“Get the hell out!”
“Kelly, what have I done?”
“They all told me to watch out for you, Nancy. That you were nothing but a womanizer and a whore! Stupid me said, no she isn’t like that, you don’t know her. Then, I come home and what do I find? You about to make another conquest! GET OUT NOW!”
“Another conquest? How did you get there? We were sitting on the couch with our clothes on talking. Katie is my cousin! Who the hell have you been talking to?”
“Friends that don’t lie to me! I don’t believe for one minute she is your cousin. Get the fuck out of here and never come back!”
“Are you sure that is what you want? Once I leave I'll never come back!”
Kelly walked over to the door and opened it. “Leave.”
* * *
How did everything get so out of hand? Thinking back to their first meeting she sobbed, as she remembered how drawn she was to the woman…
Kelly slowly turned around to see what all the commotion was about. The Pink Panther was packed, as usual, making it hard to see what was happening. Then, she recognized Nancy Hall and knew exactly what the situation was. Nancy was one of those people that electrified a room when she entered. Everyone flutters around her wanting to be seen with her; hoping she would see them. Turning back to the bar, she continued the conversation with the woman to her right.
A voice to her left spoke, “May I buy you a drink?”
Swiveling around on her stool, she stared into the most brilliant blue eyes she had ever seen. There, asking to buy her a drink, was one Nancy Hall. “Are you speaking to me?”
A radiant smile crossed the beautiful face. “Yes, yes I am. What’s your pleasure?”
“Am I to be your conquest tonight?” Kelly asked sarcastically.
“Pardon me. Why would you say such a thing?” Came the cool reply.
Kelly paused for a moment as she scrunched her eyebrows together. “You are Nancy Hall, right?”
“Yes.”
“You're a legend, Nancy. Everyone knows you pick a woman each night and charm her into loving you, then bed and leave her. So, I was asking, if that is to be me tonight.”
More and more people crowded around the bar as a group had just come into the bar from a concert.
“It's too crowded here to talk, would you mind if we stepped outside for a moment?” Nancy didn’t wait for a reply, she took Kelly’s arm and lead her outside.
“Okay, we’re outside, what do you want?” Kelly was annoyed.
“I would like to know exactly who told you that about me?” Her body language was screaming anger.
“Who? I don’t know; it is just common knowledge. Everyone says that about you.”
“Does everyone have a name? Did you get this information directly from someone I did that to?”
It finally dawned on Kelly what the woman was saying. “Hey, I’m sorry, I just assumed it was true. What an jerk you must think I am!” Looking down at the ground and shaking her head she continued. “I’m truly sorry…do you think you can forgive me?”
Nancy sighed heavily. “Do you see me as that type of person? I just don’t understand how this rumor sustains itself. The last time I slept with someone was almost a year ago. I don’t date much at all; I just don’t get it.” There was sadness in her voice as a tear trickled down her cheek.
Kelly’s heart ached for the woman. “Nancy, you walk in a room and everyone takes notice…I bet they’re in there speculating now about where you took me.” A small laugh escaped. “Maybe people are jealous or think that because you are so compelling, that you must be a womanizer too. I don’t know why or how it started, but I am sorry for taking it as the truth.”
Nancy once again smiled. “You are the first person to confront me. Oh, I know what they say…it's hard to miss when women come up and ask if it can be their night. I used to think it was amusing…now it hurts. I’m not that shallow.” She said ruefully. “I’d seen you here before and decided tonight I would try to get to know you. I’m sorry if I bothered you, it won’t happen again.” Then she headed for the parking lot and her car.
“Nancy, wait up.” Kelly called out. “I believe you asked me to join you for a drink, I’d like a beer.”
That night started a glorious romance.
How could I have been so wrong about her? Her touch said love, her words from the heart; everything she did said love. Picking up the phone, Kelly dialed the familiar number.
“Hello.”
Holding the phone to her heart, she hung up as tears flowed. I can’t go back to her…she is the one that needs to apologize. The words sounded logical, but her heart was begging her to go to Nancy. I can’t be weak and give in…I need to be strong. Still she couldn’t help wondering what life had in store for them, if they had stayed together. Locking the doors and turning out the lights she went to her lonely bed where she cried herself to sleep.
* * *
As with every night since Nancy left, Kelly had the same dream…
The white Cape Cod was small, but perfect for them, complete with dormers, shutters, a front porch and a white picket fence. Nancy insisted on remodeling the kitchen so Kelly could cook with all the modern conveniences. They converted one of the three bedrooms into a studio for Nancy to work on her masterpieces. The master bedroom reflected both women’s taste although they both agreed on the pillow mattress and rich cherry furniture.
The backyard had several apple trees along with a large oak that held a rope swing. Many a night they would spend hours swinging and delighting in each other. They both worked on the garden where vegetables and flowers flourished. Kelly was an avid bird watcher so a birdbath and feeders were found there too.
The front yard was decorated with flowerbeds along the walkways and around two decorative cherry trees. The fence added a sense of quaintness to the home; Nancy wanted to fix the squeak in the gate, but Kelly said it just added to the ambiance of the house.
Everything was perfect…just as it should be. Their place to run when the day was done…their home.
Suddenly, her dream would take a turn as her reverie was marred by Nancy walking out of the door forever. “Noooo, don’t leave me! I was wrong…please don’t go,” she cried out as she sat up; her pillow and sheets soaked with sweat.
This night was no different from the others; she sat up in panic. Warm arms encircled her. “Baby, I’m not going anywhere.” A kiss on her cheek was next as she was gently guided back down.
Her eyes searched the room as she sought out the familiar sight of their picture atop the dresser. She was home, held close in the arms of the woman of her dreams, safe at last. The nightmare would stop in time, she was sure of that, until then she would hold their home close to her heart.
The End
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