"Do you want another beer?"
"Sure." Lexi reached into her purse for money and Miriam stopped her.
"You paid for the pizza. I'll get the beer."
Lexi smiled at her in thanks. She felt better about Miriam now that she had demonstrated a willingness to reciprocate. Lexi promised herself to try harder to give Miriam the benefit of the doubt.
Miriam came back and they finished eating. Lexi excused herself to go to the bathroom after finishing her second beer. As she opened the door she heard a heartfelt "Nuts!" from one of the stalls.
"Hello?" She asked.
"Who is it?" Asked a familiar voice.
Lexi smiled. "Zoe? It's Lexi."
"Double nuts." Zoe muttered.
"What's wrong?"
"I can't get out of this dress."
"Do you want some help?" Lexi waited in silence for a response. "Is there someone I can get for you?"
"I'm embarrassed," Zoe said quietly.
"Why? You look fabulous."
"I look like a drag queen."
Lexi choked back a laugh. "I thought that was the idea. Let me in and I'll give you a hand."
The stall opened and Lexi slipped inside. Zoe relocked the door and turned around. "This is Robert's dress. He's a lot bigger than I am through the chest and shoulders and Eric had to pin it smaller to fit."
Lexi reached up and investigated the zipper and safety pin arrangement. "Which one is Eric?"
"Purple."
"Who's red?"
"Zach. Thanks for helping with this. Robert would have killed me if I tore his dress."
"Can you crouch down a little? I can't see what I'm doing." All of the pins were on the inside and it took Lexi only a moment to get the first one undone once she could see. "I didn't recognize you at first. Do you do this sort of thing often?" Zoe's well developed back was warm against the back of Lexi's fingers.
"Not likely. If Robert wasn't off visiting his family in Florida I wouldn't have done it this time."
"I'm glad I got to see it then." Lexi's awareness of Zoe became more acute the further down her back she got. "How long did it take to get this on?"
"About an hour. Of course," Zoe sniggered, "almost half of that was Lee saying 'Lord, what I could do if I had those tits.'"
Lexi forgot herself and laughed out loud. Zoe turned with one arm holding the dress protectively against her chest and a smile as wide as Texas. "Thanks, Lexi. You're a lifesaver."
Lexi suddenly became aware that she was in a bathroom stall with a woman she didn't want to like as much as she was starting to. "You've helped me, too." She held out the safety pins and Zoe took them from her hand. "I should get back out there."
"Did you come in here for a reason?"
Lexi grinned and reached for the lock. "Two beers, and thanks for reminding me." She let herself out and into the neighboring stall.
"Where's Cricket?" Zoe asked through the separating wall.
"Home. I don't think Miriam likes to have him in her car."
"But he's so adorable. How could anyone not…" Zoe paused. "Sorry. It's none of my business."
"Do you think it's silly to leave the TV on for a dog?" Lexi held her breath and wondered why.
"No. Animal Planet?"
Lexi smiled in relief. "Of course."
"It would be cruel to leave him with nothing to listen to. Dogs are people, too."
"Do you have a dog?"
"No." Zoe's voice was quiet and the rustle of clothing stopped momentarily. "I had a dog, but she died last year. I'm not at a place where I can talk about it yet."
"I'm sorry."
"Thanks."
Lexi stopped at the sink to wash her hands and watched Zoe come out of the stall in her usual jeans and a T-shirt that said 'Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History'. The wig was gone and her blonde hair looked like trampled grass. She had to chuckle at the garish makeup.
The bathroom door burst open. "Zoe!" Andrea laughingly punched Zoe's arm. "You were great! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I never would have believed it! You better hurry up. We're going to light the cake." Andrea suddenly realized there was another person in the room and pasted on a not very convincing smile. "Hi, Lexi. Are you having a good time?"
Lexi felt like she had been found rifling through someone's purse. "Very." With what dignity she could muster she tossed her paper towel in the garbage and went back to her table.
"Are you alright?" Miriam asked. "I was about to come looking for you."
"There was a line." This was such a common thing when women gathered that Lexi knew it would be believed. For some reason she didn't want Miriam, or anyone else, to know about her conversation with Zoe. It seemed too personal for that. "Did I miss anything?"
"No, but it looks like they're getting ready to light the candles on Janet's cake."
~***~
"That was a fun party," Miriam said in the car.
Lexi didn't feel like talking. She was feeling a slight buzz and it was making her tired. "I'm glad you liked it. Did you make any new friends?"
"A few, I think. It's hard to say after only one meeting. I thought Andrea was particularly nice."
Lexi made noises in the appropriate places while Miriam talked of her evening, but couldn't get interested in what she was hearing. She was anxious to get home to Cricket and she wanted time to think. The entire evening had messed with her neatly ordered expectations and she needed to reorganize.
Miriam walked her to her door and when Miriam's hands came to her face she sighed. Too late she realized her sigh could be taken for surrender and Miriam was kissing her deeply. Remembering her promise to give Miriam the benefit of the doubt Lexi not only allowed it, but tried to return it. She could feel her body responding, but more as a reflex than an outpouring of emotion. Her lack of emotion made her afraid and she pulled back.
"What's wrong?" Miriam asked breathlessly.
"I can't," Lexi managed.
"Why not?" Concern etched Miriam's features.
Lexi wasn't prepared to tell the truth. "I'm drunk and I don't feel so good."
Miriam pulled her close for a hug and Lexi felt like crying. She held her briefly, then disengaged and unlocked her door. "Thanks for everything, Miriam."
"I'll see you later?"
"Yes." With the door closed behind her, Lexi scooped Cricket off the floor and let him kiss her face. "Did you miss mama? 'Cause mama sure missed you."
Cricket squirmed in excitement and Lexi's guilt over having made him stay home alone yet again piled itself onto her already mixed up feelings. Keeping him tucked under her arm she went to the refrigerator and found the baby carrots. Lexi used her teeth to break them into small pieces and fed them to Cricket with baby talk and kisses.
With Cricket and her guilt mollified, Lexi changed out of her party outfit and into her favorite flannel pajamas. After brushing her teeth and settling under the covers, she began to ruminate.
Why don't I have feelings for Miriam? If I had to write down everything I wanted in a woman Miriam would fit 90 percent of it. She's exactly what I'm looking for and I don't feel anything for her. In fact, I think she annoys me. Why is that? It can't be that she has cats. I always thought chemistry played less a part in romance than people think but maybe I was wrong. Maybe our pheromones are incompatible. But if that's true, then why does she seem to be attracted to me? I like Miriam just fine, but I don't think we can ever be more than friends. When she kissed me…that was so strange. I don't think I've ever felt so empty. But why would my body respond like that? It was so creepy! I don't think I can stand it if she kisses me again.
Lexi rolled over and let Cricket settle in against her back. So people think Brenda's buried in the back yard, eh? Funny that I didn't know she had given notice at work. It's also funny that her friends haven't put the word out why she left. Maybe they don't know! Am I the only one who knows why she left? Is it possible that Brenda kept her intentions secret from everyone? Not just me? Maybe she's embar
rassed. I would be if I left a long-term relationship to be with someone I met online. No matter how many times I go over it, I just can't see any indications that she was unhappy. True, we were far past the wild, passionate stage of our relationship, but I thought we were building something that would last a lifetime. Our lovemaking was still exciting-at least for me it was. I still miss her sometimes. I miss snuggling up to her at night; she was always so warm. And I miss cooking for her and knowing she was on her way home. I don't miss how she left her clothes all over the house, but everybody's got faults. You just have to live with them.
Lexi reached out for another pillow, pulled it under the blankets and hugged it. A soft smile came to her lips as The Superlatives danced through her mind. Their long white gloves stood out in her memory, twisting and waving in time to the music. She pictured Zoe in step with the men and giggled. I wish I could have seen them teaching her the moves. I'll bet that was funny. I still can't believe that she would take part in it. I never would have bet on seeing her in a dress; especially that dress. But she was great! Zoe Hansen: auto mechanic, designated driver and drag queen. And she's a dog lover. I can still feel her skin on my hand if I think about it. Her skin was so soft, but there was steel underneath. I wonder if she works out or if it's just a consequence of the work she does. She's been awfully nice to me: all of the extra work she did on my car and coming here to replace that part. I wonder if she's like that with everyone? She must be. She volunteered to be a designated driver and she was helping to clean up at the pizza parlor when Miriam and I left. It probably doesn't mean anything. She did ask me out that once, but that doesn't have to mean anything either. What was it Miriam said she heard? That Zoe was Stone? I wonder if that's true? It seems like such a strange rumor, but it's got a name so it must be more common than I know. What would that be like: having a lover who attended to your needs and never let you give in return? Half of what's so wonderful about making love is pleasuring your partner. I can't imagine someone wanting to be that way. There must be a good reason if it's true.
I'm less inclined to think that the restraining order means anything. With a little creativity I could probably get a restraining order against myself. Maybe she's the one who has an order against someone else.
I wonder what kind of dog she had.
It was hours before an exhausted Lexi was able to stop musing and fall asleep.
Chapter Five
Freddie breezed in the door just as Lexi let Keisha, a 7 year old Husky, out of the drying cage.
"Ola, Pelirroja!" He sang out.
"You're just in time," she said with relief. "Help me get this girl up on the table." Freddie scooped Keisha up in his arms and set her down as Lexi slipped the short leash above the table around her neck. "Thanks."
"You look terrible," Freddie observed.
"Thanks. I really needed to hear that."
"Are you coming down with something?"
Lexi grabbed the appropriate brush and began combing. "I couldn't sleep last night."
Freddie smiled slyly. "Any particular reason why?"
"Fretting mostly. Nothing as fun as what you're suggesting."
"What were you fretting about?"
"Women."
Freddie dropped into the chair at her desk with a sigh. "Tell Freddie all about it."
Lexi lifted Keisha's muzzle and worked through the thick fur on her chest. "Do me a favor and make me some coffee? I'm not going to make it if I don't get some caffeine and you still make the best coffee in the world."
Freddie reached for the coffeepot and stepped into the house to get water. It was the exact same water that she had in the shop, but he insisted on 'clean' water. "So," he called from down the hall, "were you fretting about all women or one particular woman?"
"Just the ones I know," Lexi called back. She waited for him to come back with the water before continuing. "Did you know that people are this close to thinking that Brenda is buried in the back yard?"
Freddie gave her a melodramatic look and started measuring coffee. "Maybe we should put up a marker just to make things interesting. We could have a memorial service and wear black. Say the word and I'll arrange everything."
Lexi stopped brushing in the middle of the Husky's back and smiled at her dear friend. "Maybe The Superlatives could sing a dirge."
"Oh my God!" Freddie gasped. "I heard they were at Janet's party last night. How were they?"
"Amazing," Lexi emphasized. "You have got to see them. They were totally decked out in the whole Fifties thing and the choreography was perfect."
"I thought Robert was out of town."
"He was…is. They filled his spot with Zoe."
"Zoe who?"
"Hansen. She works at the auto place down on North Street."
"She?" Freddie looked horrified. "A woman wore Robert's dress?" After starting the coffee maker he plopped back down in the chair. "He's going to have a stroke."
"I totally thought she was a guy until after they sang. He would have been proud, I think. Besides, another one of the group--Eric, I think she said--was the one who pinned her into it, so if anyone gets in trouble it should be him."
"Oh," Freddie waved a hand negligently, "if Eric let her than it was probably okay."
"How come you're not in the group? It sounds like something you'd love."
Freddie studied his nails. "Creative differences."
Lexi glanced over to see Freddie studiously ignoring her. "And that means?"
"They wanted me to wear orange. Me!" Freddie wrinkled his nose. "I look hideous in orange."
Lexi struggled not to laugh. "Then you did the right thing."
"You know that they're going to do an hour at the benefit next month?"
"Which one?" Lexi tossed the brush on the table and picked up the nail clippers.
"The Vet's Hall on the 18th." Freddie grinned. "Are you and Miriam going to go?"
Lexi concentrated on holding Keisha's foot steady as she trimmed her claws and hoped the question would go away. Unfortunately, Freddie was not one to be denied.
"Is it not working out with you two?" He pressed.
"I don't think so," she admitted.
Freddie stood and began scratching behind Keisha's ears. "Well, she was a long shot, but we had hopes."
"I did, too. She seems to be everything I'm looking for, but there's just no spark." Lexi shrugged. "At least not on my end."
"How did she take it?"
"We haven't talked about it yet. That was part of what kept me up all night."
"You don't need me to tell you to do it soon. The last thing you need is a sexually frustrated dyke claiming that you strung her along." Freddie looked at his watch. "I've got a wash and set on Mrs. Pain-in-my-Backside Baumeister in ten, so I've got to run. Will you come to dinner tonight?"
"I'm sleeping tonight. How about tomorrow?"
"I'll tell Jay." Freddie made kissing noises at Keisha and blew one at Lexi before leaving in a rush.
"He sure livens the place up, doesn't he?" Lexi asked the dog. Keisha gave a mighty shake and Lexi let her down off the table. She let her strut for a moment before putting her in a cage to wait for her owner, then poured herself a cup of Freddie's coffee and pulled her next dog out of the other dryer.
~***~
Lexi kicked off her shoes and lay back on the lounge chair. "Are you sure you don't want any help?" Jay was tending the grill and Freddie lounged beside her.
"You two work on your feet all day," Jay pointed out. "I spend most of the day on my ass."
Freddie whispered behind his hand, "He just likes to be looked at. Compliment something once in a while and he'll do anything you want."
Jay adjusted his glasses contemptuously and lowered the lid on the grill. "What would you like to drink, Lexi? We've got fresh strawberries if you'd like a daiquiri."
Feeling completely spoiled Lexi nodded and watched him walk inside. Cricket followed him like toilet paper stuck on your shoe. The evening sun had just gone
behind some trees, but it was still very comfortably warm. Lexi let the back of her chair back another notch and settled back with a sigh. "How's that new woman working out?"
"Linda?" Freddie asked. "She has solid skills and she's good with people, but I think it'll be awhile before she comes to appreciate the perks of working for a fairy. She's trying really hard to be enthusiastic in her tolerance. Once she relaxes I think she'll be a keeper."
"I assume you're swishing for all you're worth?"
"But, of course!" Freddie laughed. "You know, if you ever decide you've had enough with grooming dogs I'll build you a station and you can come to work with me. We would have so much fun! Just think of it!"
"Thanks for the offer, Freddie, but I've been away from cutting hair for too long. If I went back to people now they'd have to order their styles by breed."
Freddie laughed heartily then jerked to a stop and sat up. "Wait a minute. What if we put in an area for you to do dogs? We could do owner and pet at the same time."
Lexi could see Freddie getting overexcited about his new idea. "The only drawback I can see is that owners get distressed over how their dogs feel about being groomed. They don't like to see Spot fighting to get away and me having to hold them down. Plus, the dogs are less manageable when the owners are watching."
Freddie sagged back into his chair dejectedly.
"It's not a bad idea though." Lexi did think it was an interesting idea, but she wasn't prepared to give up working out of her garage just yet. "I think we should keep it in mind and see what develops."
"It would be fun though, wouldn't it?"
"Working with you would be a blast and you know it." Freddie's smile told her that he felt better.
"Three daiquiris on the way," she heard Jay call out.
He held out a tray and Lexi took a drink from it. "Thanks, Jay." Cricket jumped into her lap to see if she had food then jumped down and ran off to chase dragonflies.
"What's this Freddie told me about a Memorial Service for Brenda?"
Pride and Groom Page 5