Stay with Me

by Sheryl Wright

  Was Lori just a grown-up Zoe? Both women seemed so free with their intimacies. She understood and yet was shocked at the same time. Long before she and Lori began dating, she could admit her desire for this bold attractive woman. Certainly when she had delivered the beautiful silk scarves. She had made a big deal of it being nothing. “Just in case you wanted to swap out the gray one. No big deal.” At first Aydan had taken her at her word but she had pondered, slowly admitting to the quality of the silk. She knew they must have been extravagantly expensive, remembering just how much her dad had paid for the beautiful Jacquard the day she was born. The scarf her mother and brothers had destroyed.

  She was grateful and flattered by the gift but suspicious too. Who did that kind of thing and why? It was part of what drove her to accept Zoe’s invitations first. The young woman seemed to understand her plight, being new to the world and all but she too had her own motives. And Tyler was right, Zoe could be aggressive, but seemed to waffle between being patient to pushing her agenda. She now suspected the “rules” Lori had set for the stupid bet were responsible for reining in Zoe’s aggression. And what were Lori’s intentions? From the start she recognized her stronger attraction to Lori and had steered toward Zoe thinking her a safer alternative but spending time with Zoe only reminded her that Zoe was young and as much as they had fun together, it was her desire for Lori that never waned.

  She hadn’t acted on that desire, not yet, but it had been there the whole time, the wanting, and the need, but like any good engineer, she had established milestones, intending to get things right. She had spent a long while contemplating the mistakes she made with Sarah all those years ago and jumping in too fast had been one. It wasn’t as if Sarah had been anything but patient too but it had all been too fast and too painful for Aydan to digest. “Small steps,” her father had counseled at the time and she had lived by those words as she worked at building a new foundation for her own solitary and singular life.

  She could now admit to wanting to share this new life. Living with Tyler and Georgie had been an education in how beautiful and challenging it was to make a lifetime commitment to each other. Tyler dealt with trials others couldn’t comprehend. Lori at least could walk, talk and chew gum at the same time, but she too came with a set of problems, foremost obviously being the legacy of her love life.

  Climbing out of the window seat she had been warming, she walked to the library, turning on the spotlights for the bookshelves. Lori had suggested a book for her to read. She found it amusing that the woman would recommend a work of fiction as some sort of explanation for her past. She wasn’t sure who had so carefully sorted every title by author and shelved them accordingly but she was thankful, pulling Karin Kallmaker’s Wild Things from the bookshelf. Carrying it dutifully to her room, she accepted she wasn’t in the mood to read. She needed to talk, and with the implications to Georgie and Tyler, they were definitely out of the picture.

  She wasn’t ready to talk to Lori herself, at least until she had time to process everything she had learned and she didn’t think it was fair to pull Zoe into this. Besides, she never really knew whose side she would take. She’d seemed genuine when she offered her friendship. Still, it wasn’t right to lean on her after having dated, even if it was only for a few times. Who did that leave in her grand pantheon of friends? That thought actually made her smile.

  Six months ago I didn’t have a friend in the world. Today I have a home, a job, a really good job, and this amazing woman in hot pursuit of me. A pursuit I very much want her to win. Does her past really change that and why does it make me so damn mad?

  * * *

  Lori watched as Marnie poured herself another glass of wine, asking if she wanted one. “Naw, I’m good,” she said, turning to Helen who had just walked back into the room. They had elected to spend the night before the wedding at Marnie’s place because there was room and knowing Georgie would prefer anyplace other than the big house. Skip and Megan, part of the wedding party, were staying too. Skippy had taken a lot of heat for being the only guy in the wedding party, but like everything the kid did he took it in stride, gleefully telling the whole world he was honored to be Georgie’s bridesman. Now both he and Megan were in the media room playing video games with Marnie’s sons, Luc and Danny, and Georgie was tucked in bed.

  They had slipped a mild sedative into her nightcap knowing her nerves had already gotten the best of her. She had spent most of the day pacing and alternatively practicing her vows and obsessively checking her gown and accoutrements. Thank goodness Aydan knew better than to review their travel plans with her. They were taking three weeks, a luxurious amount of time in this day and age. They would spend their wedding night on the new sailboat Georgie had ordered over a year ago, a boat Tyler had yet to see. Then Sunday afternoon they were scheduled to fly to New York then on to Rome. They would spend a week in Italy then on to Athens for a few days, followed by Egypt, and then back to Rome to spend the last three days visiting Georgie’s grandmother Sophia’s relatives in Ceca Castina.

  “How is she?” Marnie asked, handing Helen a fresh glass of wine.

  “Oh, she’s out cold. She’s still smart as a whip. I think she knows you two slipped her a Mickey Finn.”

  That made Marnie laugh. “I think the kids call it a roofie these days.”

  “Oh, I know and so does she,” she teased. “What I can’t believe is how much Italian she still speaks. I remember when Georgina was teaching me, little Georgie was my practice buddy. Oh God, we would have your aunt in stitches with our baby Italian. It was adorable.”

  “I think that had a lot to do with Sophia,” Lori explained, “her remembering Italian, I mean. Sophia pretty much stopped speaking English after…you know. Anyway, if Uncle Dan wasn’t around, Georgie ended up interpreting. I tell yah, you guys must have rocked as students, even if Aunt Georgie found it hilarious.”

  “Oh your aunt was nothing but supportive with us and patient,” Helen said, “but lord oh lord that woman could be fun!”

  “You must have really missed her, and all of us,” Marnie asked kindly. “I wish I had known, Helen. I really do. I don’t know how we can ever make things up to you.”

  “Marina, and you too Lori Ann, please don’t worry. I’ve had years to come to terms with my feelings. Yes, I would have given anything to be involved in your lives earlier, but I’m here now and I’m so glad, thankful actually. In many ways I can’t help but think this is how it was supposed to be. I’m not sure I would have ever recovered from losing Georgina if I’d remained so close to all of you. Coming back to the family now is like a special gift and I couldn’t be more thankful. To see each of you girls all grown, so successful, and each so much in love…that in itself is the gift of a lifetime.”

  Lori watched Marnie, never good with compliments, shake it off. “It was easy for me. I met Jack in high school and that was it. Georgie was hopeless for years.” At Lori’s laugh, she amended her statement. “Okay, she was a very bad girl, almost as bad as this one.” She tipped her thumb to Lori. “Now all we need to do is find the right woman for numb-nuts here. Of course, I’ve given up on finding a man for Leslie. I’m starting to think she goes through them faster than sous-chefs.”

  “Oh God,” Helen laughed, “you girls turned out just fine. Even Lou isn’t so bad. God knows he was one fussy baby. As for you, Lori Ann, I think maybe love has found its way into your heart?”

  “What?” Marnie choked on her drink. “What are you talking about?”

  “Oh, I think I’ll leave this conversation for you two littermates.” And with that and a wide grin she headed back up to the guest room.

  “Lori?” Marnie growled her warning. “Since when am I the last one to hear?”

  “It’s not like that, Marns. Well, it is, but I just figured it out and I didn’t want you to freak seeing as how I kinda screwed the pooch on this one.” When that solicited only a raised brow, she pushed on, knowing Marnie was the one voice she had been missing in a
ll of this. “So, I kind of fell for this girl, I mean woman, but she works for us so I did the honorable thing and told her boss that I had intentions. Turns out I wasn’t the only one. Anyway…”

  “Which boss?” Marnie demanded. “I want to know who didn’t have the guts to come to me.”

  “It wasn’t like that. I talked to Tyler because this woman works for her and…”

  “Don’t tell me—”

  “Will you cut it out? I’m trying to tell you everything and you keep interrupting.”

  “Whoa Lor, it’s just me. What the hell’s got under your skin? Did Tyler warn you off Aydan or something?”

  “No, it’s not like that. I screwed up.”

  Then she waited as Marnie swooshed the wine in her glass in a circular motion, thinking, considering, putting the pieces together. “Aydan sent me a Personnel Relationship Declaration, as per cooperate policy and as per policy, she was only required to acknowledge the person she’s involved with works in a different division. I just assumed she was interested in Zoe...Oh poor Zoe…oh geez, that stupid bet, the silk scarf…Please tell me you two haven’t broken Zoe’s heart?”

  Lori bristled. “Until recently we didn’t even know she had one and for your information she’s fine.”

  It took Lori the better part of an hour to spit out the entire story including the stupid bet and the mounting situation with Peachy. Marnie took that latter part a lot better than Lori had imagined, even praising her and Megan’s recovery plans and preparations, and for knowing better than to share that vengeance crap with either Tyler or Georgie.

  “You know, I never thought either day would come. Imagine my Lo-Ann in love and our Georgie walking down the aisle…I wish Dad could be here, even in light of all the shit that’s come up.”

  “You know he wasn’t a bad guy, just kinda broken. I think that happened to a lot of men back then, you know, Vietnam veterans and such.”

  Marnie’s face showed she was not only unconvinced but in complete disagreement. “That doesn’t really cut it. I’m always telling the boys they’re one hundred percent responsible for their own actions at all times. I don’t know what I would do if either of them ever hit a woman, or worse. The thought just makes me sick. Whenever I hear the stories of nice girls going off to college only to be raped by some little shit who thinks it’s some sort of sport—what the fuck is that? My boys are good boys, but sometimes I just can’t believe the stupid stuff that comes out of their mouths.”

  “Like wanting to tell the family lawyers they’re gay to up their inheritance?”

  Marnie all but snorted out her response.

  Getting up and retrieving the wine bottle and topping up both their glasses, Lori gave her cousin’s shoulder a consoling pat. “I have to admit I still laugh. Those two are always up to something and don’t worry, I wasn’t offended. Actually, Georgie and I stuck our heads together and plan to offer them each a building lot for graduating from college. Skippy too and Zoe if she ever gets around to finishing.” She qualified, “If you’re okay with it?”

  Marnie smiled at her over the rim of her wineglass. “You know, life would have been so much simpler if they had actually turned out gay. At least then I wouldn’t be worrying if I raised them right. It’s always the mother who gets blamed when they turn out all wrong.”

  “Hey there Marns, no worries. Besides, being gay is no guarantee a guy will be decent. Even gay guys get their share of disgusting little gutter snipes. Anyway, between Jack, me and Georgie, we’ll all kick their asses from here to kingdom come if they pull any crap with anyone. Promise, okay?”

  Marnie’s twin sons turning eighteen meant they would be off to college soon. It was something she worried over nonstop. Standing she waved. “Come on, you. We’ll need some sleep if we’re ever going to get Georgie dressed and down the aisle in one piece.”

  “Don’t you know it,” Lori groaned. “Just one more thing. You’ve been bustin’ my balls about not sharing everything with you. Meanwhile I’ve been waiting patiently for you to come clean with me.”

  Marnie looked like she would protest, then, surprisingly, nodded. “I’m okay. I…I thought maybe there was something.”

  “Something other than ghosts?”

  She nodded. “I should have said something, but it wasn’t until Georgie was in the hospital that I realized I had to face it or risk the company later on.”

  “Please tell me you got Margaret O’Shea to look at you. She may be a scheming bitch, but she’s a brilliant surgeon scheming bitch.”

  Marnie nodded her agreement. “She ran a battery of tests and scans. Turns out it’s not early onset menopause like my idiot family doctor proposed. That is the last time I see that guy. I swear I am so off dumbass—”

  “Marnie! Eyes on the prize. What did old Mags come up with? You’re okay, right?”

  “Relax, it’s just a slow thyroid. She’s got me on meds and it’s working. These last few weeks I’ve been feeling like my old self again.”

  “Thank the sweet baby Jesus! Marn, I gotta tell you. I don’t know if I coulda handled another upset, but I would have. You know that, right? I mean, you keeping this from me really freaked me out.”

  “I know, and I promise, it won’t happen again. The truth is I was feeling a little sorry for myself. I guess a part of me has been on the manage Georgie wagon for so long I was feeling a little unwanted. In a way I kind of sympathize with Zoe, her feelings,” she said, adding, “not her behavior.”

  “Me too and in a big way. It’s funny but it’s Tyler and Aydan who explained a lot to me on that front. I never really understood how unessential the kid must feel. It’s crazy, but I kind of understand a bit more why Lou pulls such crap too. Maybe it was easier for us. It’s not like we ever tried to measure ourselves against Georgie, but I think they do.”

  Marnie groaned, offering her hand to help her up from the couch. “I wish I was as good as Georgie at instilling confidence. It’s really all the kid needs, her father too. Although, Lou is doing much better running his own shop. Some days he reminds me of when we were all still at home. The way his eyes would shine when he got to tell a story over dinner or when the whole family would come out for his hockey games. He loved making Georgie proud. As proud as he was at pleasing our dads.”

  Up on her feet, Lori agreed. “You’re right. I never thought about it that way but you’re right. Now how do we do that for Zoe? Her ego’s been cruisin’ for bruisin’ for years, but I had no idea the kid had zero self-esteem.”

  Marnie hooked her arm, leading her one-time nursery mate to the stairs. “Let’s get Georgie through this wedding then we can worry about Zoe, not to mention a certain breach of corporate policy, hmm?”

  Wrinkling her nose in a look of contrition and amusement, Lori pleaded, “Promise, but I want one in return. No more keeping serious stuff from me. Got it?”

  Marnie playfully slapped her arm. “I promise. Now go to bed. I’ll go order the sausage party to their bunks and hit the hay myself. I have a feeling tomorrow will be a long day.”

  Lori agreed. Tomorrow would be a long day, but not as long as the week had been. Since her Monday night discussion with Aydan she had been on pins and needles wanting to know how she felt. She had repeatedly told herself everything would work out while at the same time being absolutely sure she would never earn Aydan’s forgiveness again. Aydan had asked for the week to consider everything. She had been kind, even understanding, but the hurt was evident. That was something Lori never wanted to see ever again and it was a promise she had silently made to herself.

  Chapter Twenty

  Aydan walked the length of the boatyard, tablet in hand, inspecting all the last-minute details. They still had an hour before the wedding and she was determined to make sure everything went off without a hitch. The tents were up, the tables, including the linens, glassware and china, were all set. The flowers and decorations were being finalized as the catering staff buzzed around the reception and buffet tent, making su
re everything was in order and serving drinks to the first arriving guests.

  As Megan had promised, the guys from the Cattaraugus Reservation had delivered the fresh cedar shavings the day before and had returned today to add a second layer. They had done another solid for the wedding, commandeering the yard tractor and giving the lawn another clipping. Now the heady scent of fresh cut grass comingled with the pleasing aroma of the cedar shavings. As she stopped to take everything in, Sanjit caught up with her.

  “Okay,” he began, “the cops are telling me everything’s been quiet. The valet company is a little put off by the added numbers, but I assured them most would be locals and to just let the little shuttle buses pass through.”

  “Do you think everyone got the message to just walk over here or flag down the shuttle instead of driving?”

  “I think so. Me and Megan pretty much visited everyone living out here. I still can’t believe they invited everyone.”

  She wasn’t sure if he meant that as a compliment or not. “I think that was Lori’s idea. After all, most of the people out here are retired employees or extended family.”

  “Well, whoever’s idea it was, it’s really generous and just like these guys. I think Tyler’s marrying into a real awesome family. Sometimes I wish I were a lesbian.”

  He said it with such sincerity it forced her to smile. “I see why Megan says you’re such a good guy.”

  Making their way to where the sound equipment was being set up, she asked, “So I hear both you and Megan have been accepted into the police academy. Congratulations.”

  “Oh, I know. I can’t believe how lucky I am and I get to go with my best buddy. How awesome is that?”

  That tidbit caught her by surprise. Much like everyone else she had imagined he and Megan were dating. “Best buddy? Is that what you two are?” She was about to apologize for invading his privacy, then changed her mind. Personal information sharing seemed quite normal with this group and she believed her friendship with Tyler gave her some excuse for meddling.