by R. J. Layer
Maria was embarrassed to even think about this unexplainable attraction to another woman, let alone, talk about it with Kathleen. She looked away.
“Oh!” Kathleen reached for her hand. “Maria, honey, look at me.” When she did, Kathleen stared intently. “Is it Jo, honey?” Maria dropped her head. “Maria, I won’t judge you.” Kathleen reassured her. “I see how this is upsetting you…weighing on you. Talk to me.”
Maria sighed loudly. “I don’t know what’s going on with me. I really like being around her. She makes me laugh. I feel like I’m enjoying life when I’m with her.” Something, she thought, she hadn’t felt with Jack in a very long time. “And she’s so good with Matt. It’s obvious she cares about him.” Her voice quivered. “Something Jack has never done.”
Kathleen patted her hand. “Don’t you think maybe that’s the attraction?” Maria shrugged. “Jackson refuses to accept Matt and she does.”
Maria shook her head. She couldn’t begin to explain to her sister-in-law the powerful sexual desire Jo Marchal made her feel when they touched even innocently. “I don’t know. Sometimes when I’m around her I feel like I want to be closer.”
Kathleen took hold of her hand. “Sweetie, I’m sure you’re not the first straight woman to develop an attraction to an attractive lesbian like Jo. And yes, I admit, she’s a looker in a rugged sort of way. If I swung that way, I’d probably give her a second and third look.” Kathleen released her hand and patted it again. “Don’t beat yourself up over this. You’ve got enough on your plate without worrying about it.”
Maria knew she wasn’t likely to take Kathleen’s advice. “You’re right. It’s probably just my hormones.”
“I know from three pregnancies they can be all over the place.”
Every time Jo closed her eyes she saw Maria, and when she did manage to fall asleep, she’d awakened to a vivid dream of Maria. A dream in which she wasn’t kissing Maria, but Maria was kissing her and holding her tightly.
Unable to go back to sleep, her mind whirling with thoughts of Maria, she made coffee and sat on the back deck waiting for the sun to rise. She fretted and wasn’t completely convinced that Maria hadn’t been upset when she left yesterday. She feared the loss of their friendship, a friendship far more vital to her than any physical relationship. She’d never before felt that anyone cared about her the way Maria did. It made her feel special. She liked feeling special to someone.
Maria called later in the week to confirm they would be out Saturday afternoon to take a ride, weather permitting. They continued to visit every weekend, but Maria seemed to get tense if Jo got too close to her, and so she made it a point not to. Jo was prepared to do anything to preserve their friendship. Neither made mention of their brief kiss.
Chapter Eighteen
It took weeks of pleading until Jo convinced Maria to let her pay off their bet of a lavish dinner. Jo had the perfect place picked out, except Maria didn’t want to go out anywhere. She wanted to stay in and asked that Jo cook.
“You’re kidding, right?” Jo laughed into the phone.
“Actually, no. I don’t feel like being out in public. I feel like…oh, I don’t know.” She sighed. “I feel fat and I don’t have any nice fat clothes to wear.”
“Maria, you’re not fat. You’re pregnant. And I’m pretty sure you’d be beautiful in a burlap sack.”
“And you think flattery or flirting or whatever it is you’re doing is supposed to change my mind?”
“I’m sorry.”
There was a long pause. “No, I’m sorry, Jo. I didn’t mean to snap.” She sighed again. “It’s no excuse, but my hormones have my emotions all over the place.”
“Apology accepted, but the fact remains, I don’t cook. Never have.”
“Oh, come on Jo, be resourceful. I have every confidence in you being able to prepare one simple meal.”
“But that doesn’t change the facts.”
“If you want to have dinner with me, you’re going to have to cook it and there’s no negotiating on this. Does your mother cook?”
“Yes. Doesn’t every mother cook?”
“Maybe you should talk to her.”
“You mean have her come here and cook you dinner?”
“No, silly. I mean ask her for a recipe, something you can manage.”
“Okay, sure, I’ll do that. But you have to promise if I cook, whatever it is, you’ll eat it.”
Maria laughed. “If you’ll eat it, I promise I’ll eat it.”
“All right, so dinner at seven.”
“Can we make it six?”
“Sure.”
“Great and I’ll be sure to bring my appetite.”
In a panic she called her mom. Eileen gladly provided Jo her favorite pot roast recipe, explaining, “It’s very simple, Jo Lynn. Follow the directions and it’ll be fine. What’s the special occasion?”
Jo hadn’t prepared to have to answer that question. “Uh…nothing special, just uh…Maria’s coming out for dinner’s all.”
“Oh, that lovely Hispanic friend of yours. That’s nice.”
Jo caught the innuendo. “Mom, Maria and I are just friends and it’s only dinner.”
“Well, yes, of course it is, dear.”
* * *
Jo was nervous Saturday as evening approached. She knew she shouldn’t make such a big deal of a simple dinner, but it was Maria, and she had this need to please her and have a perfect evening. The pot roast turned out fine, and Maria was not only impressed with Jo’s untapped culinary skills, but the flawlessly set dining table complete with candlelight.
Shortly after seven, they were surprised by the sound of a car skidding in the gravel out front. Jo’s first fearful thought was that it was Kate. Confused, but relieved, she watched as Cecile strode toward the porch. She gave Jo a wide grin as she pulled open the screen door.
“Hey, darlin’, how you doin’?” She softened her voice. “You haven’t called or answered any emails since you gave up the cop, so I thought I’d better make sure you were still alive and kickin’.” She grabbed Jo and squeezed the air from her lungs in a bear hug. Then she saw Maria at the table in the candlelight and released Jo. “Oops, you got company. Guess I shoulda called first.” Cecile lumbered into the dining room. “Sorry to interrupt, darlin’.” As she neared the table, she gave a low whistle. “Well now, aren’t you just a pretty little thing.”
Behind Cecile’s back, Jo turned up her palms, shrugged and mouthed “Sorry” to Maria.
Maria wiped her mouth and, smiling, stood to extend her hand. “Maria West. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“I’m Jo’s friend, Cecile.” She took Maria’s hand, leaned over and placed a kiss on it. “Believe me, the pleasure is all mine.” She took a step back and motioned to Maria’s pronounced middle. “Is that for real?” Maria touched her belly and nodded. Cecile spun around to Jo, slapping her on the back. “You ol’ dog you. I see why you been too busy to bother with your old friend.”
Jo shook her head insistently, and Maria only smiled at Cecile’s assumption and Jo’s obvious embarrassment. “No, Cil, Maria and I aren’t…” Jo sputtered. “Maria’s married and has another child already, and we’re not…you know, we’re…we’re friends.”
Cecile arched a suspicious brow, turning back around when Maria spoke.
“Actually soon to be divorced, but still straight.” She gave Cecile an engaging smile. “All my life.”
Cecile shook her head. “Well, I’m sure I speak for all lesbians when I say it’s a damn shame.” She looked back at Jo again. “Right, darlin’?”
Jo’s mouth hung partially open, but she didn’t utter a sound.
Cecile pulled out a chair, dropped her huge frame into it and waved a hand across the table. “Please, finish your dinner.”
Before sitting, Maria asked, “Would you like something to eat? There’s certainly plenty. Jo cooked for an army.”
Cecile turned a sly grin to Jo. “My Jo here cooked? I didn’
t know she knew what a kitchen was for except a place to keep a fridge to put her beer in.”
“That’s real funny, Cil. So you drove all the way up here to insult me in front of my company?”
“Just kiddin’, darlin’.” She eyed Maria. “I’m only kiddin’. Jo’s a wonderful gal and I love her to death.” She blew a kiss at Jo. “Not literally, mind you.” She winked at Maria.
Maria only smiled. She liked watching Jo and this friend of hers. It was fun and playful and she guessed they had some special kind of bond. Jo made Cecile a drink and Cecile told endless stories and gossiped about people, mostly women, that they knew down in Kentucky.
Jo finally stopped her. “Cil, I think Maria’s probably heard enough lesbian gossip now to give her nightmares for months.”
“Sorry.” She addressed Maria. “Jo’ll tell you I can get carried away talkin’ sometimes.”
Maria pushed her chair back from the table a bit. “It’s okay.” She gave Jo a look. “I don’t think I’ll have nightmares.” On the contrary, hearing all the stories of women with women had only served to stir a longing to be closer to Jo. If she were to dream about any woman, it would be Jo. She got up with her plate and headed to the kitchen. Stopping beside Jo, she rested a hand on her shoulder. “Would you like me to put some coffee on for you gals?”
Jo hopped up from her chair, taking the plate from Maria. “Oh no you don’t. Sit, please. This is supposed to be your reward, not mine.”
The corner of Cecile’s mouth lifted as she watched the more than friendly exchange between Jo and Maria.
“But I’m sure you two have a lot of catching up to do.”
Jo put a gentle hand on Maria’s low back to steer her to her seat. “Nice try, but Cecile and I will get caught up before she goes back. Please sit. I have dessert.”
“You made dessert too?” Maria asked in surprise.
Jo headed to the kitchen. “No. You said I had to cook dinner. You didn’t say anything about fixing dessert too.”
While Jo was in the kitchen, Cecile called out, “Oh yeah, darlin,’ I almost forgot, Callie wanted to come, but she couldn’t get away. I’ll have to give you what she sends later when we’re not in mixed company.” She again winked at Maria. Jo made it a point to be sure that Maria saw her roll her eyes behind Cecile’s back as she placed the plates around the table.
Cecile washed the last bit of pie down with the last of her drink. “So, you s’pose I could convince you gorgeous gals to let me take you out dancin’ for a spell?”
“As fun as that sounds, I have to decline.” When Cecile gave a pout, Maria touched her hand to Cecile’s. “Don’t take it personally. You’re simply charming and I’d love to join you, but I have to pick up my son and get him home.” She stood and looked over at Jo. “I really should get going. I hope you two have a good time.”
Jo stood too. “Don’t feel like you have to rush off. We can go out later. The place is open till two in the morning.”
Maria squeezed Jo’s hand. “I really need to get Matt home.”
Jo followed her to the front door. The last thing Maria wanted was for this evening to end. She wanted to be able to go out with Jo and her friend and see Jo having fun with other lesbians. She especially wanted to watch Jo dance or dance with her. The thought of being in Jo’s arms stirred that familiar desire and that gave her the best reason to go home before she did something like she had before.
“Thanks for dinner, it was wonderful,” she told Jo at the door. “You’re a fine cook, Jo Marchal.”
“Sorry for the interruption. I had no idea she was going to show up.”
“Oh well, we’ll have to do it again then.”
“You got it.” Jo smiled. “Drive carefully.”
Maria called across the room. “It was very nice to meet you, Cecile.”
“Pleasure’s all mine, darlin’,” Cecile called back.
“I’ll talk to you later,” she said to Jo and was gone.
Cecile was in the kitchen making another drink when Jo returned from the living room. She leaned a meaty hip against the counter while Jo cleared the dishes and loaded the dishwasher.
“That’s a real pretty friend you’ve made there, darlin’. How’d you two meet?”
“She’s the realtor that found me this place,” Jo replied without looking up.
“Really, that’s interesting. How come you kept that little tidbit of info from me?”
Jo spun around, drying her hands. “Because the two of you would have bored me to sleep with shop talk.”
They spent an hour catching up, and Jo filled Cecile in on why she and Kate were no longer dating.
“Good! I didn’t like that little Napoleon at all.”
They left the house around nine for Whispers and, snagging a table not far from the dance floor, they settled in. They both had already spotted Kate lurking at the corner of the bar and when she came toward them, Cecile jumped up to cut her off before she reached Jo.
“Well, well, if it ain’t the fierce little cop.”
Kate tried to sidestep her, but Cecile blocked her way.
“Get out of my way!”
Cecile matched her steps each time she moved. “Gee, darlin’, is that any way to talk to a lady?”
Kate snorted. “Give me a break.”
Cecile cocked her head. “I sure hope it don’t come down to that. Now where you headin’ there?”
“I’m going to say hi to Jo,” Kate said impatiently.
“Well now, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” When Kate tried to sidestep Cecile again, she pushed the manicured nail of her index finger into Kate’s chest. “You see here, she’s with me.” Cecile drew closer. “And I don’t like to share.”
Kate smacked her hand away. “I’m not afraid of you, you overgrown hillbilly.”
Cecile’s face flushed beet red. This time she hooked her finger inside the top of Kate’s shirt and gathered the fabric in her fist. Leaning closer still, she said, “Listen here, you inconsiderate little worm. Jo’s finished with you, so leave her alone. Don’t make me have to come hunt you down.” She pulled within a breath of Kate. “’Cause I will find you.” She leaned back, released Kate’s shirt and gave it a smoothing pat. “See ya, darlin’.”
Kate’s eyes glowered with hatred. She turned and stomped off to her dark corner.
When Cecile returned to her chair, Jo said, “I could have handled her.”
Cecile scooted her chair close, draping her arm across the back of Jo’s chair. “I have no doubt of that fact, darlin’, but I think she’ll leave you be now, so don’t worry your little self, you hear? Besides, I was havin’ me some fun.”
Chuckling, Jo glanced to where Kate sat staring back at them. The expression she saw there made her uneasy.
Within an hour Cecile had found herself a tableful of women who were unsuspectingly about to have their pants charmed off. As Jo sat at their table alone, a tall, slender, ponytailed brunette walked up carrying two beers.
“I do hope that’s not your girlfriend.” She angled her head in the direction Jo had been looking—the lively corner where Cecile was sitting. Jo shook her head.
The brunette leaned down. “Good, because I have this extra beer and you look like someone I’d like to share it with.”
Jo looked up to meet soft brown eyes and a warm smile.
“Do you mind if I join you?”
“Not at all.” Jo flashed a smile of her own.
She set the beer in front of Jo and took the chair next to her. Wiping her hand first on her tight designer jeans, she extended it to Jo. “Hi, I’m Loren Mathews.”
Jo enclosed the thin hand in hers. “Jo, Jo Marchal. Nice to meet you, Loren.”
She kept a firm hold of Jo’s hand. “And you.” After a long lingering moment she released Jo’s hand. “You don’t look familiar and I’m sure I wouldn’t have forgotten a face like yours. Do you live around here?”
Jo took a slow drink of the beer. “On Buck Creek Ro
ad outside Midland near the reserve. And you?”
“I’m a local, but I work at the hospital in Midland. I’m surprised I haven’t seen you before now.”
“I don’t come out much.”
Loren took a drink of her beer and leaned back. “Well, I’m glad you did tonight.”
They talked easily until midnight when Lorne announced, “I have to get going. I’m on at six thirty.” She stood taking Jo’s hand. “It was certainly a pleasure meeting you, Jo Marchal.” She leaned down and brushed her lips over Jo’s cheek. “I hope to see you again sometime.”
Jo nodded with a smile. She liked Loren. Her easy-going, laidback personality was refreshing compared to someone like Cecile. She glanced at the table where her friend sat. Or compared to someone like Kate, who seemed wound too tight and ready to uncoil at any minute. Yes, perhaps she would see Loren again. At one thirty Jo interrupted Cecile and her harem of women.
“Sorry, Cil, but I’d like to head home.”
Cecile wrapped an arm loosely around Jo’s waist. “Ah darlin’, sit down and have a drink with us. These ladies are all nurses at the local hospital. They assure me they can cure whatever ails you.”
Jo relented after a moment and pulled up a chair. “If I have a drink, can we go?”
“Sure, darlin’.”
Jo leaned close to Cecile’s ear. “You can take anyone of them back to the house if you want. I don’t mind.”
Cecile waved the waitress over. “Thanks, we’ll see.”
They finally left at two thirty, well after last call. Cecile had her arm across Jo’s shoulder as they made their way out. More for support, Jo suspected, than camaraderie. Cecile seemed a tad bit on the drunken side.
“I can’t believe you’re going home with little ol’ me,” Jo joked as they crossed the parking lot.