by Lydia Rose
COMING HOME
BY
LYDIA ROSE
Edited by
Holly Schneider
FOR LINDA ALWAYS
CHAPTER ONE
Catherine Parker just entered the State of Ohio leaving Indiana in her rear view mirror. Indiana had become her home since she was a freshman in college more than eighteen years ago. Catherine fell in love with her English professor in her senior year and married Alan Wilson not long after graduation. Her mother was against the marriage because Alan was fifteen years older than Catherine. The marriage was a good match initially, but as time went on Alan tried to take control and the marriage ended in divorce. Now six months after her divorce was final, Catherine was moving back to New Jersey. To the small beach town where she grew up. Even though her parents had moved to Florida years ago, she would always feel New Jersey was her home.
Catherine’s cell phone rang and she looked at the screen. She pressed the button on the radio that would connect the call. “Amy, how are you?” Catherine asked her best friend. She and Amy met in first grade and remained friends all the way through high school. Amy had never left the little town and became a very popular real estate agent.
“I’m good, sweetie. Where are you?” Amy asked.
“Somewhere in Ohio.”
“When you get closer, give me a call. I’ve got your place ready for you.”
Amy found Catherine a small house to rent so she could be at the beach, but close enough to her new job at Monmouth University. Catherine left behind being a history professor and accepted the new job as soon as it was offered. She had given up tenure, but it was more important to be back home than job security.
“I appreciate everything you did for me Amy. You’ve been a life saver,” Catherine said to Amy.
“Only for you, Cate. I couldn’t let my best friend come back into town and have nowhere to live,” she said with a laugh. “I’ll let you go since you’re driving. Be safe, love.”
“Thanks, Amy. See you soon.”
Catherine decided to spend the night as she entered Pennsylvania and even though she was just several hours away from her destination, she wanted to rest.
CHAPTER TWO
Catherine was just getting off the parkway when she called Amy. “I should be at the house in the next half hour.”
“I’ll see you there, Cate.”
As Catherine came over the Tunney Mathis Bridge she knew Seaside Heights was just ahead. The boardwalk had extensive damage from Superstorm Sandy, but by the summer of 2013 a new boardwalk had been rebuilt. Unfortunately, in September of 2013 half the boardwalk burned to the ground. Now as Catherine entered Ortley Beach she could see that it had been ground zero during the Superstorm as she had been told. She had seen the pictures on the news and internet, but nothing prepared her for blocks and blocks of homes that had been washed away. The little town of Lavallette had been hit hard with flooding as were the rest of the towns on the Barrier Island. Catherine found the street that led her to her new home and saw Amy standing there as she pulled into the driveway. A smile awaited her and she automatically smiled in return. She shut the car off and jumped out of her car and into the arms of her best friend.
“It’s so good to see you again Amy,” Catherine said holding her tightly.
“Let me look at you,” Amy said holding her friend at arm’s length.
The years had been good to Catherine. Her shoulder length light brown hair had blond streaks and the blue eyes were still bright and beautiful. She had the body of a runner and the muscles were well-defined as Amy studied her friend. Amy had always been envious of Catherine’s five foot five frame.
“You haven’t changed one bit. I hate you,” Amy said with a laugh.
Amy’s five foot stature carried the extra weight of having two children. Her blond hair was lighter than when they were young, but the dark green eyes and wide smile made her appear younger than her thirty eight years.
The two women giggled as they held each other again.
“Come inside. Let me show you your new house,” Amy said opening the door for Catherine. “The owners redid everything after the storm.”
Catherine was amazed at the newness of the place. There was an open floor plan of a living room, dining area and small kitchen. In the back of the house were two small bedrooms with a shared bathroom. “It’s perfect, Amy.”
“The owners decided after the storm to rent it out for six months instead of trying to rent it week by week.” Amy watched as Catherine examined every nook in the house.
“So when am I going to see Ray and meet the boys?” Catherine asked.
“You’re coming to dinner this evening. I can’t have you spending your first night in town alone.” Amy smiled.
Ray had been Amy’s high school sweetheart and they married after Ray graduated from college. Her boys were ten and twelve years already.
“Thank you, Amy. You’re a good friend.”
“Do you remember where I live?” Amy asked.
“Of course, I do,” Catherine answered. Amy took over her parent’s home after they passed away and Catherine had spent just as much time in Amy’s house as she did her own.
“Okay. Do you need help unpacking?” Amy asked.
“No. It’s just clothes and some personal items. I know you’re busy with work. What time do you want me to come over?”
“How’s seven?” Amy asked.
“Perfect.” Catherine led her to the door and hugged her again. “I’ll see you later.”
“I’m glad you’re home, Cate. I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you too,” Catherine said with a wave.
Catherine knew it would have made sense to get a place closer to the university, but she knew the drive would be worth it to be with her friends in her hometown. She began to unload her SUV. The only problem with the little house was closet space. She ended up piling some of her clothes on the bed in the other room and knew she would have to get some type of storage units for the excess things.
Catherine left the house at six fifty knowing she was only a few minutes away. She pulled in front of Amy’s house and walked up the front steps. A woman was standing on the porch next door and she waved. That’s what she liked about being at the beach. Even though most of the people were strangers, a wave or a hello was always given. The woman returned her wave with a slight smile.
Amy opened the door before she could knock. “Come on inside, Cate.” Amy ushered her to the back of the house and onto the deck.
“Ray,” Catherine said as came out the sliding door.
Ray stood up and wrapped his arms around her. “It’s good to see you again, Cate. Amy has been beside herself since you told her you were coming home.”
“Boys, come over here and meet Cate. Cate, this is Ryan,” Amy said pointing to the older boy. “This is Michael. Say hello to Cate, boys.”
“Hi,” they both said shyly.
“It’s nice to meet you both. Even though your mom has sent me pictures every year, I can’t believe how much you’ve grown.” Catherine smiled as the younger boy clung to his mother.
“Go ahead and play until we’re ready to eat.” Amy motioned as they went back into the yard. “What can I get you to drink? There’s wine.”
“Great. I’ll have a glass of wine.”
Ray poured Catherine’s wine just as his cell phone rang. He looked at the screen as he handed the glass to Catherine. “Sorry, I’ve got to take this call.”
“Between his job and mine, our phones never stop,” Amy said with a laugh.
Ray being a Wall Street Vice President in a large firm and Amy’s job in real estate, they were always on call.
Catherine
sat back in her chair sipping her wine and watched Amy’s boys play catch in the back yard. “This life looks good on you, Amy. It’s everything you’ve always wanted. The good husband and the kids.”
Amy leaned forward so she could whisper, “Yeah, but one of them was supposed to be a girl.”
Catherine laughed. “But I’m sure you wouldn’t trade either one of them?”
“You’re right,” Amy said with a smile. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out with you and Alan.”
“What are you going to do? It wasn’t meant to be, but I’m happy to be home again.”
“How are your parents?” Amy asked.
“They love Florida. My dad’s law firm is thriving and they love the winters.”
“How is your sister Patty and her family? She’s still in Jersey, right?”
“Yes, and she’s good too. I’ll have to invite them down soon.”
“She has one daughter as I recall. I’m surprised you never had any kids,” Amy said softly.
“Yes, Patty has just the one daughter. About me having kids, I was busy building a career and my biological clock never kicked into gear.” Cate chuckled. “It worked out for the best that we never had any kids.”
Ray came back outside carrying a platter of steaks. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude and leave, Cate.”
“Don’t worry, Ray. I understand.” As Ray turned on the barbecue, he noticed his neighbor outside. “Hey, Sam, why don’t you come over for dinner?”
“Thanks anyway, Ray,” Sam said with a wave. “I’ve eaten already.”
“She lost her partner two years ago to a brain hemorrhage. Sam didn’t even get to say goodbye to her. One minute you’re here and the next gone.” Amy shook her head. “Sam was a wreck for a long time.”
Catherine looked at Sam as she went into the shed. Amy had just told her that her neighbor was gay, but looking at the woman, she never would have guessed. Sam had stylish short blond hair and a firm tall frame, but she was still feminine. She watched Sam until she was out of sight.
After dinner, the boys ran off to their friend’s house leaving the adults to enjoy their coffee and dessert.
“So are you all settled into your place?” Ray asked.
“Yes.” Catherine rubbed her forehead. “I have to get some storage boxes for extra clothes or get a rack for the second bedroom.”
Amy laughed. “I forgot what a clothes horse you were. I should have looked for a place that had nothing but closets.”
“Hey, I’ve gotten better in my old age,” Catherine said tapping Amy on the arm. She stood up from her chair. “I hate to leave, but I am beat.” She hugged Amy. “Thank you so much for having me over to dinner.” Catherine now hugged Ray. “It’s so good to see you again, Ray.”
“We’re both glad to have you home and don’t make yourself a stranger.”
Catherine smiled. “I won’t.”
Amy walked her out to the car. “We are glad to have you here, honey. I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too.” Catherine got into her car and drove the short distance home.
CHAPTER THREE
Catherine slept until nine o’clock the following morning. The first thing she did was stop for a cup of coffee before going to the grocery store. Once she unloaded her groceries, she changed to go up to the boardwalk for a run. Tomorrow she would be able to run early before the heat developed, but today she would have to suffer.
She ran the length of the boardwalk at a leisurely pace. Catherine thought it was no sense getting heat stroke her first day, but then she realized she had forgotten her water. She sat down on a bench to catch her breath and looked up and saw someone watching her.
“You should bring water with you when you run,” the woman said moving closer.
“I usually do, but I left it on the kitchen counter.” Catherine wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and took a few deep breaths. She looked at the woman with the hazel eyes realizing she looked familiar. Then it hit her. “You’re Sam, right?”
The woman raised her eyebrows and smiled. “Yes.” Sam looked at her face. “You were at Amy and Ray’s last night.”
“I’m Cate Parker,” she said holding out her hand.
“Sam Daniels.” Sam took Catherine’s hand and shook it firmly. “We’re at my street. Would you like to come get a bottle of water?”
Catherine nodded, “If it’s not a bother?”
Sam chuckled. “Come on.”
Catherine followed Sam into the house and towards the kitchen. Catherine took notice of the pictures on the fireplace mantle and realized that the woman standing with Sam must be the partner that passed away.
Sam took out two bottles and handed one to Catherine. “Drink up.”
Catherine drank half the bottle before stopping. “Thank you. I needed this. I usually run early in the morning, but I needed to buy groceries first.”
“You’re new to this town?” Sam asked and motioned for Catherine to have a seat at the island.
“I was born and raised here, but I left for Indiana to go to school and stayed.”
“The ocean called you home?” Sam asked with a laugh.
“More like a divorce and wanting to come home.”
“Do your parents still live here?”
“No. They moved to Florida when I went off to college.”
“So you really had no reason to return home,” Sam said softly.
“Besides Amy and Ray. Amy and I have been friends since I was six years old.” Catherine finished up her water and handed the empty bottle to Sam. “Thanks for keeping me from getting heat stroke.”
“It was my pleasure. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow morning. I usually run around seven,” Sam said walking Catherine to the door.
“If you don’t mind, I can drive over here and we can run together. I understand if you’d rather run by yourself. Some people like to use the time to think or listen to music.”
Sam put her hand on Catherine’s arm to stop her from making excuses. “I think that would be nice. Park in the driveway when you get here.”
“See you then. Thanks, Sam.”
As Catherine ran back down the boardwalk to her street, she realized she was smiling. She found herself liking Sam the moment they spoke on the boardwalk. Catherine felt comfortable in her company and then she thought, I’ve never had a lesbian friend before. Yes, she knew plenty of lesbians, but they were just casual acquaintances. She was looking forward to her run with Sam.
****
Catherine pulled into Sam’s driveway at seven o’clock the following morning. She ran up the front steps and Sam opened the door before she could knock. “Hi. Are you ready to go?”
“Do you have your water?” Sam asked before stepping outside.
Catherine lifted her t-shirt showing Sam the bottle was around her waist. “I’m good to go.”
The two women jogged down the steps and up to the boardwalk. As they ran, Catherine began asking questions. “What do you do for a living, Sam?”
“I restore classic cars,” she said. “What about you?”
“College professor and I think your job sounds like a lot of fun.”
“It used to be, but now it just feels like a way to make a living,” Sam offered quietly.
“Where are you teaching?”
“Monmouth University and yes I could have moved closer, but I wanted to come home. I think living here will be worth the drive.”
“So where are you living?”
“A small house two blocks from here and I mean small. I still have to do something with the closet situation. I think I’ll go to the mall and see if I can find a rack to hang up my extra clothes.”
“My partn-,” Sam caught herself. “I started out in a tiny place too.” She chuckled. “You get used to it though and it’s a lot less to clean.” Sam liked Catherine, but she didn’t want to divulge her life with Robin yet. People tended to look at her differently once she told them of her loss. She didn’
t want to see pity on Catherine’s face like so many others.
“Let’s rest a minute,” Catherine said so she could drink some water. They took a seat on an empty bench. “You’re very easy to talk with. I tend to be shy around new people. My ex was always the social butterfly. He could speak with anyone.”
“You’re easy to talk with too. Although I’ve been told I could talk to a deaf person and they would find a way to communicate with me.” Sam stood up. “Ready?”
Catherine smiled and they continued their run.
Amy just came out of her house when she spotted Catherine’s car in Sam’s driveway. Looking at her watch, she knew she didn’t have time to go knock on Sam’s door. Amy decided she would call Catherine later.
As the two women reached Sam’s street, they slowed their pace to a walk. “Thanks for running with me, Sam. It made the time fly.”
“I enjoyed it too. Do you want to do it again tomorrow?”
“Sure. Same time?”
Sam nodded. “Yes. Enjoy your day,” she said walking up the front steps.
“Thanks, you too. See you tomorrow.”
Catherine did go to the mall and found a rolling clothes rack. She decided to start out with one and see if she needed a second one. On her way back to the house, she stopped in at Dunkin Donuts. As she came back outside, she ran into Amy.
“Hey, fancy meeting you here,” Catherine said with a giggle.
“I needed a cup of coffee. Come inside while I get mine. Iced coffee,” Amy said to the girl behind the counter.
They walked outside and sat at one of the small tables.
“I saw your car at Sam’s this morning,” Amy said looking at Catherine over her cup.
“We went for a run together.”
“When did you two meet?”
“On the boardwalk the day before,” Catherine said not elaborating on her story.
“So did you have a good run?”
Catherine was surprised by all of Amy’s questions. She didn’t used to be nosy. “We did. Sam’s very easy to talk to. We’re going to be running again tomorrow morning.”