Complications

by Mj Williamz

  “Great.”

  She poured herself a glass of wine and brought the drinks to the living room.

  “I’m really sorry,” Mel said.

  “No. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “Yes, I did. Or I might have if you didn’t stop me.”

  “But it wasn’t wrong. I want it, too, Mel. I need you so badly, but I can’t do it. We agreed to that.”

  “I know. And it’s painful, but it’s the way it is.”

  “So, let’s just relax and drink our drinks. We can do that.”

  “I don’t know, Susan. I’m pretty worked up. I think I’d better leave.”

  She stood. Susan reached up and took her hand. She gently pulled her back down to the couch.

  “No, Mel. I don’t want you to leave.”

  “But it would be better for both of us. Easier, anyway.”

  “No. I want you to stay the night. Tonight. And every night after. I love you, Mel. It’s been you all along.”

  Mel took her in her arms and hugged her tight.

  “Oh, thank God,” Mel said. “Thank you, baby. I’m so happy. I don’t know what I would have done if you’d chosen Dorinda.”

  “I don’t know what I was thinking. I think I was just feeling sorry for her. You know, for losing Lucinda and all. I don’t know. I think I confused those feelings for actual attraction. She’s nothing compared to you.”

  “She has a bit of a temper, but we knew that. I wonder how she’s going to take it when you tell her you chose me.”

  “She’ll just have to take it. Too bad.”

  “I’ll go to Lucinda’s with you tomorrow night.”

  “Okay. That would be great.”

  “Yeah. That way I can meet Lucinda and be there for you when you tell Dorinda. I don’t trust her not to try to hurt you.”

  “Thanks, lover. I appreciate that.”

  She took Mel’s beer and set it on the coffee table with her wine. She leaned over and kissed Mel, forcing her onto her back on the couch. She climbed on top of her.

  Mel moved her hands all over Susan’s body, and for once Susan didn’t have to worry about putting on the brakes. She allowed herself to feel, to get wet, to want. She sat up on top of Mel and took her shirt and bra off. She leaned over and allowed Mel to take one breast in her mouth. It felt amazing. Her tongue knew just what to do as it played around and over her nipple.

  Susan was breathless. She stood and reached a hand down to Mel. They walked down the hall to the bedroom.

  “Are you absolutely sure about this?” Mel said.

  “I’m positive.”

  Susan finished undressing then lay on the bed while she watched Mel strip.

  “You’re so gorgeous,” Susan said.

  “You’re not so bad yourself.” Mel laughed.

  Mel kissed Susan again and ran her hand all over her body.

  “I love your body,” she said. “I’ve missed it so much.”

  “It’s all yours now. For as long as you want it.”

  “I’ll take it forever,” Mel said.

  “I like that.”

  Mel let her hand drift between Susan’s legs. Susan spread her legs wider. She felt Mel’s fingers teasing her clit. She felt them move past and plunge deep inside her. She loved the feel of Mel stroking her walls. Mel moved back to her clit. Susan arched off the bed and moved her hips in time with Mel’s touches. Soon everything was gone except Mel and her magical fingers. And then it happened. The climax hit and sent her soaring over the edge. When she came back to earth, Mel was holding her tight.

  “Oh, no,” Susan said. “It’s not like that.”

  Mel grinned.

  “Oh, no?”

  “No. Your turn now.”

  Susan kissed down Mel’s tight belly and climbed between her legs. She licked her from end to end before dipping her tongue inside her.

  “Oh, shit,” Mel said. “Oh, fuck that feels good.”

  Susan moved her tongue to Mel’s clit, and Mel cried out almost immediately.

  “Oh, wow, baby. I’ve missed you so much.”

  “I’ve missed you, too,” Susan said.

  “Thanks for choosing me.”

  “I really had no choice. My heart and my hormones both said you were the one. I had no burning desire to be with her. And she’s just really not a nice person.”

  “No, she’s not.”

  “I don’t want to talk about her anymore,” Susan said.

  “Fair enough.” Mel spooned against Susan and pulled her tight. “And, Susan?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I love you, too.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Mel quietly slipped out of bed the next morning.

  “Mm,” Susan said.

  “Sh. You sleep,” Mel said. “I need to get to work.”

  “Don’t go. Call in sick,” Susan said.

  “If only I could.” Mel laughed. She kissed Susan’s lips. “I’ll see you at the bar this afternoon, baby.”

  “Okay.”

  She heard the quiet sounds of Susan’s gentle breathing and knew she was asleep again. She hurried home to change and headed to work. When she got there, she was immediately busted by Joey.

  “Someone’s got a spring in her step this morning,” Joey said.

  “I had a great night.”

  “Yeah? So you went out with Susan and it went well? I’m glad to hear that.”

  “It went better than well,” Mel said. “She chose me, Joey.”

  “No shit? That’s great news, buddy.”

  “Yeah. I think so. I’m so fuckin’ happy. When she asked me to call in sick today, I actually contemplated doing it.”

  “Yeah, well, I’m glad you didn’t.”

  “No. I couldn’t. But damn, I wanted to stay and spend the morning with her.”

  “I’m sure you did. So, what happens with Dorinda’s aunt?”

  “I don’t know. That’s up to Susan. We’re going over there together tonight. I can’t imagine she’s going to want to keep volunteering since she really doesn’t trust Dorinda, but it’s totally up to her.”

  “But you’d be fine if she quit?” Joey laughed.

  “Hell yeah. But it’s not my place. I’d honestly rather she never see Dorinda again, but that puts her in a weird spot. She loves Lucinda and would like to get to spend whatever time she has left with her.”

  “True. Maybe if you go with her, she can keep volunteering.”

  “Yeah. That’s what I’m thinking. I hope she’ll see things that way, too.”

  They worked all day, with Mel unable to focus on much. She just went on autopilot most of the day. All she could think about was getting to see Susan again after work and spending the night with her that night. Life was so good for Mel right then. Susan loved her. She actually loved her. Mel hadn’t mentioned that bit to Joey, though. She wanted to keep it between the two of them for now. It was too special to share.

  The workday was over and they were packing up their equipment.

  “You want to meet me at the bar in a while?” Mel said.

  “No. I need to pick DJ up from daycare today. So, I’ve got to get home.”

  “Fair enough. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Good luck tonight,” Joey said.

  “Thanks.”

  Mel showered and dressed and headed to the bar. It was only four thirty, so she had plenty of time to just hang out before Susan got off work. She hoped it would be slow and Susan would be able to chat, but that wasn’t the case. She got there to find the place jumping. She finally found an open booth and sat down.

  Susan came over as soon as she emptied her tray. She kissed Mel.

  “Hey, lover.”

  “Hey, baby. How’s it goin’?”

  “Crazy busy. You want some beer?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “Okay,” Susan said. “I’ll be right back.”

  Susan made her rounds through the bar, picking up empties and getting orders for refil
ls. Finally, she was back with Mel’s beer.

  “Are we still on for tonight?” Susan said.

  “You bet.”

  “Good. Because I’m really afraid of Dorinda.”

  “Don’t worry. She won’t do anything while I’m there.”

  And with that, Susan was off again to make her rounds. It didn’t really bother Mel that Susan couldn’t sit with her. She knew she was making good money that day, and Mel was perfectly content to watch her work her way through the bar, knowing she was hers and hers alone.

  Finally, it was seven o’clock. Susan took off her apron and came over to join Mel. She was holding a lemon drop.

  “Aren’t you supposed to go immediately after your shift?” Mel said.

  “Yeah, but I figure, what the hell? I can have one drink.”

  “So, babe…about Lucinda.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Are you going to keep volunteering to help out with her?”

  “I don’t know. I really want to, but don’t see how I can. And that tears me up inside.”

  “You know, babe,” Mel said. “I can always go over with you if you decide you want to keep doing that.”

  “I appreciate that, but it’s not really fair to you to ask you to stay there until eleven at night when you get up at the crack ass of dawn.”

  “I can nap there. My point is, I don’t think Dorinda would stick around if I was there.”

  “Maybe not,” Susan said. “We’ll just have to see how tonight goes.”

  “Okay. Speaking of that, we really should get going.”

  “Yep. It’s time.”

  Mel followed Susan to her car. She took her in her arms and held her.

  “I know tonight’s not going to be easy for you,” she said.

  “No, it won’t. But I’m so glad you’re going with me. Thank you.”

  “My pleasure, babe.”

  Mel followed Susan to Lucinda’s house and took a deep breath as she exited her car. She walked over and took Susan’s hand and they headed for the front door.

  *

  Susan felt instant comfort when Mel took her hand. She’d been terrified all day of breaking up with Dorinda, but with Mel there, she could do anything. She almost felt like it was cheating bringing Mel with her, but she was scared and felt she needed her to insure her safety.

  They walked up to the door.

  “You ready to do this?” Mel said.

  “Ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s go inside.”

  They let themselves in and found Dorinda lying on the couch in just a robe.

  “We must have interrupted your shower,” Mel said. “Go ahead and get dressed. We’ll keep an eye on Lucinda.”

  Susan looked over at Mel and saw a look on her face that dared Dorinda to argue.

  “Actually, this is my home and I’m comfortable in just a robe, thank you very much.”

  But she pulled her robe closer around her and looked anything but comfortable.

  Dorinda reached out and pulled Susan to her.

  “What’s she doing here?”

  “I’m sorry, Dorinda.” Susan tried to disengage her arm, but Dorinda held tight. “But I chose Mel.”

  “I’m not giving up so easily,” Dorinda said.

  “It’s over. Leave her alone,” Mel said.

  “You stay out of this,” Dorinda said.

  Mel crossed the room and removed Susan’s arm from Dorinda’s death grip.

  “Come on, Susan. Introduce me to Lucinda.”

  “It’s not over,” Dorinda said from behind them.

  Neither Mel nor Susan said a word. Susan simply led Mel to Lucinda, who was sitting up in bed, but looked a little out of it.

  “How are you tonight?” Susan said.

  “I’m okay. In a little pain, but not enough for meds yet.”

  “Are you sure?” Susan didn’t want Lucinda to be in any pain. Ever.

  “Oh, honey,” Lucinda said. “I don’t want to spend the last few months of my life stoned or sleeping. I can take a little pain.”

  “Okay. If you say so.”

  “I do.” She moved her focus to Mel. “So, you’re Mel, huh?”

  “I am. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  She moved to shake Lucinda’s hand, but Lucinda pulled her in for a hard hug. When Mel was standing, Lucinda looked past them. She must have seen that Dorinda had left the room.

  “You made the right choice, sweetie,” Lucinda said. “She was never for you. It ended before for a reason.”

  “I know,” Susan said. “She was just being so sweet to me.”

  “A wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

  “Indeed.”

  “I’m going out now,” Dorinda said from behind them. “I’ll be back by eleven.”

  “Okay,” Susan said.

  Mel grabbed a chair from the dining room and joined Susan in sitting by Lucinda.

  “What do you want to do?” Susan said.

  “Let’s just visit,” Lucinda said. “It’s been a while since we’ve done that since you’ve been into Dorinda when you came over.”

  Susan felt horrible.

  “I’m so sorry,” she said.

  “It’s okay,” Lucinda said. “Matters of the heart are hard to control.”

  “Yeah, but I was here for you. Not her.”

  “True, but when you started having feelings for her and I was fine, I didn’t blame you one bit for paying attention to her. Just like I’m not going to blame you one bit for not coming over again.”

  “I haven’t decided that yet, Lucinda. Mel can come over with me and we could sit with you at night.”

  “And as much as I’d like that, hon, I think the tension between you and Dorinda would be too much. I know how sensitive you are.”

  Susan fought the tears in her eyes. At once, Mel was standing, holding her against her.

  “It’s okay, baby,” Mel said.

  Susan nodded against her.

  “I’ll miss you, Susan, but I won’t be around much longer anyway. I can tell. I can feel it. And it will be a welcome relief to be gone.”

  Susan cried openly then.

  “I can’t even think about it,” she said.

  “Is there some tissue around here?” Mel said.

  Lucinda handed her a box that had been next to her bed. Mel took a tissue and wiped Susan’s eyes, then let her take one to blow her nose.

  “I’m going to miss you so much, Lucinda.”

  “Oh, hon. I’ll be with you forever. You’ve got to believe that. I’m not ever going to leave you.”

  “Do you believe that?” Susan said. “What do you believe about death?”

  “Well, you know, I’ve always believed in reincarnation, but I think that until you come back as someone else, you can hang around with those you loved on earth.”

  “That would make me happy.” Susan sniffed. “I like that idea.”

  “And you’ve always been so good to me, Susan. You’re such a special person in my life.” She looked at Mel. “So, you’d better treat her like the good woman she is or I’ll be haunting you.”

  Mel laughed.

  “Sorry. I was just thinking of having my own personal ghost to haunt me. But seriously, I’ll take care of her forever, Lucinda. I give you my word.”

  “Thank you. Now, I’m getting tired. Will you give me my pain pill, hon? I’m due for my usual dosage. Then I’ll drift off to sleep. Thank you both for what you’ve done. Susan for me and Mel for Susan. I really appreciate it. I’ll miss you, Susan, but like I said, the battle is almost over.”

  Susan went to the table and got Lucinda’s pain pill. She gave it to her with a glass of water.

  “It won’t be long till I’m asleep now,” Lucinda said.

  “Good-bye, Lucinda,” Susan said, now openly weeping again. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

  Mel took Susan to the love seat and held her until she settled down.

 
“I can’t believe I’m never going to see her again,” Susan said.

  “She’s okay with that, babe. So you need to forgive yourself.”

  “I know, but I’m going to miss her so.”

  “Yeah. I get that.”

  Dorinda came home then and saw Susan crying. She crossed the room and took her in her arms.

  “What did you do to her?” she asked Mel.

  Susan sat up and tried to push away from Dorinda, but Dorinda wouldn’t let go.

  “I didn’t do anything,” Mel said. “She just said good-bye to Lucinda so she’s a little emotional.”

  Dorinda loosened her grip on Susan.

  “What do you mean you said good-bye?”

  Mel stood.

  “She’s not going to be coming over anymore.”

  “What? Why not?”

  “I think it would be too awkward,” Susan said. “And Lucinda understood. We made our peace and said our good-byes. Now I’ll tell you good-bye, and Mel and I will be out of here.”

  “But what about me?” Dorinda said. “Who’s going to come by and give me a break?”

  “I think she sleeps most evenings, so you should be okay,” Susan said.

  “I don’t think you’re being fair. About anything.”

  “I’m sorry you feel that way,” Mel said. “But that’s the way it is. Now, if you’ll excuse us.”

  Dorinda pulled Susan to her for a hug. Susan allowed the hug to happen. What harm was there in it? Then, Dorinda pulled back slightly and kissed her on the mouth. It was a hard kiss, and Susan felt her tongue tracing her lips, trying to pry them open.

  The next thing she knew, Dorinda was torn away from her. She saw Dorinda lying on the love seat with Mel standing over her.

  “Don’t you ever touch her again,” Mel said.

  “Fine. Get out of here,” Dorinda said.

  Susan took Mel’s hand and happily left.

  When they got to Susan’s car, Mel stood inches away from her.

  “So,” she said. “You’ve had a pretty rough night.”

  “Yeah. It’s been emotionally draining.”

  “Would you like to be alone tonight?”

  “No way,” Susan said. There was nothing she wanted more than to feel Mel’s arms around her. “I want you to come home with me.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive.”

  Susan checked her rearview mirror several times to make sure Mel was really behind her. The past two days had seemed like part dream, part nightmare. Mel had told her the night before that she loved her, though, and that made everything else tolerable.