by Harte, C. J.
Hayden hugged her. “No matter what you’ve ever done, Mom has always listened and supported.”
“In other words, cowgirl up.”
“Couldn’t have said it better.”
*
After dinner, Drew stayed in the kitchen with her mom. She knew her mother would know right away something was up.
“Do you want to talk now or wait until we go out on the porch?”
“How about if we take a walk?” Drew wanted to get several feet away from the house in case her mother overreacted.
Her mother put the dishes in her hand in the sink and washed her hands. “This is serious. You’re not going to tell me you have a boyfriend now, are you?”
Drew had often been told that she had inherited her mother’s dry, sharp wit. “That may almost seem better.”
“Let me get a glass of wine, or maybe just bring the bottle.”
“The bottle, Mom.”
“C’mon, kiddo. I can’t wait to hear this.”
When she initially told her mother she was tutoring Jordan Thompson, she got the expected reaction. But it was short.
“There’s more, isn’t there?”
“How did you get so wise?”
“Honey, we love all our kids and each of you is so different. We’ve had time to learn how to read you. So talk.”
Drew told her the whole story, up to the last time she saw Jordan. Her mother sat quietly, but she could see the expression of incredulousness growing. “Of all my children, I worry most about you. You try to be so tough and strong. You try so hard to protect your heart, and yet you care so deeply. She must be a good person for you to care, because most of the time, your judgment is right on. Is she gay?”
“No, Mom. She’s straight.” Drew paused, feeling a weight lift. “Mom, she said Mark and I are her only real friends. I don’t know what to do.”
“Be a friend. She must be very lonely.”
Drew nodded. She couldn’t imagine how very lonely it must be for Jordan. Always having people around her, always busy, going to meetings, parties. Yet no one she called a friend. Except Mark and me.
“I’ll talk to your dad tonight. Don’t worry. Give him time. He loves you.” Drew began to stand up. Her mother’s hand stopped her. “Bring her for a visit sometime.”
“I will, if she wants to come out here and can arrange the protection. Thanks.” She hugged her mom and then went in.
*
Breakfast was unusually quiet. Her father had left the house early to check on the cattle, something he usually did after breakfast. This just made Drew even more nervous.
“Don’t worry, dear. Your dad just wanted some time alone. You know how much he hates Hatchet and every vile thing that man stands for. He just needs to get his head around Jordan as a person.”
The sound of a horse coming up to the back of the house meant her father was home. Drew took a deep breath. She trusted and loved her parents.
“Hi, Andy.” For Drew that was a good sign. It was the nickname she grew up with. “Honey, can you pour me some coffee and I’ll be right back.”
Drew and her mother sat at the table and waited quietly. Her father sat on her right and reached for her hand. “Andy, I’ve always been proud of you, and I still am. You’ve got more than a healthy dose of Hamilton stubbornness and independence. Of all our kids, you’re the most determined to, as you have said so often, ‘do what is right and do it yourself.’ I’m a God believing man, and there must be a reason that you became her tutor and now her friend. For you to care about her means she must have more sense and humanity than her—” A hand on his arm stopped him. He looked at Drew’s mother and nodded. “It means she must have something good inside. Do what you need to do. And I can’t believe I’m welcoming a Thompson under my roof, but you can even bring her for a visit if you want.”
Drew hugged both her parents. Life had gotten a whole lot easier.
“As long as it doesn’t include certain family members.”
Well, at least a little easier.
*
By the time she returned to Florida, Drew was exhausted. Fifteen to eighteen hours a day of manual labor had kept her busy but exhausted. She easily lost ten pounds and her jeans were baggy again. The best part was that she didn’t have to dance around the Thompsons whenever the subject came up. And that was a lot. She was frequently asked for information by her family, especially when they realized that Jordan Thompson was the daily caller on Drew’s cell phone. Drew was happy for school to start.
Mark was just as persistent in his inquisition. “Well, girlfriend, what’s the scoop?”
“Not now. I just spent the last two weeks talking about the Thompson family, and I don’t want to keep talking about Jordan or her family.” Seeing his questioning expression was her cue. “I told my family I knew Jordan.”
“OMG! And?”
“It went better than I thought. But I kept getting the third degree as if I was privy to all the Thompson family secrets.”
Mark remained quiet.
“You’re a good listener.” She patted him on the back. “Have you considered psychiatry?”
“No way. I’ve always wanted to be a family practice physician, working in clinics with low-income families. Not much glamour, but really fulfilling. My family was poor. My dad died of a heart attack. Never did see a physician. We couldn’t afford it. He never had a chance.”
“Mark, what a pair of do-gooders we are. No wonder I love you.” She hugged him, watching him turn red. “David is a lucky man.”
“I’m the lucky one. What David sees in me…there are times I don’t understand. I love him and I am glad he loves me.”
The bare honesty of Mark’s words filled Drew with both sadness and joy. She was happy for him, but she realized she had no one in her life that she felt so strongly about. Someday.
“I know I drive him crazy, but he puts up with my insanity.” He grabbed Drew’s arm. “I hope you find someone too. Come on, let’s get busy.”
Yeah, me too, good friend.
*
August
The third year of medical school was busy. The summer had been good because she was able to put Jordan Thompson in a dark corner and rarely bring her up to the light. This lasted until Jordan returned to campus in late August. When the phone rang, she was sure it was Jordan.
“Drew, I couldn’t wait to get back to school and see you. Hope you had a good summer. Mine was busy but under very strict security. When can we start studying again?”
“Missed you, too. Good, and busy summer. Spent a couple weeks with my folks and then back here to the grind. Sorry about your summer. That must not have given you much freedom. Jordan, I don’t think you really need a tutor.”
“What?”
“I just responded to your previous statement.”
“No, I mean what about my not needing a tutor?”
“If I honestly look back, Jordan, most of the time you didn’t need that much help.”
“That’s not true. My grades started going up when you started tutoring.” Jordan sounded panicked. “I know you’re the reason. Please. My dif E class starts tomorrow. Besides, how else will I get to see you?”
Differential equations was Drew’s favorite class. Easy compared to calculus. “And you could just call me and we can meet for coffee.”
“Having coffee occasionally wouldn’t be enough. I’ll do sooooo much better with you around.”
Was Jordan Thompson flirting? Again? Drew pulled the phone away and looked at it. Nah, not Jordan.
“Okay, just this class. Besides, the structures of the body and bridges are very different, so I’m probably limited in helping build the perfect bridge.” Ah, but a perfect body. Drew stopped. Not a productive thought.
“Thank you, thank you.” Jordan took a deep breath. “How was your break?”
“Short and busy.” And stressful. “How was yours?”
“My parents were busy and I didn’t get to see much o
f them.” She hesitated. “I missed school and…” She took another deep breath. “And you.” She talked rapidly. “I spent some time with my brother and his fiancé and we discussed their wedding plans. I went to Ireland with my parents and spent a couple of weeks in Ohio at the farm. I actually got a chance to read some books for fun.”
She missed me?
“So, I’ll see you tomorrow night?”
“Sure.” Before she could say anything else, the line went dead.
“Are you okay?” Mark asked.
“Jordan missed me.”
Mark put the Cheshire cat to shame. “Really?”
“It doesn’t mean anything,” she said. It really doesn’t. We’re…friends. And Drew saying that made it true. Slowly, but surely, she was acknowledging that her relationship with Jordan was changing.
*
October
Jordan was enjoying her classes and doing well. Realistically, she knew she could handle the content without tutoring. It was her best excuse for continuing to spend time with Drew. “I think the one thing I miss the most is the wide blue skies and the slower pace of life,” Drew said.
“The way you talk about Wyoming makes me want to visit it. You know, when I’m asked where I’m from, I’m not sure what to say. I lived in Ohio for many years, but we lived at the farm, moved into town, then moved to Columbus. Now my parents are in Washington. I don’t think of that as home.”
“Our family has lived in the same place for over a hundred years. In fact, we finally took down the outhouse this summer because it began to smell so bad.”
“Outhouse?”
“Yeah, we got running water by diverting a creek to run next to the house and it’s all downhill from there.”
“You’re pulling my leg.”
Drew immediately threw both arms in the air and waved her fingers. “That would be physically impossible since both hands are nowhere near the aforementioned anatomical asset.” Then she smiled.
“You’re incorrigible. Your life is not that rough.”
“No, we have all the amenities: roof, walls, floor.”
Jordan was laughing now. “And I bet you have to crank a wheel to generate light.”
“Nope. We have one hundred hamsters running in their wheels, so we have one hundred hamster watts.”
Jordan groaned.
Drew became serious. “Ranching is hard, long work, and it takes our whole family to keep it running.”
“Are you close to your parents?”
“Yes.”
There was something so absolute and reassuring in Drew’s answer. Jordan couldn’t help but wonder about her own relationship with her parents. The seed of doubt had been planted, and she didn’t want to cultivate it.
“Why don’t you and Mark come over for dinner Friday night? I haven’t cooked for a while.”
“I’ll ask the tapeworm.”
*
“Mark seems to get along with everyone. He’s going to be a wonderful doctor.” Jordan watched him walk around her backyard talking to her few guests.
“Yeah, I tell him that all the time. He’s amazing.” A smile crossed Drew’s face.
Jealousy was the only word Jordan could find to explain how she felt. “Where will you two go after you graduate?” She had wanted to ask but hadn’t found the courage.
“Mark’s returning to Miami, and I plan on practicing in Wyoming.”
“Aren’t you two getting married?”
Drew started to laugh, then became serious. “No, Jordan. We’re just friends. Good friends.” The answer caused confusion along with some feeling of joy. Drew didn’t seem to be someone into casual sex, but she couldn’t understand her almost cavalier response. Drew and Mark had been living together for over a year. “What are you two doing during break?” Jordan asked.
“Mark’s going to Miami, but I’m staying around here. It is too expensive to fly back and forth.” Drew looked at Jordan and smiled. “Thanks to you, I’m going to finish med school and not have huge debts.”
The reality of Drew’s comment hit hard. She couldn’t imagine life without Drew. “I hope we can still spend time together. I mean, I guess…I think of you as a friend.” She reached for Drew’s hand.
The touch sent jolts through Drew’s body. She had to focus on Jordan’s words.
“I treasure our time together.”
Drew squeezed Jordan’s hand and then let go quickly as she reached for her iced tea. “You are a friend. I’m probably not doing a good job of telling you.” She cared about Jordan. The depth of the caring was more than she wanted to explore. Maybe Mark was right.
“If I stay in school this summer, I’ll be able to graduate a year from August. My parents will be coming to Florida and they want to meet you. Would you consider coming to a reception?”
Drew had never met the Thompsons and saw no reason for meeting the First Family. “Jordan, thank you. That’s a nice offer.” Drew grew quiet. “I’d feel uncomfortable.”
“Please. It’s just a small reception next Friday night. I hoped you could stop by for a few minutes. For me? My parents really want to meet you.”
“Jordan, you’ve done the work. I just helped you to understand and organize. You’ve rewarded me enough with your grades. And just being you. Besides, I haven’t been injured in some time.”
Jordan frowned. “I’m so sorry.”
“Jordan, it was an accident.”
“I’m realistic about my abilities. I’ve been told too many times that I’m not as smart as my older brother. I really want my parents to meet my best friend.” Jordan took Drew’s hand and pulled it against her chest.
*
Drew could feel Jordan’s heart racing beneath her hand as well as the curve of a full, soft breast. She had drawn a line that she could not and would not cross. This was not helping. She knew her own heartbeat was increasing. “Jordan, thank you, but I really can’t.”
Jordan squeezed Drew’s hand. “It would be even more awkward if you didn’t come. Please. My parents want to meet you.”
I doubt they would feel that way if they knew I was gay. If I don’t pull my hand away from her breast, she may soon find a reason to not speak to me anymore. She leaned away and patted Jordan’s knee. “They’ve been very generous. Let me think about it.” She needed to physically move away. Her emotions were in turmoil. Jordan’s hand and breast felt too good.
Jordan squeezed Drew’s hand briefly and then awkwardly tried to get up out of her lawn chair. The chair tilted.
Drew tried to prevent the fall, but her own lawn chair tilted. Jordan’s weight shifted and she landed on Drew. Drew’s reflexes were not fast enough to balance herself, much less Jordan and the glass of tea. The iced tea slipped out of her hand and fell against the chair, breaking into large shards. The chair finally toppled over with Jordan landing firmly planted on her chest. The wind knocked out of her, Drew wanted to stay on the ground if not for the sharp pain in her calf.
Security immediately rushed to assure Jordan was unharmed. Jordan was turning red, sitting on top of Drew. She allowed them to help her.
Drew was taking deep breaths, convinced that her chest was shattered. Once she was breathing easily, she checked her leg.
“I’m fine,” Drew said. She saw the red line of blood streaming down her leg. I knew I shouldn’t have worn shorts. “Just get me something clean to wrap around my leg.”
Mark was quickly by her side. “Is there a doctor in the house?”
“Smart, you turkey. Now help me up.” With Mark’s help, she was able to get up and limp out to their car, Jordan following close by.
“I’m so sorry.” Tears joined her apology. “You must think I intentionally do this. Let me go with you. I’m so sorry. “
Mark helped Drew into her Explorer.
“I’ll be fine. You still have guests. Besides, you’re looking a little pale. I think you need to sit down.” She hugged Jordan and promised to call later. That’s one way to pull my emotion
s back into check. She kept the cloth firmly planted on her leg.
“I saw you holding hands with Jordan. Are you sure she’s straight?” Mark slid into the driver’s seat and started the car. “Would you be the First Girlfriend? Hmmm. Is that how this happened?” He pointed to the injured leg wrapped in a bloodstained cloth.
“I guess I would give new meaning to First Lady. Maybe it would be First Dyke. I can’t believe I fell on that damn piece of glass. Shit, I’m glad I won’t be doing much more tutoring. I’ll look like a zipper.” And I can avoid any more episodes like today.
*
The remainder of the week, Drew struggled with Jordan’s invitation. “I can’t go,” she told Mark.
“Why?”
“First, it’s the First Family. Second, I’d feel very uncomfortable. I’m not into these political social affairs. Third, the invitation indicates it’s dress up, and all I have are jeans.”
“Sweetie, we don’t have to stay long. Besides, I’ll have you looking good enough to eat.”
“I don’t even want to think about that. I’d probably look like a tossed salad.”
Mark spent most of the week coordinating their clothing and forcing Drew to buy something other than jeans. He dragged her to several stores before he finally found the perfect outfit.
“I’ve never tried on this many clothes. Ever! No wonder I wear jeans. Do people really do this? I’m not going to be able to afford to eat for a month.”
“Yes, only not everybody is as easy to fit as you. And trust me, we haven’t spent that much.”
“Remind me to never get dressed for something more formal.”
“Honey, you look gorgeous. That pale yellow silk shirt emphasizes your tan and the highlights in your dark hair.” Mark’s comments about her were discomfiting. “And with a body like yours, you should wear more form-fitting clothes. Those tuxedo trousers, that fitted shirt, and this gold necklace. Honey, if I weren’t already in love, I would fall in love with you.”
The entire drive over Mark was relentless.