by Lydia Rose
“You did nothing wrong.”
“Are you ready to talk about it?” Erin asked with a squeeze of her hand.
“Can we go sit up on the boardwalk?” Jane asked staring out the window. She didn’t want to fight with her parents, but she would do whatever it took not to lose Erin.
Erin found a parking space and they walked up to the boardwalk and took a seat on a bench. She wasn’t going to push Jane. So instead she just sat there and waited for her to begin speaking.
“My parents don’t care that I’m dating a woman,” Jane began. “They don’t like the idea that you are the first woman I’ve dated.”
“They want you to date other women?”
Jane’s head went up and down.
“Why?”
“Obviously, I’m not capable of knowing what I want. They want me to give up the sweetest woman in the world to go play the field. Is that insane or is it me? They asked about your family and education.”
“Oh,” Erin said before taking Jane’s hand. “Do you want to date other women?”
“No,” Jane looked at Erin, “never.”
“Then problem solved.”
“But my parents…?” Jane asked thinking it can’t be that easy.
“What about them? Jane you’re thirty three years old. You don’t need your parent’s approval as to whom you love. Am I wrong?”
Jane leaned her head on Erin’s shoulder. “You are so right. It’s my life and I want you and no one else.”
“As I said, problem solved.”
“Erin, tell me about your family. I don’t know anything about them.”
“I know. I was trying to avoid telling you about them.” Erin took a breath. “I was nearly eighteen when my parents found out I was gay. They threw me out of the house a month before my graduation.” Jane moved closer to Erin and held her hand. Erin wanted to tell Jane everything she went through because of her parent’s decision, but somehow she knew now was not the time.
“What about your sister and brother?” Jane asked gripping Erin’s hand.
“My brother was just like my dad who is a mean drunk and my sister was only fifteen when I left.”
“I’m so sorry, Erin.”
“Hey, not all of us can have great parents and grandparents that are so understanding.” Erin turned on the bench. “So cut your folks a break. They only want what’s best for you.”
“Can we go to your place now?” Jane finally asked.
“I thought you would never ask.”
“Did you manage to get any sleep?”
“Yeah, until some upset woman woke me up,” Erin said laughing.
“Thank you for rescuing me.” Jane slipped her hand through Erin’s arm as they walked back to the car.
“Baby, I would do anything for you.” Erin rested her hand on Jane’s that rested on her forearm.
“I know you would.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The following morning, Helen Simmons came through the door of the store.
“Hello, Helen. It’s good to see you again,” Rita said greeting her with a hug.
“Hey, Helen,” Hazel called over the counter and went back to helping a customer.
“Is Jane in back?” she asked Rita.
“Yes. Go right on back.”
Helen went through the kitchen door. Denny was the first one to greet her.
“Helen,” he called out, opening his arms. “It’s so good to see you.” Denny pulled her into a hug. “I’m sure Jane is so happy that you and Bill are in town.”
Helen raised an eyebrow and turned to Jane. “Can we talk, Jane?”
Jane looked at Denny.
“I could use a coffee break. You too can take as much time as you need.” Denny left the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee.
“I would have brought you one, Den,” Hazel said.
“Helen wanted to speak with Jane alone.”
“What’s going on?” Rita asked moving closer to them.
“I have no idea. Jane didn’t even tell me her parents were in town.”
“I’m sorry about yesterday,” Helen began.
“I’m sorry too, Mom. I don’t want to fight with you, but I have no intention of not seeing Erin.”
“Your father and I weren’t asking you to stop seeing her. We just wanted to make sure she is the right woman for you.” Helen kept her voice even. She even sounded understanding as she spoke.
“Mom, Erin is the right woman for me. I love everything about her.”
“So I’m guessing the sex is good,” Helen said not able to meet Erin’s eyes.
“You want to know about my sex life?” Jane shook her head. “If it will get you off my back, I will tell you she completes me in every way.” Jane huffed out a breath. “And the sex is fantastic.”
“So is it just about the sex?” Helen kept pushing.
“Mom, I am not going to discuss this with you any longer. If you can’t accept my relationship with Erin, it’s your loss.”
“So you are choosing this woman over your family?” Helen asked angrily.
“Only if you make me choose. Why don’t you get to know Erin while you’re here these few weeks? Then let’s see if you still object to my relationship with her.”
“Fine, I will expect you both to dinner tonight.” Helen walked toward the kitchen door. “Don’t back out.”
Denny rushed into the kitchen as soon as Helen left the store. “What’s going on, Jane?”
Jane looked at Denny and smirked. “Mothers,” she said, as if that said it all.
“Helen isn’t giving you a hard time because you are dating a woman?”
Jane shook her head. “No, but she wants me to see what else is out there.”
“Why?”
“Exactly. I find the perfect woman for me and she wants me to play the field.”
“That’s totally insane.”
“Try telling her that.” Jane pounded the dough she was working on.
“You aren’t going to do what she asked, are you?”
“Of course not.”
“Then just ignore her. She’ll be gone in before you know it.”
“Erin said the same thing.”
“Erin knows that she wants you to see other people?” Denny asked not believing what he was hearing.
Jane nodded.
“Why would you tell her that?” Denny hand slapped his forehead and rolled his eyes.
“I had to tell her what was wrong.” Jane thought about what Denny had said. He was right. She never should have told her that. “I guess I screwed up?”
“Well, I certainly wouldn’t want to hear that my future motherin-law wanted my girlfriend to date other people.” Denny rested his hand on her shoulder. “I doubt Erin is worried about losing you.”
“She’s never going to lose me, Denny, never.”
“Good. That’s all she needs to know.”
“Now all I have to worry about is that she doesn’t break up with me. It’s going to be a rough month. I hope she thinks I’m worth the problems with my parents being here.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about that.” Denny insisted with a squeeze of Jane’s shoulder.
“I hope you’re right.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Erin was sitting in her patrol car waiting for speeders when her radar began screaming. She put the car in gear and turned on the siren. The car that flew by her pulled over to the curb. As she approached the car, she recognized Abby sitting in the passenger seat. “Crap,” she mumbled as she approached the driver.
“I’m sorry, Officer,” the woman said before looking up at Erin. “Erin,” she said quietly.
“Hello, Mrs. Simmons. Abby,” she said with a slight bow. “You do realize that the speed limit is twenty five?”
“I told her, Erin,” Abby said leaning toward the window.
“Why are you in such a hurry?”
“We are on our way to the grocery store. You and Jane are comin
g over for dinner tonight.”
Erin raised her eyebrow. “We are?”
“I guess Jane hasn’t told you yet.” Helen looked down and softly giggled.
Erin took Helen’s license and the registration. “Wait here, please.” She went back to her car. Now she hoped Jane would answer her call.
“Hi, honey.”
“Hi. I’m sitting in my cruiser with your mother’s driver’s license in my hand. She flew past me going fifteen miles over the speed limit.”
“Give her a big ticket, Erin,” Jane said laughing.
“Do you think that would be a wise decision?”
“I guess you’re right.”
“I understand we’re having dinner with them tonight.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry. If you like, I can spend the night with you?” Jane asked seductively.
“Okay. I’ll let her off with a stern warning. Got to go, babe.”
“I love you, Erin.”
“I love you, Jane.” Erin put her cell phone back into her front pocket and got out of the patrol car. She now handed back the paperwork to Helen. “If I let you off with a warning, will you please slow down?”
“Yes, Erin.” Helen’s hand went to her heart. “I promise to obey the speed limits.”
Erin looked over at Abby who winked at her. “What are you two making for dinner?”
“We haven’t decided yet. We’re going to let the grocery store inspire us.” Helen rested her hand on Erin’s that was on the door. “Do you have a favorite meal?”
Erin chuckled. “I’m not fussy. I’ll eat anything you two beautiful women make for dinner.” Her hand came off the door. “Enjoy the rest of your day.” Erin turned to walk back to her vehicle.
“Thank you, Erin.” Helen called out. “You be careful.”
Erin nodded before getting into the car.
****
Erin got to the house before Jane arrived. Tonight she was wearing a pair of jeans and a button down shirt with a tank top underneath. Her hair wasn’t in her usual pony tail and came down to just below her shoulders.
“Come on inside, Erin.” Bill Simmons said when he opened the door.
“Hello, Mr. Simmons.”
“Can I get you something to drink?” he asked as he led her to the living room.
“I’m fine, sir.”
Abby came out of the kitchen carrying a glass of iced tea. She went right for Erin and handed her the glass. “Hello, Erin. How was the rest of your day?”
“Thanks, Abby. It was fine. No one else attempted to break the speed limit,” she said with a wink.
Abby patted Erin’s hand. “Jane should be here any minute. You relax and don’t let this butthead bother you too much,” she said hooking her finger at Bill.
Bill had a ball game on the television. They sat there quietly for a few minutes. “Do you follow baseball, Erin?”
“When I have the time. I enjoy watching football.”
“My daughter hates sports.”
Erin laughed. “Thanks for telling me.”
“Are you a Met or Yankee fan?” Bill asked into the quiet.
“Mets,” Erin answered waiting for a comment.
“I guess we have something in common,” he chuckled. “We both follow losing teams.”
Erin laughed too. “Yeah, the Marlins have been pretty bad this season.”
The front door opened and Jane walked into the house. “Hi,” she said as Erin came into view.
“Rough day?” her dad asked.
“Only part of it,” she said looking at Erin. Jane walked over to Erin and took a long swallow from her glass of iced tea. “That feels better.” Then she leaned over and kissed Erin’s cheek. Jane now reached for Erin’s hand and pulled her up from the couch. “Call us when dinner is ready.” She now led Erin up the stairs and into her room.
“I thought I heard Jane come in,” Helen said as she entered the living room.
“She did, but they went upstairs.” Bill answered, pointing toward the stairs.
Once Jane closed the bedroom door her mouth kissed Erin deeply. “I’m sorry about all this.”
“Its fine, honey.” Erin went back for another kiss.
Jane now unloaded her clothes from yesterday and repacked clothes for the next day. “My dad wasn’t mean to you?”
“Nope. He did tell me that you hate sports,” Erin said with a chuckle.
Jane buried her head in Erin’s chest. “You can watch sports anytime you want, Erin.”
Erin squeezed Jane close. “I’m sure you like to watch chick flicks.”
Jane nodded. “I do.”
“See we’re even. You can watch your chick flicks and I’ll watch sports.” Erin chuckled. “If that’s our biggest problem, then we don’t have a problem.”
Jane came back for another kiss. “We better get downstairs before someone comes looking for us.”
Erin picked up Jane’s bag and carried it down for her.
“There you are,” Helen said when they came back down the stairs. “Dinner is almost ready.” She looked at the overnight bag. “You’re leaving again tonight?”
“Mom, I’m off tomorrow. You and I can spend the whole day on the beach together if you want to.”
Helen smiled. “I’d like that, Jane.”
As they ate the delicious dinner, Bill said, “Erin, thank you for not giving my wife a ticket today. Helen tends to have a lead foot.”
“I do not,” Helen said quickly.
“Yes you do, dear,” Abby added. “It was very nice that Erin let her off with just a warning.”
“Is that what your days consists of?” Bill asked. “I guess you don’t get much crime in this sleepy seaside town?”
“Sometimes there’s a domestic, but most of the time I spend just making sure everyone is safe and having a good time. Out of towners tend to try and push the law,” Erin explained.
“At least I know Erin is safe most days. I would worry if she were in another town,” Jane said smiling at Erin.
“I spent the first few years on the nightshift. There’s a lot more action at night. Drinking and drugs are always a problem.” Erin smiled as she went on, “I tried to break up a fight between two guys. One was on PCP. He nearly kicked my ass until backup arrived.”
Jane’s fork stopped at her mouth and she looked shocked. “You could have been killed.”
“I’m fine, honey. I can count on one hand how many times my life has been threatened since I became an officier. At least no one has taken a shot at me since I joined the force.” Erin realized that she shouldn’t have said that.
Jane put her fork down. “Now I’m going to worry about you when you go off to work.”
Erin took Jane’s hand. “That was years ago.”
“I’ll still worry.”
Erin and Jane didn’t see the smirk on Helen’s face as she thought she may have found a kink in the armor.
“Are you close with your family?” Helen asked Erin.
“I’m not. When my family found out I was gay, they wanted nothing to do with me.”
“Do you have siblings?” Bill asked.
“A sister and brother, but they sided with my parents.”
Helen now felt sorry for Erin. She couldn’t believe that a parent would turn their back on their child just because she liked women.
“I’m sorry, Erin,” Helen said touching Erin’s hand. “No one should ever have to go through life knowing their parents turned their back on them.”
“I’m used to it after all these years. I have good friends that love me and now I have Jane in my life. I couldn’t ask for anything more out of life,” Erin said honestly.
Jane reached for Erin’s arm and leaned on her shoulder. “You’ll always have me and Abby.” Jane didn’t look at her parents as she held onto Erin.
The remainder of the dinner was quiet. Helen and Bill tried to get the conversation going again, but the mood had been changed.
Jane picked up her overnight bag. �
�Mom, I’ll be back in the morning to go to the beach with you.”
“Okay, Jane.” Helen leaned over and kissed her cheek.
Her dad and Abby gave her a hug. Abby was the only one to hug Erin.
“Thank you for dinner. It was delicious,” Erin said taking Jane’s bag from her hand.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“I am so sorry, Erin,” Jane said as they drove away from the house.
“For what?”
“Us. We just got together and you are thrown into the turmoil of my family.” Jane wiped her eye. “We should be going out to dinner together. We should be alone and getting to know each other better. You shouldn’t have to be interrogated and made to feel that you aren’t good enough for me.” Jane started to cry. “I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to break up with me.”
Erin pulled the car over to the curb and released her seatbelt. “You listen to me, Jane. I have no intention of breaking up with you. Every relationship has its problems. We’re just living through this early in our relationship.” Erin squeezed Jane’s hand. “We will get through this because we will do it together.”
“Are you sure?” Jane asked as Erin wiped her tears.
“Yes, baby, I’m sure.” Erin kissed her gently. “Ready to go home?”
Jane nodded and blew her nose. “Thank you for not giving up on me.”
“I’ll never give up on you, Jane.”
There was no talking when they stepped into the apartment. Erin took Jane’s hand and led her to the bedroom. Words weren’t needed as they showed their love for each other as they made love. They fell asleep in each other’s arms.
Erin got out of bed at her normal time. She went about her normal routine and then sat on the edge of the bed stroking Jane’s naked back. Erin leaned over and kissed the back of her neck. The woman underneath her lips stirred.
“What time is it?” Jane asked.
“Seven thirty.” Erin answered, still leaving tiny kisses on the back of Jane’s neck.
“I’ll get up and make you breakfast.” Jane rolled over and now Erin’s kisses were left on the front of her neck.
“No need. I’m having breakfast at my favorite store,” Erin said with a smile as she stood up. “I set the alarm on your phone for nine o’clock. Get some more sleep and I’ll see you later.”