do like to see you with the same woman more than once,” Samantha said.

  Susan stared at Mel, who just blushed.

  “It’s nice to have a woman who’ll stay with me,” Mel said.

  Samantha turned to Susan.

  “I understand you have a sick friend. I’m so sorry to hear that.”

  “Thank you,” Susan said. “She’s actually on hospice. She has less than six months to live.”

  “That’s got to be so hard for you.”

  “It is. But I’m glad to be able to spend some time with her before she goes, you know? I’d hate to get a phone call telling me she was gone and me not having the chance to say good-bye.”

  “I get that,” Samantha said. “That makes perfect sense.”

  “Why don’t we try to take her mind off it for now?” Joey entered the room carrying DJ.

  “Excellent plan,” Samantha said. “You guys go get settled in the play room and I’ll bring the drinks.”

  Mel held Susan’s hand.

  “You doin’ okay?” she said.

  “Yeah. Mostly.”

  “Good. You let me know if you need to leave, okay?”

  “Okay. Thanks, Mel.”

  They visited with Joey and Samantha, and Susan soon seemed much more relaxed. Dinner was served and the conversation was light and easy.

  “So, how are you liking Maybon Tir?” Samantha said.

  “I like it a lot. It’s beautiful and everyone is so friendly. And, of course, there’s Mel. I really think I’ve found a slice of Paradise to live in.”

  “That’s wonderful. We want more women to move here. We want to be as self-sustained as we possibly can. We need to be a little bigger to afford certain things. But we want special women here. Like you.”

  “And Lucinda. You’d all really like her if you could have met her.”

  “I’m sure we would have,” Samantha said.

  “I’d invite you to meet her now, but I think it would be too much for her.”

  “Oh, I’m sure it would. She’s so lucky to have you, though.”

  “Thanks. I think I’m the lucky one. I just wish I didn’t have to interact with my ex.”

  “Oh yeah, how’d that go today?” Joey said.

  “It was horrible. She’s talking about retiring here. Or winning the lottery and moving here. I don’t want her anywhere near me.”

  “I’m sure you don’t.”

  “So I take it it was a bad breakup?” Samantha said.

  “The worst,” Susan said. “She was emotionally and mentally abusive. Sometimes even physically.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Thanks. And just when I thought she was out of my life for good and I’d moved on, poof, she’s back.”

  “Now how does she fit into all this?” Samantha said.

  “Lucinda is her aunt,” Mel said.

  “Oh. I see. I’m so sorry, Susan.”

  “Thanks.”

  Dinner ended and Joey and Mel put DJ to bed. Then they met their girls on the patio.

  “What a beautiful night,” Samantha said.

  “It was a wonderful night,” Susan said.

  “I was referring to the clear sky and cool temperature,” Samantha said. “But you’re right. It was a lot of fun having you two over again. I can’t tell you how happy I am to see Mel with someone who’s really right for her.”

  Mel cleared her throat before she and Joey stepped up and took their seats.

  “I don’t care if you heard that, Mel O’Brien. It’s the truth,” Samantha said.

  “Thanks,” Mel said. She felt awkward and uncomfortable being the subject of the ladies’ conversation. She sat down and finished her beer. She contemplated another one, but checked her watch. It was after ten.

  “We should probably get going, babe.”

  “Okay,” Susan said.

  They rose and hugged Samantha and thanked her for a great time. Susan hugged Joey, but Mel just said good-bye with a promise to see her in the morning.

  “Follow me to my place?” Mel said.

  “Oh, really? We’re staying there tonight?”

  “Why not? I mean, if it’s okay with you.”

  “It’s fine with me. I’ll see you there.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Mel was torn. She wanted Susan in the worst way. And after Susan had broken out a toy the other night, she wanted to show off some of her own. But Susan might be tired. She was probably emotionally exhausted after the day she’d had. Mel told herself to take it easy and not be disappointed if Susan wasn’t in the mood.

  She waited for Susan to get out of her car, then walked with her to the front door. When they were inside, she pulled Susan to her for a hug. She stroked her soft black hair and wondered if she should kiss her.

  Susan stepped out of the embrace.

  “Are you tired?” Mel said.

  “Not really.” Susan took her hand and led her to the couch. “I’m actually kinda amped.”

  “You are?” Mel stifled a yawn.

  “Ah. But you’re not.”

  “I’m fine. Trust me.”

  “Okay. If you say so. I think we should play. I think that would help me sleep and maybe put you to sleep. If you can stay up for it.”

  “I can always stay up and play with you.”

  Susan leaned forward and kissed her. It was a deeply passionate kiss that made Mel’s crotch clench. She returned it in kind and finally had to break it off to catch her breath.

  “That was insane,” she said.

  “It was magical.”

  “Yeah. It really was.”

  “Take me to bed, Mel,” Susan said.

  “Gladly.”

  Mel showed Susan to her room and undressed her slowly and deliberately. She nibbled every spot her hands left bare. Finally, Susan was naked and wet. Mel eased her back on the bed. She stripped out of her own clothes and climbed on top of Susan.

  “Damn, you’re fine,” Mel said.

  “So are you. I love the feel of your body on mine.”

  “So, I was wondering…” Mel said.

  “Yes?”

  “Would you like to try one of
my toys tonight?”

  “One of?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Sure. Surprise me, lover.”

  Mel went to her drawer and pulled out a purple toy.

  “That looks interesting,” Susan said. She took it from Mel and ran her hand over the length of it and then over the shorter end of it. “How does this work?”

  “It’s a strapless strap-on,” Mel said. She climbed back on the bed.

  Susan spread her legs, willing to take whatever Mel offered. Mel slipped the shorter part of the toy inside herself and guided the longer part inside Susan.

  “Oh, God, that feels good,” Susan said.

  “Fuck yes, it does.”

  Mel moved her hips back and forth, driving the toy deeper inside Susan with each thrust. Susan arched her hips and met her every time. Mel was close to the edge. She felt herself shuddering, trying to fight to keep from coming. She hoped Susan was close, because she didn’t know how long she’d be able to hold out.

  Her question was answered when Susan arched her neck and threw her head back and cried out. Mel was so relieved, she let herself come immediately after her. She collapsed on Susan, the force of her orgasm having exhausted her.

  “Oh, my, God, that was wonderful,” Susan said.

  “Yeah, it was.”

  “I could lie back and let you fuck me all night, Mel. What other toys do you have?”

  Mel went to the top drawer of her dresser. She moved the toy she’d used with Tiffany out of the way. She wasn’t sure how to broach that other hole with Susan. She decided on her Wild Orchid toy. She went back to the bed and kissed Susan hard on her mouth. She kissed down until she took a nipple in her mouth. While she suckled, she brought the vibrating toy up and pressed it against her opening.

  “Oh, God, don’t tease me. Please, Mel. Please give it to me.”

  Mel slipped the long shaft of the toy inside her while the short shaft moved against her clit. She pressed hard, then released, then pressed hard again. Susan writhed on the bed, begging for release.

  “Oh, sweet Jesus, I need to come. Please, get me off, Mel. Oh, God, please.”

  Mel shoved the long shaft as deep as it would go and turned the shorter shaft on high. Susan’s head was moving back and forth on the pillow.

  “Oh, yes. Oh, yes. Oh. God. Mel. Yes!”

  Mel held the toy in place while Susan rode out her orgasms. When she quit thrashing, Mel withdrew it and set it on the nightstand.

  “So, you liked that, huh?” Mel grinned.

  “Holy fuck. Did I ever. That toy was amazing. I think you should bring it with you every day in case you spend the night at my house.”

  Mel laughed.

  “We’ll save it for nights spent here,” she said. “Unless you want me to buy you one of your own.”

  “You’d do that for me?”

  “Of course. Just say the word.”

  “Please do.”

  “Consider it done.”

  *

  Susan’s shift was close to ending Friday evening when Joey and Mel walked in. They got a pitcher of beer and sat at a booth. The place was full and Susan was busy waitressing. She wished she could sit and talk with them, but there was no time. When her shift finally ended she walked over to their booth.

  “I wish I could stay and chat with you two,” she said.

  “Can’t you at least have a drink?” Mel said.

  “No. I need to get going.”

  “Okay. Wait here, Joey. I’m going to walk her to her car. I’ll be right back.”

  Mel took her hand and walked out the back door with her.

  “You be careful,” she said.

  “I will.”

  “You want to come to my house or you want me to go to your house and wait for you?”

  “Leave your front door open. I’ll come to your place.”

  “Okay.”

  Mel kissed her good-bye. Susan watched as she walked back into the bar, then braced herself for another dose of Dorinda. She arrived and was anxious to talk to Lucinda and see what kind of day she’d had. Dorinda let her in and she walked straight to Lucinda’s bed.

  “How are you today, Lucinda?” she said.

  “I had a good day. Not a lot of pain.”

  “That’s great.” She kissed Lucinda’s cheek. “Can I get you anything?”

  “I just finished dinner. Why don’t you just sit down and we can visit?”

  “Great. Will you be going somewhere, Dorinda?”

  “No,” Dorinda said. “I’m going to stay in tonight.”

  Susan wanted to ask what she was doing there, then, but she didn’t want to seem like she didn’t want to spend time with Lucinda.

  “Oh. Okay,” she said. “What will you be doing then?”

  “Actually, Lucinda and I were talking and we were thinking it might be fun to play cards and then watch Charade. It’s on TV tonight. As I recall, you really like that movie.”

  Susan’s heart stopped. Yes, she liked that movie. It was one of her favorites. Who didn’t love Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn? But the thought of watching it with Dorinda again made her skin crawl. The last time they’d watched it together, Dorinda had had too much to drink and ended up backhanding her. Just the thought of it had Susan fighting back tears. Of course, Dorinda hadn’t remembered it the next day, but Susan would never forget.

  “I haven’t seen that movie in so long. And I absolutely love it,” Lucinda said.

  How could Susan deny Lucinda? She hated Dorinda for doing this to her. She didn’t like the position she’d put her in.

  “Sure. If that’s what you want, Lucinda,” Susan said. “So what kind of cards shall we play?”

  “Gin rummy,” Lucinda said.

  “Sounds good,” Dorinda said.

  Susan watched Dorinda get the cards. Maybe she’d changed. She seemed to really care for Lucinda. And that made Susan feel good.

  They played cards for an hour or so, during which Dorinda showed ceaseless attention to Lucinda and her needs. Susan realized she wasn’t going to be the only one who missed Lucinda when she was gone. She actually felt sorry for Dorinda.

  The conversation was lively as they recalled happier times. They laughed and joked and had a really good time. It felt good to be able to laugh and enjoy herself with Lucinda and Dorinda.

  When they finished playing cards, it was time to watch the movie.

  “Why don’t you grab a seat and I’ll make some popcorn,” Dorinda said.

  “Can I get you anything?” Susan asked Lucinda.

  “I’m fine for now,” she said. “Just keep those pills ready in case I need them.”

  “Of course,” Susan said.

  Susan sat in the chair next to Lucinda’s bed. She reached out and held Lucinda’s hand.

  “Oh, honey, it’s so nice to have you around again,” Lucinda said.

  “I’ve really missed you,” Susan said.

  Dorinda came back into the living room.

  “Susan, why don’t you come over here so you can get some popcorn?” she said.

  “I’m fine here.”

  “No, dear,” Lucinda said. “Go sit there and have some popcorn. Surely you’re hungry after work?”

  Susan was hungry and the popcorn smelled delicious.

  “But I’d rather sit here with you,” she said.

  “Please, hon. I insist. I’m fine.”

  Against her wishes and better judgment, Susan moved over and sat on the love seat next to Dorinda. Dorinda turned on the television and they settled in to watch the movie. Susan helped herself to the popcorn, happy to put something in her empty stomach. At one point, she reached her hand in the bowl at the same time Dorinda did. Their fingers brushed and Susan pulled her hand back as if bit by a snake. She had felt currents run through her hand. What the hell was that about?

  “Relax,” Dorinda said. “Jeez. I don’t bite.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m just teasin’. But you should relax. You seem rea
lly uptight.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “What’s going on over there?” Lucinda said.

  “Nothing,” they said in unison. Susan’s stomach tightened. She just wanted out of there. And she still had three more hours in her shift. Thank God for the movie, so she wouldn’t have to talk with Dorinda.

  Dorinda offered her some more popcorn.

  “No, thanks. I’m good.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive.”

  They settled back to watch the movie. Three quarters of the way through it, Lucinda cried out in pain.

  “Please. I need a pill.”

  Susan was at her side while Dorinda went to get her medicine. Susan held her hand while Lucinda arched her back and writhed in pain.

  “Hurry!” Susan said.

  “I am.”

  And then Dorinda was beside her, offering her a pill and a glass of water.

  “It was time for her usual dose,” Dorinda said.

  “I hope we didn’t miss her actual due time, did we?” Susan was pissed but didn’t want to show it.

  “No. She could have gone another five minutes.”

  “Okay.”

  Lucinda still had a death grip on Susan’s hand, but was no longer arched off the bed. She seemed focused on taking deep breaths. Her eyes were cloudy but Susan didn’t know if that was from the pain or the meds.

  “That’s it, Lucinda,” Dorinda said. “Breathe with me. In and out. In and out.”

  “Should we give her a bolus?” Susan said.

  “Not until we see if this works.”

  Waiting seemed cruel to Susan. But Dorinda was a cruel person. No, she told herself. Not anymore, she wasn’t. She was thinking of the old Dorinda, not this new one she was seeing. Still, she vowed to herself not to ever let Lucinda get close to getting her meds out of her system. It was unfair to her. Lucinda had never done anything to anyone. She was always caring and loving, and now that she had to rely on others, Susan was determined that, on her shift, she’d never be in pain.

  They waited until Lucinda had drifted off to sleep.

  “You want to finish the movie now?” Dorinda said.

  Susan forgot they’d paused the movie.

  “I’m not really in the mood.”

  “Look.” Dorinda took her hands. “This is part of taking care of her. She’s not always going to be in good shape. You need to be able to handle it when she’s in pain. You just get her some meds and wait with her until they kick in. You have to be able to deal with that.”