Tempus Fugit

By Mavis Applewater

For disclaimers see part one

Thanks to my beta reader Mary

As Always This Is For Heather

Part Fourteen 1969

            This was a year of change. Nixon was president and promised to bring our boys home. The Beatles performed in public for the last time and our music was born at Woodstock. Jimi Hendrix, The Who and Janis Joplin guided our generation into the future. After decades of the police raiding gay bars, taking names and arresting people for doing nothing more than holding hands or dressing in clothing deemed not appropriate for their gender the Stonewall Riots gave birth to the gay rights movement. The world was in a constant state of chance and I faced yet another turning point in my life.

            Everything in our world was hip, new or mod.  I was what my mother called a modern woman. Frankly most of the time I felt like an old lady.  I tried to spring back and embrace the day. It just felt strange.  Dad’s passing left a void in our lives. Each day the distance grew greater.  Mom finally put her foot down just before my thirtieth birthday. Enough was enough she tersely informed the lot of us. Of course she was wise enough to make her declaration to each of us separately. I don’t think any of us knew that the others were going through the same turmoil.  Not until Mom informed us. Her final words on the subject came from my father. ‘Shape up or ship out!’ In our own way each of us did. I think there was something about the way Mom said it. I felt like Dad was reaching out from the grave to smack some sense into me.

            Mom had forgiven all of us for our lapse in attitude over the holidays. She shared the sentiment which had only been made worse by her decision to clean out Dad’s shop two weeks before Christmas.  She informed us that we could keep whatever we wanted as a memento; the rest was to be sold. Sammy and Ginny sent word as to what small item they wanted. Sammy wanted the sign that read ‘Sam’s Barber Shop’ and Ginny asked if it would be alright if she could have one of Dad’s smocks.  We put the items away for them. I on the other hand didn’t want to give up everything. I wanted to preserve the shop as a shrine. Mom nixed that idea; tenderly explaining that it was time to let go. She was right what was I going to do with a jar filled with blue antibacterial liquid and combs? In the end I kept only the mug and brush set he used for shaving cream and his box of razors.

            I wasn’t ever going to use them.  I just couldn’t let go of the image of my Dad lathering up the shaving cream. The way the brush clinked against the cup. The way he would smile and make some joke as he brought the cream to a rich lather.  My mother was stoic as we cleaned and cleared away any traces of Dad’s life.  She sold everything off and then rented the building to some guy who wanted to open a record shop. Apparently it was what she and Dad had planned to do after Sammy finished school.

            After we had locked the door for the last time, Mom broke down. I stayed with her for a few days before returning to Boston. I put the elegant case that held Dad’s razors away in a drawer and left the aging mug and brush out on my dresser. Each time I looked at it I remembered him. After a couple of weeks I knew that I couldn’t go home for Christmas that year. Like a coward I ditched my family and went skiing. The guilt I felt over my actions lingered for a long time. I would find out later the reasons behind Ginny’s absence had more to do with her studies than trying to avoid the family. I would have found out sooner if I hadn’t opted to throw myself even deeper into my work. Avoiding going home was a great way to miss phone calls.

            Outside of the confines of my job I never saw my friends. Most hadn’t thought it possible that I could delve even deeper into plying my trade. I hadn’t stopped to think about it. Strange inside the courtroom, I was complete. Out in the world I merely existed. What I had failed to realize was that I had been that way for most of my adult life. Always searching for that one thing missing in my life and too much of a coward to go for it. As my recently departed father would say, I was a jackass. I was living in a crazy, exciting time and wasted it by burying my face in briefs and motions.

            The first crack in my veneer occurred late one afternoon when Spencer waltzed into my office inviting me to join her in going shopping for baby furniture of all things. “What about Ron?” I questioned peering over my glasses. “Shouldn’t he be the one to go with you?”

“I would ask him but then I might be tempted to shoot him,” Spencer rolled her eyes. “He’s no help at all.”

“I thought he took your gun away,” I snickered feeling a tad uneasy when she just growled.

“Fine, I’m not armed,” she tersely confessed. “Don’t know what he’s worried about.”

“Uhm, that you might shoot him,” I carefully pointed out. “You do seem to bring it up in conversation every chance you get. Don’t tell me that is your version of foreplay?”

            “Could be,” she flashed me a rakish grin. “Seriously, neither of us felt comfortable leaving a gun in the house with a baby on the way. Well, Ron never felt comfortable having a gun in the house. The big chicken. So, are you going to put that crap away and join me? Or do I have to threaten to beat you with my purse?”

“You’re going to make a wonderful mother,” I shuddered. “It is good to see that even you are embracing the Age of Aquarius.”

“Age of Aquarius my ass,” she snorted indignantly. “Fine I’m rough around the edges. Which is why I need help. Face it you’re far more girlie than I’ll ever be.”

“I don’t know,” I hesitated peering down at the stack of files that were covering my desk.

“Ellen,” she sternly began. “When was the last time you stepped out of this office and went somewhere other than your apartment? Can you honestly tell me that anything sitting on your desk right now can’t wait until the morning?”

“Fine,” I gave up throwing my hands in the air. I slipped off my glasses and grabbed my purse. “For your information I do have plans for tonight.” It was a rare occurrence but it was sort of business. I didn’t feel a need to mention that little tidbit.

“Geez, you dress like a hippy,” she chastised me. “Good thing you don’t act like one.”

“Are you saying that I’m not cool?” I shot back nudging her towards the door.

“Not even close,” Spencer groaned. “Face it you work too much too be cool. The only thing cool about your life is that lava lamp and bean bag chair in that closet you call an apartment.”

“I was right you are going to be a good mother,” I snapped shrugging on my coat. “You already sound like mine. What’s up? Just practicing or am I in for another lecture?”

“A little of both,” she sounded so smug. “Now don’t flip your wig. You’ve heard it all before. If you wanted her to stay you’d have asked her. And none of your friends believe it when you insist that you’re over her.”

“Ginny again?” I whine.

“Who else? Unless by some miracle you really have gotten over her,” Spencer snarled. “You know if I were you, I’d be pumping that mother of yours for info. She always seems to have the skinny on what your girl is up to.”

“First she’s not my girl,” I sternly corrected her.

“She would be if you just opened your mouth,” Spencer cut me to the quick. “I know that saying those three little words is terrifying but for the love of God it has been forever.”

“Secondly,” I pushed forward not at all enjoying being smacked upside the head with the truth. “The last time I saw Ginny she was living with someone.”

“A flower child that has some serious personality defects,” Spencer once again shot me down. “What do they think the odds are that she’s still shacked up with... What was her name again?”

“Sparrow.” I hissed.

            “Sparrow? You got to be freaking kidding me,” Spencer snarled rolling her eyes with utter disdain. “As I was saying what do you think the odds are that she is still with a person who insulted your family? If I was a betting woman, which I am, I’d bet that she clipped the fruitcake’s wings the second she landed in sunny California. Then again you could find out. There is little invention called the telephone. We also have this system where if you write a letter, put a stamp on it and drop it in a mailbox it actually can reach a person anywhere in the world. Ellen for the love of all that is sacred just tell her how you feel. If you don’t do something soon I fear that your friends are going to beat you senseless. Now that’s over with it. I really need baby furniture. Four more months and the peanut is going to arrive. Might be nice if he had a bed.”

“You mean a crib,” I shook my head still reeling from the metaphorical spanking she had just given me.

“See I do need help,” she pouted grabbing me by the arm. “Chill out, the lecture is over. It’s not like you ever listen.”

“You think it’s a boy?” I was excited for her and eager to change the subject.

“I’m praying it’s a boy,” she whimpered. “I don’t know how to raise a girl.”

“You are a girl,” I stressed as we stepped out of the office and hailed a taxi.

            “Who was raised by her father,” Spencer frowned. “Granted I loved being able to get all dirty. And growing up a tomboy was real helpful when I joined the Navy. What if we have a daughter and she’s all girlie like you? Ronnie and I are aces when it comes to throwing a baseball to the cut off man. Somehow I doubt that will be useful when she’s getting ready for her first dance.”

“Could be,” I laughed. “I can’t believe Ron is going to be someone’s father. I don’t if I should be rejoicing or afraid.”

“Ronnie and I are freaked out enough, thank you very much,” Spencer shivered guiding me into the baby store. “I ran into Evelyn the other day.”

“How is she doing?” I cringed. Evelyn had been on edge ever since she found out about Spencer and Ron.

“Okay, I guess,” Spencer frowned. “I didn’t know what to say to her. She and Wally have been trying to get pregnant since before the honeymoon.”

“I know,” I sighed browsing through the row of cribs.

            “Ron and I were trying not to get pregnant,” Spencer grumbled. “Hell of a way to find out that the pill isn’t a hundred percent effective. I mean we’re thrilled about the baby, terrified but thrilled just the same. What do you say to someone who is trying everything to get pregnant while you end up in the family way by dumb luck?”

“Just be happy,” I tried to console her. “Have you thought about a theme for the nursery?”
“Theme?” Spencer gulped her eyes widening with fear. “Why? It isn’t like the little tyke is going to critique it.” I just rolled my shoulders pretending I hadn’t heard her. “How about a nautical theme?”

“What if it is a girl?” I laughed playing with a mobile.

“Girls like boats,” she meekly argued. “I like boats. Fine what did you have in mind?”

“Winnie the Pooh or some other Disney theme,” I suggested thoroughly amused by the far away look in her eyes.

“Are you suggesting I devote a whole room to Bambi?”

“It’s just a thought,” I snickered. “You know something cutesy. Teddy Bears maybe?”

“Teddy bears,” she squealed. “Now that’s a happening idea. Thanks for coming. I’ve been on edge. The doctors and Ron are worried because of my age. You’d think being over thirty was a crime.”

“Ugh,” I groaned. “Don’t remind me.”

            “That’s right,” she laughed holding up a cute little outfit. “You’re gonna be officially over the hill soon. I use to get so much flack when I was almost thirty and not married. Like I should be put out to pasture or something. Now I’m getting flack because I’m over thirty and having a baby. Is this the cutest thing or what?” She gleefully questioned holding up the tiny dress.

“Sure you don’t want a girl?” I teased.

“I’ll be happy with a healthy baby,” she sighed. “Okay let’s get this started. We need a crib, changing table and a rocker so I can breast feed.”

“Don’t forget a diaper service,” I pointed out. “We should have brought my mom she’s a whiz at this stuff. She’s talking about selling the house.” I added quietly stopping when Spencer found a crib that appeared to peek her interest.

“How do you feel about that?” Spencer pried inspecting the crib.

“You sound like Linda,” I sneered. “I love her to pieces but every time we get together I feel like she’s psychoanalyzing me.”

“Speaking of which,” Spencer prattled on while checking the sturdiness of the crib. “Has she gotten anywhere with your new client?”

“I’ll find out later,” I shrugged. “I’m meeting her for drinks. You don’t need to shake it that hard. I doubt the baby will be doing jumping jacks in it.”

“I don’t know he or she will have half my genes anything is possible. Do these things come assembled? Or am I gonna have to trust my husband with a screwdriver?” She questioned still carefully examining the crib.

“Ron’s not mechanically inclined,” I sputtered truly surprised.

            “Lord no,” Spencer snorted. “Half the time I’m terrified that he’s going to hurt himself. Don’t know why his male pride won’t just give in and let me handle things. Preassembled seems to be the answer that way he isn’t sulking and I don’t have to sneak in behind him to repair the damage. You never answered my question. Not that I’m surprised you’re a real pro when it comes to being evasive. How do you feel about your mom selling the house?”

“It makes sense,” I frowned. “It’s just her now. I just hate letting go and don’t say it. Yes, I know that also seems to be a habit with me. I won’t go and I’m too much of a coward to move forward. No wonder Linda is hell bent on getting me on the couch.”

“Why?” Spencer waved for a salesgirl. “You know what the prob is. Only question is when are you going to do something about it? Like my Dad’s poker buddies use to say, time to put up or shut up.”

“Only you could reduce my many foibles to such a simple statement,” I grunted looking past Spencer to see what was keeping the saleswoman. “Are we visible here or what? I‘m going to assume they don‘t work on commission in this shop.”

            “Now you know why I like carrying a gun so much,” she growled clenching the crib tighter. “And why I want a strong crib.  Again if this kid is anything like me he or she will need something that will keep them from making a break for it. Yo! A little service here!” She barked startling everyone in the shop. Except for me of course. I would have thought Spencer would have blown her top a good ten minutes ago.

            By the time we had finished, Spencer’s bank account had dwindled considerably and I was late meeting Linda. I professed my apologies when I plopped down beside her at Greystones‘, a lesbian bar hidden in the financial district. “You were shopping for baby furniture?” She knitted her brow thoroughly surprised by my flurried explanation.

“Yes,” I rolled my shoulders. “And I swear if you ask me how that made me feel I’m gonna stab you with my swizzle stick. Tanqueray and tonic please.” I requested from the barmaid. “Any news on my client?” I questioned after my drink was delivered. “You know like his real name. The cops are pretty certain it isn’t Peter Parker.”

“You didn’t get that did you?” She laughed hysterically.

            “No,” I huffed still confused as to why everyone, including the judge, found it funny. I was assigned to Mr. Parker’s case or whatever the hell his name is by the court after he taped two dozen plumbers’ helpers to his body and tried to scale the Prudential tower. With the court’s permission I immediately checked him into the farm and called Linda in. “Why is his secret identity so funny?”

“Never read comic books when you were growing up?” Linda questioned with a jovial laugh.

“Just Wonder Woman which explains so much don’t you think,” I waved for another gin and tonic.

“Peter Parker is Spider Man,” Linda howled.

“Isn’t that just swell,” I wanted bang my head on the bar. “My client thinks he’s Spider Man. That might explain the plungers strapped to his body when he tried to scale the Prudential Building. Have we found out his real name?”

“Roger Blaine,” she wiped a tear from her cheek.

“Tell me about Mr. Blaine? Is he a danger to himself and or others?” I groaned.

            “Oh yeah,” Linda chuckled. “This guy is completely bonkers.  So much so that I’m turning him into a case study. I’ll send over the report in the morning. I don’t think the judge will have a problem with leaving him in my care. Where do you find these guys?”

“They find me,” I tersely insisted. “My whole life it has been just one whack job after another. At least I’m keeping the both of us in business.”

“How are you doing?” She questioned with a determined gleam in her dark brown eyes. “Dating anyone?”

“No and I don’t really want to be out there right now. Thank you very much,” I grumbled not in the mood to have my inner child picked to pieces. “My Mom is selling the house. I’ve been thinking maybe I should move in with her.”

“Getting rid of your bachelor pad?” Linda gulped with surprise waving for the barmaid before requesting another round. “My, that is a bold move. But moving in with Mommy?”

“I’m worried about her,” I confessed. “As for my digs we all know why I’ve clung to it for so long.”

“Yeah, it keeps the women in your life conveniently out of your life,” Linda quickly surmised. “Including that all elusive one you want to stay but are to chicken shit to ask.”

“Is that your professional assessment?” I groaned feeling a good buzz creeping up on me.

“Absolutely,” she grinned far too pleased with herself for my liking. “Ellen we all walk through life damaged.”

“So, what’s your malfunction?” I pressed hoping to shove the spotlight away from myself.

“I’m a black woman raised by a mother who was the stereotypical maid for a snotty, rich, white family and I feel a need to overcome that,” she smugly retorted.

“So, you’re an overachiever and I’m a chicken shit?” I scoffed before glancing down at my cocktail wondering if I really needed more gin. “Doesn’t seem fair. So, Doc why do I do it?”

“Beats the hell out of me,” she laughed once again. “No pouting. Fine. I’d have to say it is because you never moved on. Each time you’ve tried to you’ve subconsciously set yourself up to fail by selecting women you’ll never have a future with.”

“Are we finished with the psychobabble for the evening?” I tersely snapped not feeling at all comfortable with how accurate her assessment was. “What about you? Anyone new in your life?”

“No,” she pouted.

“What happened to that nurse?” I gently questioned.

“Major closet case and I wasn’t up for it,” she grimly explained.

“Oh, I went on that trip once. Should have gotten a refund,” I sympathized playing with the ice in my drink.

“Right, the lawyer chick,” she shivered. “What is it you said about her? She had a problem separating church from state.”

“That’s the one,” I scowled. “I’m not one to put down someone’s faith but give it a rest.”

“Faith is important,” Linda cautioned me. “Don’t you believe in God?”

“Yes,” I nodded. “She’s coming and she’s pissed.” I quipped. “Seriously. Yes, I do. Religion just doesn’t sit well with me. Less so after dating Loretta.”

“Fair enough,” she sighed spying her drink. “I drank too much.”

“Yeah, me too,” I rubbed my brow knowing that I was going to regret over indulging in the morning. “So, do you think I should move in with Mom? I’ve mentioned it to her and she’s a little leery.”

“Why do you want to?” She pressed.

“I’m worried about her and I’d feel better if I was there for her,” I confessed my shoulders slumping. “Gonna put a crimp in my love life. Then again we all know my love life is in a holding pattern.”

“Maybe it is time to bring it in for a landing?” She sounded frustrated. The same frustration most of my friends shared. “Have you talked to Ginny since the funeral?”

            “No,” I smacked my lips. “She’s called the office. I keep missing her calls. I could call her friend Harmony. I just don’t want to hear that she is still with Sparrow. I don’t think I could handle that right now. Losing Dad was hard enough; finding out that I don’t have a snowballs chance in Hell with Ginny would be too much.”

            “So, you’re just ducking her calls and shoving your head in the sand?” Linda groaned looking as if she wanted to smack me. “Do yourself and your friends a big favor. The next time you talk to her just tell her how you feel. The worst that will happen is she’s moved on. At least you’ll have closure.”

“Closure is severely overrated,” I tried to joke. Judging by the furious gleam in her eyes I knew I had fallen short. “Fine I will.” It was time. Hells bells it was way past time to tell Ginny. I was beyond ready to speak from my heart and let the chips fall where they may. I was tired of running. Tired of pretending that I was doing the right thing.

“I’m serious,” Linda pushed.

“So am I,” I finally caved. “I’ll be thirty soon. I can’t keep clinging to the hope she’s coming home. I’m also loaded and should head home before I embarrass myself.”

“I hear that,” she nodded placing money on the bar. “Come on let’s split a cab.”

            The following day Spencer once again popped into my office. This time she was there on business. I had to feel for the poor woman at times.  During her first pregnancy Spencer was completely unprepared for the changes her body and hormones threw at her. Spencer had gotten a lot of flack doing her job solely because she was a woman. Add being obviously pregnant to the mix and folks just turned nasty.  Back in those days pregnant women didn’t work period. In fact the moment an employer discovered a woman was expecting she quite often was wished well before being showed the door. Spencer was self employed and stubborn as a bull. Anyone who even suggested that perhaps she should take it easy usually received a colorful and lengthy commentary in response.

“What ‘cha reading?” She inquired taking a seat and tossing a file onto my desk.

            I showed her the copy of The Godfather I had been reading. “I like it,” I smiled as she rubbed her slightly enlarged tummy. “Want to borrow it?”

“Nah,” she grimaced rolling her shoulders. “I can’t seem to focus these days. All part of the joy.” She added dramatically rolling her eyes.  “That’s the report on Henning.”

“Thank you,” I smiled thinking she looked amazing. “Anything we didn’t know?”

“No,” she groaned shifting uncomfortably in her chair. “The guy is an idiot. Good luck in court. It is so much more fun when your clients are innocent.”

“No kidding, huh,” I smirked agreeing whole heartedly with her observation. “Loretta won’t even consider a deal.”

“They take her off sex crimes?” Spencer absently inquired.

“Permanently,” I shook my head. “Her boss felt that she came off slightly brash with juries.”

“Right,” Spencer grimaced. “Most juries are filled with men and they perceive her as bitchy.”

“Basically,” I grimly conceded. “How are you feeling?”

“Like a beached whale,” Spencer growled.

“Okay. Glad I asked,” I laughed loudly.

“Thanks again for last night,” she smiled. “You have no idea how good it feels to start putting the nursery together. By the by what did Linda say about Parker?”

“He’s nuts,” I shrugged. “I have his hearing scheduled for Thursday which should be a lot of fun. Remind me again why I do this?”

“You are a true believer,” Spencer snickered.

“There’s my loving wife,” Ron announced as he strolled into my office. “Not trying to steal her are you?”

“Can you blame me?” I played along. “She’s really hot.”

“Have the two of you started drinking your lunch?” Spencer groaned.

“No,” Ron grumbled. “In fact I haven’t eaten yet.”

“Good,” Spencer beamed. “That means you can take me to lunch.”

“I’m a lucky man,” Ron readily agreed.

            “Yes, you are,” I sighed feeling slightly envious as they left my office. I had some time left before I had to get back to work. I tried to get back into my book. I couldn’t focus as the image of Ron and Spencer looking so incredibly happy kept nagging at me. I wasn’t happy and I hadn’t been in such a very long time. The solution was simple. I threw the book down and picked up the telephone. I dialed the number I had memorized and almost never used.

“Peace,” an overly mellow voice greeted me.

“Harmony?  This is Ellen, Ginny‘s friend,” I squeaked out twirling the phone cord between my fingers. My heart was racing as I waited for her to respond.

“Hey, how are you?” She softly said and I began to wonder if Harmony had been smoking something other than cigarettes.

“By any chance have you heard from Ginny?” I sheepishly asked.

“No, uhm she’s been banging the books,” Harmony laughed. “I think she did good though. At least that’s what she said before she split.”

“Split?” I trembled. “She’s on the road again?”

“Yeah,” Harmony sounded surprised. “Haven’t you talked to her?”

“No,” I groaned realizing that I had once again missed my chance. “Thanks.”

“Peace,” she sighed before hanging up.

“Damn it,” I whimpered as I hung up the receiver. “Where in the hell is she?”

            A week later I thought Loretta was going to do a victory lap around the courtroom. It was rare that I lost a case. Even rarer was losing to Loretta. After the verdict was handed down and I met with my client to prepare him for sentencing I stopped to grab a soda and almost plowed into Loretta. I was so startled by her jovial behavior I almost choked on the pop top I slid inside my can of grape soda.

“Will you stop gloating?” I sneered disgusted by the way she was pumping her fist.

            “Not a chance,” she bounced on her heels. “Half the time you get your client off before the case goes before a judge. The rest of the time you get them off. Allow me this brief moment of celebration before you come in at the eleventh hour and have the verdict over turned.”

“I doubt it,” I glumly conceded brushing past her knowing that she would follow. “This time, I have a feeling that my client is in for the full ride.”

“Ah, music to my ears.” She pounded her chest.

“I can’t believe I dated you,” I harped while she looked up and down the sidewalk fearful that someone had heard me. “Oh just come out already. You’ll be much happier,” I demanded. It was so easy giving other people advice about their lives. Curious that I had a steadfast rule against following other’s advice regarding my many defects.

“If only life was that simple.” She glumly muttered under her breath.

            “Yeah, well I’ll see you in court soon. Next time you won’t get off so easy,” I threatened as she laughed. I said goodbye to the overly happy woman when I needed to start heading down Charles Street. Everything was so close, my home, my work and the courthouse all were in walking distance of one another. That was going to be something I was going to miss if I ended up moving in with my mother. Plus my social life which was no great shakes at the time was in for a twist. Although having the excuse of living with Mom might come in handy if a date became too amorous for my tastes. Then again it had been ages since I experienced a real date.  “What to do?” I echoed the one question I had been asking myself for well over a decade.

            I walked into our humble office and threw out my soda can or as we called it back then tonic. Yes, I threw it in the trash. Recycling was not around back then. In those days we just threw trash away never thinking about where our debris would go after the trash man picked it up. Pop tops were another part of our life. At the time we considered the pull tabs that yanked a sharp sliver of metal from the top of a beverage container a modern master piece. Modern? Yes compared to having to use a church key or a can opener they were a convenient. The major drawbacks being the sharp metal tabs were often discarded and people stepped on them usually inflicting injury. If we felt like being tidy, we dropped the pull tabs into our beverages leading to a number of people to choke on them. Now that’s modern ingenuity for you.

            Ron cut me off before I could reach my office. “How did it go?” He hurriedly inquired tailing after me as I made my way towards my office.

“About what I expected,” I snarled. “Got my ass handed to me.”

“Sorry,” he grimaced. “Can’t win them all.”

“He deserved it,” I sighed. “I honestly don’t recall I represented someone who was innocent. How did your case go? You had a pretrial hearing on the McManus case this morning didn’t you?”

“Judge tossed it,” Ron gloated. “The DA didn’t have a case. The best part is McManus can pay his bill.”

“A paying client?” I practically squealed. “Will wonders never cease.”

“A paying client who isn’t related to or went to high school with us,” Ron laughed. “How rare is that? Speaking of which I thought I should give you a heads up.  Rita and Kim are handling one of our old buddies. Well one of my old buddies. Mark Dane. He left Margie.”

“Shit,” I sighed. I wasn’t overly fond of Mark or Margie yet it was still distressing to hear the class couple had split up. “What happened? I thought they were the poster kids of happy suburban life.”

“Mark woke up one morning and decided he didn’t want to be married anymore,” Ron cringed. “He also doesn’t want to be a cop or a father anymore. He’s decided to find himself.”

“Didn’t know he was missing,” I drolly retorted. “So, he wants out after three kids and a dozen years?”

“Yes,” Ron sadly confirmed. “He’s had a chip on his shoulder ever since he had to pass on Notre Dame.”

“She didn’t get pregnant all by herself,” I furiously argued.

“Not the way he tells it,” Ron grunted. “Sucks he’s the one that hired us.”

“You shouldn’t have told me,” I pursed my lips disgusted by Mark’s attitude.

“Why not?”

“Because now if I see him here I’ll be tempted to set him on fire,” I calmly explained.

“Then I guess Kim needing to talk to you about a little background on Margie isn’t going to thrill you?” Ron blurted out before slipping out of my office.

“I hate my life,” I threw up my hands completely disgusted.

            Later that afternoon Kim asked if I could drop by her office before I left for the day. “Sorry about this Ellen,” she quickly apologized as I took a seat.

“Don’t sweat it,” I waved it off. “I’ll be honest.  I’m not cool with our client or his soon to be ex-wife. Although Margie did apologize for being a dip shit in high school.”

“Ron said you and Mrs. Danes were close,” Kim questioned clearly confused.

            “We were. Emphasis on the past tense,” I tried to clarify. “You know how it goes. Growing up you’re as thick as thieves and then one day you’re not. We grew in different directions. Margie’s apology a few years ago was a bogus gesture. She needed me to defuse an uncomfortable situation and after I did she went back to being snotty with me. Mark hasn’t been nice to me ever since the big fallout during our senior year. Last time I saw him was when Sandy Hewitt overdosed. He tried to drag me into the gutter over it.”

“I don’t get it,” Kim opened a file on her desk. “What’s their damage?”

“In the beginning it was guilt by association. Later it was because I had the bad manners to come out of the closet,” I sneered. “In all fairness, we had been a pretty tight group. Then Ginny got arrested and I stood by her. Suddenly I was persona non grata. So, what does Mark hope to get out of the divorce?”

“Out,” Kim grunted. “He wants to be free and not have to worry about alimony or child support. I wouldn’t be surprised if he split for California with the stripper he’s shacked up with before the divorce is final.”

“Mark and an exotic dancer? Margie must be wigging,” I shrewdly surmised. “How in the hell does he think he’ll be able to just walk away? They’re his kids too.”

“He claims that she tricked him into the marriage,” Kim grimaced. “The guy is a jerk. His wife doesn’t want a divorce and is fighting the petition.”

            “They really do deserve each other,” I muttered under my breath. “So, how can I help? I haven’t been a part of the inner circle since they first started going steady. Right about that time I was spending all my free time with Ginny. Margie wasn’t pleased.” I bit my tongue before I let it slip that Margie had a tryst with Ginny.

“Is there any chance that Mrs. Danes got pregnant on purpose in an effort to keep Mr. Danes from leaving?” Kim meekly questioned. It was painfully clear she didn’t want to work on the case.

“All I know, which isn’t much is Margie never seemed thrilled about going to college,” I carefully offered. “And she was gaga over Mark.  I seem to recall Margie saying that Mark was the one. Which I interpreted to mean that she was going to go all the way.”

“She was a virgin?” Kim treaded carefully.

“Yes,” I blurted out a little too quickly.  I curled my lips slightly once again reminded that she had messed around with Ginny. According to Ginny they had done it. I could only conclude that in Margie’s world messing around with another girl wasn’t actually having sex.

“Are you sure?” Kim adeptly picked up on my hesitation.

“Yes,” I emphatically answered.

“Ellen what aren’t you telling me?” Kim demanded.

“Look before Mark,” I stammered slightly. “Margie hadn’t gone all the way with another guy. She did get to third base and do a little oral stuff with Stewie who she dated the year before. We use to be close and shared everything. That’s how I know that Mark was the first guy.”

“Guy? Any reason why you feel a need to keep stressing that?” Kim astutely caught my slip of the tongue. “Oh, don’t tell me you and your best friend,”

“No,” I blanched sicken by the thought. “Never even crossed my mind. Margie never was and never will be my type thank you very much.”

“Then what are you hiding?” Kim demanded.

“It’s hearsay,” I quickly tried to deflect the question.

“I love you litigators,” Kim mocked me. “Matrimonial law allows for mud slinging. Out with it.”

“I don’t feel comfortable,” I argued. “Especially since you said that chances are our client is going to skip town.”

“That’s the problem Ellen,” Kim wearily explained. “Our client is Mr. Danes. I don’t like it anymore than you do.”

“You are evil,” I growled squirming in my seat. “Fine, someone mentioned that when Mrs. Danes was a teenager she engaged in a little drunken experimentation. From what I’ve heard you straight girls do that.”

“Oh yeah,” Kim blew it off. “No one talks about it. But it happens. I don’t think we need to bring it up. Mr. Danes is mostly focused on proving that Mrs. Danes encouraged him to have intercourse during a time when she knew that chances were good that she’d get pregnant. And the subsequent lack of affection after they married.”

“She got knocked up and the passion faded after they were married?” I couldn’t help laughing. “My God, I never heard of such a thing.”

“I know the guy is an idiot,” Kim readily agreed. “I’ve already told him that her lawyer will rightfully point out that he if he wasn‘t smart enough to make a stop at the drugstore he should have kept his pants on. Let’s be honest even in this age of enlightenment no one expects the woman to buy the balloons for the party.”

“The more I learn, the happier I am that I’m into matching parts. It all sounds so complicated,” I confessed. “I never had to worry about getting knocked up. Just a little concerned that I might get the clap.”

“Hey don’t look at me,” Kim shrugged making a couple of quick notes. “I waited for my wedding night so did Malcolm. What about you?” She coyly added before tucking the file away.

“What about me?” I gasped.

“Maybe I’m assuming things,” Kim snickered. “When did you?”

“My senior year of high school,” I blushed. “In my defense I was in love.”

“What happened to her?” Kim innocently inquired. For the life of me I was clueless as to how she had been spared from the drama that is my life.

“She went to prison,” I dryly explained waiting for the ball to drop.

“Prison?” Kim furrowed her brow until the pieces fell into place. “Our favorite client?”

“Favorite?” I shook my head in confusion.

“Virginia Swenson,” she spelled out. “The woman whose case started this firm. The same woman whose financial dealings are making Tyler very happy.”

“What?” I questioned feeling completely confused. Thankfully there was a knock on the door and Ron barged in ending our strange conversation.

“Hey what’s up?” He innocently questioned.

“We were just talking about sex,” I couldn’t resist making him blush. “So, Ron when did you lose your virginity and more importantly who was the lucky lady?”

“No comment,” he didn’t disappoint me by blushing profusely.

“Oh, come now you know who I did it with,” I egged him on.

“I swear the two of you grew up in a really small town,” Kim laughed.

“Hey not all of us got to score with the Swenson twins,” he choked out.

“For the last time, I did not sleep with the psycho bitch from hell,” I barked. “I saved my favors for the one who has a grip on reality. Who was it, Ron? I can’t believe you were still innocent when you went off to college.”

“You’ll think less of me,” he mumbled tugging on his tie.

“Not possible,” I snickered disturbingly pleased by his discomfort. “It had to be one of my fellow paper shakers.”

“Candy,” he glumly confessed. “We dated briefly before you and I went out.”

“Kim’s right we did grow up in a small town,” I shivered. “Kim if we’re done I have some work to finish.” I quickly excused myself.

            The following weekend, due to my overworking, I had managed to put Spider Man and most of my other cases to bed. I decided that I needed to start spending more time with my mother. I was really thinking that living with her might be good for the both of us. I was also worried that we might end up bludgeoning one another to death. I arrived on Friday evening planning to stay until Monday morning. We made dinner together and were just about to sit down when it happened. Mom began setting the table and she set three places. It wasn’t the first time it had happened since my father’s passing. It was the first time it rattled her chains. Normally she would simply clear the place setting and become very quiet. This time she rushed her arm across the table shattering the extra plate and silverware. “God Damn son of a bitch,” she howled kicking the shattered pieces. “Why did you leave me?” She demanded.

            I stood there shocked at the sight. My mother’s hands were clenched in rage. I had never seen her like this before. “Mom,” I slowly began once I found my voice.

“Relax, Ellen,” she groaned raking her hands through her hair. “I got angry. You should try it sometime.”

“Excuse me?” I sputtered stunned by her words. “Mom you don’t know what you are saying.” I tried to reason assuming that her grief was speaking for her.

            “Yes, I do,” she sniffed. “I’m angry because the love of my life was taken from me. Why haven’t you ever gotten angry over losing the love of your life? You got focused. Hell bent on saving Ginny. But you never got mad. Never just shouted, screamed and threw a fit over what happened. Why?”

“Like I said you don’t know what you are talking about,” I coldly informed her. “I’ll get the broom and clean up the mess.”

            I couldn’t believe what my mother had said to me. I buried my anger not realizing that by doing so I was proving her point. I walked into the kitchen grabbed a broom and a dustpan. I calmly returned to the living room bent down and began to clear away the mess. “I do get angry,” I quietly explained as I kneeled on the floor clearing away the debris. “I just don’t show it. I get angry with what happened. I get very angry with Laurie. I get mad as hell with Ginny and mostly I get very pissed off at myself. I just forgot how to show it.” I concluded rising to my feet. “The good dishes.” I shrugged looking at the shattered pieces.

“I’ve always hated those dishes,” she smirked patting me on the arm. “Your grandmother never had any taste. Are you serious about living with me?”

“I’d sleep better at night,” I confessed strolling towards the kitchen. “I’ll be honest I’m worried that we’ll get on each other’s nerves.”

“Me too,” she smiled hovering behind me as I deposited the broken dish in the trash. “I think I found a place that might work. It has a mother in-law apartment. We could live together without living together. Want to go see it in the morning?”

“Yes,” I blinked thinking that Mom had found the perfect solution.

“You know packing up the house is going to be a bear,” she shrewdly prattled on opening a cabinet door. “Want to cut down on the packing?”

“Mom?” I squeaked out.

“I’m pissed,” she squealed reaching up and grabbing a stack of dishes. “You’re pissed and it will be one last thing to pack. Plus I really hate these suckers. Grab a stack.” She seemed positively giddy as she stormed out the back door.

            “She’s finally snapped.” I shuddered watching from the kitchen window as my normally calm mother began hurling dinner plates at the large tree in the backyard. She screamed at the heavens for taking my father away while rallying one plate after another. I quirked my head slightly before grabbing a large stack and rushing to join her. What the hell she seemed to be enjoying herself.

            A half an hour later our throats were raw from screaming. Our bodies exhausted and a large green and yellow mess was piled up in the backyard. We raged at everything, exposing deep scars that had burned us long ago. “You were right those were some ugly ass dishes,” I smiled. “And I do feel better. I didn’t know you knew some of those words.”

“Your command of the English language was equally expressive,” Mom laughed. “Oh, look at that mess. We’ll deal with it later. Come on inside, I’m exhausted.”

            The following day we went to see the house in Brookline. It was a two bedroom with white walls and mahogany trim. There was a small back yard and it was close to the train station. I thought it might be a wee bit small for Mom. Truth was I was still uncomfortable with the thought of giving up my childhood home. Until I saw the apartment upstairs. “Wow, this guy must have loved his mother in-law,” I stood in the middle of the living room ogling the beamed ceiling,  fireplace and master bedroom which was bigger than my present living accommodations.

“Wonder what that’s like,” Mom snickered behind me. “What do you think? Should I make an offer?”

“Yes,” I finally agreed after taking a moment to let it sink in. “But we’re making an offer. Split everything fifty-fifty.”

“Ellen,” she began to argue.

“I’m serious,” I stuck to my guns. “I’ve managed to save some money. It is only fair. This way you’ll have the rest of the money from the old place set aside for your retirement.”

“Not half,” she scolded me. “The downstairs is much bigger and nicer.”

“Mom,” I fussed. “I said half. What’s the point of having a kid who’s a lawyer if she can’t cough up a little bread now and then?”

“You are a brilliant lawyer,” she patted my cheek. “And most of the time you work for free. I want to sell the cars. Except for the Chevy. I spoke to Dirk and he’s agreed to help me keep it up. Unless you want to keep one of the other cars.”

“No way,” I quickly rejected the thought. “We all love the Chevy. And we’re close to the green line so I can get to work without needing a car. Let’s go make the offer.”

            I have to say my mother really knows her stuff when it comes to buying and selling houses. She managed to purchase the new place at a very reasonable price and she got a very good deal on the old place. All the papers passed just before my dreaded thirtieth birthday. Now all that was left was packing up the old place. Sammy had finished school a wee bit early and was spending his last semester doing an internship. Which meant he could come home and help with the packing. I still hadn’t spoken to Ginny but Mom informed me that she was on her way to help with the move. I still don’t know if I was thrilled to see her again or scared witless. I was serious when I promised Linda that I would finally come clean.

            Fortunately the rigors of putting all our homes in order distracted me. Breaking down my apartment in town had taken very little effort. The only things I was keeping were my personal items, the lava lamp and the television. Mom agreed that my television was much nicer than hers and would be perfect for her new living room. The rest went out on the sidewalk. It was a couple of days before my big birthday and Mom and I had managed to buy new stuff which was to be delivered to the new place the following day.

            We had packed up most of the old house. I broke down the dinning room, the kitchen most of my old room and Ginny’s room. Sammy was due to arrive the next day and Ginny was still in route. Mom kept grumbling about how ticked off she was that Ginny was probably hitching her way across the country. She ranted on and on about the guy who was picking up young girls in California and scattering their body parts in the ocean. Yeah that was going to help me sleep at night.

            I tried my level best to set aside my fears. I focused on packing up my childhood memories. It still amazes me that I had accumulated so much crap in eighteen years. I found myself blushing when I found my old cheerleading outfit. I packed it away making a mental note that if things went okay with Ginny I should try on the tiny outfit. I ended up throwing out more than I kept. Parting with my childhood memories was an arduous task. But seriously what was I going to do with an old thing of Silly Putty and my old dolls? By the time Mom and I had decided to call it a night I was exhausted passing out the moment my head hit the pillow.

            Since my recent decision to finally take the plunge and really talk to Ginny my dreams had become very interesting. It was almost always the same. I was asleep and Ginny would crawl into bed with me. Her hands roaming over my body. I would tell her that I love her and she would say the same. Our clothing would magically slip away. Dreams are really great that way; you can just cut to the chase. That night it was the same. I was whispering her name before professing my love. The only difference was she was fully dressed and struggling slightly.

“Ellen?” Her voice drifted into my dreams.

“Hmm,” I smiled in my sleep. My hands desperately trying to undress her. “I love you.” I mumbled tugging on her jacket.

“Ellen?” She softly repeated.

            In my slumber I reached out pulling her down. “Stay,” I whispered wrapping my arms around her my eyes blinking open. This was by far the most interesting dream.  She smiled down at me her eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Ellen?” She repeated with a puzzled look. “Are you awake?”

“Stay,” I repeated slipping my hands beneath her jacket. My dream Ginny was not very cooperative that night. Which was beginning to tick me off.

            “Yeah, okay,” she groaned seemingly annoyed by my wandering hands. “Look there’s no bed in my room,” she whispered. “The sofa is gone too.”  I sighed deeply cupping her face in my hand. “Ellen are you awake?” Ginny questioned her voice becoming playful.

“Stay?” I whispered drawing her closer. Finally asking for what I should have requested a long time ago.

“You keep saying that. You know Ma will freak if she catches me in your bed,” she tried to reason with me.

“Not in my bed,” I yawned my hand slipping to her waist. “Stay? Here in Boston. Don’t leave me again. I love you”

“What?” She gasped; her body stiffening.

            Somewhere in my muddled mind I knew she was really there. I also knew that I could feign ignorance later.  Still as Spencer had so delicately put it, time to put up orshut up.  For a brief moment I panicked. There she was as big as life kneeling beside my bed my hands pulling her down on top of me. A part of me was thrilled that I had finally said it. A bigger part of me was scared spitless.

“Ellen,” Ginny’s voice trembled. “Seriously, are you awake?”

            There it was the perfect escape. I couldn’t do it. “Not really,” I smacked my lips. “But I meant what I said. Should have said it years ago.” I closed the door behind me, leaving no room to back peddle. There I said it. Ginny was visibly shocked by my confession. She just loomed above me staring down at me her eyes blinking rapidly.

            “You don’t have to say anything,” I murmured my hands slipping from her body. Talk about making things uncomfortable. There she was the love of my life looking at me as if I had lost my mind. Certainly not the response I had been hoping for. Still what did I expect after blindsiding her. Then again I had hoped that when I finally confessed my true feelings I’d be awake for the momentous event. Now I had blurted out my deepest desires while half asleep. Then I had cut off any path of retreat.  I was left with no options except to face the consequences of my rash actions. There was a huge ass albatross clinging to me and I was ready to accept whatever fate would hand me. No use getting upset over it, after all thanks to the tirade Mom and I threw last month we were out of dishes. Knowing that I had finally done the right thing failed to calm the rapid beating of my heart.

“Ellen, I...” Ginny stammered.

“Don’t have to say anything,” I cut her off rolling over.

“Love you,” she wryly concluded thankfully ignoring my words. I spun around pleased by the brilliant smile that greeted me. “You do like keeping a gal off balance don’t you? And all I was looking for was a suggestion as to where I should bunk for the night.”

“Climb in?” I pulled back the covers.

“Ma,” she began to protest.

            “Was the one who donated the sofa to the church rummage sale and had me break down the other beds,” I cut off her protests. “She’ll just have to live with the consequences of her actions. It’s late. Come to bed.” I finally asserted. There was so much we needed to talk about. I seriously doubted that either of us was prepared to handle it at that moment. I was just happy that I had finally expressed my feelings for her, and thrilled beyond belief that she seemed to feel the same way.  In the morning, or to be more precise later that day since it was well after three A.M. we could deal with reality. At that moment all I craved was to hold her in my arms. My heart finally stopped hammering against my chest when she nodded. Ginny stood and stripped down to her panties before climbing under the covers. Not the high romantic moment I had always dreamed of but damn it felt good to curl up in her arms.

“Eleanore Roosevelt Druette!” I heard Mom bellowing from the doorway.

            “Not the wake up call I was hoping for,” I laughed turning towards my completely flustered mother who looked like she was ready to have a cow. “Mom there’s a blonde in my bed,” I feigned innocence. “And my birthday isn’t until Sunday.”

“I can see that,” Mom snarled trying to scare me off with a hostile glare. “Now get off her.”

“Geez Mom why so tense?” I couldn’t refrain from taunting her. I also noticed that I was lying on top of Ginny.

“Seriously get off Ginny,” Mom frantically demanded.

“Kill joy,” I grumbled finally rolling my body away from Ginny’s. “Happy?” I grunted climbing off the bed.

“Ecstatic,” Mom bluntly informed me. “Ginny?”

“I swear she started it,” Ginny whimpered trying to hide under the pillow.

“Stop the both of you,” she cautioned us while I began to dig through my boxes searching for something to wear. “I have enough gray hairs.”

“Where?” I laughed knowing that I was probably sporting more gray than mom since she had a standing appointment at the beauty parlor every week. 

“Knock it off,” Mom wagged her finger furiously. Apparently she wasn’t happy. Go figure. “I swear the two of you pull these shenanigans just to upset me. And when did you get here?”

“Earlier this week,” I yawned stretching my arms above my head.

“Not you, smart ass,” Mom rolled her eyes. “Virginia?”

“Early this morning,” Ginny grumpily retorted still hiding under the pillow.

“Stop frothing at the mouth Mom,” I smirked. “Nothing happened. Sleeping Beauty didn’t have a bed. Remember? We broke down the other ones yesterday.”

“Well if someone accepted the plane ticket instead of hitchhiking I would have known when she was arriving,” she scolded Ginny.

“I didn’t hitch,” Ginny threw the pillow aside pulling the blanket up to hide her naked form. “I took the bus.” Mom just glared down at her. “I did. I swear.” She flashed the Girl Scout salute.

“Be that as it may,” Mom cleared her throat not thrilled to see Ginny’s half naked body lounging in my bed. “We need to get cracking. Ellen you and I need to pick up the U-Haul. Ginny you can sleep until we get back.  If Sammy gets in give him directions to the new place.”

“Thank you,” Ginny yawned burying her face back in my pillow.

“See you are the favorite,” I barked at the slumbering blonde. “Okay, Mom. I just need to throw on some clothes.” I shooed my mother towards the door.

“You‘re changing your clothes in here?” Mom stammered.

            “This is where my clothes are,” I boldly asserted just pleased as punch at how flustered my poor mother was. I could see her point. She came to my childhood bedroom to wake me up and found Ginny in bed with me. No matter how much she wanted the two of us to work things out I seriously doubted she wanted to witness our reunion. Mom stumbled out of the room closing the door behind her. “Morning Sunshine!” I called out startling poor Ginny.

            I watched in amusement as she finally lifted her body and balanced herself on her arms. “We have to talk,” she gravely informed me.

“My least favorite expression on earth,” I growled the tension returning in full force. “I swear to God if you suggest that we take things slowly I will throttle you,” I threatened still fearing that my affections would be rejected.

            “It’s been almost thirteen years,” Ginny barked indignantly. “Just how much slower could we possibly take things? Ellen I just wanted to tell you that I really want to try. I’ve been waiting for years for you to ask me to stick around. You never did. Or there was some other woman waiting in the wings. Doesn’t make a girl feel special, you know. All I’m asking for is that if we are going to try to make this work, make us work is that I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder.”

            “You never had to worry about that,” I sternly informed her slipping on my bellbottom jeans. “It was the others that should have been concerned. I know you might not believe me since I was always so eager to be unfaithful to them. What you don’t get is that you’re the one that I wanted. It was always you.”

“Oh,” she scrunched her brow. I continued to get dressed wondering if my words were registering. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

“Why didn’t you?” I sighed brushing out my short locks.

“You have no idea how many times I almost did,” she rubbed her sleepy eyes. “Did Ma tell you that this isn’t just a visit? I’m moving back here and I’ve already made arrangements to transfer to BC.”

“No,” I scowled thinking that one of these days I was going to throttle my dear sweet mother. “Must have slipped her mind.”

“As if!” Ginny howled. “I’m moving in with her. That’s why she’s been searching for a place with a separate apartment.”

“Just when did you find out about the new place?” I stammered.

“About a month ago,” Ginny slowly explained.  “It will be nice. I’ll have the upstairs and you’re just in the city.”

“Uhm, no,” I didn’t know whether to laugh or pitch a fit. “I moved out of the studio because Mom promised me the upstairs apartment.”

“And she was going to tell us, when?” Ginny began to choke.

“I suspect it was after we bumped into each other in the shower,” I took a cleansing breath. “Hello roomie.”

“Eleanore!” My mother bellowed from the other room.

“Flog her, torture her or just let her off the hook? So many possibilities,” I mulled over my choices as I climbed on the bed.

“Just let her off the hook,” Ginny encouraged running her fingers through my short locks. “We can work out the sleeping arrangements later.” I just nodded before stealing a quick kiss. “I really do love you.”

“And I love you,” I sighed contently. “As for the sleeping arrangements that’s easy. You and me in a big brand new bed sounds like a plan. We still need to talk things over.”

“Understatement of the century,” Ginny snickered. “Go before she grounds us.”

            Mom and I picked up the U-haul and drove back to the old house. Ginny apparently had failed to fall back to sleep. The three of us loaded as much stuff as we could into the trailer. Since someone needed to be at the new place to meet the furniture delivery guys, Ginny volunteered to stay behind and wait for Sammy.  Communication was going to be a problem since the phone at the old house had been turned off and the new phones wouldn’t be installed until the following week. Yes, installed that’s the way it happened back then, a real live human being had to show up at your house to hook up your phone. And the closest thing we had to a mobile phone was a couple of tin cans attached by a string.

            Mom’s grumpy mood failed to improve when we went over to the new house. We toiled away unloading stuff in the new house. All the furniture arrived on time and was set up. After we finished unloading the U Haul I said a silent prayer Sammy had arrived back at the old place. Perhaps seeing her baby would calm Mom down. When Mom’s already sullen mood turned nasty I made the grievous error of asking if she had refilled her prescription of what we like to call her happy pills. When she bit my head of for asking I made a mental note to stop by the pharmacy on my way home.

            Mom turned frantic when we returned to the old house and found Ginny and Sammy working hard to organize things. What nudged Mom even further over the edge was discovering that Sammy hadn’t arrived alone. Mom hadn’t been the only one keeping secrets. Sammy had brought home a delightful secret he had been keeping. Her name was Becky. I liked her instantly. Mom seemed hesitant at first but she warmed up. Mom’s biggest source of concern was the sleeping arrangements. I thought I had come up with the perfect solution. Sammy could sleep in the new pullout sofa and Becky could have the spare room. It wasn’t difficult to figure out since Ginny and I fully intended on sharing the upstairs apartment.

“I just thought,” Mom choked out. “That perhaps one of you girls would want to stay downstairs until,”

“Until what?” Ginny sputtered. “Ma, you promised it to the both of us.”

            “Yeah, what’s the big deal?” I pressed curious if she thought we were rushing things or perhaps she wasn’t ready to share our little family secret with Becky.  After all Sammy had introduced both Ginny and I to Becky as his sisters. Even so I seriously doubted that he would have brought Becky home to meet the family if she had a problem with the situation.  Mom finally muttered something about it being okay and for the moment the crisis was over. And all of us went to work loading up the last of the boxes. Naturally while we were toiling away all of us pumped poor Becky for information. None of us had been aware that Sammy was dating anyone much less someone special enough to bring home to meet the family.

            Apparently Sammy and Becky had been dating for sometime. He had wanted to bring her home during last holiday break but when Dad passed away they agreed that the timing wasn’t right. The five of us toiled away until the last box had been unloaded. Then Sammy and Becky went to drop off the U Haul and pick up dinner.

“Here,” I cornered Mom in the kitchen handing her a fresh bottle of pills I had managed to sneak off to pick up at the pharmacy.

“Oh very funny,” she swatted me before taking two pills. “Just wait until you have menopause.”

“Yeah, sounds like a blast.” I groaned.

“I’m sorry I acted like a screaming banshee this morning,” Mom sullenly apologized.

“We weren’t doing anything,” I quickly reassured her.

“Then why were you on top of her?” She whimpered.

“That’s where I woke up,” I laughed.

“A part of me was thrilled,” she confessed. “Another part of me is your mother. Today was so damn hard. Locking up the house for the last time. In two days my baby turns thirty and Sammy brought home a girl. This is happening way to fast.”

“Thirty years,” I softly reminded her as she cupped my face in her hands.

“It goes by in a blink of the eye,” she tearfully confided. “She does seem nice.”

“Yes, she does,” I squeezed her hands trying to comfort her. “And they are just going steady.”

“For now,” she scowled. “They’re doing their internship together and going to the same Grad school. Bet they’ll shack up. That’s what you kids call it isn’t it?”

“Last time I checked,” I laughed. “Look it is getting late. The kids will be back with dinner soon. I need to go upstairs and give Ginny a hand.”

“Don’t stay up there to long,” Mom cautioned me.

            I couldn’t help snickering at the comment. I let myself into the upstairs apartment and found Ginny looking around the empty space. “We have a lot of work to do with this place,” she grimly noted.

“I can’t believe you’re staying this time,” I whispered in amazement closing the distance between us.

            “Should have done it a long time ago,” she smiled wrapping her arms around my waist. “I just never felt like you cared whether or not I stuck around.”

“Oh I cared.” I stressed.

            “You don’t know how many times I planned on coming back for good. There were countless times I just wanted to grab you and shake you hard. Tell you that the way we were avoiding what was so obvious was completely asinine,” she tried to explain her voice quivering as she spoke. “Once I even tried to set the stage before I came home.”

“The television,” I crinkled my nose snuggling closer to her. “What changed your mind?”

“I’m a coward,” she whimpered. “Meeting that Loretta woman reminded me how little I had to offer you.”

“All I ever wanted was your heart,” I protested my hand gliding up her body. “You weren’t the only one who was afraid.”

“I still am,” she meekly confessed. “I meant what I said this morning. I really want to try. Not just being back here and reacquainting myself with the cold and the snow. I want to get to know you again. In a lot of ways we really are strangers.”

            “I never stopped loving you,” I finally admitted. It felt so good to say it out loud. I was still terrified all the same. Just being there in her arms felt too good to question. I guess I should have gone with my instincts the way I did all of those years ago. Ginny and I may not reach the end of the rainbow together; but at least this time I was going to try.

“I love you too,” she vowed dipping her head slightly. “You’re my best friend, my family, and the only woman who has ever made me feel like King Kong mounting the Empire State building.”

“Didn’t he die doing that?” I squeaked.

“Fine bad analogy,” Ginny groused. “There was another time I almost told you. Remember that time you drove back to Boston and I ended up beating you there?”

“Yeah,” I mumbled.

“I still can’t figure out how I got there before you,” her voice drifted off.

“I kept pulling off the highway,” I confessed for the first time. “I must have started heading back to Cedar Hills at least a dozen times.”

“Oh,” she nodded suddenly understanding why it had taken me so long to reach Boston. “That night, Pops egged me into an argument.”

“What about?” I was stunned.

“Us,” she confessed with a sad smile. “The long and short of what happened was he wanted to know if I loved you. And if I did then why in the hell didn’t I just say it? I recited the long list of reasons, the biggest being that I had nothing to offer you. He called me a jackass and tossed my sorry butt in the Rambler.”

“Wait,” I sputtered feeling like I had missed something. “If you came all that way to ask for another chance then why didn’t you?”

“While I was waiting you got a couple of calls,” she quietly admitted. “Three calls. All from women who sounded not only surprised that a strange woman was answering your phone, but they also sounded less than pleased to boot. I chickened out.”

“I wasn’t seeing anyone then,” I profusely explained. “The only women who would have been calling were study mates.”

“Well none of them sounded like all they wanted was to study with you,” Ginny sighed heavily.

“The more I learn,” I quietly began. “The more I realize that you must have thought I was a total slut.”

“No,” she laughed snuggling closer. “I just assumed you had moved on. I was pissed at myself since I was the one who kept insisting that you should. Each time I saw some threat to reuniting that’s what I did. You know find someone else in an effort to start really living my life. Granted my choices in women were piss poor to say the least.”

“Oh, you mean Sparrow?” I couldn’t resist getting a shot in on that one.
            “Don’t hold back,” she laughed. “If it is any comfort I dumped her the second I got home. She made it real easy by not bothering to pick me up at the airport and making me hitch all the way back. It’s not like she didn’t have the means to come and get me, we lived in a bus. I grabbed my gear and signed the bus over to her. I’ve been crashing at Harmony’s ever since. I called Ma right away to let her know that just as soon as I caught up on my studies I was coming back. I tried to call you, but you were always busy.”

“I was avoiding you,” I flinched. “I just couldn’t handle it if you opted to work things out with Sparrow. It’s one thing to have the love of your life get over you. It is quite another to see her settling down with the wrong person.”

“I know what you mean,” she smiled tightening her hold on my body. “I see that a bed has been delivered.”

“They dropped it off this morning,” I nervously confirmed. “Wow I feel like I’ve been hit by a tidal wave. You show up last night and now we’re bunking together. Not just bunking together but for the first time in forever I know you’ll be there in the morning.”

“I’m panicking too,” Ginny laughed. “Hey, if it turns out it is too much too soon one of us can move downstairs after Becky leaves.”

“We’ve shared much smaller accommodations,” I pointed out resting my head against her shoulder.

            “I’m looking forward to tonight,” Ginny’s warm breath tickled my earlobe while her hands began to tug my shirt out of my pants. Her nimble fingers quickly darting beneath my shirt, caressing my flesh. I released a soft moan my eyes focused on her lips. I swallowed hard when the tip of her tongue peeked out and she slowly wet her lips. I had no intention of waiting until bedtime to show her how I felt. I reached up lacing my fingers through her long blonde hair and guided her supple lips closer.

“I love you,” I confessed before capturing her in a promising kiss.

            The tender kiss became slightly heated our hands beginning a sweet exploration until a startled gasp alerted us that we weren’t alone. “Becky?” I greeted the frightened looking woman gaping at us from the open doorway.

“Dinner is here,” she blurted out before dashing down the staircase.

“Now when Sam told her I was adopted do you think he went into full detail?” Ginny gulped taking me by the hand and leading me towards the door.

“Based on the look of horror on her face when she made a mad dash out of here,” I groaned. “I’d have to say no.”

            We were still holding hands when we entered the downstairs. “Oh Scooter?” I called out spotting him and his girlfriend in a heated discussion. If Becky didn’t look completely terrified the situation would have been hysterical.

“What is going on now?” Mom demanded planting her hands firmly on her hips. “What is it with the two of you?” Mom scolded us pointing to the way the hem of my shirt was hanging out. “Can’t leave you alone for a minute.”

“Seemed like a good idea at the time,” I tried to defend our actions not missing the way poor Becky was clutching her chest.

“Sam,” Ginny cut in. “Did you tell Becky that we’re not actually related?”

“Becky, Ginny and I are not sisters,” I quickly added in an effort to clear up any confusion.

“You’re not?” Becky gasped with relief.  “Thank God.”

“I’m sorry Becky,” Sam gushed out. “I should have told you. It’s just that I think of Ginny as my sister.”

“I so don’t,” I sternly asserted.

“I’m sorry,” Becky laughed. “Whew. You can’t imagine what I thought when I caught the two of you kissing.”

“Oh, I think I can,” I gulped. “And it’s disgusting. Now that is settled why don’t we eat?”

“Unbelievable,” Mom continued to grumble under her breath slamming forks down on the table. “Not together for two seconds and already. ..,”

“Ma!” Ginny finally cut her off plopping down on the new sofa. “Were you happier when we were swapping spit with other people?”

“Good Lord, no,” Mom wearily conceded. “Neither of you has any taste. Talk about a mangy crew the both of you dragged home. Now come sit down and eat before dinner gets cold.”

“So, Becky enjoying meeting the family so far?” I patted the snickering girl on the shoulder.

“Sam did say he may be from the burbs but y’all are most definitely not the Cleavers,” she laughed hysterically. “He was right.”

            Later that evening after the dishes were done, Mom was exhausted. Starting over again had been the hardest on her. She excused herself and retreated to the quiet of her bedroom. I stepped out on the front porch to find Sammy and Becky on the swing. The swing was my idea. I’m glad Mom agreed. Although I was hoping to someday enjoy it with a special lady not watching my little brother swaying with his girl.

“Hey El,” Sammy greeted me wrapping his arm around Becky’s shoulders.

“Hey little brother,” I smiled at the two of them. They looked good together still if she ever hurt him, I’d have to kill her. “Mom went to bed.”

“So, you thought you’d come out here and scare my poor girlfriend some more?” He jested receiving a swift elbow from Becky. I was liking the lass more and more.

“It has been fun so far,” I laughed leaning against the rail next to them.

“You were kissing Ginny,” he taunted me in a sing song voice.

“Jealous?” I couldn’t resist rattling his cage.

“No,” he shivered. “Honestly I haven’t thought about her in that way in really long time.”

“Thank goodness things are strange enough around here,” I quipped.

“Ellen and Ginny sitting in a tree. K- I- S- S- I- N- G,” he began to chant.

“Geez,” I cut him off with a snarl. “Old enough to shave and you are still a creepy little freak.”

“I just want to know if this means that the two of you are finally getting back together.” His voice was earnest.

“You’re not together?” Becky tried to catch up. Poor thing. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that even our closest friends couldn’t get a handle on what was or wasn’t happening between us.

“It’s complicated,” I groaned rolling my shoulders.

“What’s complicated?” Ginny questioned taking a spot next to me. “Don’t they look cute?” She teased Sammy. “Again, what’s complicated?”

“Us,” I sighed leaning slightly closer to her.

“Oh, man that’s a freaking trip and a half,” Ginny snorted shifting a wee bit closer to me.

“Becky was asking,” Sammy tried to explain.

“Okay,” she glanced down at me with a curious look. “Readers Digest version?”

“It might be best,” I chuckled. “Uhm, we met in high school.”

“She hit on my sister,” Ginny had the gall to lie shocking both Sammy and Becky.

“I so did not,” I howled slapping her on the shoulder. “She hit on me and you know it. Then she lied about it. Big surprise since she‘s a complete whack job. I think I should take over narrating this saga before you completely tarnish my stellar reputation.”

“Your what?” Ginny laughed and much to my chagrin so did my brother.

“Hey,” I huffed. “Becky, don’t listen to either of them. I know for a fact Sammy was dropped on his head as baby.”

“Because you were the one who dropped me,” Sammy growled. “Sis I love you. But your reputation took a nose dive sometime after twin cheerleaders, that Swiss airline stewardess and the string of girls you brought home from Smith. Some of which showed up on Mom and Dad’s doorstep after you dumped them.”

“What?” I squeaked.

“It’s true,” Ginny grimaced. “I caught the parade once or twice myself.”

            “Well isn’t that just peachy?” I blanched. “Enough about that. I think we were trying to enlighten Becky as to just how close Ginny and I are. Now, Ginny’s twin sister is evil. She hit on me. Convinced Ginny she scored. Which she didn’t.” I tersely added. “Then this bozo thinks she’ll get a free ride by pretending to be her sister. Lucky she’s so gosh darn cute. I took pity on her and went out with her.”

            “I don’t think I care for your spin on things,” Ginny grunted ruffling my hair. “We dated in high school. Not an easy thing to pull off now much less back then. Somehow we managed. Then I went to prison. My family bailed on me and the Druette’s kind of adopted me. After I got out Ellen and I sort of drifted in and out of one another’s lives. That’s the whole tragic story in a nutshell.”

“Kind of skipped over a few details there,” I wryly pointed out.

“It’s the condensed version,” Ginny rolled her eyes. “Like that crap they called milk in prison.”

“Sam told me that you were in prison,” Becky interjected. “He said you got a bum rap.”

“That I did,” Ginny mumbled with a slight sneer. “I’ve since been exonerated. Thanks to Ellen I have the papers to prove it. So tell us about yourself?”

            “My goodness you’re a tuff act to follow but I‘ll give it a whirl,” Becky laughed. “I grew up just outside of Detroit. There are six of us. All girls which might explain why my Dad is losing his hair. I’ve always had a passion for animals which was hard because where we grew up was very citified. I wanted to work with animals. Always have but I didn’t want to be just a Vet. So I went off to college. Where I met this adorable guy. Only thing was for almost four years he never spoke to me.”

“What an idiot,” I couldn’t help ragging on Sammy.

“Not all of us are smooth with the ladies,” he muttered sticking his tongue out at me.

            “Well one day,” Becky continued snuggling closer to Sam. “My cousin Davie who honestly isn’t the most masculine guy on the block was visiting me and the Frat boys decided to have some fun. It started with the usual taunts, walk like a man and hey fairy. Very clever don’t you think?” She snarled. “Then it just started getting worse. We tried to ignore them and walk away. They started following us. Then they surrounded us. I’ve never been so terrified in my life. Then out of the blue Captain Avenger here shows up.” She rested her head on Sammy’s shoulder. “For a guy who never spoke it was shocking to hear him screaming for them to shove it and calling them ignorant bigots. I have to be honest between Davie and Sam I wasn’t very optimistic. I don’t think those no necked dweebs knew what hit them. Davie and Sam just let it rip. Security broke it up. And well I just had to thank Sam for his chivalry. Davie and I insisted on taking our hero out to dinner. That’s when Sam said he didn’t care if Davie was gay or not. In fact his sisters were gay. I was smitten from the get go. I told Davie to take a hike. Sam and I walked around campus just talking until the sun came up. I haven’t let him out my sight since.”

“Ah,” Ginny and I gushed in unison.

“Shut up,” Sammy bristled. “You both suck.”

“No, we don’t,” I wiggled my eyebrows just to annoy him.

“Gross, Sis,” he winced.

“Oh this coming from the guy who asked me about sex before his voice changed,” I just had to burn him a little more.

“Did not,” he refused to concede.

“Yes, suh!” I turned the screws a little harder.

“Oh for Christ sake,” Ginny pleaded. “How old are you going to be on Sunday?”

“Ancient,” I whimpered snuggling against her. “I can already hear my bones creaking.”

“Right, after the party we’re having you fitted for a walker,” Ginny groaned.

“What party? No, tell me she isn’t throwing me a party?” I helplessly pleaded.

“Just a little gathering,” Ginny placated me. “It will be the family plus a couple of friends. Ron, Spencer, Evelyn, Wally and Sandy.”

“I don’t want a party,” I whined.

“I know,” Ginny frowned. “It will be good for Ma. A gathering is just the thing she needs to make this place feel like home.”

“Fine,” I yawned.

“Time to put the old lady to bed,” Ginny mocked me. “Goodnight guys.”

“Goodnight,” I threw out. “Behave and if you can’t don’t let Mom catch you.”

“Ah there’s that rapier wit I endured growing up,” Sammy sighed.

“This coming from a guy who wore a Davy Crockett hat,” I laughed taking Ginny by the hand. “Becky we’ll show you the pictures tomorrow.”

“El?” Sammy squeaked suddenly frightened.

“Night!” Ginny called out clasping my hand tightly while dragging me towards the back staircase. “Poor Becky,” Ginny started giggling once we had made upstairs. “Talk about trial by fire. I bet her family is normal.”

            “Ozzie and Harriet we ain’t,” I concurred rifling through my bag to find something to sleep in. Ginny just leaned against the wall watching me. “Mom’s overly spunky unless she’s having a hot flash then duck and run. Both Sammy’s sisters are lesbians but not so much sisters more like bunk buddies. Can you imagine what that poor girl must have been thinking when she walked in us playing tonsil hockey?”

“Our children are going to be idiots,” Ginny wryly countered. “Hey about the lava lamp?” She wryly began as she locked up.

“I love it,” I smugly retorted.

“Oh?” She pursed her lips.

“Don’t you?” I couldn’t resist.

“No, but I love you,” she conceded with a slight scowl.

“It’s so funky,” I whispered in wonderment guiding her towards the bedroom.

“The lamp?”

“No,” I laughed wrapping my arms around her slender waist. “After all the intimate moments we’ve shared over the years and we’re just now saying I love you.”

“Kind of ass backward,” Ginny shook her head. “Then again it was never easy with us. And your memory is a tad selective. I told that I love you before last night.”

“When?” I was truly confused by her statement.

“The night I found out Pops had died,” her tone was blasé still I could see the hurt in her eyes. “It slipped out. If that wasn’t a sign that I should have walked out on Sparrow I don’t know what was.”

“I remember,” I gulped. “At the time I had managed to convince myself that you meant it in a sisterly way.”

“I never thought of you as my sister,” Ginny chided me. “For starters that would be disgusting. Secondly you forget that my sister is a twisted freak. I hate her so much. I wish I could understand why she did it.”

“She didn’t want to share you,” I tried to explain.  I could help thinking that deep down Ginny may have hated her sister with a passion, but I still sensed that she wanted to forgive her as well. “I honestly believe she set you up fully expecting that you’d get another slap on the wrist, you’d move to a new town, and I’d be history.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Ginny snarled capturing my face in her hands.

“No kidding,” I wanted to laugh. The pathetic nature of Laurie’s actions left nothing to laugh about. “Enough about Satan.” I sternly suggested. “We have to come to some agreement on how we want to decorate this place.”

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to contribute much until May,” Ginny sighed wearily her hands slipping to my shoulders. “I was kind of planning on sponging off of Ma until my birthday.”

“Expecting a lot of household items for your thirtieth birthday, were you?” I shook my head feeling like I was missing something.

“No,” she laughed. “A big ass trust fund. Didn’t Tyler tell you?”

“You’re the big trust that is keeping our doors open?” I gulped shocked by her revelation.

“You didn’t know?”

“Why would I?” I sputtered. “I told you before it was a financial matter.  Ergo none of my business.”

“Why in the world didn’t I just stay with you?” She whispered in wonderment.

“Maybe because I never asked you,” I grimly answered mentally kicking myself for all the years we had squandered.

“Or because I never thought I was good enough for you,” she growled under her breath.

            “Is that what you thought?” She had said it before and I still couldn’t fathom why she would feel that way. “For the last time all I ever wanted was your heart. It is what I wanted when we were misguided teenagers. Right now that is the only thing I am asking for. I’m not interested in the little wind fall you are about to receive. If you promise to stick around and not hightail it to parts unknown again, I promise not to push you away again.”

            “I’ve waited so long to hear you say that,” she blew out as if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders. “I’ve spent the past several years doing some really stupid shit. Self medicating kind of tops the list. I did everything I could to forget about you. Mostly because you’d greet me by questioning how long I planned on staying. Kind of made me feel like a guest or a boarder. Just once I wanted you to greet me by saying something like I missed you or don’t leave. A long time ago I gave up on wishing that you’d want me to stick around.”

“Happy to disappoint,” I smiled up at her. “I’m just sorry that it took me so freaking long to come to my senses. So, you have a little pin money coming in. That’s groovy. But I don’t think we should wait. I have some cash set aside why don’t we use it to fix this place up?”

            “Uhm about my pin money,” she laughed shaking her head seemingly amazed. “My grandfathers set up a trust for the three of us. One million dollars half of which had to sit and collect interest the other half could be invested by the trustees who received a stipend for handling our money. When Nat died his share was divided between Laurie and me. Unless we married we couldn’t cash in the trust until our thirtieth birthday. Frankly I never thought that much about it. This was family money and since my family had been such bastards over the past few years I decided that I didn’t want their money. Sparrow didn’t share my ideals. Turns out unbeknownst to me Daddy’s lawyers weren’t doing a bang up job with the trust. Tyler had to arm wrestle it away from them. Once he took over he turned it around. Big time.”

“So, you’re coming into a lot of bread. Cool,” I shrugged it off.

“Not a lot of bread a ton of bread,” Ginny clarified. “We’re talking about a whole freaking bakery.”

“Still none of my business,” I shrugged once again. “If you haven’t noticed chasing the almighty dollar has never been high on my list. I’m more interested in life’s simple pleasures.”

“Such as?” She flashed a devilish smile while moving backward towards the bedroom.

“A new mattress,” I happily sighed following her lead.

“Not just new,” Ginny quickly surmised. “It is on a real bed. No more free falling.”

“You never liked my apartment,” I scowled.

“It was a love hate thing,” Ginny confided giggling when she bumped into the bed. “I loved you and hated your apartment.”

“Huh,” I grunted my fingers slipping to her waist.  I bunched the edges of her black turtle neck between my fingers tugging it from the safe confines of her well-worn jeans. “This coming from a woman who has been living in a VW Bus.”

“I slept outside most of the time, no matter how cold it got,” she directly informed me while unbuttoning my jeans. “Trust me between the space and Sparrow’s personality the great outdoors was a welcome blessing.” She concluded unzipping the zipper on my jeans.

            I slid her sweater up along the supple curves of her body. “Why did you stay with her for so long?” I couldn’t help questioning. “Not much of a tan for someone living in California.” I noted when her bare stomach was revealed.

            “I spent most of my time studying and working,” she directly informed me raising her arms above her head so I could remove her turtleneck. “As for Sparrow we all make mistakes. Granted mine have at times reached epic proportions.” She mumbled through her top. I smiled at her messy hairdo after I had freed her from her top. I dropped the unneeded garment on the floor. I could feel her eyes watching me as I raked my blunt nails along her exposed flesh. She captured my wandering fingers; clasping my hands against her chest. 

            I met her troubled gaze. The feel of her rapidly beating heart filled me with concern. “When I first got sprung I really did need to get away,” her voice trembled. “I lost my youth and I wanted it back. I did some stupid things and made a lot of mistakes. The biggest mistake I made was not accepting that my place was by your side. Somehow I had convinced myself that slipping in and out of your bed was the best thing for the both of us.”

 “How was that for the best?” I questioned astonished by her reasoning. I don’t know why I was shocked after all it was the same twisted logic I had been clinging to.

            “In my defense,” she uttered softly pressing my trembling hands harder against her chest. “You seemed to think it was a good idea. It didn’t take me very long to figure out I was being a moron. But like I keep saying I had nothing to offer you. I wanted to get my act together. You were in law school and I was lucky if I could find a job that didn’t require me taking my clothes off.”

“Tell me you didn’t,” I helplessly pleaded.

            “Wish I could,” she grimly informed me. “The pay at strip clubs isn’t half bad. I promise all I did was dance. I never went beyond dancing to old Elvis tunes and shaking my goods. I’m not proud of what I did. Again how could I ask for your hand? I was a stripper and you were on the way to becoming a legal eagle. Around that time I started smoking a lot of pot. Sometimes it was the only way I could drag myself to work. Then I’d get restless or couldn’t shake the desire to see you again. I’d hit the road with no real destination in mind. I always ended up on your doorstep sometimes landing in your arms sometimes not. The women... The way you talked about the women in your life and the way you treated them left me wondering if we had grown in opposite directions. Each time I left it was with my tail tucked between my legs. I felt like what we had shared had been fleeting. Every time I bolted I vowed I was going to start living my life. Move on as you had so obviously done. You had been my first true love. I just had to accept that our time together had come to an end. I’d do alright for awhile. I really pushed myself to be a better person. Then I’d end up back here; back in your arms. It always felt right until I realized it wasn’t going anywhere.  After Pops died I realized that I was totally screwed up.  Unless I started being honest with both you and myself I’d never have a shot at living my life.  There you have it my life in a nutshell. Basically I’m a coward.”

“Join the club,” I tearfully confessed kissing her chest, then her neck before claiming her lips in a promising kiss. “No wonder my parents kept calling us idiots.” I sighed happily resting my head on her shoulder.

“I don’t know about you but I’m tired of being an idiot,” she whispered kissing the top of my head. “I’m also tired of having to be careful when I’m making love. You have no idea how many times I said your name. Talk about pissing a woman off.”

“Been there,” I snickered slipping my hands free and circling her waist.

“You’ve screamed out Ellen during the throes of passion?” She quipped as I unsnapped her bra.

            “Cute,” I smiled sliding her bra straps down her arms. “No. Let’s just say more than one woman has kicked me out of bed while screaming that her name isn’t Ginny.” I explained feeling mildly embarrassed. “You won’t be needing this.” I concluded tugging her bra out from between us and tossing it across the room. I released a loud yelp when she pushed me down on the bed and straddled my body.

“Speaking of which,” she taunted me while unbuttoning my blouse. “You are seriously overdressed.”

“Am I now?” I purred my hand slipping between her thighs.

            “I ...” her words trailed off when I traced the swell of her breasts with my tongue. While she tried to speak I pressed the heel of my hand against her center. She released a sultry moan as I ground my hand against the seam of her jeans. Her hips swaying against my touch while I flicked my tongue against her nipple. The bud hardened against my lips. Ginny hands busied themselves with the task of freeing me from my clothing.

            I yielded my touch allowing her to undress me. For the first time since our first time I felt complete. My body squirmed against the plastic that was still covering the mattress. “Gross,” I couldn’t help laughing pushing Ginny slightly away.  “We need to unwrap the bed.”

“I’d rather unwrap you,” she smiled tracing the features of my face with her fingers.

“Sheets, blankets,” I guided her into a sitting position. “I really don’t want our reunion to be consummated on plastic.”

“Good point,” she agreed climbing off the bed. I released a whimper at the sight of her half naked body. “Oh no you started this where are the linens?” She demanded placing her hands firmly on her hips.

“Mmm,” I sighed not really paying attention to her words.

“Ellen?” She jarred me out of my musings.

“Right,” I shook my head trying to focus on the matter at hand. “They are... Oh fuck me.”

“I’m trying to,” Ginny jested.

“Downstairs,” I shrank back watching her eyes widen.

“Are we cursed?” She whined. “Since your vital parts are semi covered you can sneak downstairs and fetch the goodies. I’ll unwrap the bed.”

            I jumped off the bed kicking off my shoes while covering my breasts. I made a mad dash downstairs while thinking that it was just like us to have something go wrong. I carefully unlocked the backdoor and slipped inside fully determined to make the journey as quick as possible. Stumbling in the darkness I managed to stub my toe on the new kitchen table. “Shit,” I hissed under my breath just as the lights clicked on.

“Sailors have cleaner mouths than you do,” my mother scolded me. “Why are you sneaking about?”

“I need that bag of new sheets and stuff,” I pleaded rubbing my injured toe. ‘Please just let me grab the booty and get back upstairs!’ I silently wailed.

“Uh huh,” Mom yawned before shuffling over to her new pantry and retrieving the bags of stuff along with a box I had never seen before. “Take this too. I got you girls some household stuff.”

“Mom,” I sighed worried that she was spending way too much money on us.

“I didn’t buy them,” she quickly interrupted the concerned look on my face. “I cashed in some green stamps.”

“Thank you,” I smiled looking at the box. My arms were already loaded down with sheets, blankets and pillows. “I’ll get the box in the morning.”

“You could make two trips,” Mom hopefully suggested. “Or I can give you a hand.”

“No,” I barked a tad too harshly. “Sorry.” I quickly apologized. “I can get it in the morning. It’s late and all of us are tired. I know not hiring a moving company seemed like a good idea.”

“Hmm,” she grunted not buying my feeble explanation. Even at my advanced age I couldn’t help breaking out in a sweat. “Ellen.” She cautiously began pinning with her best mom stare that still makes me shake in my boots. “Are the both of you going to stay up there? Together?” I could tell by the timber of her voice she wasn’t prying. She was hoping. So was I.

“Yes,” I smiled leaning in and kissing her on the cheek. “For now.”

“Ellen!” She exclaimed sounding completely frustrated.

“Mom,” I cut off any tirade that might be brewing. “We are going to try. Really try. We want this.”

“No kidding,” she sighed dramatically. “So by trying you mean?”

“Just that,” I couldn’t help laughing. “I love her.”

“I know,” Mom smiled warmly. “For the life of me I could never understand why I was privy to things the two of you really should have been telling one another.”

“Because we trust you,” I tried to explain.

“Didn’t you trust yourselves?” Mom was really irked.

            “No,” I frowned feeling like a disappointment. “Trust was severely lacking. Not in each other but in ourselves. You know what the both of us were going through. You also know that if one of us had just gotten off the stick we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now. Things would have been put to bed a long time ago. Speaking of which I’d like to hit the hay.”

“Go.” Mom shook her head giving a quick kiss before I scampered out the door.

            I rushed upstairs the air in my lungs seizing when I entered the dimly lit bedroom. Finding Ginny naked in what was to be our bedroom normally would have sent me into a full fledged panic. Not that night. That night I was eager to begin our new life together. I had waited so very long for that moment.

“Are you just going to stand there and watch me?” She cooed beckoning me to join her.

            “Hell no,” I blurted out my feet finally moving. I tripped in my zest to reach the bed. We put the new sheets and whatnot on the bed in record time. We had barely finished when I found myself lying flat on my back and my clothing flying off my body. By the way my clothing went sailing across the room I could only assume that Ginny was even more eager than I was. Hard to imagine since I was already bursting at the seams. I felt nervous and giddy all at once. Ginny hovered over me her body nothing short of sheer perfection.  Thirteen years and thousands of miles had passed between us and still the woman could take my breath away. Maybe it was her rakish smile or perhaps the smoldering look in her eyes. I still believe it was because the look in her eyes was reserved for me and me alone. It was something we shared, that all knowing feeling that none of the others ever came close to sharing.

            Ginny’s smile grew bolder. She supported her sinewy body with one arm. Using her free hand she raked her blunt nails slowly down my naked body. My flesh quiveredbeneath her touch.  “I love you,” I confessed once again. I couldn’t refrain from uttering those three simple words again and again. I had held my tongue for thirteen long years. At that moment I was filled with an overwhelming desire to say them at every turn. In the morning I’d worry about whether or not I was saying them too often. That night they were the only words I was capable of speaking.

            Ginny’s knuckles brushed against my nipple. For the first time in ages I felt loved. Her naked flesh covering my body was more than sexual. Everything about that night was about love. The purity of the moment made me feel as if my soul was touching the heavens.  Her eyes gleamed in the darkness. Her expression was curious. “I keep expecting something to happen,” she answered my unspoken question. “Given our history things aren’t usually this perfect.” She explained with a lilting laugh.

            Before my own laughter could escape I found myself locked in a searing kiss.  She was and still is the only one capable of kissing me senseless. Her tongue exploring the warmth of my mouth; her hand gently kneading my breast. “Ellie, baby I’ve missed you so much,” she whispered against my lips. Her nimble fingers teasing and taunting my nipple. She drove me insane. My body was fully ready to explode and she had barely touched me.

            I was fully prepared to beg and plead for release. As if reading my mind her touch drifted lower. Her fingers tickling my flesh.  A throaty growl escaped me. Her fingers brushed against my wetness. Her smile grew as she teased me. My body trembled eagerly anticipating her touch. Tenderly she parted me; gliding her fingers along my swollen sex. I shifted my body higher. Leaning against our new pillows I watched her.  The look on her face was that of pure amazement. Her fingers stroked my throbbing nub slowly coaxing it to harden against her touch. “So, beautiful,” she whispered lifting her gaze until she held me captive.

            She flashed a shy smile before slipping inside of my warmth.  Her fingers slowly filling me wiggling inside of me causing my thighs to clench. My eyes drifted shut; my hips lifted higher eagerly greeting her touch.  Ginny’s slow touch quickly gave way to a frantic rhythm my body matching her wild pace. My senses reeled from the feel of her thumb stroking my aching clit. All too quickly the passion spilled from my body.

            I was blushing furiously when I opened my eyes. Embarrassed that I had lost control so quickly. Ginny was sitting there licking my passion from her fingers. All in all she seemed extremely pleased with herself. “I’m sorry,” I timidly uttered.

            “Why?” She furrowed her brow licking the last drop of my passion from her fingers. “Ellen,” she sounded far too amused by the situation. Still I found her positively enchanting. “Over these many years you have inspired the same reaction from me. Most of the time you didn’t even have to touch me. All it took was a look or a smile. You really made high school very difficult for me.”

“Ginny,” I laughed along with her. “Are you telling me that I got you off in the middle of Home Ec?”

“Yes,” she smirked curling up beside me. “In class, during practice and studying in your parent’s living room. Practice was the worst. Spending all afternoon looking up your skirt was frustrating to say the least. After we started dating it was maddening.”

“How is it you always know the right thing to say to me?” I snuggled against the pillows.

“It is easy,” she smiled happily. “I just repeat whatever my heart says. Or I don’t say anything which we’ve learned only leads to the both of us ending up completely miserable. No, more. Tired?”

“I uhm,” I hedged while she slipped under the covers.

“S’okay,” she pulled the blankets up around us. “You’re not leaving me hanging. Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. I’m not leaving so why rush? I’m tired. It has been a long day. Besides it is almost midnight. Just a little while longer and you will officially be an old lady.”

“You just had to go there,” I countered with a mock scowl before stealing a kiss.

            That night I said a silent prayer. A birthday wish if you will. This time there wouldn’t be any pain. I felt her fingers kneading my back. Guiding me closer until she bestowed a sweet promising kiss on my lips. We kissed, caressed and simply enjoyed the security of knowing that in the morning the other would be there. Never once did the tenderness ebb; falling into the raw unbridled passion that often claimed us. Instead that night was filled with whispered promises and tender touches.

            The following morning I awoke with a giddy feeling. We may not have made the Earth move the night before. What we shared into the wee hours was much more intimate. I was smiling even after discovering that I was alone in the bedroom. Then it hit me. My smile suddenly replaced by a crestfallen sadness. I was officially thirty. The big three O. It was horrifying to wake happy as a lark only to remember that you had just crossed the threshold into your third decade of life. Anyone who ever claimed it is just a number was twenty-five tops.

            I was ready to jump out of bed, hunt Ginny down and demand that she do everything possible to make me forget the horrors I had awoken to. Thank goodness the hushed whispers streamed in alerting me that barging into the living room demanding wanton sex wearing nothing but my panties just might be a poor choice. I slipped on a t-shirt and climbed out of bed. If my lascivious needs weren’t going to be met, I fully expected my other needs to be placated. I needed food, coffee, comfort and coffee. It’s worth mentioning more than once. I was officially a dirty old lady and was determined to have my every whim placated.

“Hi, Mom,” I grumbled wiping the sleep from my eyes. I wasn’t shocked to find them huddled in the middle of the living room conspiring.

“You need new underwear,” Mom noted with more than a hint of disapproval.

“Good morning Eleanore, Happy Birthday,” I pouted.

“I’m sorry,” she laughed at my protruding lip. I was still pouting even after she hugged me tightly. “Happy Birthday, Honey.” Reminding her wasn’t such a hot idea. She hugged me tighter, swaying me. “My little girl is thirty.”

“Don’t remind me,” I wailed finally escaping her hug. “I’m old and decrepit. Just take me out and shoot me.”

“Oh for the love of, God,” Ginny groused. “You’re only thirty. You’re not ready for the home yet.”

“Give it a couple of months,” I wagged my finger furiously at her. “Then you’ll see. I need coffee. Mom did you brew any coffee?”

“Ginny is taking you out for breakfast,” Mom brightly chimed.

“I don’t wanna go out,” I huffed almost stamping my feet. “I just want a cup of java and to climb back into bed. I’m planning on hiding in there until I turn forty.”

“You’re going out for breakfast. While you’re out maybe you should pay a visit to Sears and get some new underwear,” Mom sternly informed me.

“What have you got against my underwear?” I fussed lifting my t-shirt up just a little. “It wasn’t like I knew I’d be parading it around for inspection. And I don’t want to go out. I just want coffee and more sleep.”

“You are going out for a nice breakfast,” Mom persisted.

“Why?” I demanded.

“Because I said so,” Mom she shot me down with a sweet smile.

            My mouth opened and shut over a dozen times before I just surrendered. “Damn, still works,” I bemoaned while storming back into the bedroom.

            I was hunched over the table of our little booth. I drank in the tantalizing aroma of my coffee. “Why did Mom bully me into coming out?” I groaned before finally lifting the steaming mug to my lips. “Don’t get me wrong, I dig hanging out with you.”

“Ellen,” Ginny grimaced slightly when I lit a cigarette. “I wanted to stay in bed too. Cuddling until they dragged us back out into the world. But your guests will be arriving. Mom needs this.”

“Right the party,” I accepted with a groan. “I can’t imagine what she is going through. Hard enough on us kids.  They were one another’s lives. A little cake and ice cream might help her feel more at ease.”

“She’s already rethinking the new place,” Ginny confided in a grim voice. “You know Sam sleeping on the sofa bed, leaving that great big kitchen behind. It is going to take some time.”

“We’ll be there for her,” I offered hoping that it would be enough.

“Yes, we will,” she smiled clasping my hand. I felt a chill rush through me when her touch quickly retreated. The waitress had approached with our meals. Even in the middle of the sexual revolution two women holding hands just wasn’t done.

“The more things change,” I mumbled playing with the mounds of whip cream that were covering my waffles.

“Ain’t it the truth,” Ginny concurred pushing her eggs around.

“I’ve been involved with N.O.W,” I offered quietly confided.

“The National Organization of Women,” she nodded. “I’ve been to a few meetings.”

“It’s a great organization,” I expanded. “When I first got involved my sisters were all like, it is so cool that you’re a lawyer. The second they found out that I’m gay most of them avoided me.”

“Same here,” Ginny shrugged. “I get it. You know this whole labeling feminist as men hating dykes. Not everyone I’ve met is hung up on the labels. Over the years I have traveled this great country of ours from sea to shinning sea. And everywhere I’ve gone I’ve managed to find at least one ignorant, web-toed, cousin marrying Bubba. North, South, East or West doesn’t matter it can be wearing a suit and tie and using the right fork but a Bubba is still a Bubba.”

“I know, irked me just the same,” I grunted. “Hell, I’m a big dyke and most of my friends are guys. No one’s asked for my membership card back yet.”

“There is the other side of the coin,” Ginny cautioned. “Back in California some of my Sapphic Sisters threw a clot if you spoke to a guy. I thought we were supposed to be about love and peace. It freaks me when I find more dissention coming from within than from the man. Oh before I forget,” she put her fork down and reached inside her coat. “It’s not much, but happy birthday, Ellen.”

“Having you home for good is more than present enough. But I’ll keep this,” I laughed snatching the brightly wrapped box from her hand. I opened it carefully not wanting to tear the edges of the paper.

“Just open it.” She pleaded reaching for the gift.

“Stop,” I wailed like a child; swatting her hands away. “Oh, Ginny.” I gushed when the delicate binding was revealed to me. “Little Women. I loved this book when I was a kid. Ginny this is a first edition.  It’s too much.”

“Don’t you like it?” She questioned with a coy smile.

“I love it,” I gently traced the cover with my fingertips.

“Then how can it be too much?” She challenged. “Ellen, no matter what has or will happen you mean the world to me. Granted bread is a little tight at moment but as you know in a couple months I’ll be rolling in it.”

“Kind of forgot,” I murmured sipping my coffee.

“Just stick with me Babe and we’ll be set for life,” she announced doing a very bad Jimmy Cagney impersonation. My hand froze while my lungs seized.

“Don’t call me that,” I gulped setting my coffee aside unable to look at her. I knew she couldn’t help sounding like Laurie and she had no idea why that particular expression would upset me. Knowing these things did nothing to calm me.

“Call you what?” She sputtered clearly confused.

“Babe,” I choked on the word. “Don’t call me that. Ever.”

“I won’t,” she vowed as I sheepishly met her gaze. “Can I ask why?” She timidly added.

“She called me that,” I nervously uttered gulping once again. “Your sister... That night in the woods... The more I resisted the more she tried to convince me and she kept calling me Babe.  It just brings back bad memories.”

“I’ll never do it again,” she stressed covering my trembling hand with her own. “Why do I think there is a lot about that night and other things having to do with her that you haven’t told me?”

“Because there is,” I grimly acknowledged lacing our fingers together. “Like how you seem surprised that she was violent with those two girls.”

“I still don’t believe she was,” Ginny huffed with a scowl. “That isn’t her style. She’s a bitch, I’ll give you that but she isn’t violent.”

“Yes, she is,” I fought against the tears that were threatening to escape.

“What did she do?” Ginny hissed between her teeth, clasping my hand tighter. I just sat there unable to tell her. “Ellen?” She prompted me.

“I saw the pictures,” I tried to explain. “I talked to those girls. She did get rough with them. She did it to get you in serious trouble.”

“Ellen?” She repeated more forcibly. “What aren’t you telling me?”

            “She got physical with me,” I squeaked out the words instantly regretting them. Ginny’s eyes darkened with anger. “In high school when she was trying to make trouble for us. She came onto me in the ladies room at school. When I refused she clutched my arms so tightly that she left bruises. At the time I shook it off. But it has stayed with me. Ginny she scared the life out of me.”

“It was right after our first date wasn’t it?” Ginny demanded. I could see her fighting against the anger. “I saw the bruises. Hell I was ready to kick Ron’s ass. Laurie did that to you? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I had caused enough trouble between the two of you,” I wearily explained. “I’m not proud of what I did about it. I blackmailed her. Told her that if she didn’t back off I’d tell you. Not that I was going to. But I threatened to. Like I said I’m not proud of it.”

“You should have told me,” she seemed to be calming down. “Hell I was your girlfriend I had a right to know. I swear if I see her again,”

“And that’s why I didn’t tell you.”

“Okay this conversation is getting way to grody,” she was still fuming I could tell. “It is your birthday and I promised Ma to take you shopping for lingerie.”

“Lingerie? My mother said lingerie? I don’t think so,” I happily snickered.

“No she said get her some decent skivvies,” Ginny boldly concluded waving for the check. “I thought lingerie would be more fun.”

“From Sears & Roebuck? I hardly think so,” I couldn’t stop the laughter.

“Yes, that would be highly unlikely,” Ginny was still smirking. “There are other places to purchase intimate apparel.” She gleefully concluded as she paid the grim looking waitress.

“You know what I find interesting,” I slowly began gathering up my coat and the book. “You haven’t lived on this side of the continent in what a decade?”

“More or less,” she shrugged placing her hand on the small of my back while guiding me towards the door.

“I am willing to bet that you know exactly where to go to buy naughty panties,” I concluded.

“You’d win,” she laughed. “Come on birthday girl let’s take you shopping.”

            A couple of hours later we snuck upstairs to our apartment so I could try on my new gifties.  It was a little awkward knowing that just below us, our friends had gathered for my party. Ginny’s smoldering gaze and urgent tone convinced me to give her a little preview.  I knew we were tempting fate. I didn’t give a hoot. The black silk teddy felt amazing against my skin. Even more incredible was the feel of Ginny’s arms wrapped around my body while she nibbled on my neck.  Our rapture was short lived. The knock on the front door was annoying but not surprising. Thank goodness Mom opted to send Sammy upstairs.

            I quickly threw on appropriate attire while Ginny answered the door. “That was fast,” Ginny offered with a tender smile when I joined them.

“I move quick,” I shrugged.

            Ginny placed her hand on the small of my back guiding me downstairs. Her step suddenly faltered. “My God you’re still wearing it,” she whispered hotly in my ear.

“Of course,” I smugly retorted. “And only you and I know.”

“You’re killing me,” she squeaked caressing my back.

“Just remember those words,” I wryly informed her. “If all goes well in just a couple of hours, you’ll be screaming it.”

            Poor Ginny almost toppled down the staircase. Needless to say I was more than a little pleased with myself. Somehow I managed to act surprised when I entered the downstairs apartment.  Which surprised even me. Mostly because my mind was squarely focused on finishing the fashion show Ginny and I had begun. Alas duty called. My mother needed this party.

            Personally being in a room full of people who are taking great joy in reminding you just how old you are isn’t something I enjoy. The other thrilling aspect of the day was the way everyone of my friends felt a need to pull me aside. They all asked the same question.  ‘How long is Ginny staying this time?’  Imagine their surprise when I told them she was staying this time.  After hearing the question over and over again, I had to wonder just why Ginny hadn’t clocked me years ago? It is really annoying after the first couple of times.

            The party was in full swing. Mom really seemed to be getting into it. I was relaxing on the sofa with Spencer when Linda sat down beside me. “So?” She tentatively began.

“Yes, I asked her,” I groaned weary of the constant questioning. “Yes, she’s staying. In fact she was already planning on it. For once we got our timing right. If you ask me how it makes me feel I’m gonna hurt you.”

            Spencer snickered at my curt commentary. Suddenly the tea cup and saucer that was resting on her tummy jiggled. “What the hell was that?” I exclaimed.

“The baby,” she beamed her smile vanishing when Evelyn suddenly excused herself. “He’s started doing party tricks the other day.”

“Get use to it,” Mom smiled. “Whenever I took a bath, I’d end up chasing Eleanor’s feet around. Time for cake.”

“Get the fire extinguisher,” Sammy announced much to my displeasure.

“I really should have traded him for that sling shot Bobby offered me,” I growled. “But no, Mom wouldn’t let me.”

“Sling shots are dangerous,” Mom interjected without missing a beat.

            Just then Ginny emerged from the kitchen with a blazing inferno. Everyone broke out in song while I wondered if it was really necessary to put thirty candles on our dessert. I did feel mildly triumphant when I blew out all of the flaming little suckers in one breath.  Had I known then just how special my thirties would be I would have embraced the celebration. I wasn’t a complete wet blanket.  My life was truly coming together. After spending far too much time just wandering through I was living.  The best part was a certain blonde. We had cake and I opened my gifts. Most of the gifts were gags that ranked on my advanced years. It was all in fun. Plus I knew that in just a short while I would be returning the favor.

            Finally the party broke up. I had fun but I was really happy to see Evelyn and Wally leave. I understood it must have been hard on them seeing Spencer and Ron so happy.  My only hope was that they would be equally as blessed in the near future. Once the last of my friends shuffled out the door, I went searching for Ginny. I felt a little crestfallen when I found her in the kitchen cleaning up with Mom.

“It is no big deal,” Ginny explained while wiping the dishes. “I’ll be home both days. I don’t start school until the fall.  My schedule is pretty wide open. What I don’t understand is why they can’t install the phones in both apartments on the same day.”

“Get in line on that one,” Mom grunted. “They won’t schedule the upstairs and downstairs for the same appointment. What can we do it isn’t like we have a choice. They’re the phone company. It is Ma Bells way or the highway.”

“The government should bust up that monopoly,” Ginny surmised finishing the last of the dishes.

            “That’ll never happen,” Mom laughed it off.  We believed her of course not having the foresight to see the inevitable break up. Then again Mom was the same person who claimed that Cher was nothing more than a flash in the pan. At times she could really miss the mark. Not that I was concerned about either topic at the moment. I was focused on one thing. I was itching to get Ginny upstairs so we could really celebrate my birthday. I had so many wishes that needed to be addressed. Most of which involved nudity.

“Thanks for the party Mom,” I threw out in an effort to get the ball rolling.

“Thank you for putting up with it,” Mom gave me a knowing smile. “Even if it wasn’t really a surprise.”

“I... Uhm,” I babbled like an idiot.

“Eleanore,” she shook her head placing her hands tenderly on my shoulders. “Thank you. Now get out of here the both of you. I’m sure you have plans. No need to share the details.” She added with a slight cringe.

“Thanks Ma,” Ginny quickly blurted out. She grasped my hand and dragged me out the back door.

“Should have grabbed the coffee maker she got with the green stamps,” I giggled while she practically dragged me up the back staircase.

“We’ll deal in the morning,” Ginny chided me. “You have to work tomorrow and we’re burning daylight. Do you have any idea how hard it was to keep my hands off of you? Walking around the party knowing that you’re wearing naughty underwear, I was a complete mess.”

“My birthday. My rules,” I couldn’t help taunting her.

“Yes, it is your birthday,” she drew out the words while banging open our backdoor. “Which means spankies.”

            “Ahgug,” I gasped blushing furiously. I know it isn’t a word but it was what spewed out of me. My eyes glazed over. I started to sweat and I was tingling in the most delightful places. I was so enthralled by her randy suggestion that I was completely unaware that she had ushered me into the bedroom. Not only had she whisked me onto the bed but my clothing was quickly flying off my body.

“You look so hot in that,” she proclaimed after reducing me to only the teddy. Her hands were everywhere.

“Not so fast,” I scolded her clasping her wrists tightly. “My birthday. My rules.” I repeated with a sultry purr. “You. Naked. Bed.” I commanded not in the mood to mince words.

“Your wish is my command,” Ginny gleefully acknowledged taking a step backward.

            I leaned on my elbows and watched her perform a striptease. All the while she hummed Happy Birthday. With each sway of her hips my heart sped up. By the time she hooked her thumbs in the waistband of her panties I was a goner. With a devilish gleam in her eyes she flung her underwear at me. “Is there anything else you desire?” Her voice reverberated through my body. “Cat got your tongue?” She toyed with me seemingly amused that I had been suddenly struck mute. In an effort to further torment me she climbed up on the bed; straddling my body. I might have regained the power of speech if she hadn’t wiggled her pelvis against me. The torture continued. She ran her fingers through her long blonde hair lifting her golden mane up. The action caused her breasts to thrust in my face.

            ‘Ah what to do?’ I silently questioned. For the first time in my life I had the answer. It was simple. Wrap my arms around her waist and bury my face against her ample bosom. It was the right answer. That night our passion volleyed between unbridled and slow tenderness. In the morning I was walking a little funny while I cursed the fact that my chosen profession required me showing up on time. After a long shower I dressed and kissed my lover goodbye. It was one of those times you realize it really is the first day of the rest of your life.

            When I arrived at the office I was inundated with birthday wishes, good natured ribbing regarding my advanced years and, of course, Ron wanting to know what the deal was with Ginny and I. Thankfully I was slated to appear in court and escaped all of this. “Eleanore Druette for the defense,” I announced when my case was announced. Grinning like a Cheshire cat when my opponent turned out to be none other then Loretta.  What is it they say about living well being the best revenge? It is the truth. I looked over at  opposing council and for the first time I noticed that despite the slim number of years that separated us, Loretta looked so much older than me. It was her haggard withdrawn appearance that made me question if it was her dissatisfaction with the lot life had handed her that made her look so weary?

“My client pleads not guilty your honor,” I asserted after the charges had been read. My skin prickled slightly. I couldn’t help smiling. I didn’t need to turn around to know that Ginny was there.

“The people request remand,” Loretta curtly requested.

            It wasn’t uncommon for the DA to request having my client locked up for trial. Usually there was a reason for it. This time around I wasn’t positive that my client understood what he did was illegal. Stanley Hanford by profession was an accountant. The work he did for his small firm amounted to little more than a glorified paper shuffler. The poor slob was a peon who was more than likely taking the fall for some big mucky muck who had dipped into the till. “Your Honor,” I spat out seriously disturbed by her outrageous request. “Mr. Hanford has no prior record. He has roots in the community and no financial means of fleeing. He is looking forward to proving his innocence. He is not a flight risk. I respectfully request he be released on his own recognizance.” I triumphantly concluded.

“What does that mean?” My client nervously gulped.

“She wants you locked up to ensure you’ll show up for trial,” I whispered to him while Loretta spewed out her argument that poor old Stanley be locked up for the duration.

“Why?” He nervously squeaked.

“Ssh,” I cautioned him. “Your honor Mr. Hanford barely understands why he was arrested. Again he is eager to prove his innocence. He has a wife and five children. Despite the People’s strenuous objections he isn’t going anywhere. He’s innocent and doesn’t have a secret stash of money.”

“Miss Marino I am inclined to agree with Miss Druette,” Judge Proctor sighed. “Mr. Hanford’s lack of a record and his modest income doesn’t lead me to believe that he is a flight risk. Jail seems a bit harsh for the charges he is facing. The court would be more than satisfied with five hundred dollars bail.”

“Your Honor,” Loretta groused.

“Five hundred, cash or bond,” Proctor snapped slamming down his gavel stressing his decision.

“Five hundred?” Stanley squeaked in horror.

            “Don’t worry,” I comforted him placing my hand on his shoulder. “The bail bondsman will cover it. I’ll explain it to you while we make the arrangements.” I don’t know if my words provided any comfort for him. I smiled as I guided him out of the courtroom. Ginny was sitting in the back grinning proudly. I held up my hand letting her know that I needed a moment. It took sometime to finalize the paperwork, mostly because Stanley was spazzing like a little girl. Once it was finished I sent him and his family on their way.  Ginny was waiting in the hallway. “Just a sec,” I quickly informed her before darting after Loretta. “Miss Marino.” I growled as I confronted her. “Someone pee in your Corn Flakes this morning?”

“I beg your pardon Miss Druette,” she sniffed indignantly.

“Loretta did you see his suit?” I snarled my ire getting the better of me. Somehow I managed to keep my voice down. “It was his best suit and it couldn’t have cost more than twenty bucks. I spent more than that on my shoes. Remand? For penny pinching, which he didn’t do by the way. What gives?”

“Miss Druette once again you fail to see the bigger picture,” she snarled looking over my shoulder the whole time. “Embezzlement is a very serious offense.”

“No kidding? I hadn‘t realized thank you for enlightening me,” I couldn’t help being snotty. “He’s innocent and even if he was guilty as sin the dollar amount certainly doesn’t qualify for such harsh treatment. And stop looking at her; I’m the one who is talking to you.”

“I could care less that your little transient friend dropped in for one of her little visits.”

“Not really. We’re living together,” I know it was wrong to gloat. There was this tiny part of me that really enjoyed rubbing it in.

“I didn’t know,” she gulped clearly stunned by my news.

“Of course not,” I shook my head thoroughly disgusted with her. “If you have an axe to grind don’t take it out on my clients.”

“I’m not being vindictive,” she tried to argue.

“Uh huh.” I groaned before excusing myself.

“She doesn’t like me does she?” Ginny wryly remarked when I joined her.

“Or me,” I quickly stated. “Man, I thought the two of us had issues. That girl makes us look like rank amateurs. What are you doing here? No offense but I would have thought that the courthouse would be the last place you’d show up.”

“I wanted to see my girl in action,” she boasted. “You’re good. And you like what you do. Not many people can say that. Free for lunch?”

“Possibly,” I couldn’t help smiling. “I just need to swing by the office and check on some stuff.”

            During the short trek to my office I couldn’t shake the sinking feeling that Loretta was up to something. There was more I just knew it. For the life of me I couldn’t figure out what it was. I wasn’t surprised by the odd look in my co-worker’s eyes when we entered the bustling office. I assumed it was because Ginny was with me. Or just perhaps it had something to do with the unsettling feeling swirling in my stomach. I would quickly learn that it was indeed the latter. Gary had a strange look plastered on his face as he hurried over to me.

“Virginia always a pleasure,” he politely greeted Ginny. “Ellen if you don’t mind, I need a moment of your time.”

“No prob,” Ginny shrugged. “I have to go over some stuff with Tyson.”

            Ron joined us just as Ginny excused herself. “Oh this is good,” I intuitively deducted. “Shall I guess or are you planning on sparing me the agony?”

“We have a potential client waiting in the conference room,” Gary slowly began. “We’re not taking her case. I just thought you would enjoy being the one to tell her.”

“You’re gonna love it,” Ron coyly informed me.

“Who is it?”

“Laura Bradford.” Gary tripped over his words.

“She’s in it deep,” Ron quickly cut in. “Want to see the file or are you just going to tell her to fold it in three corners and shove it?”

“She’s here?” I gulped my hands trembling as I accepted the slim file.

“In the conference room,” Gary repeated his tone boarding on fatherly. “She specifically requested that you handle her case. The second I realized who she was I started stalling her. I figured it was the least I could do. Let you be the one to tell her off.”

“Her father is with her.” Ron cautioned.

“First things first,” I tentatively began my mind whirling from the situation. My foremost concern was that Ginny and her family not cross paths. Not out of concern for the Swenson clan. I was just worried about Ginny. “Ron, you need to make certain that Ginny stays out of the way until they are gone. Gary you keep the lunatics twisting in the wind. I need to glance over the file. I’m dying to know what little Laurie did this time. Go boys! We have to nip this in the bud. Trust me if Ginny sees her family we’ll have a whole new case on our hands.”

            To their credit my colleagues scurried into action. I ducked into my office not even bothering to remove my coat.  In my heart of hearts I knew it was only a matter of time before Laurie screwed up again. She was indeed in serious trouble. It wasn’t hard to connect the pieces.  Laurie was accused of providing alcohol and other substances to a minor and making unnatural advances. The alleged victim was the family babysitter, Denise Turner. I could only assume that Denise had a thing for Laurie‘s husband. Laurie in her infinite wisdom decided to handle the problem the only way she knew how. She got the girl drunk and made a pass hoping to scare the girl off.  Naturally it blew up in her face.

            I shrugged off my coat and snatched up the file. “She’s still in with Tyson,” Ron quickly explained. “I buzzed him and asked him to drag things out.”

“Thanks,” I nodded. “I’m getting Laurie out of here as quickly as possible.”

            I stumbled when I entered the conference room. The years had not been kind to Laurie. It was painfully clear that Laurie’s love affair with rum was still on going. Her face and body were slightly bloated and the look in her eyes was dull and lifeless. I took a seat across from Laurie and old man Swenson. I felt this was my only chance to say what needed to be said. “Sorry to keep you waiting,” I apologized with a scowl. “I was in court. I can only assume your reasons for coming here have nothing to do with my skills. Still the clever girl Laurie.”

“Whatever do you mean?” She dryly responded with a cruel smile.

            “By coming here under the pretense of hiring this firm, you’ve effectively ensured that neither I nor anyone here could be called to testify against you.” I shrewdly surmised. I wasn’t an idiot. Neither was Laurie. She must have known I’d never take the case. Hell a blind goat herder in East Bum Fuck would know I’d never take her on as a client. Perhaps it was because I think my father was right. Laurie was Satan. She was there for one reason and one reason only.  I had a lot of dirt on her stored in a file. By approaching the firm that information would stay buried. “Everything from 1956 stays locked away.” I spelled out for Mr. Swenson’s benefit. The sorry bastard was completely clueless.

“1956?” He repeated narrowing his gaze.

“You know, back when you screwed your other daughter over,” I egged him on. No way I was going to let her get a pass on that little transgression.

“You don’t know what you are talking about.” He barked pushing back his chair.

“Stop,” Laurie halted his retreat. “Miss Druette obviously has something to say. We should at least listen.” Man she looked so smug. I still have no idea what she was hoping to accomplish.

“He doesn’t know?” I scoffed at the notion. “Mr. Swenson tell me you didn’t know Laurie was the one who assaulted those women?” He didn’t answer. Instead he just slumped in his chair.

“My sister was a troubled young woman,” Laurie tried baiting me.

“Horse puckey,” I laughed. “I have a very thick file locked in a very safe place that proves it was you. How do you think I managed to exonerate Ginny?  Hell I told you as much at Bobby’s wake.”

“What?” Warren Swenson stammered. “Virginia has been cleared?”

“My God man,” Gary cut in. “Do you never pull your head out of your ass?”

“What is with these people?” Warren frantically questioned his daughter. “The cursing and they are obliviously a bunch of hippies. This is the firm you want?”

“Of course not Daddy,” Laurie rolled her eyes. “As Miss Druette stated she has information that I’d prefer to keep close to the vest as it were. Since I’ve offered them a retainer they aren’t allowed to discuss certain things with the authorities. Still Ellen does have a stellar reputation and a habit of winning. Pity she’d never take my case. How is my sister?”

“Better than ever,” I curtly informed the grinning freak. “No thanks to you.”

“You know my daughter?” Warren blurted out pushing slightly away from Laurie.

“Uhm, yes,” I shook my head wondering just how clueless this man was? “I went to high school with Ginny. I was her alibi back in ‘56.” I continued when he continued to stare blankly back at me.

“She really went to Vermont,” he absently whispered. “I wanted to believe her.”

            “Then why didn’t you?” I couldn’t refrain from demanding. “You tossed her to the wolves. Listening to some lawyer rather than believing her.  Just so we’re clear on everything. Yes, she was in Vermont. I was with her. My parents never asked for money. That was DeMarco blowing smoke up your ass. So, he could keep climbing up the food chain. Almost three years ago, Mr. Larsen and I cleared her name. In doing so we proved that it was Laura who committed the criminal acts. Ginny’s fine by the way, thanks for asking.”

“You were the one,” he slowly began with a hint of a smile. “She gave you her car.”

“Still have it,” I boasted.

“Oh get off your high horse,” Laurie whined. “Don’t act so smug. From what I hear you only see her now and then. She blows into town with a quickie and takes off.”

“Guess again you fruitcake,” I gloated for the second time that day. “We live together.”

“Bullshit.” Laurie scoffed. “My sister...”

            “Yes, she is,” I shouted. “She always was. I’m done playing with you. I just wanted to sit here and tell you face to face that everything you did failed. All your plotting and rash actions failed. We’re still in love with one another and most importantly we ended up together. I have only one question left to ask.” Honestly I had about a million more but I was tired of dealing with Laurie. “Did you hit on the babysitter because Jessup is sleeping with her or does the girl simply have a crush on him?”

“We’re done.” Laurie screamed shoving her chair back and grabbing her stunned father by the arm.

“Get your checkbook ready Mr. Swenson Denise Turner isn’t going to just go away,” I cautioned him. “Knowing Laurie this won’t be the last trip to the bank.” I ruefully added just as Ron entered the room with a worried look.

“Out of my way!” Laurie demanded.

“Uhm,” Ron stammered. “Are you finished?”  He pleaded with me.

“No,” I gulped understanding his fearful look.

“Yes.” Laurie hissed pushing Ron aside.

            I cursed under my breath while bolting out of my chair. I raced after them hoping to at least be able to intervene. I made it as far as the hallway when I spied the scene that was just beginning to unfold in the lobby. “You.” Ginny’s nostrils flared. I rushed over to block her path. In the back of my mind I was curious as to why Loretta and two police officers were lingering in the waiting area.

“Ginny, don’t,” I pleaded with her placing my hands on her chest. I could see it was taking everything she had to comply with my request. Yet, I couldn’t help questioning why I was stopping her. I cast a questioning look over towards Loretta.

“Officers would you step outside for a moment?” Loretta quietly requested giving me her consent.

“What the hell,” I conceded. Ginny certainly deserved her pound of flesh. “Go for it.”

“Come here?” Ginny demanded pushing past her father and grabbing her sister by the hair.

            No one made a move to stop her, not even her father. Loretta simply turned away. “What? I don’t see a thing,” Loretta innocently quipped. “By the by you aren’t Mrs. Bradford’s attorney are you?” She questioned still ignoring the sight of Ginny capturing Laurie in a headlock.

“No,” I wistfully offered. “Although she did approach the firm. Which means you can’t call me as a witness like you were planning. You were weren’t you?”

“Yes,” she reluctantly admitted.

“I knew you were up to something,” I glanced over watching as Ginny tightened her arm around Laurie’s throat. “Curious that you aren’t doing anything to stop this.” I addressed Warren Swenson.

“I should,” he pursed his lips. “I made so many mistakes.”

“Break it up,” Spencer announced when she entered through the front door. The police officers followed closely behind her. “Ginny who in the hell are you trying to kill?” Spencer demanded.

“Her sister.” Ron glibly informed his wife.

“Oh?” Spencer nodded pausing for just a moment. She had to be thinking what the rest of us were. Laurie had it coming in spades.

“Henrietta we’re supposing to be arresting her,” one of the officers stated. The poor cops were confused by the bizarre scene.

“Which one?”

“Not sure,” the officer grumbled.

“The one that’s losing,” Loretta finally spoke up holding up the arrest warrant.

“Good deal,” Spencer beamed. “Just curious as to why you’re putting that off?”

“We can start with ruining my life,” Ginny growled.

“True.” Spencer seemed to be thinking things over.

“Henrietta.” The cop sputtered. “We’re gonna have to arrest both of them.”

“Virginia,” Spencer finally interjected. “Please let her go so these nice officers can take her to jail?”

“Fine,” Ginny spat out shoving Laurie at the stunned cops. “Enjoy prison Sis. No one deserves it more.”

“What about her?” The officer questioned glancing over at Ginny while slapping the cuffs on Laurie.

“Ouch.” Laurie wailed.

“I mean she assaulted this one,” he continued ignoring Laurie’s  pathetic whimpering.

“I didn’t see anything,” Loretta sternly interjected.

“Frank you remember that thing I was working on a few years ago,” Spencer stated in a hushed whisper. “Twins with matching Chevy’s”

“Oh,” he nodded understanding what she was inferring. “Gotcha. Nothing to see here.”

“Thanks boys.” Spencer blew out.

            Loretta followed after the uniformed officers who were rushing Laurie to the waiting cruiser. “Virginia?” Warren Spencer tearfully began.

“Go to hell.” Ginny hissed turning away from him.

            I almost felt bad for him. Almost that is. I still couldn’t forgive him for what he had done so many years ago. And in many ways was still doing by standing by Laurie. His shoulders slumped and he left. “Ronald,” Spencer broke the uneasy silence that followed Mr. Swenson’s departure. “Feed me.” She demanded patting her stomach.

“Yes, dear,” he eagerly complied.

“Ginny,” I tenderly offered wrapping my arms around her waist and resting my chin against her back. I tightened my hold on her when she stiffened against my touch. “Gary?”

“I’ll clear your calendar for the day,” Gary quickly offered. “Go.”

“Come on Honey. I’m taking you home,” I stated softly. She simply nodded and blindly followed after me.

            When we arrived back home I had no idea what I should do. Was this one of those moments I should just hold her? Or did she need space? I took one look in her troubled eyes and I had my answer. We stood in our empty living room. I held her as she cried herself out. Poor Ginny there was so much pain. We ended up sitting in corner. I cradled her in my arms. Offering her the comfort of my embrace as she finally released the anguish that had plagued her for the last thirteen years.

            We went on with our lives. We reveled in what was to be later known as the summer of love. For us it was. We lived, laughed and that summer we saw man walking on the moon. I can still remember Mom, Ginny and I crowded around that television Ginny had bought years ago watching Neil Armstrong’s grainy black and white image.

            Looking back I’d have to say that 1969 was my favorite year. Man walked on the moon. The Beatles were still together. Elvis was still skinny. We only had five television stations but there was always something worth watching on. The world changed before our eyes and somehow was still innocent. We could still hop in the Chevy and drive all day without having to take out a loan to fill the gas tank. Most importantly that was the year I finally stopped being afraid and asked for Ginny’s hand.

Epilogue

            I know what you are hoping for. You want to hear that Ginny and I lived happily ever after and Laurie got what she deserved. Ginny and I did live happily ever after. Four decades after we shared our first kiss we have endured. Sharing every joy and heartache that makes a marriage. A few years ago we stood before our family, extended and otherwise and we made our union legal. I’m still a lawyer.

            The little firm we started back in 1966 is not so little anymore. That doesn’t mean we stopped fighting for the little guy. Not knowing what she wanted to be when she grew up, Ginny spent several years as a professional student. Donating her time as a tutor for Framingham’s Women’s Correctional facility. Later she turned her brilliant mind to teaching closer to home at the local college.  She would have done it sooner but for many years she was worried that her past and sexuality would come to light and her teaching career would be over.

            Laurie never got her due. After a receiving a sizable check from the Brinkman Corp. Denise Turner suddenly changed her story. Jessup Bradford on the other hand was shocked by his wife’s actions and immediately filed for divorce. Dissolving their marriage took forever. Laurie wanted him to stay and he wanted his children kept away from her. I honestly couldn’t blame the man.  Jessup finally got what he wanted. He did allow Laurie to visit with her sons. Jessup turned out to be a decent guy. He even made certain that Ginny got to know her nephews. The boys became a part of our family.

            Laurie was furious and did everything she could to make Jessup pay. She also tried to turn her sons against their father. Thank goodness the boys were bright enough to figure things out. A few years after the divorce was final I helped Jessup take out a restraining order.  It was the only time in my life I found myself performing such an action against a woman. Jessup was out of options. Laurie refused to let go. Her fanatical behavior turned violent. Which didn’t surprise me one bit.

            Over the years her drinking problem became an addiction. Late one night in the summer of 1983 Ginny woke up in a cold sweat screaming. The next day we got the call, Laurie had died in a car accident. Her blood alcohol was almost three times the legal limit. The real tragedy was that Dwight’s four year old son was with her at the time. Laurie was selfish right to the end. Not only did her life end in tragedy she compiled it by taking her grandson’s life. Ginny had always kept a small part of her heart open for her sister. Hoping that one day they would find peace and forgiveness. The day we buried little Riley Ginny knew she would never find it in her heart to forgive Laurie.

            I never understood Laurie. If just once she accepted that things don’t always go your way so many things would have been different. Instead she chose to leave tragedy in her wake.  Long before Laurie’s death even her own father had turned against her. After that day in my office Warren Swenson did everything he could to make peace with Ginny. I give my wife credit, she forgave him. I don’t know if I could ever be that magnanimous. Granted they were never close. For Ginny her parents were Doris and Sam Druette. Nice folks if you ask me. Incase you are wondering we still live upstairs from Mom. The only rift has been recent. Mom still thinks she can tool around in the Chevy no matter how many times we try to explain to her it probably isn’t a good idea since she can no longer see over the dashboard.

            Mark Danes disappeared before he died of an overdose at the tender age of thirty-two. Margie never remarried instead she opted to a become a bitter old woman long before her time. Her oldest son Mark turned out okay. He’s a lawyer in fact he works at my firm.

            Loretta Marino after years of frustration finally quit the DA’s office and dropped out of sight. I ran into her once in the late seventies. She no longer practiced law. In fact she wasn’t really doing anything except enjoying finally being out of the closet. It took her long enough, but I have to say for the first time in her life she really seemed happy. I lost touch with her after that.

            Sandy, after her troubled childhood, is still clean and sober. She married that doctor she was dating back in ‘69. They adopted two children. Sandy decided not only to learn from her mistakes but to try and help others from following the same path. She works as a substance abuse counselor in the city.

            Sadly Evelyn and Wally didn’t have a happy ending. They were never blessed with children. By the time they started talking about adopting the strain had already taken its toll on their marriage. I still wonder if they could have made it if Evelyn had taken the advice she had offered to me time and time again. Even though each has remarried I get the feeling that they are still in love with the other.

            Linda is doing great. She emerged from the turmoil of the sixties stronger. She is a proud woman who up until her retirement last year was one of the best shrinks around.  She and her lover are spending their golden years traveling to all the places they’ve been talking about visiting for the last thirty years.

            Ron and Spencer are not only still together but still madly in love with the other. They raised five kids and now have twelve, count them twelve, grandkids. O’Keefe gang either work for Spencer at her very successful Private Investigator firm or at our law firm. Each and everyone is happy and healthy. A rare event these days.

            My kid brother, believe it or not, became a world renowned zoologist. So is his wife Becky. I knew from the get go she was a keeper. They’ve traveled the world usually with their three children in tow. Sam, Virginia and Harvey loved growing up the way they did and not a one of them followed in their parents footsteps. Harvey became a forensic investigator in New York. Sam the third runs his grandmother’s bustling real estate business here in town and Virginia like her namesake is a teacher in San Francisco. Hard to believe that not only did my creepy brother grow up to be a man that his father would be proud of, he is a great dad. Oh and a terrific granddad as well.

“1969 was your favorite year?” Ginny questions from behind me.

“Stop looking over my shoulder,” I chastise her.

“What about the year the Red Sox won the world series?” She teases me.

“Very romantic Sweetheart,” I laugh while I keep typing. “We’ve been in love with one another for fifty years and you think the high point is the Sox finally breaking the curse. We’ve seen so many things over the passing decades. Think about it; when we first moved in to this place you had to wait around for the phone installer. Just tonight at dinner our waiter’s pants started ringing.”

“It was rather rude of him to take that call,” Ginny grimaces. “Why not 1955 the year we met? Or 1956?  When we kissed for the first time. Made love for the first time.”

“Because 1969 was the year we finally got our act together,” I try to explain to her. “Have you finished packing?”

“Yes,” she nods dutifully. “I still can’t believe my father left me the cabin in Vermont. Pissed my mother off big time.”

“Which makes it all that much more enjoyable,” I can’t help grinning. Ginny’s mother is still the same. You’d think fifty years would chill her out. Sad to say it hasn’t. “Log off the computer Ellen. We have a long drive tomorrow.”

“Yes, Dear,” I smirk. In the morning we’re driving the Chevy up to that little cabin in Vermont. I’m excited.

            Neither of us has seen the cabin since that trip way back when. Plus a weekend away together is just what we need. I have a little confession. Fifty years may have come and gone but the passion burns just as bright. Every time I am around my lover I still feel like that nervous school girl standing under an oak tree waiting for her to kiss me. We’ve lived through the best, the worst and the absurd. Every morning I wake up knowing the best has yet to come. The next fifty years should be interesting.

The End

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