by Lydia Rose
Jennifer looked at Joyce without responding. She put the water bottle to her lips and took a long drink. "You really are making a play for her, aren't you?"
Joyce laughed. "If I thought I had half a chance, I might."
"Why, because she's straight?" Jennifer asked, trying to read Joyce's face.
"I don't think that girl is straight at all." Jennifer's eyebrows rose in surprise. "We’re becoming friends and I don't think I'm her type."
"You're beautiful and you are such a wonderful person. Any woman would be proud to go out with you." Jennifer grinned. "You, unlike me, don't forget you have a date planned."
Joyce laughed. "I told Reese about Cheryl. That was her name, right?"
"I think so. Not really sure." Jennifer took another drink. "What else did you tell her?"
"Let's go sit in the living room." The two women took a seat on the couch. Joyce pulled her legs up on the sofa and rested her head on her knees looking at Jennifer. "I told her about Kay, but she knew about her."
"What do you mean, she knew about Kay?" Jennifer curled her eyebrows. "You mean crazy Kay?"
Joyce nodded. "It was Reese on the phone that day."
Jennifer just sat there. That's why she seemed cold for a long time. She thought I moved on so quickly after our weekend in New York. Jennifer's mind was reeling with more questions than answers. I knew something had happened. I thought she was trying to tell me that it was a mistake. That it was Steve that she wanted.
“She still married Steve despite what she said.” Jennifer refused to believe that this was all her fault.
Joyce looked at Jennifer sneering. "Yeah, she married him four years later."
Jennifer looked away and just sat there stunned.
"I know you feel that Reese broke your heart, but I think you broke her heart." Joyce continued as Jennifer just stared into space. "I told you to stay away from Kay, but no, you thought she was harmless. You knew something was wrong with Reese, but you never bothered to ask what was bothering her." Joyce got up from the sofa and stood over Jennifer. "Then you cut her off without a thought of looking back." Joyce lifted Jennifer's chin. "You have to make this right, Jen."
Jennifer nodded and asked. "How can I make amends for everything?"
"Be her friend. Show her you aren't a total asshole." Joyce sat down again. "Ask her to come to dinner with us tomorrow night."
"She'll say no if I ask her." Jennifer's throat constricted as she tried to hold back her tears. "Maybe she'll say yes if you ask her."
"No, Jen." Joyce moved closer and wiped the tear that fell onto Jennifer's cheek. "You have to do this."
"I'll call her in the morning," Jennifer tried to smile, "from your cell phone."
CHAPTER SEVEN
The following morning, Jennifer took a deep breath as she picked up Joyce's phone to make her phone call.
"Hi Joyce," the cheerful voice said into the phone.
Jennifer knew the tone would change in Reese's voice the moment she spoke. Swallowing, she said, "It's not Joyce, its Jen." All Jennifer could hear was silence. "I'm sorry to bother you at work, but I promised to take Joyce out to dinner tonight." She swallowed again. "But I don't know any good restaurants around here."
"I can text you some nice choices and directions if you like,” Reese said. She knew her tone wasn't friendly, but she just could not bring herself to show any enthusiasm.
"That would be nice, but I was hoping you would join us." The silence continued. "We both would like you to go."
Reese sighed. "I appreciate the offer, but I don't think that’s a good idea." It was the worst idea ever, but she kept that part to herself. She didn't need to sit across from Jennifer again and watch the disdain in her face, and listen to her condescending tone about her marriage to Steve. It may not have been her best decision in life, but it was just that, her life.
"I need to apologize for my behavior," Jennifer said quietly.
"I think you need to apologize to my mom for that.” Reese's tone showed her anger.
Jennifer could tell she was losing the battle. "You're right, and I think it would be nice if your parents came with us too. Reese, please give me the opportunity to make amends."
"I'll make a reservation for seven o'clock," Reese said before disconnecting the call.
"Well?" Joyce asked, when Jennifer set down the phone.
"We're either having dinner alone, with her parents, with her parents and Reese, or with Reese." Jennifer shook her head, "I don't really know."
In the afternoon, Joyce received a text from Reese. "Reservation made. Please be in the driveway at 6:30."
Joyce went into the den where Jennifer was working. "Reese sent a text to meet in the driveway at 6:30."
"Did she say who is going?" Jennifer asked as Joyce shook her head. "Do you know where we are going?" Again Joyce shook her head.
"I guess upscale casual should cover wherever we are going,” Joyce said with a shrug.
At 6:30pm, both women walked out to the driveway. Joyce wore a cotton dress with spaghetti straps and a pair of sandals. Jennifer had on a pair of cotton tan pants and a red silk blouse. Both women looked toward the house next door as the screen door opened. Reese, wearing a dark blue dress, walked over to the women. Jennifer's eyes were drawn to the V in the
dress that showed off her cleavage. Drawing her eyes up to Reese's face she saw the slight grin, knowing she had been caught.
"Are your parents coming with us?" Joyce asked.
"They said to say thank you, but they're having dinner with friends tonight." Reese walked over to her car door. Jennifer quickly grabbed the handle and opened it for her. Taking her seat, she quietly said, “Thank you."
Joyce kept the conversation going as they drove to the restaurant Reese had chosen. Jennifer wanted to be involved in the conversation, but she was afraid she might say the wrong thing and spoil the evening.
"Hello, Ms. Caldwell,” the hostess said as they three women approached.
"Hi, Susan, how are you?" Reese asked in a friendly voice.
"I'm good. Let me show you to the table you requested."
The three women climbed the stairs, and Susan led them to the large windows overlooking the ocean and boardwalk. Obviously, Jennifer thought, Reese was a regular in this place.
"Tammy will be right over. Enjoy your meal,” Susan said, before walking away.
Both Joyce and Jennifer had taken the chair closest to the window and Reese chose to sit next to Joyce.
The waitress was at their table immediately. "Hello, Ms. Caldwell. It's good to see you again."
"Thank you, Tammy."
"Can I start you out with something to drink?" Tammy asked, with her pad at the ready.
"I'll have the chardonnay," Reese said.
"I'll have the same," Joyce added.
Tammy looked at Jennifer. "Why don't you just bring us a bottle of…?” Jennifer looked at Reese.
"The ’85 would be nice."
Jennifer nodded at Tammy, "As the lady said."
Joyce opened her menu. "Can we get a few appetizers and share?" Both women nodded. "What do you recommend, Reese?"
"The mussels in wine with fennel are very good, and so are the crab cakes, and the calamari is divine." Reese's mouth began to water.
Jennifer opened her menu also. "What do you recommend for dinner?" she asked, looking at Reese.
"The shrimp and scallops are fresh."
Tammy returned with their bottle and poured each woman a glass. "Are you ready to order?"
Once their order was placed, Jennifer held up her glass in a toast, "To good friends." Their glasses clinked in the center of the table.
The appetizers were well received. Joyce and Reese talked easily, as Jennifer looked out at the water lost in thought. She was lost in the view and didn't hear her name.
"Jen," Joyce said, waving her hand in front of her face. "Where did you go?" she asked laughing.
"Just looking," Jennifer said, blushing eas
ily.
"Yeah, right, you were probably working on your novel in your head," Joyce said laughing.
"No, I wasn't,” Jennifer paused as she turned to face Reese. "This is a nice restaurant, Reese. Thank you for bringing us here tonight."
"You’re welcome," Reese said glancing at Jennifer, and looked back down at her plate.
The rest of the dinner went easily, and Jennifer even managed to get involved with their conversations. After dessert, Joyce asked where the bathrooms were.
"Downstairs near the exit,” Reese offered.
"We'll meet you down there after I pay the bill."
"Jen, it isn't necessary to pay for my meal."
"Yes, it is. I was very rude the night we had dinner at your parent’s home and I feel very bad for my behavior. Let me do this,” Jennifer insisted.
"Why were you so rude?" Reese stared at Jennifer, waiting for answer. When one didn't come, she continued, "What did I ever do to you?"
"Sometimes people's imaginations run away with their clear thoughts. We feel we don't deserve to have something,” Jennifer hesitated, looking for the right words, "that if we end it,” she sighed deeply, “it will hurt less in the end."
"Didn't it hurt anyway, Jen?" Reese asked sternly. Jennifer nodded without speaking.
Tammy returned with the credit card slip for Jennifer to sign. She added the tip, and they went to find Joyce.
Standing by the ladies room, both women remained quiet. Wondering where Joyce was, Jennifer opened the door and saw her speaking with someone.
"Oh, Jen," Joyce grabbed Jennifer's arm and pulled her inside. "This is Tricia."
"Nice to meet you,” Jennifer said, taking the woman's hand. Now Joyce is picking up women in the ladies room, her mind screamed.
"Tricia is Tina Williams’s sister. You remember Tina from college?" Joyce asked excited.
"Oh, sure," Jennifer also remembered that Joyce had been in love with her. "You two finish your conversation. Reese and I will wait for you on the boardwalk."
Jennifer came out of the bathroom alone. "Where's Joyce?" Reese asked, concerned.
"She ran into someone she knows. I told her we would wait for her on the boardwalk. Do you mind?" Jennifer asked.
"That's fine."
Darkness was quickly approaching and the women stood silently looking at the ocean. Jennifer turned and saw Joyce approaching the boardwalk.
"Can I ask a favor of both of you?" Joyce asked.
"Sure, honey," Reese said, touching Joyce's arm, "what do you need?"
"Can I make a phone call?" Joyce smiled. "Tricia gave me Tina's number and I'd like to try calling her now." Joyce looked at Jennifer. "Jen, you can explain who Tina is."
"Go ahead,” Reese said, patting Joyce's arm. "Jen and I will wait for you here. Call us when you're done and we'll meet you at the car." Reese reached into her purse. "Here are my keys. Go sit in the car where you can have privacy."
Joyce took the keys and hugged Reese. "Thank you."
"I guess Tina is someone special?" Reese asked, looking at Jennifer for answers.
"Tina and Joyce dated in college. Tina was two years older and when she graduated, she went to Maryland for her Masters." Jennifer stood, putting her hands on the railing in front of her and stared at the water. "The long distance relationship didn't work out for them."
"Was Joyce in love with Tina?"
"Yes, she was. Thank God I was with Joyce when she got Tina's phone call. She was a wreck for weeks." Jennifer turned around. "I thought she was going to flunk out of school. Tina told her she had met someone else, and she didn't want Joyce to wait for her." Jennifer's lips pursed together. "Their timing wasn't right." She rubbed her hand across her face, remembering the pain in Joyce's eyes. “I hope Joyce knows what she's doing, speaking with this girl again."
Reese looked at Jennifer. "Maybe this time it will work out for the two of them?"
Jennifer grinned, “You are such a romantic, Reese."
"I am, thank you,” Reese said as she slapped Jennifer's arm lightly. "Does Tina live in Chicago?"
"I don't know. Why?" Jennifer asked, looking at Reese with a puzzled face.
"Because if she does, and this phone call goes well,” Reese shrugged, "I think you are going to lose your company in the next day or two."
"She is supposed to go home next Saturday,” Jennifer said softly.
Reese's phone rang. "Hi," Reese said. "Okay, we're on our way." She turned to Jennifer and took her arm. "We can go back to the car now.”
"She didn't talk to her too long. Maybe it didn't go as she hoped,” Jennifer offered into the quiet. Reese didn't say anything, except she squeezed Jennifer's arm.
Joyce was in the backseat when they got back to the car, and Jennifer had no choice but to get into the front seat with Reese.
Joyce bounced up and down when the two women got settled in the car. "Tina lives in Chicago now."
"Have you made arrangements to meet?" Reese asked.
Joyce touched Jennifer's arm. "I've changed my flight from next Saturday to this Thursday morning. I'm sorry, Jen."
"Hey, don't worry about it.” Jennifer turned toward Joyce. "I guess your phone call went well?"
"Yeah, it did. It was as though all these years away from each other just melted away." Joyce touched Reese's shoulder. "I want to make dinner for you tomorrow night. It will be our last few nights together and I want to spend it with my two good friends."
Reese put her hand on top of Joyce's hand. "I'm very happy for you, Joyce."
Joyce sat back and sniffled, "I hope this time it works out for us."
CHAPTER EIGHT
Jennifer opened the back door for Reese the following evening, and said, "I'm glad you're here. Maybe you can talk some sense into Joyce."
"What's going on?" Reese asked as she stepped into the living room.
Joyce stood up and walked over to Reese. "She thinks I'm moving too fast with Tina." Joyce lowered her head and sighed, "Jen thinks I should have continued to talk to Tina on the phone and not get together so quickly."
Reese could see the tears in Joyce's eyes. She took her hand and led her over to the couch. "I think you made the right decision to get together. You have to see if the spark is still there." Reese placed her hand on top of Joyce's. "You deserve to be happy and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise," Reese scowled at Jennifer, "especially from the one that doesn't have a romantic bone in her body." Joyce laughed.
"Hey, I like romance,” Jennifer argued.
Reese looked at Joyce. "Yeah, from the woman who can't remember to show up at her girlfriend's house for dinner?" Reese's eyes bored into Jennifer. "Don't argue because I heard all the horror stories." Jennifer took a seat opposite the two women, crossing her arms across her chest defensively. "Are you going out with her Friday night?" Joyce nodded. "Make sure you bring her a bouquet of flowers. It doesn't have to be roses. Just something nice to say you are thinking of her."
"Hey, I've given flowers,” Jennifer insisted.
"I'm sure you have," Reese laughed, "and I'm sure it was to apologize for something you did wrong."
Damn, she's got my number, Jennifer thought to herself. She couldn't recall one time when she brought a woman flowers just because.
"Your friend over there might be happy with the single life," Reese pointed at Jennifer. "Don't lose this opportunity to make things right."
"Suppose she's fat?" Jennifer said sarcastically.
Reese's mouth dropped open, but Joyce responded, "I don't care," and wiped her eyes.
Reese stood up and walked over to Jennifer. "When did you become so shallow? I never heard you say an unkind word when I knew you." Reese took her seat again.
"I'm not shallow. I just asked a question,” Jennifer offered to the quiet. She knew she wasn't going to win this argument. The two women ignored her and continued their conversation.
"I don't care if she's bald and weighs 200 pounds. I loved Tina and we both made mistakes. Sh
e left me, but I didn't fight to keep her either."
"You're right, Joyce. I'm sorry for joking around. I know this is very important to you." Jennifer lowered her head. "I just don't want to see you get hurt again. Can I ask you how long Tina has been in Chicago?"
"She’s been in Chicago almost a year." Joyce knew where Jennifer was going with her questions. "She was embarrassed to reach out to me. She said she couldn't just pick up the phone or reach out on Facebook and say, ‘Hey, remember me? Want to get together?’
"Okay, okay. I get it, but I want you to call me Saturday and let me know how it went." Jennifer pointed her finger sternly, "Deal?"
"Yes, I'll call you, but after I call Reese first," Joyce said, sticking out her tongue.
"Yeah, I know where I stand in the pecking order now," Jennifer looked at Reese.
"And don't forget it,” Joyce said laughing, and the other two women joined in the laughter.
The next few days, Reese and Joyce took a walk each evening. Wednesday night was their last evening together. It would be hard leaving that evening, not knowing when she would see Joyce again. The tears threatened to spill as Joyce took her arm.
"I'll walk you out,” Joyce said, leading Reese to the back door. When they got to Reese's door, Joyce turned and took her in her arms. "I love you, Reese. I'm so glad I got to meet you."
"I love you too, Joyce. I'll miss you." The tears she kept hidden began to fall.
"Don't let Jen's bravado you saw in there fool you. She's only looking out for me. She doesn't want to see me get hurt. Jen is the sweetest woman I've ever met." Joyce held Reese at arm’s length and looked at her. "Get to know her again over the rest of the summer."
"I don't think that's a good idea. Jen and I had our chance, but that was a long time ago."
"You told me earlier to go ahead and take a chance with Tina. Why would you tell me that and not take a chance yourself?" Joyce shook her head. "You two are so stubborn. You both have been carrying this torch for each other for all these years and won't even admit it to yourselves." Reese started to shake her head in protest. "Don't say it because I won't believe you. It's written on both your faces."