“I can handle you. We’ll have ups and downs but at the end of the day, I’ll still be able to call you mine.”
Lauren grinned. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Whatever you want.” Before Ainslon could connect their lips, her cellphone rang. Edna’s ringtone. “That’s Nana.” Lauren let her go and Ainslon retrieved the cellphone from the kitchen counter. “Nana.” It was a bit odd for her to be calling so early.
“I was wondering if you had the time to stop by today? There is something I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Of course. When do you want me?” Something didn’t feel right, but Ainslon would never tell Edna no.
“I know you are having dinner with Lauren’s family tonight, so how about lunch with me?”
“Is it all right if I bring Lauren?”
“I insist.”
“Okay. I’ll see you in a few hours. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
After the call, Ainslon placed her phone back on the counter.
“Ainslon?”
“I should have asked you, but Nana wanted to have lunch with us. She said she needed to talk with me about something.”
“You look worried.”
“I…I feel like something’s wrong.” Ainslon relaxed into Lauren’s warm embrace.
“Whatever it is, I’ll be here, and we’ll deal with it together.”
“Together. I like the sound of that.”
As they pulled up to Edna’s house, Ainslon’s stomach flipped. Earlier, she’d called Easton about this meeting, but she didn’t know what was going on. She stressed that Edna hadn’t mentioned anything when they last talked.
Lauren placed her hand on Ainslon’s shoulder and gave a comforting squeeze. “Let’s go in.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Ainslon held the kitchen door open for Lauren, then walked in behind her. Edna was standing at the counter. “Nana.”
“Just a moment, dear. Help me with the tea.”
In the living room, Edna spoke up. “I can see the worry on your face. You never could hide your feelings well.”
“I’m just…” She sighed. “Nana, what is it?”
“I talked to your father yesterday.”
This being about her parents never crossed her mind. “You’re not dying?”
“We all are, but not yet, dear. Not yet. I’m sorry I worried you.”
“No. It’s fine.” She slipped her hand under Edna’s. “Go on.” She relaxed even more when Lauren rested her arm on the back of Ainslon’s chair and caressed her shoulder.
“They’ve decided to come for a visit.” Edna squeezed Ainslon’s hand.
“Okay. I kind of figured they would after our last talk. When are they coming?”
“In three and a half weeks and they’ll be staying a week.”
“Less than a month away. That’s the food festival.” Of course, they would have to mess up that time for her. Edna had already agreed to read a traditional Irish children’s story at their booth.
“It is and I’ve already told them not to bother you and that me, you, and Easton have our weekly dinners. They will not be invited. Yes, I want to see them, but you are my priority. Tell me if any of this bothers you.”
“All of it does, but I understand your need to see them. I don’t, and I can’t stress this enough, I don’t want to see them.”
“They know.”
Ainslon laughed. “It’s not like they want to see me.”
Edna pursed her lips. “They do. I don’t agree with the way they treated you, but I will forever be grateful I had the opportunity to raise you. You and Easton have done my heart good. You girls are my greatest legacy.”
Ainslon held back her tears. She’d be lying if she hadn’t wondered what they’d been up to all these years, but she never let it overwhelm her. Now, they were coming to Garriety. “I’m still not going to meet them.”
“I didn’t expect you too.” Edna took both of Ainslon’s hands in hers. “Grά gheal mo chroί thú.”
“I love you, Nana.”
“Now, I made a nice chicken salad for lunch. I’m going to go get everything ready and give you two a minute.”
Ainslon didn’t object when Edna walked out of the living room. She welcomed Lauren’s arms when she sat beside her on the couch.
“You seem conflicted.”
“I am. They refused to accept me when I came out. After they caught me and my best friend Deirdre making out, they were furious. They grounded me for weeks and forbade me from seeing her. I was miserable, then one day Nana showed up. She was there for two weeks.” She turned to Lauren and traced her jawline with her hand. “They gave Nana guardianship of me. Signed me over for being a lesbian. I know a lot of gay kids had it a lot worse than me. They never abused me, physically or verbally, but they let me know being gay wasn’t something they would accept. It wasn’t normal. I wasn’t normal.” Ainslon chuckled. “Every hour of the plane ride home, Nana would tell me something she loved about me and there was nothing wrong with me liking girls. It was normal and I was normal. I’ve never felt anything but loved with her.”
“And that means everything. When I first came out to my parents, they didn’t understand it, but over time they made it clear they loved me no matter what. They apologized for their initial reaction and we’ve been good ever since. Have they never tried to contact you?”
“Me? No. It’s been almost twenty years. They’d be in their late fifties now. Everyone always said I was the spitting image of my mom. I don’t know.” Ainslon stood abruptly, then held out her hand for Lauren. The warm fingers wrapped around hers, grounded her. “We can talk about this later. Right now, we have lunch with Nana, then dinner tonight with your family.”
Lauren wrapped her arms around Ainslon and pulled her close. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Lauren slipped the black sleeveless turtleneck on, then stepped into and pulled on her black slacks. After a quick glance in the bedroom mirror, she declared herself ready. At the door to her bedroom, she slipped her feet into a pair of black heels.
When they’d left Edna’s, Ainslon had asked to go to the park and they’d sat quietly and watched the water for an hour. She couldn’t imagine what Ainslon had gone through with her family, but she vowed to make sure their visit had the least amount of impact on Ainslon. No matter what she had to do to accomplish that.
She snatched her black leather jacket off the hook in the hallway and made her way down the stairs where Ainslon was waiting. At the bottom of the stairs, Lauren drew in her breath at the vision in front of her. Ainslon had opted for a long sleeved, knee length black dress. Her hair flowed down her back, and a pair of glasses added to her appeal.
“Wow. Love the sexy librarian look.”
Ainslon grinned. “Not wow. Since my eyes were bothering me, I opted for my glasses instead of the contacts I normally wear.” She scrunched her nose up. “You haven’t seen me in my glasses, have you?”
Lauren looked sheepish. “Just once when I googled you.” She drew Ainslon into her arms. “I wouldn’t mind seeing you in them more often.”
“Do you have a glasses fetish?”
“I have an Ainslon fetish.” Ainslon’s laugh warmed Lauren to her core. She hated seeing her sad. “Are you ready?” Lauren slipped her jacket on, then helped Ainslon with her cardigan.
“My, you look good.” Ainslon ran her hands down the jacket’s zipper. “Black is your color.”
Lauren held her arms out wide. “You think so?”
“We both know it is.”
“True, but, so you know, your accent is so hot I’d want you in anything you dress in.”
“So, you let my unique clothing pass because of my accent.”
Lauren swooned at the more pronounced accent. “Be still my heart.”
“Come on, dork.” At the car, Ainslon pulled Lauren to a stop. “Thank you for today.”
“No thanks necessary.”
Lauren kissed her lips lightly. “How would you like to taste the best Puerto Rican food ever? My family and I wanted to give you a taste of my heritage and they love going all out.”
“I can’t wait.”
“Good, because my mother and sister have gone a bit overboard for today. They made pernil. Trust me, you’ll love it. If you’ve never tasted heaven on Earth, you’re about to. It’s so good.” Lauren put the car into drive and pulled out onto the road.
“What is it?”
“It’s a slow-roasted marinated pork shoulder. My sister made arroz con gandules.”
“I’ve had that.”
“Jeffrey made pastelon. It’s his specialty. He’s been perfecting it since he and Callie got married.”
“That’s made with plantains, isn’t it?”
“Yep. They’re mashed and layered with ground beef, like a lasagna.”
“I can’t wait.”
“They want you to feel welcome and what better way than food.” Lauren flipped the blinker, then drove a few blocks before pulling up to an average looking house. Lauren took off her seat belt and turned to Ainslon. “Now, it’s fine to be nervous, but no need to be scared. They like you. I promise.”
Ainslon cupped Lauren’s cheeks and kissed her. “Let’s go.”
Lauren held tightly to Ainslon’s hand as they entered the house.
“Lauri, we’re in the kitchen,” Callie called out.
“Let me take your cardigan.” Lauren hung it up along with her jacket. She held tight to Ainslon’s hand and led her into the kitchen.
Patricia stood at the stove, stirring something in a pot, and Callie lifted a pot and carried it past them into the dining room.
“Where’s Jeffrey and Charlie?” Lauren accepted a kiss from her mother.
“Setting the table.” Patricia wiped her hands, then drew Ainslon to her. “It’s good to see you again, Ainslon.”
“You as well.”
Patricia patted her cheek before going back to the stove. “I hope you like what we’ve prepared tonight.”
“I’m sure I will. It smells delicious.”
“Thank you. It should taste as good as it smells.”
“What can we do?”
Patricia looked scandalized. “You will do nothing. Dinner is almost ready.” Her attention turned to her daughter. “Lauren, help your sister.”
After the table was set, everyone took a seat. Food littered almost all the available surface. They really had gone all out.
“Dig in,” Patricia said.
Lauren explained the items of food as she put a little of each on Ainslon’s plate. At the first bite of the pernil, she knew it was time for her to start cooking more. The pork melted in her mouth. “Momma, you’ve outdone yourself.”
“Don’t be silly. It’s just dinner.” She might have been trying to come across as modest, but Lauren could tell she was pleased.
“Lauren’s right,” Ainslon said. “You’ve all outdone yourself. It’s delicious.”
“Ainslon,” Patricia said, “Do you cook many traditional Irish dishes?”
“Not nearly as much as Nana would like me to.”
“It’s important to keep our legacies alive,” Callie said.
“It is. My sister owns Brew and Bake, and she sells a handful of Irish desserts Nana has passed down to us. Easton has never visited Ireland but we both know how important it is to Nana to keep those traditions going.”
“Aunt Lauren said you have competitive game nights at your store?” Charlie asked.
“We do. Twice a month. You should come sometime. There’s no cover charge and prizes are given away.”
“Is it only video games or board games too?”
“Both. We alternate. Next month we’re having a classic board game tournament.”
“Is there an age limit?” Jeffrey asked.
“We cap at eighteen, but once we’re in our new store, we’re thinking of having an adult’s game night.” Ainslon took a sip of her wine.
“Really?” Lauren reclined back in her seat. “That would be great.”
“I could kick your ass,” Jeffrey threw out.
Lauren arched her brow. “You wish. I believe it was this woman,” she touched her chest, “That kicked your ass at Monopoly last month.”
“That was a fluke.” He downed his wine.
Lauren sat back as Jeffrey and Charlie talked about the latest video games. Patricia, Callie, and Ainslon talked about the food festival.
“Lauren,” Patricia said. “Do you have everything settled for the festival?”
“I do. Noe has the menu planned and I’ve got our booth squared away. Ainslon also has a booth.”
“Do go on,” Patricia encouraged.
“We’re having children’s story hour. Every two hours, someone will read a new story. Nana is going to read a story, and I’ve got people settled to read other books.” Ainslon nudged Lauren. “Give me another tostone, please.”
“Addictive, right?”
“Yes.”
After dinner, Lauren helped her mother with the dishes while everyone else retired to the living room.
“You love her,” Patricia said.
Lauren’s soapy hands slipped on the plate, but she quickly got her bearings. “Yes.”
“We may not have understood when you told us you were gay, but I hope you know how proud of you I am, and your papa was as well. All we’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy.”
“I know, Momma. We’ve made our peace. Papa never let a day go that he didn’t tell me he loved me.” No matter what she was doing, if her papa called, Lauren would always answer the phone. After his death from a heart attack, Lauren would sit in her house with a glass of wine, staring at her phone, waiting for a phone call that would never come. It took her waking up to a wine-soaked shirt to conclude something had to change, and she began to spend more time with her family.
“Good. Now that you’ve found someone, there is no reason not to give me my next grandchild.”
“Momma.” Lauren laughed along with Patricia. “I believe you said something about dessert.”
“For you, little duck, only for you.”
“As it should be, Momma. As it should be.”
“So, I was thinking about something,” Lauren said, over lunch Tuesday.
Ainslon had just bitten into her sandwich, so she chewed slowly, then wiped her mouth. “Oh, about what?”
“Us.”
“Go on.”
“Besides the axe throwing and water balloon fight in the park, we haven’t really done anything besides dinner, movies, and hanging out. How about we each plan a date? What each of us would consider a perfect date.”
“That sounds wonderful. Though, I’m not sure you’ll be able to survive my perfect date.”
Lauren smirked. “I’m tougher than I look.”
“Maybe.” Ainslon leaned across the table and kissed her on the lips. “Saturday, me and you. I’m going to blow you away.”
“We’ll see. We’ll see.”
“I’m telling you; this woman knows how to plan dates.”
“I’ve been known to plan the perfect date as well. Also,” Lauren said, pushing her plate away, “I thought it would be nice to pick some fun activities for the two of us and our families and throw them into a jar. We could pick one out once a month and do them together.”
How could this woman get any more perfect? “Sounds wonderful.”
Forty minutes later, Ainslon rushed into Turn the Page.
“Where’s the fire?” Justin proclaimed.
“Lauren had this bright idea that we should each plan out a perfect date.”
“And what’s the problem? That sounds nice. I’ll have to say something to Brandy.”
“Not really a problem, but we’ve already had our perfect date.”
“You have?”
“Us spending time together. That’s all I need.”
“Well then. There’s your answer.”
; She wracked her mind all day to come up with the perfect date, even searching Pinterest. It wasn’t until she dusted a picture book with a cabin on the front cover in one of the display windows that she got the idea for the perfect date.
Saturday morning, Lauren took one last look in the living room mirror, then headed out of her condo and down the elevator to join Ainslon. She couldn’t wait to see what Ainslon had planned. Ainslon had stayed mum on her plans all week.
Lauren hoped this had taken Ainslon’s mind off her parents. She’d made it clear she didn’t want to see them; however, Lauren knew, the thought of them being in the same town put Ainslon on edge. Lauren would do whatever it took to make sure Ainslon didn’t get too stressed out this week.
When Ainslon’s Jeep pulled up, Lauren climbed inside.
“Does my attire suit you?” When Ainslon had told her to wear jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers, she had been skeptical, but went with it. She knew Ainslon wouldn’t steer her wrong.
“Beautiful. Now, we have our whole day ahead of us. Are you ready?”
“Take me away.”
Three hours later, Lauren slid her knees up and hugged them to her chest, resting her chin atop of them. Rolling hills spread out in front of them as far as the eye could see. A lake was to the right of their location and a small, rustic cabin to the left. Ainslon sat beside her and mimicked her position. Lauren wasn’t aware a place like this existed so close to Garriety.
“How did you find this place?” They’d driven for an hour and a half before Ainslon had pulled off onto a dirt road. Forty minutes later, Lauren was in awe as their destination came into view.
Ainslon picked at the grass. “I own it.”
Lauren turned to look at her. That she hadn’t expected. “It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you. When I turned twenty, I used to help the owner. When he got sick, I was the first one he asked if I wanted to buy it. He was amazing and I got a steal. He wanted someone he knew would take care of it. I pay my neighbor, Brian, to come out and check on it every few days. In return, I allow him and his kids to fish in the lake along the land I own and to camp. I own ten acres.” Ainslon leaned back on her hands. “It reminds me a little of Ireland. My own little piece of heaven. I try to come out here a few times a year to relax. Sometimes Nana or Easton will come with me. Most of the time I’m by myself. Not many people know I own this land.”
First Edition Romance Page 19