by Lydia Rose
“Thank you for taking care of Kate.” Meredith patted Kelly’s hand. “Let’s all get some sleep.”
“Good idea.”
CHAPTER 7
Kelly came down the next morning at eight thirty and began to make pancakes for the house. By the time Mary and Meredith arrived in the kitchen, breakfast was ready. She looked at their dressy outfits.
“Where are you off to today?” Kelly asked smiling.
“I’m so sorry, Kelly,” Meredith said, taking a seat. “The guys want to go to Atlantic City.”
“Go and enjoy yourselves, I don’t mind. I’m enjoying the beach,” Kelly commented.
“So I heard you and Kate had a wild night?” Mary asked, distressed. “She’s never acted like that before.”
Kelly didn’t like Mary’s attitude. “Maybe she should do it more often. Obviously, she needed to let loose.” Kelly poured herself a cup of coffee and took a seat at the table.
Mary looked at Kelly. “Maybe you’re right. She’s always been such a straight arrow,” she said in a more calm voice. “Did she have a good time?”
“I think so. She seemed to be enjoying herself. I wouldn’t recommend getting drunk all the time, but all she had were three drinks.”
“She got drunk on three drinks?” Mary asked, laughing.
Kelly nodded.
“That’s so funny.” Mary couldn’t contain her laughter, with Meredith and Kelly joining in on the glee.
The group left at ten o’clock saying they would be back late that evening.
When Kelly heard the water running upstairs, she began to get breakfast ready for Kate.
“Good morning, sunshine,” Kelly said to Kate when she walked into the kitchen.
“Morning,” she mumbled, and sat down.
Kelly placed a glass of juice and toast in front of her. “I know you don’t feel like eating, but you have to have something.” Kelly watched as Kate picked at the toast without saying a word.
Finally, Kate looked around and said, “Where is everyone?”
Kelly chuckled. “They all went to Atlantic City.”
“You’re kidding?” She asked thinking it couldn’t be possible that the group was gone again.
“The guys wanted to go,” Kelly shrugged her shoulders, “so Mary and Meredith had to go.”
“It’s so different this summer.” Kate slouched in her chair. “Last summer Matt was barely around. I guess they patched up their differences.” She realized what she had said out loud. “I didn’t mean to say that,” she said looking at Kelly.
“Don’t worry, I won’t say anything,” Kelly smiled. “Everyone goes through peaks and valleys. It’s nice they worked out their problems.”
“It is, but sometimes I feel as though I’ve lost my best friend,” Kate said softly.
“I’m sorry, Kate.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about. Mary has a husband that has to come first in her life if she wants him to stay. My head knows that, but sometimes the heart takes time to catch up.” Kate looked at Kelly. “I have to thank you for last night.” She touched Kelly’s hand. “You went over and above the call of duty.”
“You would have done the same for me,” Kelly said with a laugh.
“I have to thank Jennifer and Reese, too. It’s so embarrassing to make a fool of yourself with people you barely know.”
“We’ve all been there. Reese said last night that once her mother had to help Jennifer home.” Kelly’s grin finally loosened up Kate. “All better now?”
Kate returned the smile. “Yes, I’m fine.”
“What would you like to do today?” Kelly asked, already standing.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can sit in the sun all day,” she said, holding her head.
“I didn’t think so. I thought we would sit on the porch awhile, have lunch and then maybe you’ll feel up to taking a walk with me?”
“I think I can handle that,” Kate said with a smile.
****
Kelly and Kate sat on the front porch in the rockers having lemonade. Jennifer came out on the porch next door and waved.
“Hey Jen, join us?” Kelly asked, standing. “Come have a glass of lemonade with us.”
Jennifer walked over and walked up the front steps. “You look better today, Kate.”
Kate rolled her eyes. “Thank you for last night. I’m so embarrassed. I made a fool of myself.”
“Hey, we’ve all been there. You have nothing to be embarrassed about.”
Kelly handed Jennifer a glass of lemonade.
“I used to sit with my aunt like this on her front porch,” Jennifer said, pointing next door.
“You were close, weren’t you?” Kelly asked.
“Very,” Jennifer said honestly.
“Would you have lunch with us, Jen?” Kelly asked looking at Jennifer. “We have all that brisket left and no one else to eat it.”
“Sure, Casanova,” she said grinning.
Kelly rolled her eyes wondering when Jennifer would stop calling her that.
“Where is the rest of your group?” Jennifer asked, furrowing her brow.
“Kate you tell her, and I’ll get lunch ready.” Kelly walked into the house.
“They all went to Atlantic City,” Kate said quietly.
“You’re lucky to have someone so nice to keep you company this week,” Jennifer said, smiling.
“You’re complimenting Kelly?”
“Yes, and if you tell her that, I’ll have to kill you,” Jennifer said with a laugh. “I like her. You can tell she’s a good person.” She looked at Kate. “She could have said, I’m not hanging around with a straight girl all week, but she’s still here.” Jennifer held up her hands.
Kate turned in her chair. “She’s been very nice to me. I think I would have gone home if she wasn’t here.”
“You two look good together. You seem to complement each other’s personality.” Jennifer paused. “I always thought you and Mary seemed total opposites.” She wanted to say more, but let the comment hang in the air.
“You’re right, Jennifer. Mary and Meredith love to shop. They can camp out at the mall all day and not buy a thing. We’ve been friends for so long that the differences just seem to fade away.” Kate couldn’t believe she was being so honest with Jennifer. She had never voiced her thoughts to anyone else all these years, but here she was baring her soul. “You’re right about Kelly, we do have more in common.”
Jennifer smiled. “If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here for you.”
“Thank you, Jennifer.”
“Lunch is ready,” Kelly called from the front door,
They sat down to eat the sandwiches Kelly had prepared.
“Kelly, these are wonderful. You turned leftover brisket into something brand new,” Jennifer said, licking her lips.
Kelly had taken the brisket and covered it with caramelized onions and horseradish mayo on a crispy roll,
“Yes, Kelly,” Kate said, “this is wonderful.”
After lunch, Jennifer went back to working on her book, and Kelly and Kate started on their walk. They were walking around the lake when a voice called out.
“Hey, Professor,” a dark haired woman said as she approached.
“Carrie Langley. It’s been a long time.” Kelly smiled at her former student. It had been five years since Carrie had been in her class and time had matured the beautiful woman. Her short dark hair and amber eyes were highlighted by a smiling face.
“I’m no longer your student, Professor,” Carrie said with a wink of her eye.
Kelly sighed. “Carrie, this is Kate. As you have probably figured out, Carrie was a student of mine.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Carrie,” Kate said, noticing Carrie hadn’t taken her eyes off Kelly.
“You too,” she said, moving closer to Kelly.
“Are you visiting someone?” Kelly asked.
“Friends of mine rented a house for a couple of weeks.”
&
nbsp; Their eyes began to gaze at one another.
“We should get together Professor and talk about ancient history.” Carrie licked her lips. “Where’s your phone?”
Kelly reached into her pocket and handed the phone to Carrie. Carrie quickly entered her number into Kelly’s phone and handed it back to her.
“Call me, Prof. I think it’s about time we got to know each other.” She turned toward the street. “It was good to see you again.”
“Cute girl, but very shy,” Kate said deadpan.
Kelly looked at her and then saw the smirk on Kate’s face. “Very funny.”
“Oh, I can tell her middle name is trouble,” Kate said quietly.”
“You’re right. She flirted with me in class constantly.” She leaned closer to Kate. “I had a hard time concentrating some days watching her.”
“Well, now is your chance to see what you were missing,”
“I don’t know, Kate. I think she still might be trouble.” Kelly couldn’t believe she was trying to talk herself out of what could probably be a lot of fun.
“Take a chance, Kelly. She might be the one,” Kate insisted.
Kelly laughed. “Right, the one to set my pants on fire.”
They made spaghetti and a salad for dinner that night. Kelly was quiet during dinner lost in her thoughts of Carrie. Should she call her and see if they could hit it off or was this just about sex. The phone interrupted her thoughts.
Kate answered the phone. “Hi, Reese, how are you?” Then a pause, “I’ll ask her.” Kate looked at Kelly. “Jennifer and Reese want to know if we want to come over for coffee and dessert.”
“Sure, if you’d like,” Kelly said, needing a distraction.
“We’ll see you both in a few minutes.”
They walked next door and Kate asked, “Are you okay? You’re kind of quiet.”
“I’m fine, Kate.” She added a smile to prove her point.
Reese met them at the door. “Come on in.” She led them to the living room where the coffee and cake sat on the coffee table.
They took their seats and Kate looked at Reese. “Thank you for last night, Reese.”
“Don’t think anything about it.” Reese smiled at her.
The conversation flowed easily and then Kate said, “Casanova’s got her mojo back.” Kate added a sly grin.
Jennifer jumped on her statement. “Oh, yeah, who is she?”
“One of Kelly’s former students,” Kate added.
“You’re a teacher?” Reese asked.
“College professor, Ancient History,” Kelly said.
“Are you going to rob the cradle, Casanova?” Jennifer asked.
“Carrie was in my class five years ago when she was a senior. She’s not a child,” Kelly asserted.
“Are you going to ask her out?” Reese asked, but glanced at Kate.
“I don’t know,” Kelly answered. “You have a beautiful home,” she said changing the subject.
“Honey, why don’t you show Kelly around,” Jennifer said.
Once they had left the room, Jennifer turned her attention on Kate.
“So what did you think of this woman, Carrie?” Jennifer asked.
Kate shrugged. “She seemed nice enough.”
“You won’t mind if she goes out with her?” Jennifer pressed.
“I don’t have any claim on her time,” Kate said speaking quietly.
“I thought you two were getting along?” Jennifer asked, again being subtle.
“We are, but I can’t as you said, make her hang out all week with a straight girl.” Kate averted her eyes from Jennifer’s intense stare.
“I’m sure if you asked her not to ask her out...” Jennifer said, drawing Kate’s eyes back to her face,
Kate interrupted, “I can’t do that.”
“You mean you won’t.” Jennifer stared at Kate until their eyes met.
“I can’t do that. I told you, I have no right,” Kate insisted strongly.
Reese and Kelly came back down the stairs.
Kelly looked at Jennifer. “You’ve got a beautiful place here.”
“Thank you, we both love it,” Jennifer said as Reese sat on the edge of her chair. She wrapped her arm around Reese’s waist and said, “Reese is going to have a baby.”
Reese smiled and nodded.
Kate stood and went to the women. “Congratulations, I think that’s wonderful. Isn’t it, Kelly?”
“Yes, it is.” Kelly grinned at Jennifer and said, “Now I know I really don’t have a shot at Reese,” she said laughing.
“Like you ever had a shot, Casanova?” Jennifer and Reese laughed.
“Your parents must be thrilled, Reese,” Kate emphasized by taking Reese’s hands.
“Both our parents are,” Jennifer said, squeezing Reese’s waist.
Kate sniffled and said, “What a time we live in now that two women can legally get married and have children.”
“Yes, it is,” Jennifer said. “I’m not saying that there still isn’t prejudice, but it is easier today. We still don’t feel comfortable walking down the street holding hands, but I don’t care who knows that I love this wonderful woman. Better yet, this wonderful woman loves me.”
Reese kissed Jennifer softly. “We are both lucky to have found each other again. My soul wouldn’t have been happy in this life without Jen.”
Kelly grinned.
“I know, Casanova, we’re being sappy. But when you fall in love, you’ll be talking the same way.”
CHAPTER 8
The next morning the guys were off playing golf again. Mary and Meredith were ready for a day on the beach. The four of them settled on the beach after breakfast and went back to their easy conversation.
Kelly looked around the beach and saw Carrie with her friends. She turned to Kate who also spotted her.
“Go ahead,” Kate said so only Kelly could hear her.
Kelly raised her eyebrows in question.
“Have a good time,” Kate said louder this time.
Mary and Meredith looked up.
“I’ll be back,” Kelly said, standing. She walked off leaving questioning faces on Mary and Meredith.
“Where is she going?” Meredith asked.
“To see one of her former students. We met her yesterday when we took a walk,” Kate explained.
“Where?” Meredith asked looking down the beach.
“That brunette under the red umbrella.”
“What’s her name?” Meredith asked
“Carrie something,” Kate said.
“Carrie Langley?”
“Yes, that’s it.”
Meredith shook her head. “She’s still going after the same woman every time. The only difference between Carrie Langley and the other women Kelly has dated is the color of her hair. “She’ll never learn,” Meredith said, shaking her head.
Kate tried not to be obvious as she watched Carrie greet Kelly. The girl grabbed Kelly and squeezed her tightly.
****
“Professor, I’m so glad to see you,” Carrie said, wearing a wide smile. She introduced her to the rest of the group.
“So, Professor,” Tina began, “how was Carrie as a student?”
“Call me Kelly, please. Carrie was a very good student.”
“I could have been a better student, but the Professor wouldn’t allow fraternizing in her class.” Carrie smiled. “It’s a good thing she’s not my teacher anymore.”
Tina added, “And you thought this was going to be a boring week.”
Kelly spent the next half hour with the group of women. The whole time Carrie touched Kelly any chance she could.
“So what are you doing tonight, Kelly?” Carrie asked with a wide smile.
“Just hanging out.”
“No, you’re not. You are taking me to dinner tonight,” Carrie said as a statement rather than a question.
“What time should I pick you up?”
“Seven o’clock.” Carrie held her phone. “What�
��s your number? I’ll text you the address where I’m staying.”
Kelly stood. “It was nice to meet all of you.” She turned to Carrie. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Kelly walked back to her own friends.
“Well?” Meredith asked when Kelly sat down.
“Well, what?” Kelly answered.
“You’re going to go out with her, aren’t you?” Meredith asked, troubled.
Kelly shrugged in response.
“Do you think she’s going to be different?” Meredith continued her rant, “She was a dippy flirt when we had her in class. She’s still just a big flirt.”
All eyes fell to Meredith in shock.
“Yes, she flirted with me too.” Meredith admitted. “You drooled over her back then and now you’re doing it again.”
“Meredith, what are you getting so excited about? I’m not going to marry the girl.” Kelly held up her hands in defense.
Meredith looked suddenly shy. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why that girl set me off, but I didn’t like her then and I don’t like her now. You can be so stubborn sometimes. The right person could be right in front of you and you don’t even see her.”
Kelly giggled. “What are you talking about?”
“Figure it out. Figure it out fast,” Meredith said pointing at her.
Kate intervened on Kelly’s behalf. “Meredith, it’s Kelly’s life. She has to make her own decisions.”
“You’re right, Kate.” Her head shook. “It’s just that you don’t have to watch her come into your office with her face hanging on the floor because some stupid woman treated her badly.”
“We’re just going to dinner, Meredith. Don’t get so excited.”
“She’ll be all over you before dessert,” Meredith said.
Mary and Kate laughed at her words.
“Are you jealous?” Mary asked.
Meredith’s mouth opened without responding. She gave her sister a dirty look and looked away.
“I think my sister needs a snack.” Mary stood up and reached for Meredith’s hand. “Come back to the house and get out of the sun.” Mary turned to the two women. “We’re going to make dinner tonight. You don’t have to rush back to the house.” Then she looked at Kelly. “We’ll see you both later.”