North Coast: A Contemporary Love Story

by Dorothy Rice Bennett

  The number ended and the band moved into a faster, highly percussive range that encouraged self-expression. This allowed Gina to relax a bit, given that she wasn’t attracted to Linda Sue. The two moved in rhythm to the music, but about two feet apart.

  They soon returned to their table, and Linda Sue held out a chair for Gina. “Thanks,” Gina said, as she flopped down. She had found some new muscles that hadn’t recently been stretched.

  Linda Sue slid into her chair. “Y’all’re pretty, you know,” she commented suggestively.

  Gina was taken aback. Was this a sexual approach? “Well, thanks. I don’t usually think much about that,” she replied, “but if you think so, then I’m glad.” She tried to keep it light.

  Linda Sue put a hand on her arm. “I’d love to take y’all to bed,” she said bluntly.

  Gina swallowed. This was her work supervisor and she was technically Linda Sue’s employee. Gina didn’t welcome this intimate suggestion at all. She had agreed to come as a friend—for fun, but not as a real date. Hadn’t she made that clear? Had she been naïve? Now she faced the challenge of talking Linda Sue out of whatever she was attempting to engineer.

  “Interesting idea, but then what?”

  “What do y’all mean, ‘then what?’”

  “If you’re proposing that we build a relationship together, then bed isn’t the place to start, at least for me. If you are looking for a one-night stand, I don’t do that anymore. I did that in Tucson, when I first came out. I don’t now,” Gina said.

  “Y’all opposed to just havin’ fun?”

  “I think you can have fun—and a relationship—with the same person.”

  Linda Sue contemplated that one. “I see,” she said finally. “So if I wanna bed y’all, I hafta court y’all first.”

  “Something like that. And I may have to change jobs or supervisors, first,” Gina responded.

  Linda Sue studied her silently, her brow furrowed, and took a few sips of her lager. “Okay, y’all sure know how to stand y’all’s ground,” she admitted. “But no harm in tryin’? Right?” Her face relaxed into a smile as she apparently gave up the quest.

  Gina nodded. “No harm.”

  They danced a few more numbers, but Linda Sue seemed to have lost some of her steam and she was quiet at the table. Soon Gina made it clear that she needed to leave and they walked out of the bar. Linda Sue’s pick-up truck was parked down the street and they headed for it. Linda Sue held the passenger door open for Gina.

  When Gina got out of the truck back at Mrs. Han’s house in North Beach, Linda Sue left the engine running, glanced up and down the street, and then climbed out to walk Gina to the door.

  “I had a nice time,” Gina said. “I’m sorry if the evening didn’t go the way you had imagined.”

  Linda Sue shrugged. “It’s okay. I had a good time, too.” She suddenly reached up and kissed Gina on the cheek, then turned to go back to her truck.

  Despite herself, Gina smiled after her.

  She stayed up late that night writing in her journal. In retrospect, it had been fun to go to a women’s bar in The Castro—to see how it compared to the little places she had been to in Tucson and the Purple Priscilla in Arcata. Being with all those women at the Nun’s Habit was a turn on to her body, and she was having a hard time getting calmed down. But she was clear that it wasn’t Linda Sue who excited her—more like memories of Valerie and of what Gina had felt then. And what, it was now becoming more and more clear, she still felt for Val.

  Gina and Linda Sue had nothing in common, beyond being lesbians who lived in San Francisco and who shared an ESL class. Gina had never thought of being attracted to a “type,” as some women said they were, but if subconsciously she had a type it wasn’t the type Linda Sue was. Maybe it was because they were both “masculine,” even though Gina’s masculinity was much less pronounced. She had grown up on the farm, she was in touch with her male side, her physical outdoor side, and she liked taking charge, regardless of the psychological problems she had experienced in Arizona. Being with a woman who outdid her in that way, who was almost more male than female, didn’t satisfy her. Didn’t turn her on. She wanted a woman, not a man. Valerie had numerous strengths, if Gina compared masculine to being strong. But at the same time Val was very feminine, maternal, and soft, with all kinds of personality traits that were attractive to Gina.

  She put her journal aside and turned out the light. As she pulled up the covers, she touched herself and felt the wetness between her legs. No sleeping without some release, she knew. So she stroked herself until she came to a climax and then lay sweating in the dark, wondering what in the world she was going to do.

  Gina had hoped that Linda Sue would take the hint and leave her alone, but the Texan was one of those people who just didn’t give up. During the rest of the school semester she catered to Gina, doing everything she could to make her class experience more positive. She also wore a light perfume that Gina noticed every time they were together, and her clothes no longer reeked of cigarettes. While Gina appreciated Linda Sue’s thoughtfulness and persistence, she also knew that there never would be anything more than a mild, essentially professional working relationship between them.

  During her few evenings at home, Gina sent e-mails to her friends in Eureka and kept up on all their activities. Rick was her most constant correspondent, asking about San Francisco, the gay scene, and how she was doing. One message gave her pause for thought:

  “Your friends came to the Purple Priscilla the other night. They took a table and mostly talked and had drinks while they were there. I went up to say hello, and your former landlady remembered me. She said something about it being their poker night. I didn’t quite get that but you would, I think. She introduced me to the others. I don’t remember all their names, but they seemed nice. I got a kick out of the one with the big eyebrows. She kept wiggling them at me. What a clown. Later on in the evening I saw Valerie right?—and the short one—Lanie, I think she said—out on the dance floor. They were making some good moves out there. I let it go after a while, because it just made me miss you and our fun talks and evenings at the bar.”

  Rick’s message made it clear that he was lonely. It wasn’t so much Gina that he missed, she felt sure of that, but someone special to be with, someone to talk to. She wished he could really get over his former lover and open himself up to a new relationship. Well, she admitted with a sigh, she couldn’t solve that one.

  Messages from Val’s gang included news that Josie had made it into the landscape-design program at Humboldt State. Gina felt happy for her. Judee had made the honor roll, despite her home responsibilities and her two active boys. Lanie had been realtor of the month at her firm and was selling more and bigger houses. It appeared that she was now quite successful in real estate.

  Judee had told her about Lanie’s award and had also sent a detailed message about Lanie’s 49th birthday party:

  “Lanie walked around for weeks looking like death warmed over, so we decided to push it to the limit. We got a big cake with black icing. Valerie painted a picture of a casket with huge candles standing at each end and a woman in black in the casket, sitting up and screaming. I was surprised that Val had that much humor in her. She’s often so serious, especially about her painting. We all met at Val’s house, dressed in black from head to toe. When Lanie arrived at the front door, we greeted her with a funeral dirge playing in the background. We gave her our condolences and told her she had at least a year to live. After she saw the cake and the painting, she finally cracked up. Laughed her head off. Got into the spirit, and then we had some drinks and a good time. I think she’ll be okay now.”

  Judee had added a personal aside that now that Lanie was doing so well she probably would make a play for Valerie. And Val, she had just heard from Josie, had sold several paintings and quit her job in the photography studio to devote full time to her art. She also had income from two roomers. Gina was happy to hear that Valerie was doing
well, but she had a strange churning sensation in her belly when she thought of Lanie and Val dating. “Well, silly girl,” she said to herself out loud, “you walked away from her and she deserves someone to love her. Lanie’s a good friend. Val could do worse.” Unfortunately, lecturing herself did not make the churning go away.

  A message came from Lanie a few days later that highlighted another change among her friends in Eureka.

  “Josie has been getting some additional bills left over from her hospitalization and therapy for her leg. She has been overwhelmed and came to poker night a few days ago saying that she was going to have to quit school and get a second job to pay the bills.

  “After she made this announcement, Judee contacted her and invited her to move in with her and the boys. Apparently her ex, Wayne, left empty space in the house when he moved out. Judee had been busy with school and hadn’t taken the time to redecorate. She suggested that Josie could turn Wayne’s former office into another bedroom for herself. The boys would still have their own room, Judee would have the master suite, which was large enough for her own computer desk and supplies. With only one car in the two-car garage, there was plenty of room there and in the driveway for Josie’s truck and her landscaping supplies, which included an open trailer. If Josie could pay a little toward utilities and food and help occasionally with the boys, then Judee would not charge any rent. And the two women could carpool some of the time to Humboldt State and save gas money.

  “I heard that Josie nearly cried over this offer. At first she worried about leaving Sarah Green holding the bag on their apartment. But it turned out that Sarah was dating and was about to tell Josie that she was moving out. So the change worked perfectly for both of them.

  “I am so happy for Josie. Of all of us she seems the most in need of family, and Judee and the boys will provide that for her. She will contribute but she will be able to pursue her life and not have to give up her dreams. I think it’s a great thing!”

  Gina was very touched by this message. She realized more and more how fortunate she had been to have spent time in Eureka at Val’s house and to have met these wonderful women who had made each other into lifelong friends.

  When Gina thought that nothing else could happen, another provocative message came from Rick, who dropped a hint that there was going to be a change in management at the movie theater:

  “I think the manager is going to get booted and the assistant manager will be promoted. That will leave a hole in the assistant-manager slot. I’d go for it myself, but I don’t think I want to be in the movie business full time. But geez, there’s benefits and everything. I couldn’t entice you to come back, could I? Just kidding.”

  Gina spent the rest of that evening thinking for the umpteenth time about her priorities.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Gina was stooped over, shelving several new paperbacks in the philosophy section, when she suddenly sensed someone standing behind her. She quickly turned and found herself looking upward into the face of a lovely young American-Asian woman. Almond-shaped brown eyes, with a slight cast, peered out from under straight, dark bangs and a warm smile greeted Gina’s surprised stare.

  “Excuse me,” a soft voice with a mild Asian accent murmured, “Could you help me find books by Virginia Woolf?”

  Rising to her full height, Gina grinned. “Sure.” She guided the patron to the literature section of the store, to shelves she knew quite well herself.

  Pointing to a row of books just below eye level, Gina observed, “I think we have most of her works in either hardcover or paperback. Are you looking for anything in particular?”

  The young woman smiled shyly. “I saw the movie The Hours and I was fascinated by the story of Virginia Woolf’s life, so I wanted to read something by her. I hadn’t heard of her before.”

  Gina could hardly contain her enthusiasm but, since this reader was new to Virginia Woolf, it would hardly do to start rattling off what she had learned in grad school. She stopped herself and tried to put herself in this person’s place. “Well,” she began, “The Hours was based on Woolf’s most famous book, Mrs. Dalloway. That might be a good place for you to begin, to experience her writing style and her use of character and language. If you enjoy that one, you might move on to something less familiar to you.”

  The young woman tilted her head slightly. “Thank you very much. I’ll do that.”

  Gina handed her both the hardcover and paperback editions and the young woman chose the quality paperback, a better buy.

  She nodded and smiled sweetly at Gina. “Thank you again for your help.”

  Gina watched her as she moved gracefully in the direction of the checkout counter. There was something special about this woman. Was it just the Asian influence? She was quite pretty, slender, of medium height, and tastefully dressed in dark brown slacks and a cream-colored sweater. Her English, Gina noted, while accented was impeccable and grammatically correct.

  That one could be trouble, Gina thought to herself as she resumed shelving.

  Four days later the young woman showed up at the store again. She sought out Gina. “I loved the book,” she said enthusiastically. “Could you recommend another?”

  Gina located another work by Virginia Woolf. Then the woman asked about the alternative-lifestyle section. Without comment, Gina led her to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender volumes. The store had several rows of books, but they were tucked away in a back corner.

  “Thank you for helping me,” the woman said and then stuck out a small, finely boned hand. “I am Kia Thompson. I was remiss the last time in not introducing myself.”

  Gina offered her hand and a warm smile. “I’m Gina, Gina Fortenham, and if I can be helpful at any time just let me know.”

  Kia thanked her and, as she turned to look at the lesbian books, Gina quickly returned to other tasks.

  This ritual repeated itself for the next two weeks. Then Kia had a new request, having nothing to do with books. “Do you perhaps have time to meet me next door and have a cup of coffee or something?”

  Gina was taken aback. “Well, uh, I do have a break coming up in the next half-hour. I guess I could meet you at the coffee shop then.” She wasn’t sure this was a wise idea. At the same time she was curious about this Kia Thompson, a stunner who was obviously drawn to her in some way.

  By the time she checked out for her break, Kia had disappeared. Gina found her at a table next door at the coffee shop with a steaming cup already in front of her. Kia stood. “Would you like coffee, my treat? Or tea maybe?”

  “Tea would be great,” Gina admitted, remembering her first outing with Linda Sue. How nice to be asked.

  Kia went to a counter and returned momentarily with a tray holding a cup of tea and a side bowl of lemons along with a packet of honey. “Thank you,” Gina said gratefully. “I’ll take the honey. I could use a little sugar fix about now.”

  There was silence between them for a long moment, as both focused a bit awkwardly on their beverages. Then Kia spoke. “I saw you at City College one evening, you know. I think you were assisting in a class. Then I was surprised to see you in the bookstore.” She blushed. “I thought you looked interesting and I wanted a chance to meet you.”

  Gina felt both flattered and embarrassed. “Thank you for noticing. Sometimes I think I’m part of the wall.”

  “Oh, no. You are very attractive,” Kia said, the pink blush spreading. “Just because you are kind of shy doesn’t make you any less beautiful. Maybe more attractive.”

  Now it was Gina’s turn to blush. Ooh, this was making her a bit uncomfortable. She tried to get the focus off herself. “You’re attending City College?”

  Kia nodded. “Yes, I’m studying English literature. I haven’t been in this country for very long, so I had to start at City College. I am doing well now and I hope to transfer to Berkeley soon.”

  “Wow!” Gina raised an eyebrow. “Where are you from?”

  “Well, my father is American
but my mother is Vietnamese. I grew up in Vietnam with my mother. She wanted me to have more opportunities, so it was arranged for me to come here and live with my father—so I could go to school here.”

  Gina nodded. “When you graduate, will you go home?”

  Kia sighed. “I hope not. I want to stay here. I like it in America. I like San Francisco. I feel free here, free to be who I am.”

  “Meaning?” Gina was almost afraid to hear the answer. Then why did I ask? she wondered to herself.

  “I’m a lesbian. That is much easier here than in Vietnam.”

  Gina nodded noncommittally. This was getting heavy. “You know I appreciate the tea, but I need to get back to work. It was good talking with you.” She stood and put out her hand.

  Kia stared deeply into Gina’s eyes. “Would you go out to dinner with me sometime?”

  Gina almost gasped. “I—I don’t know. I need to think about it. Stop by again in a day or so and I’ll have an answer for you.” She waved goodbye and turned quickly toward the bookstore.

  The rest of the day Gina struggled to keep her mind on her work. She had been right from the beginning. This Kia could be real trouble. She had no real reason not to go out to dinner with her. Then why was she reluctant? Was she scared?

  At the end of her shift, Gina punched her timecard and walked out the front door only to find Kia waiting for her outside. Gina almost freaked out. This was too, too much.

  “Please excuse me,” Kia entreated immediately. “But I wish to talk with you and I know no other way to do it except to go out to dinner. Will you please indulge me?”

  Gina caved. “Okay. Tomorrow night I’m at City College, but Wednesday evening I could go out for a while after work. Can you meet me here or do you want me to meet you at a restaurant?”

  “I’ll be here on Wednesday. Same time as today?”