Kindling

by Agnes H Hagadus

  “I’m sorry, Mom.” Dallas rested fully in her seat. It was nearly like a recliner. It had to be with as many hours as she spent in the big rig. “I’m just worried about Momma. Do I need to come home tonight?”

  “Dallas, darling, you’ve always been so much like your momma.” April McGovern knew her daughter hated when she compared her wife and daughter. “Sometimes, you have no patience.”

  Dallas wanted to say she had all the patience in the world. If her relationship with Lucy was any indication, she had the patience of a saint already. Instead, she remained silent, hoping her mom would get to the point.

  “Your momma has been her usual fighter. Even though it’s only been less than a day, her condition has been upgraded.” April knew this would be pleasant news on several levels.

  First and foremost, Dallas would want her momma to be healthy. But it would also allow her daughter to travel with her big rig to Montana, instead of having to leave it behind. “I’d still like you to come home. But take it easy and bring the big rig. You know your momma loves riding in that thing.”

  A breath was expelled. It took a moment for Dallas to compose herself. “I hope momma doesn’t attempt to overdo it. Tell her from me to listen to the docs and wait until her daughter gets there.”

  “And you tell your fiancée that we can’t wait to meet her. Wish you two could travel together for a visit, but we understand.” April didn’t want to push. Yet, she wanted her daughter to know she wanted to meet the mystery woman.

  “I’ll bring Lucy when she’s able to come.” Dallas hoped to live up to that promise. Sometimes her little filly could find any reason not to commit. And meeting the parents was probably the most terrifying of moments for her.

  What about Dallas? The thought of meeting Lucy’s mother was somewhat intimidating. Especially since she hardly knew anything at all about the matron.

  So many things Dallas had to learn about her fiancée. Just when would they be able to learn all these things? It wasn’t only her momma’s health. It was also making certain her moms could manage on the farm by themselves.

  “You do that. You tell Lucy to drive safe.” April sensed something was brewing in her daughter. But she refused, at least over the phone, to confront her. “And you take it easy.”

  “No more than a hundred.” The groan was expected. The sudden disconnection was as well. Her mother had a sense of humor, but not like hers and her momma’s.

  “Safety and healing vibes for one and all.” Dallas began the task of readying the big rig for a long haul. And the loneliness set in, even though she only had to make her way to her room to discover a warm body waiting for her.

  ()()()()()()()()()()()()()

  Jessie hadn’t been certain where she would discover her wife. It was all coming to an end, sadly. Not that they wouldn’t have more boarders. After all, Sam and Abby would be back for a real vacation.

  It would be fitting that Thelma was in the gazebo. It was the place Jessie had proposed. It was the first place they had explored when they had visited the plantation. It seemed it was a special place.

  The former firefighter cautiously approached her wife. Jessie didn’t want to startle Thelma. She was nervous about a subject she wanted to discuss with her.

  “I know you are there.” Thelma had been expecting Jessie. They’d not had a great deal of alone time on the last day of their inaugural week with boarders.

  “Hey.” Jessie hastened her pace. She eased herself beside Thelma. “How are you holding up? Now that everything is settling down. That we’ll be mostly alone beginning tomorrow.”

  “I like being alone with you.” Thelma leaned her head on Jessie’s shoulder. “But I also like meeting new people. I enjoyed getting to know Sam, Abby and Melissa. But I especially liked making friends with Dallas, Lucy, Geraldine and Allison.”

  “I remember stories Candy used to tell.” Thelma’s head lifted so she was looking in her wife’s eyes. “How she had to work so hard just to be your friend. That you sheltered yourself, rightfully so, from everyone. Especially a certain tall, young, dark haired woman.”

  Thelma couldn’t help the chuckle. It was true. It wasn’t long ago that her choice would be to isolate herself. It had been difficult to interact with the customers. Yet, she had always wanted to prove she could be a businesswoman.

  “I know. We both changed a great deal over the past year.” Thelma once again snuggled against her wife. “Thankfully those changes have been for the positive.”

  “And I think you were attempting to change things even more for the positive when you suggested we adopt.” Jessie’s tone was the saddest Thelma had ever heard it.

  Once again, Thelma was staring her wife in the eyes. “Jessie, what’s going on? You know I’m all right with the way things are. If we never adopt…”

  Jessie’s gentle squeeze of her leg caused Thelma to trail off. Jessie took a deep breath before speaking. “I’ve been doing some research. As of this moment in time, we would not be able to legally adopt in the state of Georgia. I’m not even certain if we adopted from another state or country, it would give us legal rights.”

  Thelma leaned back. It had never occurred to her that they could be denied the right every human being should be granted. They were living in arduous times.

  “I hate this.” Thelma suddenly arose. She began pacing back and forth. “It’s not so much because I had my heart set on adopting. It’s because, once again, our rights are being infringed upon.”

  Jessie felt exactly the same way. “I never realized how much we had to fight. Just to live until I began researching. Technically, if something were to happen to one of us, we could be denied ownership of the bed and breakfast, even with a will.”

  “That’s fucking ridiculous.” Thelma was turning a dangerous shade of red at the thought of how her rights could so easily be denied.

  Before Jessie could respond, Thelma froze in midstep. “And what about the children? What about, more specifically, children that realize they are a part of the LGBTQI community?”

  Azure eyes blinked several times. Jessie had been angered at being denied a right most people take for granted. She now hated herself having not thought of the children who were simply attempting to live their lives.

  Where the idea came from, Jessie was uncertain. They had worked so hard to turn the old plantation into a bed and breakfast. They had already made amazing friendships. They had survived an attack of hatred.

  “What if we, instead of adopting, turn the bed and breakfast into a school?” Jessie wasn’t certain how her unexpected idea would be accepted.

  Thelma’s mouth opened and closed. She wasn’t a teacher. Nor was Jessie. At least, neither was a traditional teacher.

  They could always hire the best. With Thelma’s money diversified and compounding, they could even make the school a nonprofit organization. Meaning, there would be a tuition, but there would be scholarships for those that could not afford it.

  “We’d have to see if it’s feasible.” Thelma’s mind was racing. She knew they would need a decent lawyer. One who specialized in LGBTQI rights.

  Already, Thelma donated to the ACLU and others like them. But they needed someone who could be their personal lawyer. “We’d need a lawyer who specialized in LGBTQI rights. Especially for those in The South.”

  “It’s odd.” Jessie was now standing. She slowly made her way toward her wife. “When you first suggested we adopt, I was terrified.”

  The couple were now standing toe to toe. “But when I discovered we couldn’t adopt, I was angry. I was more than angry. I was pissed off.”

  “Even odder was how, out of nowhere, I was able to come up with this unusual idea.” Jessie was now holding her wife tightly against her body. “It would mean not making a love connection. But it could mean saving a child’s life.”

  In that moment, Thelma couldn’t love her wife more. “That’s the most important thing in the world. Leaving the world better than we found it. That c
ould be by changing it ourselves or educating the next generation so that they can change it.”

  “It’s something neither of us had. At least not from our parents.” Jessie couldn’t help smiling. “In a way, we can be the parents to an untold amount of youth.”

  “And it doesn’t have to stop once they graduate. We can assist them with higher education.” Thelma’s mind was racing with possibilities. She had been gifted with money. Why not make the world a better place and possibly save lives in the process.

  Chapter 19

  Allison reveled in the warmth emanating from beside her. It was amazing how she had become accustomed to sleeping next to someone.

  It was something Allison never would have thought she could become accustomed to. Never before had she thought she would find herself wanting a relationship and to sleep next to someone each night.

  For a moment, Allison studied the woman sleeping beside her. Yes, there was the shadowing of the untouched beard. There was the Adam’s apple she had failed to notice when they had first met.

  Even now, it took studying Geraldine for Allison’s mind to truly see those features. Even if her friend never had any kind of hormone treatment or surgeries, forever would she be a woman in Allison’s mind.

  Allison wanted to remain in bed a little longer. But she needed to ready herself for the long drive ahead. They would share a final breakfast together, before Geraldine would be dropped off at the bus station.

  There was a part of Allison that wanted to escort Geraldine into the bus station to make certain there were no incidents.

  Unfortunately, Allison needed to return to a job she would only have for two more weeks. Every bit of pay would make the difference on where she decided to start her life over once again.

  By the time Allison emerged, Geraldine was sitting on the bed. She was rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “Good morning. Sorry to have hogged the bathroom.”

  Geraldine managed to smile. Her head was pounding. She’d had nightmare after nightmare. The only thing that had kept her from screaming out was the warmth she had felt the entire night.

  “I’m normally a morning person. I guess it’s the fact we’ll be parting ways today.” Geraldine managed to stretch. When she glanced at the beautiful face, the cowgirl knew she couldn’t leave Allison.

  At least not forever. “I’ll be a moment. Sorry it takes me so long to get around.” Allison’s stomach chose that moment to softly grumble. “You’ll be fed shortly.” Geraldine winked as she made her way into the bathroom.

  With practiced hands, Geraldine made hasty work of her usual rituals. Once she returned to the ranch, she wouldn’t have as much access to makeup and other comforts her mother had smuggled to her.

  As Geraldine stood at the mirror, she hoped she was dressed conservatively enough. After all when she had been attacked before, she had been wearing her pink blouse.

  Allison was standing at the window when Geraldine exited. They shared a moment of staring before retrieving their luggage. They felt it would be safe by the front door while they ate their final meal at the bed and breakfast.

  There was a bustle of people. Geraldine hadn’t readied herself for so many people. Dallas was carrying her own and Lucy’s luggage out the front door, while Lucy was making her way into the dining room.

  Some of Sam’s people were also milling about. Geraldine had forgotten so many had come to help in the time of need. She took Allison’s hand. It calmed her and gave her strength.

  Allison winked at her friend as they made their way into the dining room. It was a spread like usual. Scrambled eggs. Pancakes. Waffles. Fruit. Toast. Coffee. Juice. It was enough to feed an army and then some.

  The pair settled next to one another. Lucy sat across from them. She was soon joined by her fiancée. There was little chitchat. Apparently all had been said the evening before. All had made certain each had the contact information of the other.

  Allison made certain she had a coffee for the road. Geraldine chose a juice. The travel mugs were free as a souvenir. “I want to thank you for opening up your home. Because to me, this is more than a bed and breakfast. I hope to return one day.”

  “We’ll be here.” Thelma stood beside her wife behind the desk. They had decided to eat after their boarders had left. “But the bed and breakfast might not.”

  Jessie hastily continued. “It was a privilege for you to be our first boarders. But we might be turning the bed and breakfast into a school for those in the LGBTQI community. They need somewhere to learn and feel safe. With Sam’s friends, they’ll have safety.”

  “With you and Thelma, they’ll have that. And they’ll have a lot of love.” Allison couldn’t help the laughter. While she was sad she might not be able to come back as a boarder, she could come back for a visit.

  “Thank you.” Thelma handed Allison her receipt, before handing Geraldine hers. “We’ll have the horses, so if you decide you want a job just let us know.”

  Geraldine did want to start over. She just wasn’t certain where she would. It would take discussions with her mother and with Allison before she made up her mind. “I appreciate the offer and will keep it in mind.”

  It was time. There were hugs with Thelma, Jessie, Dallas and Lucy before Allison reluctantly led Geraldine to her small car. They settled for the longest of moments. It took a moment to program the navigation for two destinations.

  The scenery remained amazing. Allison wished she’d had a decent camera to capture it all. Unfortunately, all she’d had was her cellphone.

  At least on that cellphone was a picture of she and Geraldine. Thelma had been kind enough to take more than a couple pics. Still so sad to say goodbye to so many good people.

  As they neared the bus station, Allison pulled into a parking spot. She wasn’t even certain what business she was parked in front of.

  “I just wanted a moment.” Allison was grateful when Geraldine maintained eye contact. “I don’t think I can handle a goodbye in public.”

  It was akin to saying she was in love with her and Allison knew it. She didn’t think Geraldine would realize the importance of her words.

  “I don’t like being in public. So this is fine.” Geraldine glanced at the clock on the radio. She only had twenty minutes until her bus was scheduled to leave.

  “I know we have contact information.” Allison reached a hand over. She cautiously placed it on Geraldine’s thigh. “But this feels like a goodbye. A forever one.”

  Allison had to swallow. She couldn’t help the tears. “I’ve been alone for nearly my entire life. I had foster families, only one who actually wanted me for more than the money I brought in.”

  “At least I’ve always had my mother.” Geraldine placed a hand upon Allison’s. “She’s tried to protect me my entire life. Sometimes, I wonder if it wouldn’t have been better if she’d helped me run away, instead of bringing me back.”

  The words tasted bitter. Geraldine didn’t hate her mother. She couldn’t hate her. It was the fact the cowgirl had scars, both emotionally and physically, all because her father’s hatred.

  Sadly, her mother wouldn’t leave her father. Was she remaining for Geraldine’s brothers? They were, in the cowgirl’s opinion, beyond change, as was her father.

  “That was harsh.” Geraldine managed to look her best friend in the eyes. “I know my mom loves me, beyond words. The problem is…She was born in the era. That timeframe when you don’t divorce. Or at least that’s what she believes.”

  “So she remains with my father.” Geraldine had to swallow several times. “I just know I can’t remain. At least, I can’t remain for the rest of my life.”

  Allison was shocked by the words. She had hoped Geraldine would one day be able to move on. “You do what you have to. Take all the time in the world. Once I’m settled, you’ll always have a place to crash. And you have the others.”

  “I appreciate it. But this is something I need to do on my own.” Geraldine wanted to move now. In fact, she wa
nted to see if she could refund her ticket and travel with Allison.

  But Geraldine also knew she had to be cautious. She had to do things in the proper way. Meaning, she had to be able to stand on her own two feet, before she took steps to be with anyone. Even as a friend.

  “I feel like I’m finally becoming an adult.” Geraldine wasn’t certain if the analogy would be understood. “Before this trip, I had lived in my father’s world. I was the naughty child, attempting to discover myself and deny him at the same time.”

  “Now, I’ve traveled nearly a day away.” There was a sad smile upon Geraldine’s face. “It’s not the same as traveling as far as you have. Yet, it’s the farthest I’ve traveled. And it’s the longest I’ve been away from the ranch.”

  “I need to go back. I have to stand up for myself.” Geraldine felt the gentle squeeze of her thigh. “I want to attempt to convince my mother to leave him. I doubt that will happen. But I have to try.”

  Allison also sported a sad smile. But there was understanding in her eyes. “I understand. I’ve been on my own since I was eighteen. But it doesn’t mean I was an adult. It means I had to survive. I want to thrive.”

  “For me, that means finding a new job. Hopefully being able to find a new career.” Allison, in some ways, envied Geraldine. “I definitely need to keep the friends I’ve made. Not having any family, it’s a given.”

  “For me as well.” There was a part of Geraldine that wanted to close the gap. She wanted to lean in for a gentle kiss. And this time, not on the cheek or forehead.

  But it was too soon, at least for the cowgirl. Geraldine reluctantly glanced at the clock. “We better get going. I won’t have long to wait.”

  Allison sighed. “And I should get going. Looks like the city is waking up. Traffic is nearly bumper to bumper.” Allison squeezed Geraldine’s thigh one more time before placing the car in drive once more.

  There was a line for dropping off passengers. Allison parked the car. “I guess it’s time.” A shaking hand reached out. “Thank you for taking a chance on a vacation when you did. This isn’t goodbye. This is see you later.”