“Extra chromosome,” said the middle one. “We don’t have it.”
The first one to the platform, the heavier of the three, looked directly at Kasey. “Baby, I hope you know I shaved my legs just for you.”
“Sharon!” Kasey exclaimed in surprise, as she surveyed the thick, square form covered in glittering blue. Connie simply stared in disbelief. “Oooh, baby,” Kasey teased, mischievously running her hand up Sharon’s leg.
“Behave!” Sharon snapped, slapping her hand. “Damn queer!”
“Oh, but baby, you never looked like this before,” laughed Kasey. “You could turn the Orange Queen down the path of perversion.”
The entire room was now nearly in tears from laughter, all having figured out by now that the trio of unlikely candidates for homecoming queen consisted of Sharon, Sage, and Jan. Past the initial shock of Sharon’s appearance, Kasey’s attention shifted to the other two. With wigs hiding their short hair and with their extensive makeup, they were barely recognizable. Only Jan’s freckled arms gave her away. Sage was surprisingly the most natural looking with her broad shoulders, narrow hips, and pretty smile.
Still unable to get everyone’s attention, Sharon finally called to Tom, “Hit it, maestro,” and the trio went into action. “My Guy,” altered by Tom’s expert handiwork, now talked about “My Girl” while the Sappho Sisters lip-synched their way to fleeting stardom.
“They sure went to a lot of work to do this,” remarked Connie.
“This is right up Sharon’s alley. She loves this kind of stuff,” explained Kasey. “She did surprise me with the dress and makeup, though.”
Sharon, meanwhile, hammed it up with first one sister, then the other, drawing laughs with her facial expressions and body language. Their funny antics continued through the second verse until suddenly eyes of steel locked onto Connie’s. Sharon mouthed the words directly at her, “There’s not a man today who could take me away from my girl.” How quickly the earlier fun faded, along with Connie’s smile. Yet she refused to break eye contact, forcing Sharon to be the one to look away. Somehow it made her feel more in control of the situation. It was such a small thing, happening so quickly that Kasey had missed it altogether. But its impact was undeniable. Its message, loud and clear, was that the rest of the evening may not be as comfortable as the beginning. She decided not to say anything to Kasey.
Sharon spoke over the slowly dying applause, “Do you want to sing a few? Okay, okay. Come on, birthday girl, we need a thorn between these roses.” With a smile, she held out her hand to Kasey, who pulled up a tight skirt and let Sharon and Sage give her a hand up onto the platform.
“What are we singing?”
“Pretty Woman,” came the unison reply.
“This seems to be a tradition around here. Jan?” Kasey signaled.
Grateful for the switch in moods, Connie joined the crowd of happy faces and followed the lead of Kasey’s strong voice. But she watched with interest as Kasey interacted with her longtime friend and Sage Bristo. The infamous throaty growl was directed right at Sharon, who returned “Oooh. I love it when you growl dirty.” Connie laughed in spite of herself.
The biggest response, though, came from the floor-up once-over Kasey gave Sage and the “mercy” she droned low and slow, an appreciation many obviously shared for the tall, appealing woman from New York. And Sage’s smile, directed at Kasey, showed her own appreciation as she slipped her arm comfortably around Kasey’s waist. Jealousy was an infrequent visitor to Connie’s disposition, but it suddenly made a front-row appearance. She hoped the sexual nuance she was sensing was only the result of a crowd of excited women and her own imagination. The smile she received from Kasey as the song ended was precisely what she needed. She decided there was nothing to worry about.
Kasey started off the platform but was stopped by Sharon, who grabbed her arm and the microphone. “Okay, if you want a birthday dance, cut in between the short songs on the medley tape,” she announced.
“I’m changing first,” Sage said.
“Me, too,” added Jan, leaving Sharon and Kasey alone on the platform.
“Wusses,” muttered Sharon, pulling Kasey into dance position.
“I never thought I’d see this,” Kasey grinned, raising an eyebrow at Sharon’s dress.
“Don’t get used to it. You’ll probably never see it again.” She kicked off her shoes and began leading to the first song. “And don’t step on my feet,” she warned.
“Have I ever?”
The women began gathering around the platform, and Connie decided to let Sharon have her fun. Tom and Michael were in the middle of the room, wrapped in a slow-moving embrace, so she wound her way between women and chairs and found Evonne and Donna.
“Waiting out the birthday dances?” asked Evonne.
“I don’t feel comfortable waiting in line to dance with my lover.”
“They’re not going to pass up a chance to get the elusive Kasey Hollander in their arms,” interjected Donna. “But I don’t think it was meant as a personal offense to you, Connie.”
“Sharon had this whole thing planned for months,” explained Evonne.
“How are you two getting along, by the way?” Donna asked.
“Sharon? I try, but she doesn’t like me much.”
“Sharon’s very protective of Kasey and, don’t be offended by my bluntness, she doesn’t like what she thinks are curious straight women,” Evonne offered.
“I don’t fall into that category, but she sure isn’t giving me a chance to prove it.”
“She didn’t like Evonne either at first,” explained Donna. “Evonne was married for a number of years and raised two kids. Now, though, except for Kasey, we’re probably her best friends.”
“She even stood up with us during our commitment ceremony,” added Evonne.
“You’re saying there’s hope for me yet?” Connie’s tone wasn’t convincingly optimistic.
“If she doesn’t make you hate her first,” Evonne grinned. “Time has proven to her that I truly love Donna, and that just because I lived a straight life until then doesn’t make me any less a lesbian. Sharon’s basically a good person. She’s almost too honest, and extremely loyal. Once she’s your friend, she’s there for life. Try to be patient.”
“Are there a lot of others who think like Sharon?”
“I’ve encountered quite a few. Probably the majority of women here tonight have that attitude to some degree,” Evonne answered.
“Does it help if you’re out about being gay?”
“I don’t know. Keep in mind that everyone’s situation is different,” warned Evonne. “It has to be an individual decision, and it’s not an easy one.”
“Hey,” interrupted a baroque of a woman, joining the small group at the table. “Sage just asked Kasey to dance. Damn, if they put on another show like they did last time, I’ll have to find someone to go home with. After watching that, AC sex doesn’t have much appeal.”
Donna immediately looked at Connie, who looked to the platform just in time to see Sage take Kasey into her arms. Quickly Evonne interceded. “I don’t think you have to worry about that tonight.”
“How do you know? They were going at it hot and heavy last time,” the woman stated innocently.
“Because this is Kasey’s girlfriend, Connie,” explained Donna, too late.
A sharp twinge shot through Connie’s chest.
“Sorry, I didn’t know,” the woman replied in obvious embarrassment. She left the table, but Connie hardly noticed. Her eyes were riveted on the dancing couple. The situation had unleashed a mire of emotions—anger at Kasey for not telling her, fear of a sexual challenge, anxiety over not being able to control the situation. She searched for a release. Her first impulse was to cut in on their dance. But it would certainly send the message that there was little trust or certainty in their relationship. She couldn’t. As uncomfortable as it was, she would have to wait it out.
“Will someone explain to me
who Sage is?”
“A friend of Sharon’s,” obliged Donna. “She moved here from New York.”
Of course. I could have guessed as much if I were thinking more clearly. She devoted closer attention to Sage Bristo. There was something very alluring about her. She had thought so herself when they’d first met. But knowing the extent to which Kasey must have acknowledged it tightened her stomach into a hard knot. “She’s very attractive,” she admitted aloud.
Donna’s honesty didn’t make it any easier. “A lot of women think so.”
“Masculine. But you don’t lose sight that she’s a woman.”
“Androgynous is the word you’re looking for,” added Evonne.
“Did she date Kasey?”
Donna was doing her best to put Connie’s mind at ease. “I don’t think so. They met at the last party Sharon had. I’ve seen Sage with a couple of different women since then, but not Kasey.”
Connie stared again at the couple on the dance floor, moving slowly, talking quietly. Keeping a conversation going seemed to relieve her anxiety. “Kasey looks ... androgynous when she’s working.”
“It’s hard to believe that someone who can sink a number-eight nail with three swings of the hammer can look like that at night,” laughed Donna, her eyes on the dancing couple.
“I know,” smiled Connie, admiring how her lover looked in the tight black dress. “That’s one thing that really attracted me to her. And the way she moves, like a strong, confident woman. I’m very drawn to her femininity.”
“Being drawn. Is that the same thing as being turned on?” Donna asked with a grin.
“Donna!” Evonne scolded.
With a laugh at last, and a touch of momentary relief, Connie answered, “Yes, it turns me on.”
“You’re so feminine yourself,” noted Donna. “People assume that you’d be attracted to someone more masculine, or at least to more masculine traits.”
“I’m realizing now that people have a hard time with our looks. If they took time to get to know us, though, they’d find that we both have so-called masculine traits. Most women do, to some degree. Too bad they’re considered masculine.” Connie looked again at the platform, at her lover in another woman’s arms, and suddenly she realized there was a different song playing. Sage, with both arms around Kasey, pulled her very close. The scene jolted Connie back to the reality of the situation. The anxiety that had been on hold was back, in full force. Something Kasey said made Sage laugh and loosen her hold. Their bodies separated to a more respectable position.
“Nobody’s cutting in,” Connie suddenly remarked.
“You’re right,” agreed Evonne. “It’s been at least two songs.”
“They’d like to see Kasey with Sage, wouldn’t they?” Hesitating only briefly, Connie made her decision. “I’ll be right back.”
“Do you like the makeup?” Sage asked, the conversation still light.
“It’s nice,” answered Kasey.
“Randy did it for us. I thought you’d like it.”
“I do, but ...”
The compliment was just the incentive Sage needed to take the conversation where she wanted. “Tell me something,” she began. “I know you felt the same thing I did that night. You expressed yourself quite well.”
Embarrassment made Kasey break eye contact.
“Why did you stop at that point?”
“I apologize. It was thoughtless and unfair.”
“I don’t want your apology. I want your honesty.”
“Sage, there were so many factors at play that night. I hadn’t been with anyone for a long time, and I was fighting my feelings for Connie. Those two factors alone made me vulnerable enough that I shouldn’t have even been there. Add about five drinks that I wasn’t used to and a very persuasive, attractive woman, and you have a highly sexual situation. What I felt was purely sexual. I tried to tell you that then.”
“I know you did. I owe you an apology, too. I took advantage of the situation.”
“I would really like to get past this. Maybe get to where we can develop a friendship. I do like you very much, but I’m in love with Connie.”
“Speaking of,” Sage nodded toward the edge of the platform.
After handing Tom the tape she had retrieved from the car, Connie started across the platform.
“Dedicated to Kasey from Connie,” he announced, as Sage stepped away.
Sage made only brief eye contact. “Have fun,” she said coolly. Her intent wasn’t clear; neither was it important. Connie had a message she was about to deliver to everyone.
“May I have this dance?” she asked, to the beginning notes of “You Have It All Over Him.”
Kasey slid her arms around her. “For the rest of my life?”
Connie brushed her open mouth over Kasey’s lips. “For the rest of your life.” Arms around her shoulders, she boldly grasped the back of Kasey’s head and brought them together. Their kiss was sensuous enough for even Sharon to have felt something. And as much as they may have liked the idea of Sage and Kasey together, the women offered a loud approval of the public display.
“Something tells me the birthday dances are over,” Sage said to Sharon. “You know that song is for your benefit, don’t you?”
“She’s got tits, I’ll give her that much.” Sharon nodded toward the platform. “Doesn’t that bother you?”
Sage watched their intimacy. “A little. I don’t regret kissing those lips, although I probably should. That’s one talented, very hot woman. She’ll be hot when she’s sixty-six.”
“I wish she wouldn’t keep wasting it on women who don’t appreciate her,” complained Sharon.
“Should be classified right along with the seven sins.” They watched as Connie stared deeply into Kasey’s eyes. “It does look like appreciation, though.”
“Yeah, ’til her curiosity’s satisfied.” Sharon’s tone lacked its earlier sarcasm. “I only hope it doesn’t take three years this time.”
Connie pressed the side of her face against Kasey’s cheek. “I was wondering how much public affection you’d be comfortable with,” Kasey said with a soft smile. “I think you’ve answered that question.”
“You don’t know how much I wanted to do that the first time we danced,” Connie returned softly, nose to nose now. “I knew the moment you tightened your arms around me that I loved you, that I wanted you.”
Kasey gazed at the pretty lips and smiled. “If you only knew how hard it was for me to let go of you that night. You had me in a slow meltdown. I knew we had to get out of there.”
“What would have happened if we’d stayed?”
Kasey smiled, her lips touching lightly against Connie’s ear. “The next dance would have been very physical.” Slowly, sensuously she began to move her hips against Connie’s, fueling the flame that the kiss had ignited.
“You’re a very sexy woman,” whispered Connie. “And it’s a damn good thing this song is over.” They kissed once again as the last notes faded. “Oh, yes. Hold that thought. I think Tom wants you to cut your cake.”
With a large piece of cake in each hand, Connie approached Sage and Sharon. Their conversation ended abruptly as she neared. “Kasey’s still cutting cake. I thought I’d bring these over for you.”
“Thanks, Connie,” Sage said with a pleasant smile.
Sharon took the plate and Connie’s right hand as well, noticing the long painted nails. “Damn, Sage, will you look at these? I’ll bet these nails could ruin a moment. Can’t you hear Kasey now, ‘Ah honey, is there something else you want to do, ’cause this moment is gone’?”
Only the corners of Sage’s mouth curled slightly. “You no doubt thought those were screams of ecstasy.”
Connie pulled back her hand quickly, as the two women laughed. “I haven’t had any complaints so far,” she said crisply, refusing to offer her chord hand in defense.
“Aha, there goes another misconception I’ve had about straight women. All along I thought they d
idn’t do windows or oral sex,” Sharon lashed back.
Without a reply, Connie turned abruptly and headed for the stairway.
“Cruel, Sharon,” Sage said slyly. “Funny, but cruel.”
Kasey met Connie’s somber look at the bottom of the stairs. “Is everything okay?”
“I just need some fresh air.”
Catching up with her, Kasey took her hand and led her out the back. “It’s Sharon, isn’t it?”
Connie only took a deep breath and looked up at the stars.
“I made her promise to behave,” Kasey explained, wrapping her arms around Connie’s waist.
Connie leaned back against her. “I know. I guess she just couldn’t resist.”
“Are you going to tell me what happened?”
“No. I don’t want you to say anything to her.”
Kasey turned for the door. “Well, I am going to say something, and then we’re leaving.”
Connie took her arm. “No, Kasey. I don’t want her to think I can’t take it. Don’t you see? She wins then. She proves I can’t take the pressure.”
“Connie, I’m not going to let her treat you like that.”
“Listen to me,” she said, taking both Kasey’s hands to keep her from leaving. “I don’t want you to be mad at her. It will only make matters worse. You still have to work together.”
“I am mad at her,” she frowned, stepping back into Connie’s arms. “But I love you more.”
Connie’s voice was reassuringly quiet. “And someday you’re going to trust how much I love you.”
The word trust had struck a nerve. “Now that we’re alone, there’s something I need to tell you, something I should have said earlier.”
Having Kasey come to her without being asked was already relieving much of her anxiety. “You can tell me anything, honey.”
“I hope so.” Kasey took both her hands. “It’s about Sage. Remember I told you I went to Sharon’s party that Friday before we got together?” Connie nodded. “And that I had too much to drink. But that wasn’t everything.” She took a deep breath. “Sage made it clear from the beginning that she was interested. She fussed over me all night, complimented me. Everyone knew what she was doing, including me. I was trying very hard not to think about you. We danced a couple of times. The last time I was a little dizzy, so I put my arms around her neck and leaned into her.” She was looking down at their hands, not yet ready to face the hurt, or whatever else she might find in Connie’s eyes. “Everything just sort of happened from there.”
Marianne K. Martin - Love in the Balance Page 14