But her last e-mail before I closed my eyes that night was enough to sustain me:
Counting the seconds until we’re together again. I miss you more than you know. Sleep well, my lovely. You’ll be in my dreams. Night, night. XXX
CHAPTER 16
I arrived at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport one hour before Robin and made my way to her terminal. I debated on having a drink first, but excitement at being right at the gate when she arrived won out, and I wheeled my suitcase over, not even stopping at the ladies’ room. It had been so long since we last stood on the same ground. I hoped she’d been faithful. I hoped she would be ecstatic to see me; I hoped we wouldn’t be awkward; and I hoped I didn’t pass out from this full-blown case of nerves. My heart was racing, my stomach flip-flopped, and my mind refused to let me calm down. Maybe a drink would have been a good idea, but by then it was too late. The screen showed she was at the runway. She would be there soon.
Seconds turned into minutes, I cursed Customs, as I knew all about the long lines and endless way they grilled foreigners. I was impatient to see her, to breathe the same air, to touch her. I wanted to hear her voice, to inhale her scent. I wanted my hug already.
When I didn’t think I could stand it any longer, there she was, a bit rough, as she called being tired and disheveled, but she was every bit as gorgeous as the day I first set eyes on her. Her genuine smile, the slight tilt of her head, and confident swagger turned my legs to liquid jelly—just seeing her. Her hair was longer and shaggier than at the conference, which softened her chiseled features, but not enough to diminish her commanding presence.
The moment I saw her, I knew we would be all right. She ambled toward me, because my limbs simply would not work. I could not speak either. It had been too long since I had seen such a welcome sight. I wanted to fling myself into her arms, plant my kisses on her waiting lips, and crawl into her heart, her pants, whatever. But she got to me first, and all I received was a chaste hug. I can’t say I blamed her for erring on the side of caution, as North Carolina had plenty of anti-gay legislation, but I did know that I wanted more than a sisterly hug. The moment my brain finished freezing up, I kissed her like I meant it. To my delight, the ice melted, and we both visibly relaxed.
“You look gorgeous,” I gushed. All my anxieties about this meeting were rapidly extinguishing.
“I’m rough, but you are more beautiful than I remembered.” She took a step back, and the way she peered at me made me tingle all over. “I reserved us a car to the hotel.”
“Excellent. I can’t wait to get there so I can rip your clothes off.”
“I thought we discussed this. Behave yourself,” she said, but her body curved in a relaxed, playful way.
“Nonsense,” I said, “That was just e-mail babble. Just wait until I get you somewhere private. No behaving then.”
She smiled. “I see I’m going to have my hands full.”
I beamed from head to toe.
The convention in North Carolina was a huge success. With Robin spurring me on, I was at my professional and personal best. We practiced our presentations; she calmed my nerves with multiple orgasms; and between lovemaking we even had time to talk seriously about our future. I wasn’t convinced that there was a future for us on the same continent, but I was bursting to profess my love and undying devotion.
“I already dread leaving,” I said.
“Let’s not spoil it.” She held me then, and I tried hard not to get misty. No such luck.
“Are you crying?”
“Of course not!” I absently used her shirt to dab my eyes before I realized what a mess I’d made. “Oh shit, I’ve gotten mascara on your top.”
“No worries, listen: I’ve been thinking.”
“Should I be worried now?”
“Hear me out, please.”
“Go on then.”
“I love you, Jan. I have from the moment we met. I thought I was a right nutter when it happened so quickly, but there’s no denying we have something here.”
The floodgates opened then. “I love you too. I want us to be together, but I don’t see how that’s possible. I’m up for a promotion and you love your job and what about family, friends—”
“Shhhhhh, one step at a time. We’re still in the airport, hey? I love you so much, and if you feel the same, we will figure it out. In the meantime, we can work through the separation. I know it will be hard, but anything worth having is worth working toward. I will wait for as long as it takes to be with you. You mean the world to me.”
She gathered me into her arms and I felt at once at home in her embrace. I could hardly believe she would be willing to sacrifice anything for me; this new discovery warmed me to the very core, reassuring me that anything was possible.
“What do you think?” She pulled away and gazed at me with a worried anticipation I hadn’t ever expected to see in someone who I always thought of as so accomplished and so sure of herself. Seeing her all flustered was endearing. “You don’t have to decide today.”
I was tempted to let her go on like that for a while, but my impatience won out. “Robin, dearest, I’m yours.” I flung my arms around her neck.
“Whoa, not so tight. Should I take that as a yes?”
“Yes, yes, yes!” I let optimism take over, and I squashed every ounce of doubt before it could deflate my exuberant bubble.
“Don’t go back,” I said. “Come home with me, please.”
She smiled. “I’d like that.”
“Really?” I bounced on my heels.
“I’ll change my flight. I’ve never been to New York.”
“You’re going to love New York City.” If elation were enough, I could clear the high jump without a pole.
“I know I will, because I love wherever you are.”
“What a charmer I fell in love with.” I was smiling myself silly.
“I’m ready for a deluxe tour of the Big Apple.”
“I plan to spoil you rotten.”
“As you should.”
I playfully swatted her arm. I couldn’t wait to tell Debs the marvelous news and thought a flashing billboard at Times Square wasn’t adequate broadcasting for how exuberant I felt.
I might even introduce her to my parents.
CHAPTER 17
With exhilaration oozing out of my every pore, I texted Debs the good news.
Robin is coming home with me!!!!
Most excellent news. We are going to paint the town red. That’s if and when you’re not too busy fucking like rabbits. So happy for you Janalyn. I’ll help with the plans. If I don’t have you two married by the weekend, it won’t be my fault.
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
See you soon. Text the second you land. In the meantime, want me to stock the fridge and wine rack?
Would you?
Of course!
Thanks, sweetie pie. You’re the best, talk soon. x.
Laters, lover girl. x.
Debs was the best friend ever.
The moment Robin and I arrived at my door, she put her bags down and confiscated my keys. “Let me do the honors, please.”
“With pleasure.”
I giggled as she carried me over the threshold. We made love right there on the floor, then christened the couch, and finally employed the kitchen table’s hardness to give me knockout orgasms. Afterward, we had a leisurely dinner and finally retreated back to my bedroom where we caught only a few hours of sleep.
Nevertheless, we awoke the next morning refreshed and ready to tackle the sights, sounds and treats of New York City in all its glory. I played “Empire State of Mind” on YouTube to get us excited, and Robin poked fun when I rapped my own rendition of the song. We wasted little time getting ready and heading out for
tour day numero uno.
Robin went nuts over finally being in Jay-Z’s famed “Concrete Jungle.” I’d go so far as to say she acted like a big kid on the ride of her life, at times, which cracked me up. She preferred being deep in the heart of Central Park to Times Square, although she did get a kick out of sampling some local Jewish delicacies as we ate sour pickles right out of the barrel. She was skeptical, but I even finally convinced her to share a matzoh ball soup with me, chopped liver on Melba toast, and pickled herring. I think her favorite, though, were the Hebrew National hot dogs smothered with mustard and fried onions. It was gratifying to introduce her to the foods of my heritage and experience it through her eyes.
Nights were filled with lovemaking, old movies, and then more sex; it’s a wonder we could walk, much less stand. Debs joined us for a salad, pizza and wine at our favorite pizzeria until we were drunk out of our heads. In the ladies’ room, Debs hugged all the air out of my lungs.
“Janalyn, I have never ever seen you this happy in all the years I’ve known you. Don’t let this one get away no matter what.”
“I don’t plan to.”
“Good girl. Even if I’ll miss you terribly if you move away…”
“Who said anything about moving?” I stopped drying my hands, the air stilled, and all grew quiet with the air drier off as I gaped at Debs.
“Don’t look so shocked. You never know.”
“I’m taking it a day at a time, Debs. I’m a new woman.” It was true and to prove it, I puffed out my chest.
“You’re that for sure. I’m so proud and happy for you. I love you like the sister I always wished for.”
“I love you too, Debs. I’ve always wanted a sister too. We’ll be friends till the end.”
I hiccupped.
“You’re drunk.”
“So are you. Besides I’m just high on life.”
“You’re corny.”
“Horny,” I corrected.
Debs laughed. “That too. You two belong together no matter which side of the pond you end up, I expect to have open-ended invitations.”
I grimaced. “I’m so sorry Kirk didn’t work out.”
Debs shrugged. “There’s a reason why a guy like him never married. I’m fine with having fond memories of the fun while it lasted.”
“You’ll meet your mate.”
“I know I will, but I have to get you married off first.”
“Stop getting ahead here.” I squeezed her tight. I was so lucky to have her in my life. And with Robin, I could conquer the world.
“Let’s not leave your girlfriend alone a moment longer.”
We walked Debs home before going back to my place. It gladdened my heart quadruple-fold that Robin and Debs got along so well, even if I had to bear the brunt of endless teasing from a formidable team. But laughing at my own expense was something I’d never outgrow. And I knew they always had my back.
With our fingers intertwined, our arms swinging freely in a comfortable, familiar way, Robin and I spent the next day walking along the Lower East Side, window-shopping for a leather jacket. Everything with her felt as if we were indulging in a well-planned, hedonistic vacation in paradise. Her firm, yet tender grip transferred amazing strength from her to me. She was the lifeline to a confidence I’d never felt as strongly before.
Robin lifted my hand and brushed my knuckles with her soft lips. “What are you thinking?”
We kept strolling at a delightful leisurely pace, and I turned to glance at her soft relaxed features. She exuded the kind of confidence and calm I always wanted to project. “I’m just thinking about you.” The corners of my lips curved upwards. My skin tingled from an inner glow.
“Tell me,” Robin said.
“You already know.” I smiled.
“Tell me anyhow.”
“I love being here with you. I also love being in Devon with you. I have no doubt I will love being anywhere in the world as long as I’m with you.”
Robin stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. She pulled me closer to the store fronts so as not to be in the way of people walking by, and without further hesitation, she kissed me with a passion that reached right down to my toes.
When we parted to catch our breath, she threaded her fingers through my hair, looked deep into my eyes, and it was like I could see inside her soul at that very moment. Through thick and thin, I knew instantly that whatever hurdles may stand in our way, we would make this work.
“I love you more than I ever thought possible to love another human being. Sure, I’ve had lots of puppies I was mad about, but you, Janalyn, you do my head in.”
I was overwhelmed, to say the least and kissed her with the deepest of passion. Some guy whistled at our spectacle, and Robin shot him a menacing look as he kept walking.
“Let’s get out of here,” she said.
“Let’s get you one of those sexy leather jackets; maybe they’ll have pants to match.”
She grinned. “That’s a bit much.”
I leaned in closely. “I already can’t wait to fuck you. Seeing you in leather, well, let’s just say, you may never walk again.”
Robin chuckled. “Janalyn, Janalyn. Behave yourself.”
“With you in leather? Not a chance.”
That day was glorious. By the time we finished “window-shopping,” Robin needed a new suitcase for all her purchases.
“I’d better get out of here before I have no money left to treat you to lunch. Are you hungry?”
“You’ve never had a bagel, cream cheese and lox until you’ve had one in New York City,” I said. “You’re having one.”
“We have those in Devon.”
“Not the same. Trust me.”
We headed to Russ and Daughters. “I’m taking you to a family-owned appetizing store. It’s what New Yorkers call the place where they sell smoked and pickled fish, dairy items like cream cheese and other delicacies that doesn’t include beef, pork or poultry, in accordance with Jewish dietary laws. It’s been around since the early, early 1900s. It’s historical.”
“Compared to European establishments—”
“Okay, okay, so it’s not that old.” I laughed. I hadn’t played tour guide in so long, I was having a blast.
“It smells delicious in here,” she said when we entered the place.
I took a number at the counter. We could barely stand together in the thick of the crowd standing there, waiting to be served.
“It’s a popular place,” Robin observed.
“You’ll see why soon enough.”
“I have no idea what to order.”
I squeezed her hand. “Leave it all to me.”
When it was our turn, I asked for a half of Gaspé Nova loin cut smoked salmon, white fish, and some pickled herring in cream sauce, some plain with extra onions and curried herring. I wanted to make her feel at home as possible and thought she would appreciate Indian spices. I even got some pickled lox. There was enough choice to tempt a small planet, and my mouth watered to get all the food home. I also bought several different flavored cream cheeses, and all varieties of bagels, bialys and smoked peppered salmon. For dessert I chose a pound of rugelach, some candied fruit, halvah, Medjool dates, and my all-time favorite, chocolate jelly rings. I told her that this last one always reminded me of Grandma and my mother’s grandma—her bubbe.
“What is a bialy?” Robin mispronounced bialy so incorrectly, I had to hold my sides to keep my kishkas in. “And what’s a bubbah?” she added.
“My bubbe is my great grandma. And a bialy is hard to explain, but I’m going to toast you one with butter and sweet Muenster cheese the way my mother did for me when I was a kid. You’ll love it.”
“I need something soon. I’m getting peckish.”
“We can get a nosh to go and eat it on a bench somewhere.”
“Are you going to keep using all these weird words?” she asked.
“I can’t help it, being in an appetizing store brings out the best in me.”
With freezer packs to hold the goodies till we got home, Robin could not get over the cost, let alone the amount, of food I had bought ‘in one go.’
“How are we supposed to eat all this?” she asked.
“Oh, we’ll manage.”
When we reached the bench outside, I handed her a wrapped everything bagel with plain cream cheese and the best nova, and she hummed blissfully as she chewed. She had a bit of cream cheese at the corner of her mouth, and it gave me a bright idea: I leaned in and licked it off.
“This is lush,” she murmured.
“Enjoy. And there are so many more treats in store.”
“I’ll have to buy larger clothes at this rate.”
“We can hit the gym. You’ll be all right.”
She shot me a salacious grin. “Or we can have sex.”
My eyebrows raised. “Mm. That too.”
We finished the bagels in silence. Talking would only get in the way of this gastronomic pleasure.
Across the Pond Page 20