by Lydia Rose
THE SUMMER OF OUR LOVE
Lydia Rose
Edited By Holly Schneider
Dedication
This story is dedicated to the love of my life, Linda, who is my best friend, lover and wife
CHAPTER ONE
“Mary Connelly died last night,” Carol Caldwell told her daughter as she entered the kitchen.
“I'm really sorry to hear that. She suffered so much these last few months. I’m glad her pain is finally over, but I will always miss her.” Reese reached for the cup of coffee that her mother had placed before her. “When is the funeral?”
“Mary never wanted a funeral. She is going to be cremated and her ashes spread out over the beach,” Carol offered.
“There won’t be a ceremony?” Reese asked, looking at her mother. Mary had been her confidant for years and she would have loved to give her a final farewell.
“That’s what Mary wanted,” Carol said, taking a seat at the table.
Mary had been her family’s favorite neighbor since moving to the Jersey Shore and Reese had become very close to Mary over those years. Reese had visited Mary in the hospice home, but as the pain took over Mary’s life, it was hard for Reese to watch her suffer.
Reese walked out onto the front porch and sat in a rocking chair. The coffee touched her lips, but she never tasted it as her mind drifted to the past. She was sixteen years old when she first met Jennifer Connelly.
Reese walked up the stairs of the porch next door and knocked lightly.
“Hi, can I help you?” a teenager asked, as she opened the door.
“Hi, I’m Reese,” she said with a smile. Reese wasn’t prepared for the dark haired girl that answered the door. Her eyes were the bluest Reese had ever seen, and she just stared.
“Reese’s pieces, you are my favorite candy,” the girl said, returning her smile.
“Gee, I’ve never heard that one before,” Reese said, rolling her eyes as her hands went to her hips.
“Who’s there Jen?” Mary asked, walking toward the front door. “Hello, Reese, have you met my niece?” Mary asked, reaching for Reese’s hand and pulling her into the house.
“No, Mary. She thought it would be more fun to make fun of my name.”
“Jennifer, where are your manners?” Mary asked, scolding her niece.
“Aunt Mary, she didn’t give me a chance to introduce myself.” Jennifer turned to Reese and held out her hand. “Hello, Reese, I’m Jennifer Connelly. It’s so good to meet you.” Her eyes traveled over the girl standing before her now. They were both about the same height, but whereas she was dark haired, Reese was blond. Jennifer immediately noticed her eyes and the warmth they showed. In the light outside, the green eyes were bright and clear, but inside the green was as dark as the ocean.
Reese grinned as she took Jennifer’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you too, Jen.” She released Jennifer’s hand, but the electricity she felt when she touched her hand remained.
“Are you okay, dear?” Carol asked as she walked out to the porch and took a seat next to Reese.
“Yeah, Mom, I was just thinking about Mary and how strange it’s going to be not to see her next door anymore,” Reese said sadly.
“I know Reese, but at least her pain is over.”
“I wonder how Jennifer is taking the loss,” Reese asked.
“Mary and Jennifer were very close and I know this is hard on Jennifer.” Carol turned in her seat. “Maybe you should try and reach out to her?”
“I wish I could, Mom, but you know I have no way to contact her,” Reese said, but she wasn’t sure that was the truth. Again her mind wandered.
Reese had just returned from a walk when she noticed Mary sitting on the front porch. “Hi, Mary, how are you this beautiful day?”
“Good, Reese, for an old woman,” Mary said with a chuckle. “Come share a glass of lemonade with me.”
Reese walked toward the front porch and took a seat in one of the rocking chairs. Mary stood and went into the house to get Reese her drink. As Mary left the porch, Reese looked at the book cover that Mary had been reading. Her breath caught and her eyes opened wide. Reese held the book and her fingers traced the name. As Mary approached the door again, Reese put down the book.
“Thank you, Mary,” Reese said as she took the glass from Mary’s hand.
“You’re welcome, dear.” Mary took her seat again. As she sat, she reached for the book and dropped it to the porch floor away from Reese.
“I saw the book already, Mary. There’s no reason to hide it from me now,” Reese said as she stood and retrieved the book. “Why didn’t you ever tell me that Jen was a writer?”
“Jen asked me to not tell you. I’m sorry, dear.” Mary’s head lowered. “Jennifer is a wonderful writer and I wanted to tell you so many times.”
“Is that how she makes her living?” Reese asked.
“Yes, and she’s a freelance writer for a magazine. She says it suits her well because it gives her plenty of time to write.”
“How many books has she written?” Reese wanted to know everything.
“This is her fourth novel.”
“I’m still pissed at her for cutting me off all those years ago,” Reese sighed. “Why did she do that to me, Mary?” Tears filled her eyes as her voice choked.
“I asked her the same thing. At the time, she told me you both were very different people. She’s gay and you were getting married, and what was the point.”
“She never gave me a chance to stay in her life.” Her words came out in a whisper.
Mary patted Reese’s hand. “Wait here a minute,” Mary said as she walked back into the house. She came out a few minutes later with a book in her hand. “I shouldn’t be doing this. I made promises to Jen, but you also need to know.”
“Know what?” Reese asked, not understanding.
“This is her first novel. Read it, and then we will talk again,” Mary said as she touched Reese’s hand.
Reese read the title “A Summer to Remember." As she left Mary’s porch she said, “Thank you, Mary, for being honest with me.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I’m not sure I did the right thing. Read the book, and then we’ll talk.”
Carol’s voice brought Reese back to the present. “It’s a shame you girls lost touch with each other.”
“Mom, who called you to let you know about Mary’s passing?” Reese asked, hopeful.
“Jennifer called me,” Carol said with a sad smile.
“So her number is on the phone?” Reese asked, standing.
“It is,” she said with certainty. “I forgot all about that.”
Reese stood quickly and picked up the nearest phone and climbed the stairs to her room. She stared at the phone for minutes before she pushed the recall number.
“Hello,” the familiar voice said in Reese’s ear.
“Hi, Jen, it’s Reese.” She listened to the silence. “I wanted to call and offer my sympathy for Mary’s passing.” To her ear, her voice sounded shaky and her eyes closed, fearing that Jennifer would hang up the phone.
“Thank you,” Jennifer said quietly, but didn’t offer more to the conversation.
“Are you okay, Jen?” Reese asked softly.
“We all knew it was coming, but it’s still hard,” Jennifer sighed.
“I always enjoyed my talks with Mary and we became very close since I moved back home.” Reese volunteered, but Jennifer didn’t comment.
“Mary was the woman with whom you could share all of your secrets and know they wouldn’t go any further. That’s one of the reason
s I admired her so much.” Jennifer knew her tone could have been nicer since Reese called, but she couldn’t bring herself to show any enthusiasm.
Reese could hear the words choking in Jen’s voice, as she added, “I know exactly what you mean.”
“It was nice of you to call me, Reese.” Jennifer hoped this would end the conversation.
“I wish I could be there with you,” Reese added, “you know, to help you through this emotional loss.
“Jennifer didn’t know how to respond to her comments. So she said, “Thanks again for calling, Reese.” Jennifer took a breath. “It was good to hear your voice again,” Jen said without thought as her own shoulders came up in shock, realizing she offered more than she wanted. Hearing Reese's voice had not only been a shock, but her heart felt tight as they spoke on the phone. It was that old familiar feeling that she had for Reese all those years ago.
“It was good to hear yours, too, Jen,” Reese paused, “I’ve missed you.” Reese could hear voices in the background and she wondered if Jen heard her.
“Reese, I’m sorry, but I have to go to a meeting,” Jennifer said quickly.
“Take care, Jen,” Reese said before Jennifer disconnected the call. Reese met her mother’s eyes when she reached the living room.
“Did you reach Jennifer?” Carol asked.
Reese nodded, “I did.”
“Good. I’m glad you girls finally spoke again.”
“I’m going to take a walk, Mom,” Reese said as she walked toward the front door. She sat on a bench on the boardwalk and stared at the ocean. The ocean glistened in the sun and the waves gently touched the shore. People played in the water or sat on the beach. Behind her the walkers were taking in the view while they exercised. This view had always held peace for her, but not today. Her mind drifted to the past again, and reading Jennifer’s first novel. The book was about a woman trying to hold her relationship of five years together, even though her heart ached for the woman she could never have. It didn’t take Reese long to figure out that Jen was talking about her. She described the girl as having blond hair and green eyes. Cory, the other character had dark hair and blue eyes. Reese remembered, lifting her eyes from the page and remembering the night before Jennifer left to go back to Chicago. They had been inseparable that whole summer and that night they were both so sad.
“I’m going to miss you so much, Jen,” Reese cried softly.
“Me too, Reese, this is the best summer I’ve ever had,” Jennifer offered quietly.
“Maybe you can come back next summer?” Reese sounded almost desperate in her words.
“I already asked my Mom and she said we will have to see,” Jennifer tried to hide her tears from Reese, but her heart was breaking and they fell onto her cheek.
Reese’s thumb brushed away Jennifer’s tears as her own fell onto her cheek.
Reese remembered it was at that moment that Jen leaned into her and briefly touched her lips to hers. The kiss didn’t last more than a moment, but it was something that Reese knew she would never forget. They parted the next day crying and sharing phone numbers, emails and addresses.
Jennifer never did come back to the beach, but they spoke at least once a week and the emails flowed easily. They did have one weekend in New York City when they were both 20 years old. The memories now flowed easily, as Reese remembered.
"Reese, my parents have a conference in New York City in July," Jen said excitedly into the phone. "I'm going with them. Can you meet me there for the weekend?" Jen's excitement came through the phone, exciting Reese in the process.
"Where will I stay?" Reese asked innocently.
"I'll have my own room. My parents will be in conferences all day and dinners at night. They said you could stay with me."
"I'll ask my parents, but I'm sure they will let me come to New York,” Reese sighed. "Oh Jen, it will be so good to see you again,” Reese paused, "I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you too, Reese. More than I can say on the phone,” Jennifer admitted.
That was the best weekend Reese had ever had, and then everything changed. It was Reese’s senior year in law school and she had been casually dating Steve Ryan off and on since senior year of college. He was a medical student, and her roommate Alex wanted to go out with Steve's friend, but they were a package deal. Alex convinced Reese to go out with Steve as friends. One night they were out having dinner when Steve proposed. Reese was floored. It made no sense to her since the only thing that ever happened between them was a kiss on the cheek and nothing more. She called Jen the next day to tell her about what happened.
“Hi Reese, how is the job going?” Reese asked, knowing that Jennifer accepted her first job at a magazine in Chicago.
“Fantastic. I’m learning so much,” Jennifer said with a smile in her voice.
“Steve asked me to marry him last night,” Reese said chuckling. She could hear the intake of Jen’s voice. “Are you okay, Jen?”
“I’m happy for you, Reese. Sorry, but I have to go,” Jennifer said as she disconnected the line.
“Wait,” Reese said to the silence on the other end. She redialed Jen’s phone, but it went to voicemail. “Call me.”
That was the last time they spoke until this morning. Jennifer changed her email address, cell phone number, and did not reply to the letters sent to her parent’s home. That was ten years ago, and Reese could still feel the pain of knowing that Jennifer had cut her out of her life.
CHAPTER TWO
“What meeting?” Joyce asked as they stood to pay their lunch bill.
“It was the best excuse I could come up with to end the phone conversation,” Jennifer said as she followed Joyce out of the restaurant.
“You looked pale for a moment when you heard who was on the phone,” Joyce chuckled. “I guess it was someone you don’t care for?”
“She was calling to give me sympathy about Mary and we haven’t spoken in ten years. It was a shock to hear her voice.”
“Who’s voice?” Joyce asked, looking at Jennifer’s face.
“Reese,” Jennifer said softly.
“The Reese?” Joyce asked surprised. Jen nodded. “Wow. No wonder you looked like someone had stabbed you in the heart. Do you think she ever realized that she broke your heart?”
Joyce and Reese were the best of friends since high school. They had tried to be more to each other, but realized they were better friends then lovers.
“I don’t see how she could know,” Jennifer said casually, "I obviously didn't mean that much to her. She would say she loved me on the phone, but she was dating some guy who became her husband."
“Well, if she Googled you over the years and read your first novel, she would have known.”
“I doubt even if she read that book that she would know that was her.”
“I’ve seen her picture. You described her perfectly. She would have to be a dunce not to figure that out,” Joyce acknowledged what Jennifer knew herself to be true.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. I don’t care if she read my book and realized it was her that I was writing about,” Jennifer said not caring, but she wanted Reese to know that she had hurt her and she would never get the chance again.
“Yeah, that’s why you tried to find her in all the relationships you’ve had.” Joyce put her arm through Jen’s as they walked. “You can tell that to other people, but I know you too well. You still love that girl and always will.”
"I've been an idiot for so long, Joyce,” Jennifer said, touching Joyce’s hand.
“Someday you are going to have to confront this situation once and for all so you can move on with your life.”
“Unfortunately, that day might be very soon.” They reached Jennifer’s apartment and hugged each other as the two women parted. “I’ll call you later, Joyce.”
“Try and get some rest, Jen.” Joyce waved as she walked down the street.
Once in her apartment, Jennifer walked over to her computer in hopes of working
on her novel, but instead she brought up Reese’s face in her many pictures of her. Jennifer knew that Mary had left her the beach house, and she was going to have to decide what she was going to do about it. If she went back there, she knew she couldn’t avoid seeing Reese. Hearing her voice on the phone this morning brought such tightness to her chest and seeing her in person might actually stop her heart. The weekend in New York came to the forefront of her mind, and she sat down reliving those precious moments that she and Reese had, before it all changed.
“I’m in the lobby,” Reese said, not hiding the anticipation in her voice.
“Room 910, come up Reese. I can’t wait to see you.” Her words sounded seductive without a thought.
Waiting for the knock on the door seemed like forever in Jennifer’s mind. She opened the door and stared at the woman she had longed to see for so many years. They just stared, and Reese smiled. Oh, how she remembered that smile and those green eyes.
“Can I come in?” Reese asked, smiling.
Jennifer stepped away from the door still not saying anything, as she watched Reese walk into her room carrying her overnight bag.
Reese turned toward Jennifer and smiled again before she closed the gap between them, and they hugged fiercely.
“I can’t believe you are here,” Jennifer said, squeezing Reese again. “It’s been too long.”
Reese held Jennifer at arm’s length. “I wouldn’t have missed this opportunity to be with you for anything. Where are your parents?”
“At the conference, and they won’t be back until late tonight. They thought maybe the four of us could have breakfast in the morning.” She looked at Reese. “That is, if you want to?”
“That would be nice.” Reese smiled again, but this time her eyes moved to Jennifer’s lips.
Reese's eyes went to Jennifer’s lips and the desire she saw in her eyes was undeniable. They gravitated closer until their lips met tentatively at first, and then the kiss deepened. As they separated, they both moaned.