When the lunch bell finally rang Alex was ready for a break. She wanted to eat and thank Frederick for the flowers. His card was very sweet. ‘Alex, wishing you all the joy the world can give you on this special day. Happy Birthday from Frederick and Minnie’. At least Sally Jennings wasn’t responsible for her meeting Frederick. That acknowledgement went to Richard Greenway.
Chapter 26
Cyn arrived right on time and was very impressed with Alex’s haul of cards and flowers.
“Boy, did you ever clean up, and you still have three more classes.” Knowing Alex as she did, she knew the attention was appreciated but not wanted.
“Woo hoo, I can hardly wait. No, I’m kidding. I love it all. I knew my girls liked me, but I never knew how much. You should read some of these cards. Real tear jerkers.” Alex hoped she could do a better job of hiding her emotions after lunch.
“Lunch awaits and I hear there’s cake, yummy.” Cyn loved birthday cake and wanted a big piece.
“Yes, in all its caloric grandeur. I can hardly wait. You can have mine after I take the customary first bite.” Alex wasn’t a big fan of birthday cake. Now if it was birthday chocolate cream pie - that was another story.
“You’ve got a deal. Let’s go.” Cyn wanted to make sure they got there before all the corner pieces were gone.
Walking into the cafeteria, more birthday wishes were given from Ruby and Joey. They had made Alex her favorite lunch – corned beef hash and eggs. Getting emotional again, Alex went around behind the counter to give both a big hug and thank you. Not wanting to break down in front of the entire cafeteria, she ducked through the back where she found Frederick waiting. Seeing her state, he gave her a big hug. At that point she lost it, letting out all the tears of joy she had stored up. Cyn and Frederick even started to tear up. It seemed to be a contagious condition today. Regaining control of herself, Alex started to laugh at how this birthday would be remembered as the best one so far in her life. If she only knew what else was to unfold this day in the gift department.
When the bell sounded the end of lunch, Cyn was stuffed from two pieces of birthday cake and wanted to run laps from the sugar rush. Alex wanted a nap from the emotional drain and grabbed a chocolate chip cookie hoping for her own sugar rush to get her moving again.
After getting back to class and more cards and flowers, Alex made sure she had everyone’s gift logged in so she could send thank you cards. It was the only thing her mother ever taught her that she remembered liking to do. In fact, it was the only nice thing she remembered her mother ever doing period.
About five minutes before the final bell rang, Alex’s door opened and a small swarm of girls filed in. Alex had forgotten that several of the seniors, led by Stacey, were throwing her a separate party. Alex was surprised to see Megan with them, and then realized she was probably Stacey’s source for information. As the girls crowded around her desk and asked her to take her seat, they were joined by Cyn, Frederick, and Mrs. Greenway. When TJ strolled around to stand next to Cyn, Alex realized this wasn’t the small gathering she had been promised.
“Ms. Whitney, we know in the past we haven’t acknowledged your birthday, but it was more about us not knowing when your birthday was then not wanting to celebrate it. So this year we wanted to make up for that oversight.” Stacey handed Alex a very large card as the girls all cheered.
“Thank you, Stacey. I cherish the thoughtfulness and want you all to know how special you’ve made this day. I will never forget it.” Alex opened the card and found a hand made gift certificate granting one wish. “Wow, one wish – do I need to make it now?”
“Not really. You see, we all put our heads together and figured out what you would wish for. That is, besides world peace.” Stacey smiled wide as the girls laughed at her remark.
“Oh, of course. World peace. So what exactly did you get me?” Alex wondered what they thought she would have wished for.
As the girls parted, a large bouquet of mixed flowers was placed on her desk, by Jessie.
“Happy Birthday, Darlin’.” Jessie had a bow around her neck as she smiled at her friend.
“Oh my gosh, Jess!” Jumping up, Alex went around the desk to hug her best friend as tears of joy ran down her cheeks.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I brought a friend of yours along too.” Jessie turned and the girls parted as Sam came through the crowd.
“Samantha, you little brat. You knew this morning when you called that you were coming.” Alex wanted to kiss her, but a hug would have to do for the moment one that was longer and tighter than Jessie’s.
She wanted to leave immediately, but that would be bad manners, so Alex introduced both women to everyone. Giving Stacey and Megan both big hugs and a promise of a possible ‘A’ in her class, Alex was on cloud nine. Cyn acknowledged that both girls had asked her about contacting her best friend regarding the surprise, not knowing about Sam’s connection. They thought she came along as another friend. Alex figured Megan was too young to tell, but she confided in Stacey as to who Sam was. She told her she would never forget her thoughtfulness and if she every needed anything, to let her know. Stacey was thrilled at how her present had brought so much joy to Alex. Someday she would tell her how much of a role model she had been for her, as she too was a lesbian but no one was privy to that information just yet.
Now that Stacey knew who Sam was, she hustled all non-essential people out of the room so Alex could leave with her presents. It took all five of them to carry the flowers to the parking lot. Sam and Jessie had been picked up at the airport by a shuttle so TJ loaded all their luggage into her truck as well as the flowers. Cyn gave Alex her keys so she could ride with TJ. They needed to stop and get everything for the barbeque. Alex would have rather sat in the backseat with Sam and necked, but figured they would be home soon enough.
As everyone piled in cars, Sam rode shotgun, while Jessie spread out in the back seat of Little Blue. Alex couldn’t stop smiling and hoped she could concentrate on her driving with Sam sitting within reach. She wanted to hold hands but Little Blue was a stick.
“So, Darlin’, were you surprised to get your wish?” Jessie was sure she got her wish ten times over.
“I can’t believe those girls, and that you two are really here together. I’m beside myself with joy. I was dreading this day and now I wish it would last forever. How long can you stay?” Alex didn’t get specific because she wanted to assume Sam was staying for quite a while, if not forever.
“I’ll be here until Friday and then back home for the weekend rush. Sam on the other hand has an open ended ticket so who knows when I’ll see her again.” Jessie hoped she was here to stay, but would miss her terribly.
“Open ended ticket, hmmm that sounds great to me.” Winking at Sam, she was glad she had put so much work into getting her house in order. This was going to be a great week, if today was any gauge of how the rest of it would go. “So what do you think of the area? It’s definitely not New Mexico.”
“Very green and wet. But pretty and great air.” Sam didn’t want to sound pessimistic, but she hoped the sun shined occasionally.
“How much rain do you get around here?” Jessie liked it and wished it rained more back home. It was great for cuddling and watching a good movie.
“It ranges from twenty-five to thirty inches per year. This year seems like more than usual, but that may be because Cyn keeps washing her car.” Looking at Sam and winking, she hoped she was okay with that. “It’s a little joke we have regarding the rain.”
“Well, I like the rain. Snow is another story: Cold and hard to drive in.” Sam could live anywhere and had dealt with every type of weather.
“We may get a little snow. It all depends on how cold it gets.” Alex thought this drive home seemed longer than usual, but it was the same as always.
Pulling up her driveway, both Sam and Jessie commented on how cute her new place was. Jessie jumped out, took Alex’s keys, and walked over to unlock the gara
ge and opened it to see her old truck. She liked the new color and told Alex how good it looked. Alex told her she would leave the keys and she could drive it all week. Opening the door, Alex walked in then disappeared into the guest bedroom quickly to tell Anna and Ramon thank you for their part in bringing her birthday present.
All three women needed to use the bathroom, so while Jessie went first, Alex and Sam had a moment for a proper hello. Wanting to take Sam to bed at that moment, Alex knew she needed to get her hormones in check. They had a guest and more on the way. Alex whispered to Sam what was to come later, but for the time being they needed to be on their best behavior. Sam agreed and asked what she could do to help prepare for dinner, hopefully something extremely physical so she could get her mind off of what Alex just whispered to her.
Alex put Sam in charge of starting the coals in the Hibachi and setting up the table. She needed some alone time with Jessie and a little distance from Sam so she could calm down.
“So, what can I do to help?” Jessie put her arms around Alex and looked in her big brown eyes.
“Nothing until the food gets here. Can I tell you how happy I am to see you and Sam? I just wish you could stay longer.” Alex meant it, but was looking forward to having Sam all to herself.
“I’m sure you mean that now, but after tonight you’ll wish I was staying in a motel somewhere so you two could spend the evening reacquainting yourself physically.” Jessie was no dummy.
“Why, Mrs. Black, I have no idea what you are referring to. Samantha and I are strictly friends of the most proper sort.” Alex loved Jessie like a sister.
“I do miss you and our good times together.” Jessie had been reminiscing after Alex left about all the fun they had together before she got married. She wished she could have kept Alex around her always, but she also knew that Dawson wanted his wife and best friend’s undivided attention. It was a hard adjustment for her after the honeymoon period was over, but recently Dawson had realized how much she missed her best friend and he had been trying to compensate by doing more fun things with his wife. Maybe it was another one of the reasons he was up for her visiting Alex right now.
“Hey, I missed you more.” Alex didn’t want to get all emotional again so she tried to keep it light.
“No way, lady.” Jessie squeezed her tight.
“Yes, ma’am. Who was alone and who had a husband? Answer me that.” Alex was expecting Jessie to come back with a quick response.
“Hey, I found you your girlfriend/husband didn’t I?” Jessie was trying to tickle Alex, but then remembered she wasn’t ticklish.
“Oh well, now. What about the last five years?” Knowing what response that was going to bring, Alex was ready for both barrels.
“So you hooked up with Dez because you missed me. Are you saying it’s my fault you chose badly?” Jessie really wished she was ticklish.
“Well, I hadn’t thought of blaming you, but if you insist.” Alex gave Jessie a big kiss on the cheek and turned her loose, hoping Jessie would do the same to her before she cried.
“Go see what your girlfriend’s doing before I do something emotional.” Jessie had always felt guilty after she got married that she basically abandoned Alex to go live with Dawson. She knew Alex would never come right out and say, but she was sure that’s how she felt down deep inside.
“Yes ma’am, but first the nickel tour of my estate.” Alex took Jessie’s hand and led her to the guest bedroom. “This will be your room while you’re here. You have a view of the back forty and the excellent company of Anna and Ramon to watch over you.”
“Why are they in here and not in your room?” Jessie figured she would have their picture right next to her bed.
“They’re watching my back. I have a view of the front of my house and road, they keep an eye out back here. Plus I come in and talk to them everyday, so I know it’s them I’m talking to and not myself. See?” Alex didn’t want to tell Jessie it was actually their room and she hoped they really were living in it.
“Oh, I see. This is really cute. I like the layout. Now where to?” Jessie had seen all the inside.
“Outside for the second best part.”
Walking outside, Alex grabbed Sam to show them both the work room. When they opened the door, Sam was amazed at all the woodworking tools Alex had. Alex told them how grateful she was that Jason had so many friends with trucks, as she forgot how much stuff she had and how heavy some of it was. Her drill press alone was a good thirty pounds, not to mention the router, compound saw, vise, circular saws, power drills, belt sander and several tool boxes. She also showed off her newest purchase, her orbital hand sander. Sam was in heaven and wanted to stay in the workroom moving stuff around and getting it ready. Alex grabbed her hand and said she could play with them after her cousin left. But for the time being they needed to hang with their favorite person.
Having some time to kill before their luggage along with the food for dinner arrived, the three friends sat around the Hibachi and Jessie and Sam brought Alex up to date on everyone back at the ranch. Birthday wishes had been sent from all the gang and especially Bruce Willis who missed his favorite rider. Alex sat in the middle so she could hold onto her best friend and new girlfriend. It was a little over an hour before the white pickup came roaring up the driveway. All three went out to help unload the truck which still had Alex’s flowers in the back. Alex reintroduced everyone and TJ and Sam hit it off really well, almost like they had known each other before. Sam was as impressed with TJ’s mechanical skills as TJ was with Sam’s wrangling skills. TJ wanted to learn how to rope and Sam wanted her to teach her more about auto mechanics. Alex was especially aware not to let anyone feel left out so she had Cyn in the kitchen with her and Jessie getting everything ready. Knowing how shy Cyn could be, Alex was retelling old stories of how much trouble she and Jessie could get into back before she became respectable and got married. They had Cyn laughing so hard she had to run to the bathroom so she wouldn’t pee her pants. Sam stuck her head in the door and told them the coals were ready whenever they were. Jessie grabbed the platter with the steaks and foil wrapped onions and Cyn followed her out to the Hibachi. Cyn had watched Jessie very carefully as she prepared them. It was something she hoped to be able to do for TJ when they had their own barbeques. Sam let TJ be the chef as she wanted to stay in the kitchen with the other chef. Closing the door, she watched three capable women start cooking their dinner. Sam walked up behind Alex and kissed the back of her neck while she was standing at the counter cutting up a tomato for the salad.
“I’ve missed you so much. I can hardly wait until we turn in.” Sam wrapped her arms around Alex’s waist and nuzzled her neck.
Turning around, Alex looked in Sam’s eyes and gently kissed her as she put her left hand alongside her cheek and outlined her ear with her thumb. Pulling Sam back for another kiss, Alex could tell tonight was going to be all about passion and she wanted to reacquaint herself with every square inch of Sam’s body. She hoped Jessie was a sound sleeper.
“How anyone who kisses like you is still available for me to find is a miracle. I guess your destiny is my very good fortune, indeed.” Sam wished they could skip dinner and go straight to dessert.
“Finding you was a miracle for me too. I can hardly wait to spend eternity with you. If that’s not too long for you?” Alex was starting to squirm as her hormones were working overtime.
“Do you have an itch little girl?” Alex backed up to see what she was doing.
“Yes. A big itch for you. I need to take a cold shower or have you go outside and let me calm down.” Alex hugged Sam and kissed her on the neck, as she pushed her away and showed her to the door.
“Okay, I’ll leave you alone until later. But be prepared for a hot and sexy night, and I think eternity should be enough time.” Sam had been fantasizing about this night ever since Alex left the ranch.
Chapter 27
Dinner was fantastic and everyone had a great time. Jessie had to explain
in detail her recipe for the grilled onion, which Alex had learned from her. Sam and Jessie were going to Carol’s hardware store tomorrow and buy a Hibachi for Alex so Cyn could have hers back. Alex gave Cyn a hard time about wanting it back, being as she hadn’t used it in quite a while, but now that TJ was in the picture it was a different story. TJ told Sam and Jessie to stop by the garage and they could go to lunch at the burger joint nearby. Alex suggested they all meet at the Tea Room for dinner one night so she could introduce her guests to the best egg rolls ever. Jessie wanted to cook a tri-tip tomorrow and watch what Sam did that was different than her recipe. Alex was thinking she should eat salads all week for lunch as the amount of good food she was going to consume would definitely affect her waistline. Everyone made sure they had each other’s phone number as hugs were given and plans were reconfirmed for Tuesday.
After waving goodbye to TJ and Cyn, Alex and Jessie went inside to clean up the kitchen. Sam locked up the truck, closed the garage, then went in to unpack her suitcase. Alex showed her where to put her stuff and also how comfortable her queen size bed was. With orders to stay put, Alex went back and finished up the kitchen with Jessie. Jessie had called Dawson from the airport when they landed, but wanted to check and make sure he missed her. Alex gave her the portable phone and told her to talk as long as she wanted. Saying goodnight, Jessie went to her room and left the pair to enjoy each other’s company for the rest of the evening.
After turning off the few remaining lights, Alex hit the bathroom, brushed her teeth and joined Sam on the bed. Sam was already undressed and under the covers, but Alex only had her shoes off. Sam was very obliging in helping her remove the rest of her clothes.
There was a subject that had never been brought up, but Sam figured it was something Alex had thought of as did she. Deciding she wanted tonight to be extra special, she spoke up.
“I know we haven’t talked about this, but I brought three negative blood tests I’ve had over the past eighteen months. I figured since Teresa was cheating on me I should make sure I was okay.” Sam was hoping Alex was up on her blood work too.
but, mercury's not in retrograde! Page 14