by Lydia Rose
Michelle left her cane and followed Sydney into the kitchen. “You don’t trust me?” Sydney asked seeing her standing there.
“I just thought you might like some help.”
“I didn’t cook this food. I was told just to heat it up and serve,” Sydney said with a wide grin.
“It smells wonderful.”
Sydney began to look for serving bowls, but was coming up empty.
“What are you looking for?”
“Serving bowls.” Sydney continued looking.
“Syd, you don’t need to get fancy for us. Let’s just bring these to the table.
“Are you sure?” Sydney asked reaching for the serving spoons.
“Yes.”
They carried the aluminum trays to the dining room table and took their seats. Sydney lifted the lids and put them back in the kitchen. “Dig in,” she said when she returned.
The meal was delicious and Michelle realized that Sydney had ordered the food from a nice restaurant in town.
“Why don’t the two of you go sit in the living room while I clean up?” Grace offered to the surprised women.
“I can do it,” Sydney said.
“No. You go sit and relax.
Sydney led Michelle to the living room as Grace cleaned up the dinner dishes and started the coffee.
Michelle sat quietly for a moment before she said. “If I didn’t know better, I would think she’s trying to get us together.” Her hand went to her chin in contemplation.
“Do you know better?” Sydney asked turning on the sofa.
“Of course. She has no reason to know that you and I.” Michelle couldn’t finish the sentence.
“Can I ask you a question?” Sydney asked quietly.
Michelle nodded her response.
“Have you dated anyone since your divorce?”
“No. Who has time to date when you’re working and raising a child?”
“Grace isn’t a child, Michelle. She hasn’t been a child for a long time.”
Michelle didn’t comment.
“Does she know I’m gay?”
“Yes. She figured that out on her own.” Michelle kept her voice low.
“Is Grace gay?” Sydney question shocked Michelle.
“Why would you ask that?” Michelle’s hand went to her head.
“Calm down, Michelle. I just get this vibe from her.”
There it is again. That word vibe. “Like it takes one to know one?”
“Yeah, something like that.” Sydney’s lips formed into a slight smile. “After all, she is your daughter.”
Michelle stood up. “I don’t want to talk about this with you.”
“I’m sorry, Michelle. It’s none of my business.”
“You’re right, it isn’t.” Sydney admitted quietly.
Grace came out of the kitchen with the coffee pot and dessert. “Dessert is served,” she said with a slight bow.
The dessert conversation was minimal at best. Grace tried to get the two women into a conversation, but neither woman said much. After dessert, Michelle stood up.
“Sydney, thank you for dinner and a lovely evening.”
“You don’t have to rush off, Michelle.” Sydney knew she had made a mistake in asking about her daughter’s sexuality.
“I’m sorry, but I’m very tired from the long week I’ve had.”
Grace looked at Sydney and shrugged. “Thanks for having us over, Doc. I like your home.”
“Thanks, Grace. You both are welcome here anytime.”
Michelle ushered Grace out of the house. “Good night, Sydney.”
“Good night.”
As they pulled out of the driveway, Grace turned in her seat. “What the hell happened with you two?”
“Nothing,” Michelle said keeping her eyes on the road.
“One minute everything is fine and the next you couldn’t wait to get out of there.” Grace sighed. “Did the Doc do something or say something?”
Michelle bit into her bottom lip. “Why is it so important to you that Sydney and I are friends again?”
“Is that what this is all about?”
Michelle looked at her daughter as the traffic light remained red. “What?”
“Mom, you and the Doc were good friends in college. I don’t know what happened to change that friendship, but something did. It was probably something stupid too.” Grace sighed. “I just wanted you to have a friend you could count on. Obviously, Sydney is someone that can do that. She’s smart, funny and genuine. Why do you think I don’t have many close friends? It’s because most people are phony and quick to criticize someone else. I don’t get that from the Doc.”
“I’m sorry, Grace. I didn’t realize.” Michelle wanted to ask Grace if what Sydney had questioned was true, but tonight was not the night for that. “I love you, Grace.”
“I love you too, mom. All I want is for you to be happy. I’ll be going off to school next year and I don’t want you to be alone.”
“Grace, Sydney has her own life to lead. If we become friends again, she still has to live her life. I don’t even know if she’s seeing anyone.” Michelle added softly.
“Maybe she could introduce you to some rich Doctor?” Grace asked with a laugh.
“I’m not interested in dating some rich Doctor.”
“Mom, you haven’t gone out on a date since your divorce. I want to see you happy.”
“I’m happy, Grace.” Michelle pulled into the apartment parking lot. “Can we argue about this tomorrow? I really am tired.”
“Sure, mom.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
It had been a month since Grace and Michelle had dinner with Sydney. Grace and her friend Cathy left school and headed to the nearest Starbuck for her favorite coffee drink. As they turned from the counter, Grace spotted Sydney and walked over to a table in the corner.
“Hey, Doc,” she said with a smile.
“Grace. How are you?” Sydney asked surprised to see her.
“I’m good.” Grace looked at the woman sitting with Sydney.
“Grace, this is Doctor Stevens.”
“Hello,” Grace said as her hand came out in greeting. “It’s nice to meet you.” She turned to Cathy. “This is my friend, Cathy. Cathy, this is Doctor Legend and Doctor Stevens.”
“It’s nice to meet you both,” Cathy said softly.
“Well, we’ll leave you to your drinks.” Grace led Cathy over to a table near the window.
“Is she your Doctor?” Cathy asked leaning forward.
“No. She’s a friend of my mothers.” Grace shrugged. “And a friend of mine too.”
“She’s beautiful and so is the woman she’s with. Are they a couple?” Cathy asked glancing at the two women.
“I have no idea.”
“She is gay, right?”
“Yes, she’s gay.”
“But your mom isn’t gay, right?” Cathy asked with her eyebrows furrowed.
“You don’t have to be gay to be friends with one,” Grace said with a roll of her eyes.
Cathy turned and then faced Grace. “They’re walking this way.”
Grace turned as Sydney stood near their table. “Grace, I checked on those scholarships for you. I have the papers at home.”
“Do you want me to pick them up?”
“I’m on my way to the hospital. I’ll drop them off at your apartment tomorrow evening. Is that okay?”
“Sure, Doc. Thanks.”
“It was nice to see you, Grace and it was nice to meet you, Cathy.”
“You too,” Cathy said.
“Bye, Doc.”
Sydney nodded. “Say hi to your mom for me.”
Grace smiled. “I will.”
Grace didn’t even bother to tell her mother that Sydney would be stopping by the following evening. She figured her mother would still be at work anyway and Grace wanted to find out who that woman was that Sydney had been with.
“Hi, Doc. Come on in.”
Sydney st
epped through the door and looked around. “Hi, Grace.
“Mom isn’t here. She’s still at work.”
“Yes. I should have realized that.”
“Have a seat, Doc. Can I get you something to drink?”
“No thanks, Grace. I’m good.” Sydney pulled out the papers from her briefcase. “You will have to complete these forms and write an essay. If you need any help filling out the papers, let me know.” Sydney reached into her briefcase again and pulled out an envelope. “This s a letter of recommendation for you to send with the forms. I’m told it can help with the final decision.”
“Doc, I don’t what to say.” Grace wiped at her eyes.
Sydney put her arm around Grace. “Don’t cry, honey. I don’t have a daughter that I can help do this.” Sydney shrugged. “You are giving me something just as important in return.” She smiled as she squeezed Grace’s arm. “I love you, Grace.” Sydney had grown fond of this young woman in such a short period of time. She guessed it had something to do with Grace’s mother, but it was also Grace herself who had won her over.
Grace leaned into Sydney. “I love you too, Doc.” Grace coughed. “I mean love you like a parent not love you like. You know.”
Sydney laughed. “Yes, Grace. I know.”
“So was that your girlfriend with you at Starbucks?”
“Yes.”
“She’s very pretty,” Grace said softly.
“Yes.” Sydney answered.
“But she’s not right for you.”
“Excuse me?” Sydney questioned with a smirk.
“She’s not right for you.” Sydney opened her mouth, but Grace held up her hand. “I know you’re going to say something like I don’t know her or it’s none of my business.” Grace let out a breath. “She looks high maintenance.”
Sydney laughed out loud. “She is.”
“You need someone who is down to earth. Someone who makes you laugh. Someone who shares your interests.”
“Well, Alice is a doctor. We have that in common.”
“Yeah and when do you see each other?” Grace asked.
“It has been difficult to get together, but look at your mom. She’s not a doctor, but she’s working late every night.”
“Yeah, but if I get that scholarship, she can slow down.”
As Grace said the words, Michelle walked into the apartment.
“Good evening, ladies,” Michelle said with a grin on her face.
“Hi, mom.” Grace walked over to her mother. “The Doc brought me papers on another scholarship for Cal Tech.”
“Thank you, Syd.”
“All I did was make a phone call. Grace has to do all the work in getting that scholarship.” Sydney stood up.
“How about a cup of coffee before you head out?
Sydney glanced at a grinning Grace before speaking. “Sure.”
Michelle went into the kitchen.
“What are you doing, Grace?”
“Nothing,” she said coyly.
Sydney shook her finger. “Don’t play matchmaker where there can’t be a match.”
“Says who?” Grace asked as she left the room.
“So what have you been up to?” Michelle asked as she returned with their coffees.
“Working mostly.”
Michelle took a sip of her coffee. “Are you seeing anyone?”
Sydney paused before answering. She didn’t want to tell her, but she was afraid Grace might. “Yes.”
“Good.” Michelle reached over and touched Sydney’s hand. “I hope she makes you happy.”
Sydney chuckled. “Grace said she’s too high maintenance for me.”
“Grace? When did she meet your girlfriend?”
“At Starbucks the other day.” Sydney shrugged. “Grace is right. Alice is very high maintenance.”
“So why are you seeing her?”
“There aren’t too many places for a busy doctor to meet someone. I usually date someone I work with.”
“Doesn’t that make it awkward if it doesn’t work out?”
“Sometimes.”
“Or is it just sex?”
Sydney spit the coffee that was in her mouth back into the cup. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
Sydney slouched back down onto the couch. “Sometimes it’s just sex.”
“Is that why you’re still single?”
Sydney lifted her leg onto the couch so she could face Michelle. “What’s with all the questions?”
“You’re my friend. I want to see you happy.”
“Michelle, I asked you this before, but are you happy? Really happy?”
“Of course I would love to share my life with someone.” Michelle sighed. “But I won’t settle again. I want the real thing. I want romance. I want the love of someone who can’t live without me.”
“You had that once,” Sydney said before she realized the words had left her mouth.
Michelle stared into the green eyes that reminded her so much of her daughter’s eyes. “I know and look how well that worked out. Maybe I’m destined to be alone.”
Sydney took Michelle’s hand. “Don’t say that, Michelle.”
Michelle started to cry. “Sydney, I am so sorry for what I did to you. Do you forgive me? I mean really forgive me.”
Sydney squeezed the hand she was holding and wiped Michelle’s tears. “It was hard the first few years. I buried myself in school and other women.” Sydney ran her hand across her face. “I wasn’t very nice to them. I went to bed with them and then ignored them the next day.”
“It’s not your fault, Syd.” Michelle moved closer. “I did that. I’m responsible for your behavior.” Michelle chuckled. “I didn’t want to date or have sex with anyone. I married Ryan just so I wouldn’t be alone.”
“Did you love him?”
“I cared for him, but no I didn’t love him. I got pregnant right way. He lost interest with me after that. I didn’t care, Syd. I knew he was having affairs, but I didn’t care. It was only when he fell in love with one of his women did he ask for a divorce.” Michelle tried to laugh, but it came out in a strangled cry. “I married him not to be alone and I spent my marriage alone.”
Sydney wiped at her eyes now. “I’m so sorry, Michelle. I really did want you to be happy even though it couldn’t be with me.”
They both moved into each other’s arms just as Grace came out of her room. She ran over to them. “What’s wrong? Why are you both crying?” Grace sat on the front of the coffee table and took both their hands. “Did someone die?”
Sydney released Michelle and sat back. “No, Grace. Everyone is fine. Just revisiting old memories.”
“Sometimes you need to cry to rid your body of painful things.” Michelle said through a hiccup.
“Whew,” Grace said wiping her hand across her brow. “So are you two friends again?”
Michelle looked at her daughter before she turned to Sydney. “I never stopped caring about Syd. She has always been in my heart.”
Sydney wanted to cry again hearing Michelle’s words. Instead she said. “Just as your mother has always had my heart.”
Both Grace and Michelle’s head snapped to Sydney. “Are you in love with my mother?” Grace asked.
“Uh, what?” Sydney said turning pale.
“You just said my mother had my heart.” Grace insisted.
“No I didn’t.”
Grace nodded. “Yes you did.”
“I mean that I’ve always cared about your mother too.”
Grace stood up. “Too late, Doc. Your secret is out.”
Sydney looked at Grace before turning to Michelle. Michelle just sat there with a smile on her face. “I think I’d better get out of here before I get in more trouble.” She reached for the door knob. “Grace, let me know if you need help with the forms.”
“I will, Doc. Thanks,” Grace said with a wink.
“Good bye you two.”
“Bye, Syd.” Michelle started laughing
as soon as the door closed. “I think we teased her too much.”
“Mom, come sit.” Grace grabbed her mother’s hand and led her to the couch.
“What’s wrong, Grace?”
“Mom, were you and the Doc lovers in college?” Grace heard her mother gasp. “Mom, I’m not a baby. You can be honest with me.”
“Why would you ask me such a thing?”
“Because Sydney is still in love with you. I can see it every time she talks about you or looks at you. Is that why you stopped being friends because she loved you and you didn’t love her?”
Michelle sighed knowing it was time to tell the truth. “No, Grace. I was in love with Sydney too.” She looked at Grace’s face. “Are you shocked?”
“No, mom. So what happened?” Grace asked taking her mother’s hand.
“Sydney wanted me to go with her to California while she went to Medical School.”
“Well, obviously you didn’t go.”
Michelle nodded her head. “No. I told her I couldn’t go with her. That my parents would never allow that.”
“Mom, you were twenty two years old and a college graduate.”
“I know, Grace. I heard the same thing from Sydney. I wasn’t brave enough to leave my family behind and go with her.” Michelle wiped her eyes. “I wouldn’t have you if I did go with her. I wouldn’t give you up for anything, Grace.”
“I love you too, mom. But you gave up your happiness.”
“Who knows, Grace? It may not have worked out with Syd and myself.”
“You are so wrong about that, mom. You hurt the Doc and eighteen years later she’s still in love with you.” Grace squeezed her mother’s hand. “It’s not too late for you two, mom.”
“Oh, Grace. Sydney has a girlfriend.”
“I know. She’s not right for her.”
Michelle chuckled. “I know, Sydney said that. She said you think she is too high maintenance.”
“Mom, you’ve got a second chance at happiness. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by.”
“What would your grandmother say?”
“Mom, you’re forty years old. Grow a pair. It’s your life and your happiness.”
Michelle squeezed her daughter. “When did you get so smart?”
Grace stuck her tongue out. “I’ve always been smart.”
“Smarter than your old mother. That’s for sure.”