~ Cherish ~
by Ambrosia
Disclaimers can be found in Chapter One.
Feedback: You wanna send me some? Ah gee, thanks! Please send your comments to SumrBrezze@aol.com.
CHAPTER TWO
Excerpt from "All About Me", the autobiography by Jaden Connelly.
I remember the first time that I laid eyes on her. That day is still clear in my mind, as though it just happened yesterday. At the time I had no way of knowing that she would forever alter the course of my life. She became everything to me and it took a long while to realize that wasn't such a good thing. We were definitely not a match made in heaven.
Turning the page in the book, she tried to concentrate on the words but nothing was sinking in. She couldn't concentrate when she felt a steady pair of eyes watching her. Giving up, Jaden closed the novel, hurriedly finished the rest of her coffee and started to stand when a hand gently pressed on her shoulder. The look on her face showing her exasperation, the 18 year old glanced up into the smiling face of a stranger who she instantly wished wasn't a stranger.
Not able to communicate with words, she nodded when the person asked if they could occupy the seat across from her. Watching as the lanky form slipped into the chair, Jaden searched for something to say.
"What's your name?" The other woman asked in a husky tone, her voice holding a trace of a New York accent. Grabbing a stir stick from the small jar on the table, she stuck it between her teeth beginning to chew on the end of it while her gray eyes gazed into Jaden's face.
What was her name again? It started with a 'J'…Oh, yeah she remembered! "Jaden. Connelly."
The older woman stretched her arm across the table so that they could shake hands. Jaden was a little thrilled that she held on longer than what was necessary. "I love that name. Never met anyone named Jaden before. My name is Lucky Santino."
The college student's eyebrows rose. "Lucky? Is that your real name?" Lucky grinned around the skinny straw in her mouth.
"If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me that. No, it isn't and if you agree to try out for my band this coming Saturday I might tell you what it is." When Jaden gave her a questioning look she explained. "Okay, truth." Leaning back in the chair, Lucky pulled the straw from her mouth. "I already knew your name because the owner of this place introduced you last night when you performed here in the karaoke competition." She smiled. "Congrats on winning by the way. Anyway, the moment you opened your mouth I was captivated. You have such an amazing voice and Jaden I think that you would be a great addition to this band I'm the manager of. We just lost our lead singer, who got a swelled head and thought he could fly solo, so Saturday we're holding tryouts.
It's three guys so you'd be the only girl in the group, but I think they'll love your voice just as much as I do. How old are you? You go to the nearby university?"
Jaden nodded. "Yes, I'm a freshman there."
"So you're 18, 19?"
"18."
"Alright. You'll also be the youngest person in the group since the guy closest to your age is 25, but that's cool. Are you gonna come?" Lucky noticed the teenager's hesitance. "Aw, don't tell me no Jaden. Though I only had one year of college, I know that it's expensive and this is a way to put some extra money in your pocket. You'll be making more with our gigs than you will participating in karaoke contests." Standing, Lucky reached into the back pocket of her jeans for a folded flyer, which she dropped in front of Jaden. "That's the time, date and place where the auditions will be held. Agree to show up and I'll take you out on a date." Her full pouty lips lifted into a cocky grin.
"And what makes you think I'm interested in going out with you?" Jaden asked, trying to play it cool.
Lucky chuckled. "My signals are blaring and they are never wrong." Leaning on the table, she brought her face close to the student's. "Look me in the eyes and tell me that you aren't interested in me Jaden."
Before she could remember that she had decided to play it cool, Jaden answered, "Can't."
Her grin returning, Lucky straightened. "I'll see you on Friday. Pick you up here at 8."
"I thought the auditions were Saturday?"
"They are, but our date is Friday night. Have a great day." With a wink, she headed toward the exit.
Turning around in her seat, Jaden asked, "Why are you called Lucky? How did you come by that nickname?"
"Now I think it was in preparation for this day when I was fated to meet you. For that I'm lucky." Wearing a smile, she opened the door and walked out before Jaden had the chance to respond.
##########
Knocking on her friend's door, Georgie barely waited for her to answer with a 'come on in' before she opened the door, skipped inside and jumped on the bed, causing them both to bounce. A white envelope in her hand, she waved it in front of Vanessa's face. After inquiring what was in the envelope, it was placed into her lap. Smiling because she liked surprises a whole bunch, Vanessa pushed her portable CD player and headphones to the side before picking up the envelope, tearing it open.
Her mouth fell open when she noticed what lay inside. Two first row tickets to see Jaden Connelly in the last concert of her six-week tour. It was going to be held in Honolulu, Hawaii next Friday. Along with those tickets were a couple of roundtrip tickets for a flight heading to Hawaii next Thursday evening and returning to Los Angeles Monday morning.
"Wow, Georgie," Vanessa said, her voice soft and filled with wonder. "Are these for real?"
"No, it's a gag gift." She bumped her shoulder against Vanessa's. "Of course they're real! And you and I are going!" Excited, she bounced on the bed. That was until she noticed her friend's disconcerted expression. "What's wrong?"
"I can't go Georgie." Sadly putting the tickets back in the ripped envelope, she laid it next to the blonde.
"But I thought you told me that you had five days of vacation coming and that they started next Friday. I figured that we could leave Thursday night after you finished your shift."
"And we could have, but I've changed the date of my vacation. I'm working the entire weekend for Ellen because she and her husband want to go see their son who is away at school. It's parents weekend. She couldn't get the time off unless she found someone to cover for her and I volunteered because she's helped me out in the past. I'm sorry sweetie. I can't get out of it. If I could, believe me I would."
Georgie sighed. "I know you would. Jaden is in your top five."
"My top all star five!" Vanessa muttered a word she rarely used. She hadn't been to one of Jaden's concerts in over three years and would have loved to travel to Hawaii with her best friend to see one of her favorite musicians perform. She hated to pass this opportunity up.
Reaching into the envelope, Georgie pulled out a set and gave it to her friend. "I'm sure someone at the rehab center can put these to good use."
Vanessa nodded. "Okay. How much did you pay for them? I bet I can make you a profit."
"No, that's alright. Just give them to someone."
Hazel eyes widened. "What? Dude, I know you paid good money for these tickets. Don't give them away for free!"
Smiling, Georgie patted her knee. "Yes, for free unless you want to charge for them and keep the money for yourself. As far as I'm concerned they are still your tickets to do with as you please. Sell them or give them away. It's up to you Van. But I don't want anything in return."
"Aw, Georgie." The CNA sighed dramatically. "Now I have no choice but to hand over a roundtrip ticket to Hawaii and a so close you can feel her body heat Jaden Connelly concert ticket without charge. I wouldn't feel right taking anyone's money for them." Vanessa looked at the other woman with a mock frown on her face as she pointed a finger at her. "I want you to know that this is so totally not fair. Not in the least bit fair. You psyched me dude!"
Georgie could only laugh.
##########
"Ronnie, could I talk with you for a minute?" Vanessa asked as she walked into the nurses break room where her co-worker was seated on the couch eating a banana. They were the only ones in the room.
"Sure. Come sit next to me," the other woman pleasantly stated while peeling more of the banana's cover down.
Her busy feet thanking her as she reclined on the couch, Vanessa took a purple envelope from her pocket and handed it to her friend. "This is for you from Georgie and I. Happy birthday!" After deciding that she would give the tickets away instead of selling them, Vanessa immediately figured out whom she intended to give them to. She had two reasons for choosing Sharon McDaniel. The first being that June 14th, the day after the farewell concert was her 30th birthday. The second being that despite Georgie's objections at going on another date with her co-worker, Vanessa honestly thought that they could start something together if they really tried. They would make a cute couple.
Since their date, which took place last November, Sharon had made some changes. She was disheartened to learn that Georgie didn't care to go out with her again. Whereas the small blonde couldn't wait to be taken home, Sharon didn't want the night to end. Apparently, she had missed something so when Vanessa couldn't stand the hounding any longer, she explained as gently as she could on what her friend's opinion of Sharon and their date had been. And on that day, the LVN resolved to give herself a remake on the inside and out.
Sharon looked at her nickname scrawled across the front of the envelope and then at Vanessa. If her smile were any bigger Vanessa would have been able to view all of her thirty-two choppers. "Thank you so much Van. My birthday isn't until next week though. Should I wait until then to open it?" Her expression plainly showed that she rather open the card A.S.A.P.
"No, you should open it now."
"You sure?" Her banana forgotten, a finger was already working its way through a corner of the envelope.
Vanessa chuckled as she noticed. "Couldn't be surer."
Holding the tickets in her hand, Sharon read the touching card first before focusing on them. As though some invisible force had just lit a fire underneath her, she shrieked and jumped up from the couch. Her unbelieving eyes glanced between her co-worker and the tickets that felt and looked real enough.
"You and Georgie are sending me to Jaden Connelly's last concert in Hawaii next week?" When Vanessa answered that they were, she found herself pulled from the couch and wrapped in the LVN's robust embraced. "Oh my God, I can't believe this!" Letting her go, Sharon shook her head. "But I can't accept. This is a much too expensive gift. I got you a $50.00 gift card to Hollywood Video for your birthday. This must have cost you guys close to two thousand dollars if not more."
"Hey, I loved that gift card--I rented a lot of great movies with it. And actually Georgie purchased everything. She intended for us to go to the concert but I'm working next weekend, so we thought about who we could give the ticket to and your name came up." It was a lie but it was a good lie. At least, that was what Vanessa told herself. This was the perfect way to hook Georgie and Ronnie up. Sparks would have a chance to fly while they were in Hawaii together. "She doesn't want a reimbursement and I mentioned that you're a Jaden Connelly fan too, so…" Vanessa shrugged, "Happy birthday. You must accept. It would be rude not to dude!"
Sharon looked vaguely suspicious. "I thought Georgie didn't want anything to do with me."
"Obviously, that's changed. Ronnie please go. If you don't those tickets will go to waste. You have your birthday off, don't you?"
"Yes. I put in for Friday weeks ago and I already had Saturday and Sunday off. I had plans to take myself fishing but this…" Dark blue eyes showing evident longing gazed at the concert ticket.
"Much better than fishing isn't it?"
"I would choose getting to spend time with Georgie at one of my favorite musician's concerts over bass any day."
"Are you going then? Picture it. You and Georgie, the woman you've been crushing on for months now in Honolulu together. Anything could happen. Anything."
Vanessa was aware that she was sticking her nose where it definitely did not belong, but convinced herself that she was only trying to jumpstart her best friend's currently nonexistent love life. Georgie please don't kill me for this.
##########
Seated next to the window on American Airlines, Georgie flipped through a magazine she purchased in the gift shop as she waited for Vanessa's co-worker to show up. Her friend had given her tickets to a new CNA at the rehab center, which was the reason she insisted that Georgie never heard of her. She just hadn't spoken of her yet. The CNA's name was Rochelle Richards and according to Vanessa she was crazy about Jaden. Every room in her house (including the bathroom) held a poster of the popular musician.
The agent looked at her watch while shaking her head. Rochelle was late and unless she showed up within the next few minutes Georgie feared that she would miss their flight. As far as she could tell they were no longer boarding. She was about to reach for her cell phone to call Vanessa just in case she knew of her co-worker's whereabouts when out of the corner of her eye she spotted a passenger headed in her direction with a duffel bag in hand.
Smiling in relief, Georgie turned, her eyes trailing up a tall sinewy body until they landed on an all too familiar face. She hid her astonishment right before dark blue eyes glanced down at her, one of them winking. Grinning, the woman whose name was definitely not Rochelle, tossed her duffel bag into the overhead compartment before taking her seat next to Georgie. After noting the time she pretended to wipe sweat from her forehead.
"I didn't think I was going to make it. The taxi was late picking me up and then we were caught in traffic." She laughed. "You should have seen me sprinting through LAX. People probably thought I was a madwoman!"
It was then that Georgie noticed her accelerated breathing. "Are you okay?" She asked despite her confusion as to why Sharon was there. Enjoy your weekend with Craig, Van. It's going to be your last one.
Sharon waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, yeah. Fine." Reaching for her seatbelt, she buckled in. "So Georgie, how surprised are you to find me here?"
"Hmm?"
The LVN turned to her with a smirk. "You didn't know I was tagging along did you? I was under the impression that you knew I was in possession of the extra concert ticket. Vanessa explained that she couldn't go with you, so you both decided to give it to me for my birthday."
Just wait until I get my hands on you Van. "What do you mean? I was expecting you."
"Thanks for trying to spare my feelings, but I have my doubts you knew it was me."
Georgie shrugged. "I don't understand why. There's nothing to doubt."
"I don't like being lied to." She looked deadly serious. "I'm a big girl who is capable of handling the truth Georgie. Did you know that I was coming or not?" Realizing how brusque she sounded, Sharon's expression softened as she quietly added, "Please just tell me."
"No," the blonde replied just as quietly. "I wasn't aware that you were coming." The stewardess chose that moment to stop and ask for their beverage order. "Ginger ale if you have it please." Since her congratulatory date with Jaden, she had taken a liking to ginger ale. Thinking of the singer she had to smile. She couldn't wait until tomorrow arrived so that she could see her again. Nearly two months had passed since they last spoke.
"Coke for me thanks." When the stewardess moved on to the people behind them, Sharon refocused on Georgie. "It's too late for me to get off the plane, but I'm more than happy to pay you for the plane and concert ticket. Though our seats are next to each other at the concert it's not necessary for us to communicate if that's what you prefer."
"Sharon I was surprised to see you, but I'm not disappointed." As she spoke the words, it occurred to her that they were the truth. She had arrived less than ten minutes ago, but Georgie could tell already that there was something different about the LVN. A good kind of different. Sharon seemed more personable. "I don't want any money back." Barely giving her actions any thought, she leaned over and kissed the other woman's cheek. Now Sharon looked like the surprised one. "Happy birthday."
"T-th-thanks." She fell quiet for a few seconds, her skin tingling from Georgie's soft lips. She wished that she would be privileged to feel them again before the weekend was over. "So you want to hangout with me this weekend?" When Georgie answered the way she had hoped she would, Sharon beamed. "Great. I have to leave a day early though because I have to be back at work on Monday. My flight leaves Sunday morning at 10:00. But we'll still have tonight, Friday and Saturday together. I can't…" Sharon trailed off when she noticed green eyes studying her. "What?" She glanced down at herself. "Something wrong?"
Georgie shook her head. "Nothing is wrong. You just look different from what I remember."
The dark-haired woman grinned slightly. "Should I take that as a compliment or not?"
Although her jet-black hair was still short, it was much more stylish than the spiked 'do Sharon had sported last November. She had replaced the flannel shirt and ripped jeans with a pair of white bermuda shorts and a canary yellow sleeveless tank top. Boots not working with the outfit, she wore yellow canvas sneakers without socks. Adding a touch of jewelry, Sharon wore a delicate gold anklet on her right ankle. The tattoos hadn't been removed, yet they didn't detract from her simple beauty. "It's definitely a compliment."
Sharon's tingling cheek turned a light shade of crimson. "Thank you Georgie. I've been um," she grinned, "femming myself up. I uh, want to apologize for our date. I haven't gone out on many dates and I failed to show you--" She stopped speaking because the fingers covering her mouth effectively kept her lips from moving.
"Sharon let's not rehash that." Georgie put her hand back in her lap. "Instead, let's start anew. How does that sound?"
"Sounds great."
"How old will you be?"
"30 on Saturday. And you're 25 right? I recall Van saying that you two were the same age."
The blonde nodded. "Just turned it in March."
Her flirtatiousness being held captive on purpose, Sharon finally released it at that moment. "So do you have a thing for older women Georgie?" Her hands gripped the arms connected to her seat as the plane started to move. Take off was the worst part of flying for her.
An unbidden picture of a soaked and nude Jaden grinning as she emerged from the ocean entered her mind. That goddess. "As a matter of fact, yes. I most certainly do." Observing her companion's sudden nervousness, Georgie offered her a hand to hold on to. Sharon didn't let go until they were safely above the clouds.
##########
Proudly wearing her recently purchased T-shirt with Jaden's picture and name printed on it, Sharon sat next to Georgie in their first row seats. Georgie had brought one as well after discovering that 70% of the proceeds were going to the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, but instead of wearing it, the T-shirt was tucked beneath the strap of her fanny pack. It would be one of the gifts that she would give to Vanessa upon her return to California on Monday. She still fully intended to kill her for meddling in her personal life, but she couldn't very well show up bearing no souvenirs from Honolulu.
The concert taking place at the Aloha Stadium, which was the home of the University of Hawaii football team, Georgie and Sharon's seats were positioned as close to the field as possible. Though a portion of the 50,000-seat stadium was closed off, the remaining sections were packed. Eyes scanning the outdoor arena, the pair couldn't find one empty seat.
Proof of her excitement, Sharon was practically vibrating in her seat. Turning toward her new friend, she grinned. Her excitement was so contagious that Georgie found herself swiftly grinning back. It was official. She liked the LVN. Somewhere between their idle chatting on the plane last night and sightseeing and souvenir shopping today, she had begun to enjoy Sharon's company. In fact, she wanted to kick herself for not giving her another chance after their date last year. After Sharon dropped her off at home, she easily convinced herself that there was no point on going on a second date. Perhaps their date might not have resulted in a relationship, but at the very least they could have been friends all of these months.
Leaning toward Georgie and speaking in a voice low enough so that the person sitting next to her wouldn't overhear, Sharon said, "Van told me in confidence that you're Jaden's real estate agent. Is that true or was she just yanking my chain? You can tell me. I've had a lot of practice so I'm good at keeping secrets. Half the time I forget them anyway."
Georgie laughed. "It's true. I recently sold her a house." Sharon's excitement doubled before her very eyes.
"Cool. I won't ask the location because you probably can't tell me," the dark-haired woman replied as she grinned. "Are you friends or is it just a strictly professional relationship?"
I could be wrong, but I think skinny-dipping qualifies as more than a professional relationship. "We're more like acquaintances at this point."
"Does she know you're here?"
"I never told her I was coming to her final concert."
They spent the next few minutes talking until music playing followed by boisterous cheering turned their attention toward the stage where Jaden was walking out from behind a curtain. Georgie's jaw connected with her lap as she took in the performer's outfit. She wanted to stand up and salute her. Instead she joined in on the clapping as Jaden stopped behind the microphone with a broad smile on her face, bright eyes inspecting the vast audience as though she was searching for someone.
Obviously in a patriotic mood, she was wearing bell-bottom hip hugger camouflage army pants and an olive green halter style short-sleeved keyhole top, which showed off a teasing amount of cleavage and left none of Jaden's six-pack abs to the imagination. Her hair, shining and fanning around her shoulders was covered with a du-rag that matched her pants.
Have I mentioned that she's a goddess? Georgie silently asked herself. Unzipping her fanny pack, she pulled out her camera and quickly snapped a couple shots of Jaden. She would take the pictures to Wal-Mart to get them developed and enlarged to be placed on her bedroom wall. Her blonde head slowly shook in a response to such thoughts. Gee Georgie, are you obsessed much?
"Aloha Hawaii!" Jaden enthusiastically bellowed into the microphone. In reply, twenty thousand plus people screamed and clapped their hands until their palms were stinging. "Are you ready to party?! 'Cause let me tell you that I cannot wait to get started!" Thousands of fans agreed that they couldn't either. Glancing over her shoulder, she looked for the small group standing in front of the curtains and then turned back to the audience. "One evening back in April I had the good fortune of being in the right place at the right time where I met this surprisingly undiscovered talented band. After hearing them sing, I knew that had to change so I asked them to come on this tour with me and thank goodness they said yes.
"Without further ado, I would like to introduce you to Harmony!" Although they weren't familiar with a music group called Harmony, the crowd cheered them on as Jaden indicated for them to join her at the microphone so that she could properly introduce each member. The group had opened for her since the beginning of the tour and at every concert the audience warmly welcomed them. Unsurprisingly, each member was a jumble of nerves during the first couple of weeks because they weren't used to playing for such a large number of people, but their fears eventually quelled. Along with Jaden's encouragement, a major music magazine writing a favorable article on them helped to boost their confidence. Not to mention, it was amazing to read their names in print.
Twenty-two year old Jackson (Jack) Savage and his twin sister Mackenzie (Mack)--older than him by five minutes and seventeen seconds-- came up with the idea of starting a music group. Kelly Pruett, their friend since childhood who coincidentally was in the Madrigals choir during high school was interested in joining. There was no need for her to audition. The siblings were confident that she would make an incredible addition to the group.
To find Colin Lewis who was a year older than the three of them, they held auditions, which lasted until he sang on the second day while strumming his guitar. After he crooned the first stanza of Simply Red's Holding Back the Years, Jack, Mack and Kelly realized that they would be crazy not to end the auditions right there.
Finished with introductions, Jaden waved at the audience and then disappeared behind the curtains so that Harmony could do their thing. Jack settled behind the keyboard, his sister at the drums and Colin picked up his electric guitar while Kelly lowered the microphone until it was perfect for her height. Checking with each other to assure that they were ready, they proceeded to perform five songs, the fans excitement increasing with each one. Three of them they collectively wrote, one was a song that other musicians had made popular in the past and the last Jaden created especially for them about a week before they started the tour.
Once Harmony was through, beaming as they exited the stage Sergeant Connelly reappeared with the band that had been performing with her for most of her career. The crowd went absolutely crazy as she sang one hit after another--especially during the parts where she danced alone or with the accompaniment of backup dancers. The songs she performed went as far back as her first album close to ten years ago and throughout the concert she changed clothes several times to fit the themes applied.
At one point in the concert, Georgie lifted her camera to take yet another picture (she had three left). One eye squinting as she looked through the viewfinder, she followed Jaden as she strutted across the stage in a black leather catsuit, her rich voice telling the story of a woman who went from a cowered down soul to an independent powerhouse. The ladies in attendance particularly enjoyed that one.
Her eyes remaining on the musician, Sharon leaned toward her friend. "Wow. Are you checking out that outfit?"
"It's hot," Georgie replied with a succinct truth. Her finger hovered over the button to snap a picture, but she hadn't pressed it yet. She was waiting for the perfect moment.
Sharon nodded in agreement. "She reminds me of Emma Peel."
Lowering the camera, Georgie looked at her quizzically. "Who is that?"
The older woman seemed shocked that she had never heard of the famous and well-loved Mrs. Peel. "She was a heroine on the popular 60's television show The Avengers. A few years ago Uma Thurman played her in the film adaptation but in my opinion the movie was a half-assed insult to the long-lived series. Also, Uma Thurman couldn't hold a candle to Diana Rigg, who was the original Emma Peel. Ever heard of it?"
"I've heard of a movie called The Avengers, but I never knew who was in it or what it was about. Why does Jaden remind you of her?"
"They don't resemble each other, but Diana's character knew how to work a black catsuit too. It was part of the reason that she was famous. Meow!" Sharon grinned as the blonde chuckled.
Finishing her hit Liberated, which quickly climbed to the top of the charts and stayed there for ten weeks, Jaden waltzed up to the microphone thanking the audience for their applause. While she spoke, Georgie refocused her camera on her. Deciding that this was the perfect moment, she was about to press the shutter release button when those blue eyes seemed to look directly at her. Georgie's heart skipped a beat as Jaden lifted a hand and waved.
Surely, she hadn't spotted Georgie. Although she and Sharon were much closer to the stage than the majority of those present, had Jaden actually found her from her position on the stage?
Pulling the cordless microphone from its stand, she walked as close as she could to the edge of the stage, left hand lifting to shade her eyes from the bright lights. "Georgie? Is that you?" Thousands of people wondered who Georgie was and wanted to be this Georgie.
Amazed, Sharon smacked the blonde's arm. "She found you! How cool is that?" Speechless, Georgie stared toward the stage. "Aren't you going to answer her?"
Georgie didn't recall rising to her feet, but suddenly she was the only person in the audience standing. Feeling them, she tried not to think about all of the eyes trained on her. Someone thrust a microphone into her hand. Swallowing, she dropped her camera into her fanny pack before speaking into the microphone.
"Yep," she paused, a little startled to hear her voice carrying through the entire stadium. "It's me." Georgie could hear cameras flashing, but she didn't know where from since Jaden had her full and undivided attention.
"Hey you!" Jaden smiled broader than she was before discovering her real estate agent had come to watch her concert. "How are you doing?"
Was this really happening? Jaden was acting as though they were sharing a private conversation in a little café somewhere instead of in Hawaii's largest outdoor arena surrounded by listening ears. "Er, fine. And yourself?"
"Great! I'm glad to see you."
Despite her nervousness, Georgie had to smile. "I'm glad to see you too."
"Come here."
"What?"
Continuing to smile, the singer crooked a finger at her. "Please come join me on the stage. Every concert I like to pull someone on stage and sing a song to him or her. Tonight I choose you." Giving Georgie the opportunity to digest this information, Jaden looked out over the crowd. "Ladies and gents, I told my friend Georgie that I intended to refer people to her, so please indulge me in a little shameless plugging now."
Georgie's eyes grew to the circumference of saucers. As she smirked, Sharon's hand delivered another smack to the other woman's arm.
"Just acquaintances, eh?"
"Georgie is my real estate agent and I'm not biased when I say that she's the best real estate agent in the world!" Numerous people chuckled at that. "So if any of you need a Realtor from the Los Angeles area, you can find her at Martin & Samms Realty Inc. Trust me, she's incredible."
The blonde's entire face resembled Rudolph's nose as Jaden turned back to her, once again asking her to come on stage. That plug though worthy of a blush, was better than having a commercial. Not that she had ever had one, but if she had it couldn't possibly be better than what Jaden had just stated. An idea forming, Georgie pointed a finger at the LVN sitting beside her.
"Tomorrow is my friend Ronnie's birthday and being a huge fan of yours, I bet she would love for you to sing to her." Georgie grinned at Sharon's surprised expression. "So why don't I have her come there instead?"
When Jaden readily agreed to the idea, Sharon screamed like a little girl who just spotted a spider in her toy chest. As the singer asked her to come on stage (she actually spoke her name!) Sharon turned to Georgie and planted a solid kiss on her lips. Thanking her afterwards, Sharon was led to the stage by one of the crew members. There she was guided into a chair, almost missing it since her eyes were riveted on the sensual woman walking toward her in a black leather catsuit. It occurred to Sharon that it should be a sin to be that hot.
In case she hadn't said it before, meow!
Her coolness having skipped town the moment Georgie insisted that she join Jaden on stage, the brunette grinned the entire time Jaden performed her version of Happy Birthday. Kneeling in front of Sharon's chair, the singer had held her hand from beginning to end. The LVN made a mental note to never wash her right hand again. Once the song was through, the audience of their own accord wished Sharon a happy birthday. Her cheeks ached as she smiled in reply. This was her best birthday ever!
Beaming, Georgie snapped a picture of the two grinning women on stage. She had a feeling that Sharon would love to have a photograph of them together. Perhaps if she was still in contact with Jaden once they both returned to California, she could ask her to autograph it.
"Ronnie," Jaden started, still kneeling before the other woman, "now I'd love to sing a song of your choice. Do you have a request?"
She was swooning. She had never swooned a day in her life. "Any of your songs?"
The performer gave her the most dazzlingly smile. "Any of 'em."
It took less than ten seconds for Sharon to select one. "A Thousand Words. It's one of my favorites." The song being one of Jaden's romantic ballads, Sharon had played it repeatedly after she discovered her feelings for the young woman seated next to her empty chair. Her CD had been in danger of wearing out.
Getting the signal from the band that they were ready, Jaden stared into Sharon's eyes like she was the only person around. There went that pesky swooning thing again.
Meanwhile, Georgie snapped her last picture.
A thousand words could never
Explain to you how I feel
I could sit here and talk forever
But it all couldn't be revealed
Because my love runs much deeper
Than anything that is known about
Baby, you are my heart's keeper
My love you won't have to doubt…
##########
Before she left the stage, Jaden handed her two backstage passes. With their passes hanging from around their necks, Georgie and Sharon headed to where the party had already begun. Georgie immediately looked for Jaden, but with all the people milling about it was difficult to tell where she could be. Locating her first, Sharon pointed toward the woman seated across from a possible journalist holding a small tape recorder near the musician's mouth.
Appearing quite at ease, Jaden sat back in her chair with one long leg crossed over its twin while she animatedly spoke, occasionally laughing at something either she or the journalist said. Georgie realized that she could have just stood there for the rest of the night and simply watched her. Having other ideas, Sharon gently pulled her toward the conversing pair. They stopped ten feet back so as not to interrupt the interview. However, the moment she saw them, Jaden excused herself and walked over with a delighted smile lighting up her face.
"Hi Ronnie, hi Georgie. I've been looking for you two."
Sharon indicated her friend. "Georgie had too many ginger ales back at the hotel and then a super large diet coke here and had to take a potty break. I tried to warn her about all that liquid," Sharon continued, failing to notice the reaction she was getting from the shorter woman beside her. "But she wouldn't listen. Had to leave three times during your concert."
The blonde's cheeks were burning as she returned one of the LVN's smacks on the arm. She was mortified to find that Jaden was desperately trying to contain a chuckle. "Thanks for telling her I had to pee profusely," Georgie replied in a hushed tone.
Sharon shrugged, not completely understanding what the big deal was. Being a nurse at a rehab center, she dealt with bodily functions on a daily basis. "Don't be embarrassed. Everyone has to pee sooner or later. It's a natural and important thing. Jaden, when was the last time you peed?"
To her credit, Jaden didn't look at all ruffled by the inquiry. In fact, she looked as though she yearned to laugh more. "About half an hour ago actually."
"See Georgie?"
I can't believe we're standing here talking about urination of all things. She slowly nodded. "Uh huh. So, Jaden we don't want to keep you…"
The singer cast a grin her way. "Are you trying to get rid of me?"
Georgie returned the grin. "I wouldn't think of it."
"Very good answer." Jaden glanced over her shoulder at the waiting journalist. "Well I do have to get back to my interview and I have a few others after I'm done with her. If you ladies are still here by then we can get together for a bit." She smiled, indicating toward the left. "In the meantime, there's a highly gluttonous buffet in that direction. Please help yourselves. I've sampled already and there's some good stuff to eat." Reaching out, she gave Georgie's hand a brief squeeze and returned to the journalist.
Sharon gazed at her friend with raised brows. "I repeat, just acquaintances, eh?"
##########
Freshly showered and dressed in navy board shorts, a white tank top and an unbuttoned authentic blue Hawaiian shirt with dancing hula girls printed on the front, Jaden searched until she found the person that had been on her mind since finding her at the concert. Sneaking up behind the small blonde nibbling on a handful of cherries, she covered her eyes. Georgie jumped, nearly crushing the few cherries remaining in her palm.
"Guess who?" Was warmly whispered into her ear, causing her to shiver. She immediately knew who it was, but decided to play along.
"Um, Ronnie?"
"Nope."
The real estate agent gasped. "Jennifer Lopez!?! Oh my gosh. Pardon my forwardness, but may I squeeze your beautifully bountiful butt?" She could feel the form behind her shaking with laughter before she could actually hear it. Georgie grinned with mischief.
"Still nope though you may if you're a good little agent."
The blonde pretended to think. "Not J-Lo. Is it J-Co?"
"You got it!" Removing her hands, Jaden swiped a cherry, separating it from the stem with her teeth. Sitting next to her friend, she spotted a small paper cup containing cherry pits. Leaning over, she added another. Once she straightened, she noticed that Georgie was smiling at her. "Yes?"
"I like your hat." She tugged at the edge of the blue floral printed bucket hat. "It looks cute on you."
"Thank you Gigi."
She was given a curious look. "Gigi?"
Jaden chuckled, answering, "I've been thinking of nicknames for you. Just trying that one out for size. Only fair that you have one since you graced me with J-Co."
Georgie playfully rolled her eyes. "Of course."
"Anyway Gigi, you'll discover as you get to know me better that I'm a hat freak. I love wearing and collecting them and have been doing so since I was a kid. I have approximately 678 hats/head coverings. I had 676 when I arrived in Hawaii, but I've purchased two more." She tapped the hat on her head. "This is one of them."
"Wow! Very impressive. Where do you keep them all?" Doing further research she found out that Jaden had a birthday coming up next month, so Georgie now knew one item she would be buying her. She just hoped that it wouldn't be a duplicate.
"When I was living at the condo I had to put a lot of them in boxes, which I hated, but now that my superb real estate agent has found me my dream home, I'm converting one of the rooms into a hat room."
Her agent laughed and blushed concurrently. "Really?"
Jaden nodded. "Yes. I'll probably put my musical instruments in there as well, but it's predominantly the hat room."
Recalling the concert, Georgie thought about the singer's expertise with a guitar and keyboard. A two-time actress, singer, dancer, and an instrumentalist. Her goddess was so multi-talented. The blonde softly sighed. Obsessed and crushing on someone whom you can only dream of having. Why couldn't you be attracted to that lovely grocer who enjoys taking the extra time to pack your groceries with paper in the plastic? "How many instruments can you play?"
"Mainly just the guitar and piano, but I've dabbled in the drums and sex--I mean the sax." Her blunder made Jaden blush. "Saxophone."
Laughing, Georgie almost choked on the cherry in her mouth. "J-Co, care to tell me where your head is?"
It was time for a change of subject because discussing sex and anything closely related to sex was off limits since she was abstinent and had been for a decade. She wanted to think about it as little as possible. However, the last couple of months she had been thinking about it more than usual, yet Jaden didn't want to dwell on the reason why.
"Where's my head? You want to borrow my glasses? It's attached to my neck of course! At least it should be…" As though afraid her head was missing (which might have been true in a way) Jaden reached up and patted her cheeks, looking relieved afterward. "Oh, yeah. Still right where it should be. Thought I was going to have to take a trip to the lost and found." Laughing almost as hard as the last time, Georgie offered her the last cherry. Accepting, Jaden swiftly made it disappear while her eyes searched the crowd. "Where's Ronnie?"
"She's talking with the members of Harmony. I left them in the lounge."
Jaden smiled. Signing them on had been one of the best decisions she ever made. Though she was ecstatic over finishing her last concert, hanging with and getting to know the band these past six weeks had been terrific and she would miss it. "They're a great group of kids."
"Those 'kids' are only a few years younger than me."
"Guess that makes you a kid too." The agent threw a cherry stem at her, which didn't come close to touching her. Jaden's brow lifted. "See? That's proof that you're just a kid. Maybe that'll be your new nickname."
"Please don't. I like Gigi better."
"Hmm, it could work…"
"I won't throw any more cherry stems at you. I promise."
"Alright, I won't call you Kid then." Glancing at her watch, Jaden asked, "You want to get out of here?"
Georgie attempted not to look too enthusiastic over the invitation, yet she doubted that she succeeded. "What did you have in mind?" Like it really matters what she has in mind. If she wanted to go jumping into the nearest volcano, I'd be all for it.
"It's getting late and I'm kind of beat, so why don't we go back to my place for a non-alcoholic nightcap? We could try out the Jacuzzi. If you want one, I'll even give you a swimsuit to put on this time."
The words to most stick out for Georgie were 'my place' and 'Jacuzzi'. Of course, she realized that the invitation was completely G-rated, but that didn't stop her mind from imagining. "Let's go."
"You want to go ask your friend if she wants to join us? I'd be happy for her to."
I wouldn't. She felt like a jerk for thinking it, but it was the truth. Georgie reasoned that she and Sharon could spend tomorrow, the LVN's birthday together. Tonight she would love to share some quality and personal time with Jaden.
After finding a trash receptacle for their paper cup of pits, Georgie and Jaden walked to the lounge, hearing laughter before they reached the door. Inside, Sharon, another fan with a backstage pass, Shelly, a woman from the crew and the Harmony members were playing cards while talking as though they were old friends. The newest arrivals slipped into the chat for a good fifteen minutes before asking Sharon if she wanted to go with them to Jaden's villa.
Her turn to shuffle, Sharon gathered all of the cards and began to thoroughly mix them. "No, you enjoy yourself Georgie. I'm having fun here." She smiled and the blonde could have kissed her. "I'll meet you later at the hotel." She smiled further when Georgie leaned down to kiss her cheek.
Opening her fanny pack, Georgie pulled out the key belonging to their rental car and gave it her friend and temporary roommate. "I'll see you later then."
##########
"What can I get you to drink?" Jaden inquired as she headed into her large gourmet kitchen with the younger woman close behind. Opening the refrigerator, she named every beverage she found there.
"Tea sounds good."
"Good choice. That's what I was going to have," the singer replied as she grabbed the pitcher of raspberry iced tea that she made yesterday. After pouring them each a glass, they headed into the living room where they could easily view the ocean since the walls mostly consisted of glass.
Kicking off her shoes and advising Georgie to do the same, Jaden settled sideways on the couch with her legs folded up on the cushion. Facing her, Georgie sat Indian style.
"What should we talk about G?"
The blonde snickered. "So it's just G now?"
Grinning, her friend nodded. "For now."
Taking a sip, Georgie stretched out an arm to place the glass on a coaster. "Tell me more about your family."
"Well you know that Heather is my only sibling." The blonde nodded without comment. "She and Tom gave me three incredible children to indulge, which is a favorite hobby of mine. Sure I get lectures from big sis concerning my spoiling them rotten but one look at their adorable faces and I reason they are worth those lectures." Chuckling, Georgie asked if she had any pictures. Lifting the flap of the deep side pocket on her shorts, Jaden extracted her wallet. "Although I'm partial to MasterCard, much like American Express I never leave home without them."
Pointing to the first picture in her wallet, which was of an older couple with their arms wrapped around each other as they displayed huge smiles for the camera, Jaden explained, "These are my awesome parents Rachel and Kevin. They have been together for 40 years and have been happily wed for 36 of them. One of those high school sweetheart couples."
"That's amazing." Georgie smiled while observing the picture. "You look a lot like your Mom--she's gorgeous. And your Dad is a handsome fellow. Tall too!" She reckoned that Rachel probably had to stand on her tiptoes to lay a kiss on his lips.
"He's 6'5" I think and Mom being 5'5" standing next to him, makes him look only that much taller." Jaden flipped to the next picture of a younger couple. Georgie had already figured out who they were before she named them. "This is Heather and her husband Thomas. They met at a dental convention and it was love at first bite. Their little joke, not mine." As her friend laughed, she moved on to the picture across Heather and Thomas's. "My oldest nephew Nate--he's 11. It's obvious that he's going to be tall like his Daddy and Grandpa. He's one of the tallest kids in his class."
"And his Aunt Jaden."
"In that case you can add his Mom too. Heather is just an inch and a half shorter than me."
Georgie looked at her incredulously. "An inch and a half? You're already tall and you're going to tag on a half? Talk about being greedy. Really J-Co!"
Once she recovered from her laughing fit, Jaden explained, "But I really am 5 feet and 10 ½ inches. I'm not being greedy--it's just the plain and simple truth."
The real estate agent pretended to have an attitude. "Whatever."
"You want me to go find a tape measurer?"
"Aw, it's not necessary." She pointed toward the wallet. "Please continue. I want to see the remaining two adorable little ones."
"You got it." Jaden showed her the photograph of a little girl who could be an indication of what Jaden or Heather looked like as young children. "My one and only precious 8-year-old niece Isabel. We mostly call her by her nickname Bell."
"Bell. That's so cute and so is she. Identical bright blue eyes and dark hair like her Mom and Aunt. I'm in love with those dimples in her cheeks."
"Heather, Mom and Mom's sisters have those deep dimples too, but they skipped over me." 'Saddened' by this fact, Jaden stuck out her lower lip.
"Ya know what?" Jaden looked up at Georgie, waiting to hear what what was. "You're perfect without them." She watched the older woman's cheeks color. "You should wear red more often."
Her boo-boo lip instantly disappearing, the singer flashed a smile. "No wonder I want to be your friend. You're so sweet." After the words left her mouth she could have threw Georgie's wearing red comment back at her, but she decided not to. "The last gentleman I have to show you is Miles who just turned three last month." Georgie oohed and ahhed over him. "He only looks sweet," Jaden kidded.
The blonde laughed at that. "Behaves like a true toddler?"
"Oh yeah. But I can't wait until he and his siblings come to visit me for a week. School for Nate and Bell is officially out for the summer and someone convinced Heather and Tom to take a 5-day cruise starting next Sunday so I can get the chance to baby-sit."
"Gee, I bet that I might be able to guess who that someone was." Georgie's lips curved upward into a grin.
"You might." Snapping the wallet closed, Jaden dropped it back into her pocket. "I'd be happy to share stories about my family with you later, but I'd like to know more about yours. You haven't spoken about them."
"You have a beautiful family Jaden."
"Thank you. You'll meet them if you come to my housewarming party."
"I'd love to come." Needing something to do, Georgie picked up her glass, drinking deeply from it.
"And I'd love for you to be there. So what about your family? Let's start with sisters and brothers. You have any?"
"When do you think you might have it?"
"Not sure yet. I want to decorate first. Are you stalling?"
"Is that what you think?"
Jaden smirked. "I get the impression you don't want to discuss your family and if my impression is correct then you don't have to. Just tell me and I'll back off. We'll talk about something else. There are plenty of subjects."
Georgie thoughtfully gazed into her glass. Emptying it, she placed it back on the coaster and shook her head. "No, I don't want you to back off. You shared with me a week after we met. I can and will do the same. Right now."
Thinking that this might take a while, Jaden comfortably settled against the arm of the couch, her eyes on troubled green ones. "Are you sure you want to do this? Georgie I won't be upset if you want to decline. I understand."
"My family isn't something that I love talking about, but I really want to share with you." When Jaden appeared unconvinced, she added, "I honestly do."
"Okay," the word was softly uttered.
"First, the answer to your question about siblings is no. I'm an only child." The blonde sighed. "As for my family…well…everything was fine with them up until I was 16…"
Summer of 1994
Finished reading the back cover of the latest CD Vanessa had purchased earlier, Georgie looked at her friend who was sprawled across her bed reading a magazine. Evidently the article she read must have been enthralling since Georgie had to call her three times before she answered.
"I'm going to tell them. Today."
Vanessa raised a brow. "Tell what to who?"
"Mom and Dad," she paused, looking nervous. "About me." When her best friend continued to look confused she added, "You know. What I confided in you two years ago."
Losing interest in the magazine, Vanessa shoved it to the side and sat up on her bed. "Today?"
"Today." She glanced toward Vanessa's alarm clock. "Like now. I'm going over there now. They should both be home." Georgie started to rise when the other teenager slid on the carpet next to her.
"What changed your mind? I thought that you didn't want to tell them until you were like 30."
"I don't want to hold this in any longer. Every time Mom brings up my someday meeting a nice man who I'll have babies with I cringe inside. I mean I want babies but not with a man. No offense to guys, I think they're cool--"
"Some of them," Vanessa interjected, thinking of her last boyfriend. Their relationship had lasted two weeks before he decided that he rather go out with that bimbo head cheerleader.
The blonde had to smile. "Yeah, some. But I don't want one you know…that way. And it's time that I stop being a coward and just come out with it." An arm wrapped around her shoulders.
"I'm proud of you Georgie. We'll take my car."
"Van I'm so grateful for your support, but I have to do this on my own."
"Are you sure? I could at least drive you over and wait in the car."
"Nah, you don't have air conditioning so it's too hot to wait out in your car and I have no idea how long I'll be. After we're done talking I'll come back here and let you know how it went."
##########
She hardly ate any of dinner because her stomach was all twisted in knots for her friend. Nora, her mother had asked what was wrong but Vanessa didn't want to reveal the true reason she couldn't eat until Georgie was ready to let others know. It had been over an hour since Georgie left. Vanessa was planted on the couch peeking out of the window looking out to the front yard. From this point she would able to see the exact moment her friend pulled up.
Two minutes later, the used red Toyota stopped next to the curb. Bolting from the house, the curly-haired brunette nearly tripped on the stairs in her haste to get to Georgie. The moment she arrived at the car she could tell that something was very wrong. Much like a statue, Georgie remained behind the wheel staring straight ahead through puffy and reddened eyes.
Her heart breaking, Vanessa opened the door and unfastened her friend's seatbelt without a word. Blinking, Georgie turned to her but kept her mouth shut as well. With the brunette's help she exited the car and they headed into the Martin household. Heading up the stairs, the only person they saw was Vanessa's 12-year-old brother Todd who sent them both curious looks.
Pointing toward the blonde, he asked, "What's wrong with Georgie?"
Opening her bedroom door, Vanessa ushered the teen inside. "She'll be okay. She's just not feeling too well right now."
Dropping his annoying little brother routine he replied, "Oh, that's too bad. Anything I can do to help?"
Vanessa didn't hide her surprise at the genuine question. Maybe there was hope for Todd yet. "No, but it means a lot that you asked. See you later." Walking inside, she softly closed the door.
Sitting at the foot of the bed, Georgie stared at the carpet. The bed bounced a little as Vanessa occupied the space next to her. "Babe what happened?"
Georgie shook her head as though she couldn't believe what she was about to say. "They didn't react well. I thought they would be disappointed. I mean, they're passionate Republicans," she tried to joke but her heart wasn't in it. "But…they…" Shaking her head again, her vision started to blear. She wished that this was all a nightmare or at least that she had the ability to rewind back to the moment she decided to tell her parents that she was a lesbian. Then she could push play and change her mind about doing so.
"What happened?" Vanessa prompted, her voice as soft as she could make it. Slipping her hand into Georgie's she was alarmed by how cold and clammy the other girl's palm felt. She whispered something, but Vanessa couldn't understand it.
Raising her head, the blonde gazed into eyes that were just as bleary as hers. "I said they don't want me. They put me out. They…they told me I was…" tears escaped from her eyes, "dead to them if I refused to get help. Like being a lesbian is some goddamned sickness!" Standing, Georgie stormed toward the only window in the room where Vanessa's desk was located. Leaning against the wall, she stared out of the window not really noticing the two children racing their bicycles down the darkening street. "They looked at me so coldly and with such disgust. I never knew my own parents could be so cruel. How could they be so cruel?"
Vanessa heard the wheezing that followed from across the room. Racing toward Georgie, she was able to catch her as she collapsed to the floor, her body shaking as tears flowed freely. Sitting behind her friend, Vanessa wrapped her arms around her middle. Her chest rapidly moving, Georgie continued to wheeze, each breath becoming harder to take.
"They hate…me…"
Vanessa tried to soothe her by gently rocking them. "No, Georgie they're your parents. They love you. This just has to sink in is all. Sweetheart, calm down. Where's your atomizer?"
"Don't…have…it." Her hands clenched. It was difficult to breathe and to speak because some unknown force was pushing on her chest. "In purse…at…home." Georgie's sobs increased when she realized that she actually didn't have a home anymore. Her 'loving' parents kicked her out of her home at sixteen. She desperately wanted to wake up. This had to be a nightmare.
Vanessa's hand began to lightly rub her aching chest and when she spoke there was fear in her voice.
"Georgie, please try to calm yourself. Everything is going to be all right. Just breathe. Relax and it'll get easier."
When Georgie's asthma attack only worsened, Vanessa screamed for her mother. Nora dropped and broke the dish she had been drying when she heard the frantic call. Not caring about the mess, she hurried up the stairs to her daughter's room where she found the door already open. Todd had arrived there first. He was standing just inside the door staring through blurry hazel eyes at the two girls rocking together on the carpet. His immediate thought upon throwing open the door was that Georgie was feeling much worse than his sister had led him to believe. She looked like she was dying.
Though Nora had already figured it out, Vanessa explained to her that her friend was having a severe asthma attack. With assuring words, the mother grabbed the phone from the nightstand and dialed 911. While on the phone, she pulled her son into a one-armed hug. The operator informed Nora that the ambulance would be there in a few minutes. Wanting to get Todd out of the room before he completely fell apart, she asked him to go wait downstairs for the ambulance. One last glance at his sister and the girl who made him realize that not all girls had cooties, he ran out to complete his task.
"Mom, her lips are turning blue!" Tossing the cordless on the bed, Nora hurried to them and kneeled on the floor. Georgie's lips were turning blue, as were the tips of her fingers. Her eyes were open yet she wasn't focusing. She was barely making a sound now, which most likely meant little or no air was moving through her bronchial tubes. Both Nora and Vanessa called her name. She didn't respond.
"Mom…" Vanessa couldn't keep control her tears any longer. Georgie had suffered asthma attacks before, but none of them had even been half this bad.
"Van, honey, don't worry. I have an idea. Help me lay her on the floor." Carefully, they placed Georgie on her back. Informing her daughter that she was about to perform CPR, Nora recalled the class she took years back. Gently tilting Georgie's head, she pinched her nose closed and proceeded to expel one breath into her mouth every five seconds until the ambulance arrived.
##########
The doctor assured them that Georgie would be fine and that he wanted to keep her overnight for observation. Her peak flow level was up and the medication given to her was properly working. She was resting now but the Martins were allowed to go visit. Telling her mother that she had to go to the restroom and would meet her in the hospital room in a few minutes, they hugged before Vanessa headed down the hall. Having driven to the hospital, she patted the keys in her shorts pocket as she bypassed the restrooms.
She had just reached the exit when she noticed her father coming inside. It was too late to hide. He had already seen her. His brow crinkled with worry, the man walked toward her.
"How's Georgie?" Working late at the office, he received a call from his wife concerning his daughter's best friend of three years and left immediately.
"We just got word that she's fine Dad. You can go visit with her. Mom and Todd are there."
"And where are you going?"
"I'll be back shortly. I have to go get her some clothes and tell Mr. and Mrs. Franklin what happened."
Jacob frowned. "They don't know yet?"
Vanessa was livid but tried not to show it. Her mother had attempted to call Georgie's parents but suddenly they couldn't be reached. Well, now she was going over there. And not just to pick some of her friend's belongings.
"No, we couldn't get them on the phone. I think in person is better anyway."
"I'll go with you."
"No Pop. You stay here. Todd could use his dad right about now. When he saw Georgie gasping for breath, it really shook him up."
Jacob was suspicious and he knew that he had a valid reason to be. She was up to something. "Then take Mom with you."
The teenager blew out a loud breath. Dang it all to the devil's dwelling! Why did her parents have to be so intuitive at the most inopportune times? "Okay. Why don't you go get her for me? I have to go to the bathroom."
Jacob bit the inside of his lip to keep from smirking. Did this kid think he was born yesterday? "Alright." Before Vanessa had the chance to blink, her keys were dangling from her father's fingers. "Mom will meet you here in oh say… five minutes should be enough time for you to potty." He continued into the hospital while Vanessa stood there gawking after him.
And then she smiled 'cause she had a brilliant idea.
Seventeen minutes later, she pulled into the driveway of the Franklin house. Lucky for her, her dad kept an extra emergency key in a magnetic case underneath his car. Walking up to the front door, she knocked and then pushed the doorbell twice. Either they opened the door or she intended to knock it open like the many times she saw police do it on television. She didn't have to resort to breaking their door though. Mrs. Franklin promptly answered. The blonde woman was devoid of her usual pleasantness.
"Yes Vanessa?"
"My mother has been trying to call you for over an hour."
"John and I have nothing to say about Georgina Anne." She intended to close her door, but Vanessa's foot stopped her.
"You have nothing to say?" Vanessa's expression was filled with bewilderment. She watched as John came to stand behind his wife. "What about you Mr. Franklin? You have nothing to say about your daughter being admitted to the hospital because she had a severe asthma attack?" Tears rushed into her eyes as she recalled holding her friend while she struggled to breathe. "It was so scary…she could have died," her voice broke on the last word. To her amazement, they didn't appear any more sympathetic. Vanessa might as well have been discussing someone they had never met before.
"Vanessa please leave," Georgie's father replied, sounding weary. "This isn't any of your business."
She hadn't wanted to cry in front of them, but she was powerless to stop the dam from bursting open. "God! What is wrong with you people? This is your daughter I'm talking about!"
"We no longer have a daughter," Tina responded in a hardened voice. "No daughter of ours would be that way. The life Georgina Anne wants to live…we want no part of it."
Vanessa quickly glanced at her husband. Obviously, he was in full agreement with her. She remembered Georgie's earlier question and repeated it to herself. How could they be so cruel? She shook her head in disbelief. Until that moment she hadn't realized just how lucky she was to have Jacob and Nora Martin as her parents. If she came out to them, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that they would never react this way.
"She's hurting. Doesn't that matter to either of you?" Vanessa knew the answer before they spoke.
"She's the cause of her own hurt. If she continues down this path, she will do it alone."
"No, she won't. She'll have me, my mom and my dad." Her lower lip quivering, she ran a hand across her face, trying to erase the tears. "We love her no matter what."
"Did you corrupt her?" John asked, slightly changing gears.
Vanessa's hazel eyes widened. "What kind of question is that?"
He looked down at her suspiciously. "I want to know if you corrupted her. The two of you spend an awful lot of time together. Always having those sleepovers and when you're not together you're on the phone. Did you have something to do with her becoming a…one of those people?" He couldn't even utter the word.
"Gay. The correct word is gay Mr. Franklin and no corrupting my best friend isn't a hobby of mine." Vanessa angrily thrust her hands into the pockets of her shorts because she was one step away from punching their lights out. John and Tina's ears should have burning considering she was calling them by every despicable name she could think of in her mind. "And it's not possible to become gay. You just are, whether you want to be or not. Why would Georgie choose to be gay and then 'stay' gay after you decided to kick her out?"
"I'm giving you one more chance to turn around and leave," John said, ignoring the teenager's retort. "If you don't take it, I will call the police to remove you from my property."
"I don't give a damn!" Vanessa exploded. The Franklins neighbors across the street might have heard her, yet she didn't care. Every shred of calmness she had left faded into the abyss as her infuriated eyes concentrated on the couple. "Go ahead and call the police and then I can tell them how you kicked your 16-year-old daughter out because she had the courage to come out to you! She's been holding this inside for two years. It's been eating her up and she finally decides to share it with you only to have you treat her like she's dirt! How dare you." Pulling her hands out of her pockets, Vanessa pointed a shaky finger at them as a steady stream dampened her cheeks. "You're the disgusting ones, not Georgie!"
In her attempt to shut the door, Tina slammed it against the toe of Vanessa's shoe, but she still refused to move it although she yelped in pain. "Go away," the woman's tone was just as angry as Vanessa's. "You are not welcome here."
"Fine with me 'cause it'll be a cold ass day in hell before I wanna come here again!" She heard a car approaching and figured it was her parents, but the girl didn't look to confirm. "Just let me get some of Georgie's clothes and her asthma medication and then I'll be happy to leave."
"Nothing in this house belongs to her," John frostily replied.
"It's bad enough that you didn't care enough to ask me how she's doing after her asthma attack, but now you refuse to let me get her atomizer? Keep this up and you'll have me thinking that you actually want her dead. Maybe I should be the one calling the police."
Jacob rushed to the door with his wife following. He placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder, but she didn't spare him a glance. "Try putting a plastic bag over your heads for a few minutes and then you'll have a taste of what Georgie went through! She was desperately trying to breathe and it's all because you two had to act like a couple of bastards!"
"Van," Nora spoke her name.
The teenage turned to her mother, bringing tears to her eyes as she observed her daughter's tear streaked and reddened face. "I just want some of Georgie's clothes and her medicine, but they refuse to let me enter."
"I understand sweetheart, but calm down," Nora responded in a soft voice as she pulled Vanessa against her. "John, Tina, just let us pack Georgie a few things and then we will leave," Nora pleaded although she was seething inside. She knew the reason the young girl had an asthma attack. Vanessa told her everything earlier at the hospital while they waited to be updated on Georgie's condition. When she relayed the information to her husband it was the first time she remembered him threatening to do another person bodily harm. In fact, she almost asked him to stay at the hospital while she drove here to pick up their daughter, but then realized it probably wouldn't have done any good. Nora just prayed that he kept his hands to himself although her palm itched to slap the bigoted couple before them.
"Georgie has been a part of our family for three years, we love her like she was our own daughter and she is more than welcome to live with us," Jacob added, making Nora and Vanessa so very proud.
To their surprise, they were allowed access but only for five minutes and then they had to leave with whatever they had collected. Jacob muttered a word that sounded suspiciously like 'assholes' as he walked inside the spacious home. Walking next to him, Vanessa softly chuckled.
She seconded that.
##########
"Morning babe," the teenager greeted, trying to sound cheery. She hadn't gotten the chance to talk with her friend last night since she slept through the entire night. Vanessa supposed that she needed the rest. Having slept in a chair, she stood and stretched, wincing when her neck cracked as she moved her head from side to side. Spending the night as well, her father had left about thirty minutes ago to get ready for work. Nora went to pick Todd up from a friend's house, where he stayed the night although he had wanted to be at the hospital.
Georgie fingered the oxygen mask covering her nose and mouth. She lifted it so her words wouldn't sound muffled. "Hi," she quietly replied, not sounding in the least bit cheery. "What time is it?"
"6:37. How are you feeling?"
"My chest doesn't hurt anymore and I can breathe." Her eyes tearing up, the blonde looked toward the blind covered window where the sun's rays were peeking through. "My heart hurts though." She paused, feeling a tear fall down her cheek. "They didn't come, did they?"
There really wasn't a gentle way to answer that. "They didn't, but Georgie you will always have Mom, Pop, even bratty Todd and I on your side. We love you so much. And when you're released from the hospital, which will hopefully be today, you have a home. The Martin casa is always your casa. I think Pop already has a key for you. You and I must go shopping for a brand new ring to put it on." When her friend started to cry, Vanessa eased out of her shoes, being careful with the one encasing her aching toes. Crawling into the bed, she spooned with Georgie and wrapped an arm around her middle. "Honey, everything is going to work out fine. You'll see. I know you're upset right now and with good reason, but you are surrounded with so much love."
Turning around with some effort, Georgie hugged her, her tears wetting Vanessa's neck. "I love you too. And Nora, Jacob and even bratty Todd." They both managed a chuckle.
"Thank you," Georgie softly said.
Vanessa kissed her cheek. "You're family babe."
##########
"I'm loving Vanessa even more," Jaden commented after the other woman finished her story.
Georgie broadly smiled, despite having just rehashed the night her relationship with her parents ended. Although their rejection still hurt and she figured it always would, she no longer missed or needed to have them in her life. If Georgie happened to walk past John and Tina on the street, she could simply keep walking without trying to beg them to say two words to her.
"In my opinion, she's the best best friend a girl could have, but don't mention that to her because I don't want her getting a swelled head."
Jaden chuckled. "Promise I won't." She squeezed Georgie's hand. "I'm so sorry about your parents reaction. You haven't spoken with them since?"
"The last time I attempted to was a week before my high school graduation. I went over to invite them and they basically told me that they weren't interested. So, I told them that if I didn't see them until twenty years later it would be too damn soon. Then I walked away half hoping that they would stop me."
"They don't deserve you. You're much too good for such ignorant people."
"Stand up please."
Though having no clue why Georgie wanted her to stand up, the musician did it anyway. She smiled when the younger woman embraced her. She squealed when a hand squeezed her right buttock.
Jaden quickly stepped back, noticing the unapologetic grin on her friend's face. "Wh…what…you doing?" She smoothly inquired.
"I specifically remember you stating that if I was a good little agent that you would let me squeeze your beautifully bountiful butt. You just referred to me as good." She had the nerve to slip on an innocent expression as she shrugged. "I thought that was your cue to proceed."
Quickly recovering, Jaden laughed. "I can't argue. You're right."
##########
"So this is it," Georgie said, lightly tapping a lone finger against the door leading into hers and Sharon's hotel room. She wanted to invite Jaden inside but figured that their pleasurable evening had to end at some point. 1:48 in the morning was the point.
"Yep." Jaden smiled at her. "If you haven't already made plans, why don't I take you and Ronnie out to lunch or dinner tomorrow?"
"That would be great. I'm sure she'd like that."
"You have your cell phone with you?" When Georgie replied that she did, Jaden added, "Then I'll call you in the morning with the details."
Once they shared their last hug for the early morning, Jaden tugged on the brim of her bucket hat and winked. "See ya later little lady."
The agent's lips curved upward. Jaden could be so cute. "See ya J-Co."
##########
Finishing her swim of 30 laps (one for each of her years), Sharon returned to the room feeling cozy underneath a robe that the hotel supplied. Wanting to rinse the chlorine from her body, she headed toward the bathroom. Opening the door, she abruptly stopped as her eyes took in the outline of the nude form behind the foggy glass shower door. If only she had been blessed with X-ray vision.
"Ronnie?" Georgie slid the glass back enough for the other woman to see her soapy face. "Hey you." She smiled. "Happy birthday!" She noticed Sharon's slicked back hair. "What have you been doing? I thought you were still asleep."
"Thank you for the birthday greeting and I went down to try out the pool. It was the perfect temperature and I had it all to myself." She looked sheepish. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were in here."
"That's fine. You want to take a shower?" Sharon nodded, for a silly moment wondering if Georgie would invite her inside. "Okay. Just give me about ten minutes."
Oh, well.
"Take your time." Leaving, the brunette closed the door behind her. She was headed to her room to pick out something to wear when she heard a knock on the door. Veering to the right, Sharon answered, surprised by the visitor on the other side. "Oh!" She hoped that she wasn't grinning like an idiot. "Good morning."
The visitor smiled back. "Good morning and happy birthday to you."
"Thank you very much." Needing something to do with her nervous hands, Sharon loosened and then retightened the ties belonging to her bathrobe. "I know I mentioned it last night, but I just want to tell you again what an amazing concert you put on. You gave an incredible performance." After she was graciously thanked, Sharon asked, "Did you want to speak with Georgie? Please come on in." She moved so that she was no longer blocking the entrance. "She's taking a shower but she'll be out soon." Reaching up, Sharon tucked a lock of wet hair behind her ear.
The other woman didn't budge. "Did I come at a bad time? I'm sorry, I should have called."
"No, of course not. Georgie will be happy to see you." Sharon smiled. "I know I am."
Jaden returned it, but hers didn't seem quite as bright. "Could you do me a favor?"
"Sure."
"Could you not let Georgie know that I was here?" Wanting further explanation, the LVN looked at her quizzically. "I just remembered that I have to meet someone within an hour and it's important that I keep that appointment." Chuckling, Jaden shook her head. "I forgot to bring it and I'm loss without my palm pilot. So could you just keep this between us? I'll get in touch with her later."
Although she still questioned why the musician wanted to keep her brief visit a secret, Sharon nodded her compliance. "Okay. I won't tell her."
"Great. If I don't see you again before you go back to California, it was nice to meet you Ronnie."
Reaching for her hand, Sharon shook it. "And it was terrific to meet you Jaden and to have you be one of the first people I see on my birthday is like opening a dozen wonderful presents. I'll never forget this moment."
"Wow." Jaden fully smiled, on the verge of speechlessness. "It's your birthday and you just made my day. I hope that you and Georgie enjoy your special day together. If you're into marine life, I recommend visiting the Waikiki Aquarium. Some awesome exhibits there. It's within walking distance of your hotel. I think only a block or two. Also, there are many other attractions around this area. Hawaii is a beautiful place."
"Yes, it is and Georgie and I look forward to exploring it more today. Thank you for the recommendation. We'll check out that aquarium."
After they said their final goodbyes, Sharon closed the door just as Georgie wrapped in a robe identical to hers, walked out of the bathroom with steam tagging along behind her. Looking at her friend standing in front of the door, she asked her if someone had knocked.
Sharon came up with a quick and reasonable sounding fib. "Room service had the wrong room."
"Oh." Georgie covered her damp head with a towel. "Well speaking of food, birthday girl do you want to order room service or go out for breakfast? Of course, whatever you decide it's my treat." She winked with a smile on her lips.
This morning she had a wonderful swim and then she was able to briefly speak with Jaden Connelly face to face and now the woman of her dreams wanted to treat her to breakfast. If not for Georgie and Vanessa, she would have been at her small cabin right then alone with the highlight of her day being spent fishing--alone. The day had only begun and already it was more than she could have ever wished for.
"Go out?"
"There's a restaurant called Eggs 'n Things close by. I've heard that the pancakes are out of this world. We can go there if you want."
Sharon smiled. As long as Georgie would be joining her, Eggs 'n Things would be the perfect place to get a meal. "I'm in. Could we go to the Waikiki Aquarium afterwards? I've heard a good thing or two about it."
"It's a date."
##########
"What time did you get in last night?" Sharon asked while they enjoyed a late 3 o'clock lunch or early 3 o'clock dinner. They had yet to decide. It depended on how hungry they were later. "I tried to wait up for you, but by 11:30 I had to call it a night. Almost fell asleep before my head touched the pillow." Smiling, she asked their waitress for a beverage refill as she passed by their outdoor beachfront table.
"Morning actually," Georgie replied, swallowing a mouthful of her smoked salmon. "Close to 2 o'clock." She tried to conceal a frown. Though she stated that she would, Jaden had yet to call her. Several times, Georgie had checked her cell phone to ensure that it was turned on and working properly. She briefly thought about calling the singer, but then convinced herself not to. She may have been obsessed, but she hadn't reached the harassment level.
"That's a lot of time to spend together. So, you're friends right?"
The blonde took notice of the grin plastered on Sharon's face and smiled. "Yes, Ronnie. We've left acquaintances in the dust."
"I knew it," Sharon proudly answered. "It's cool that you're so close. I can tell that she really likes you."
"Really?" Georgie tried not to sound too interested.
Her companion nodded. "Yep." Evidently, she didn't intend to offer details as to how she arrived at that conclusion. The waitress arrived with a pitcher, pouring some of its contents into Sharon's glass. Thanking her, the brunette took a long drink.
"Thirsty?"
"I am." She thought of their time spent at the aquarium earlier. Jaden had been correct--it was awesome. On their way to this restaurant, they spotted a store that claimed to develop pictures within an hour, so Sharon couldn't wait to see how the photographs they took at the aquarium turned out. She was mainly interested in the picture that another visitor was kind enough to snap of she and Georgie at an outdoor reef exhibit.
"I wonder if fish ever get thirsty." Looking thoughtful, Sharon tapped her fork against her lips.
Georgie laughed. "I'm not positive, but I think it's important for them to drink water. Seems I've read that somewhere before."
"Hmm, you're probably right." Any further conversation about fish was cut short when Sharon's cell began to ring. Unclipping it from her waistband, she looked at the name and number of the caller. "Georgie will you excuse me for a minute? It's my sister."
"Of course."
Answering her phone, Sharon walked a few feet away from the table. However, Georgie could still hear her end of the conversation. She wasn't trying to, but the more Sharon spoke the more her voice carried. Georgie grew concerned when she noticed her friend's agitation. What was her sister saying?
"Becca, I'm not sending you five-hundred dollars. I'm an LVN not a heart surgeon. I'm sorry that he took the majority of your paycheck--again, but I'm not an ATM machine." She must have been listening, because there was a long pause. "What do you mean I couldn't care less? Damn Becca, I've lost count of how much money I've 'loaned' you in the past. I told you that guy wasn't any good for you, but you wouldn't listen. I'm not about to hand over any more of my hard-earned money. You put yourself in this situation so get yourself out of it."
Again listening, Sharon released a groan as she looked toward the ocean like she wanted to toss either herself or her phone into it. Or perhaps her sister.
"You and Mark have got to be the most selfish brats on this earth. Neither of you give a damn about anyone else since you have your heads so far up your asses. Do not try to guilt me into giving you more money. I've had about enough of it. I don't owe you shit. You're 19 years old now, so act like a grown up already. This con-- " Interrupted, she bit down on her lower lip while her hand clenched around the small phone. "Rebecca, listen to me. This conversation is over. I have better things to do with my time than argue with you. I'm in Hawaii with my friend on vacation and I refuse to deal with you any longer." Short pause. "Yeah, calling me names will get you what you want. I'm hanging up now. I won't let you ruin my birthday. Oh, and thanks for not wishing me happy birthday. It means a lot." Sharon jabbed a finger at the end button.
Instead of returning to the table, she continued looking at the ocean. When Georgie spotted the tears shining in her dark blue orbs, she arose and walked toward her after assuring their approaching waitress that she would be okay. She placed a hand on the middle of Sharon's back.
"I'm sorry about that," the LVN spoke in a voice that was now barely audible. "Hope I didn't scare any of the customers."
"It's not your fault Ronnie. You want to go somewhere else?"
"No." Sharon glanced toward the table. They were only halfway through their meal and despite her sister's phone call she was still hungry. "Let's go finish eating. Like I told Rebecca, I'm not letting her ruin this day."
Returning to the table, they resumed eating. Georgie wanted to ask the other woman if she wanted to talk about it, but she didn't want to appear nosy. She didn't have to say anything when Sharon started to explain as though reading her thoughts.
"Rebecca is my youngest sibling and she's been involved with this thirty something year old guy for about a year now and from what I can tell, all he does is take advantage of her, which in turn causes her to take advantage of me." She chuckled without humor. "I've always given her what she wants, but I'm trying to change that. My therapist who I've been seeing since January believes I've allowed my brothers and sisters to use me. She tells me that I must say no to them more often."
"Looks like you've made progress. How many siblings do you have?"
"Six, ranging from age 19 to 28. I'm the oldest." Georgie's eyes widened causing her to genuinely chuckle. "They're not all bad though. Nina, who is the third oldest is always a sweetheart and often tells me the same thing my therapist does. And Troy who is three years older than Rebecca and her twin Ethan, doesn't make me want to choke him on a regular basis."
Laughing, Georgie almost choked on a steamed vegetable. "Thank goodness for Nina and Troy." Sharon nodded her agreement.
"I didn't mean to lose my temper." She sighed, remembering her usage of colorful words, although Rebecca had used a couple too. "That's another thing my therapist wants me to work on. I should say no but keep my composure while telling them that I will not do this or that. Sometimes I wonder how good a job I did at raising them when they tend to act so self absorbed and bratty."
"You raised them?"
"I guess I should say that I played a very large part in raising them. Being the oldest, Mom required a lot of my help." Since Georgie looked as if she had a thousand questions on the tip of her tongue, Sharon leaned back in her chair, ready to give the younger woman a short explanation. "This one evening--I was thirteen at the time--Dad saw me sitting at the kitchen table doing my math homework and said that he was going to the store for milk. He kissed me on the top of my head and left. Then I should have known something was up because though he loved us, he wasn't usually that affectionate. Also, I was certain that we had a nearly full gallon of milk in the fridge and even if we didn't, it wasn't necessary for him to go to the store at 8:00 at night.
After half an hour passes, my suspicions started to increase and I decided to ride my bike to the store, which was only a couple of blocks away. Sure enough I found my dad's car there but after checking the store for him I realized that he was missing. I went back to the car and found an envelope attached to the steering wheel with the words "To the McDaniel Family" written in his penmanship on the cover. I read it and what it basically said was that he wasn't capable of being a husband and father, although he'd done both for over a decade."
"You never saw him again?"
"Not until three years later when he called out of the blue to see how we were doing. He'd sent a check the week before with a letter stating that he had settled down in Texas and had a good job. It was obvious that he still wasn't 'capable' of being a husband and father but I suppose his guilt led him to sending that check. Every once and while he gets in touch but the twins and Troy don't really remember him."
Georgie reached for her hand. "I'm so sorry Ronnie."
The brunette softly smiled. "Don't be. We proved that we could make it along without him. It wasn't always easy--Mom worked a full and part time job and I had a job by the time I was 15, but we survived. I realize that I've complained about my siblings, but I do love them dearly. I just…I don't know. Sometimes I think I overcompensate for him not being there and they've gotten used to it."
"You said that you wondered how good a job you did raising them. In my opinion, you did well and you should be proud. You were only 13 years old and you were capable of doing what your dad, a grown man couldn't. I'm sure that deep down every one of your siblings realize how lucky they are to have someone like you as their big sister."
"Thank you for saying that Georgie."
Moving on to the very important topic of desserts, the pair decided to share an ice cream sundae. Once their waitress had cleared the table and took their order, Georgie looked at the other woman curiously.
"So Ronnie, you're 30 now."
The LVN laughed. "Must you rub it in?"
Georgie laughed as well. "I didn't mean to rub. That was only the intro into my question."
"And what's your question?"
"Where's your other half?"
She's sitting right in front of me. "I…haven't found her yet. I'm the big 3-0, but I've only had one girlfriend and that lasted a month. I don't blame her for ending it. She said that I was too wrapped up in my siblings lives to sustain a relationship with her and she was right."
"You think that you're ready for a relationship now?"
Sharon took time to think about that before answering. "Maybe." A grin spread across her lips. "Do you know of anyone who would be interested in a 30 year old, workaholic, romantically naïve virgin?"
The blonde's surprise could be seen from the beach's shore. "Virgin?"
Sharon seemed only a little embarrassed. "Not that I've never had the opportunity, I'm just waiting for Ms. Right. I'm not in any hurry to give my virginity away."
"Well good for you."
The waitress shortly returning with their dessert, each woman picked up her spoon and dug into the decadent treat.
"You still want to show me how to jet ski? They stop renting at 5:00 right? Once we get there, I figure that gives us at least an hour."
"I thought you were too much of a chicken to try that."
Smirking, Georgie 'accidentally' put a splotch of chocolate fudge on the end of her friend's nose.
"Hey!" Sharon grabbed her napkin and wiped her entire nose with it. "Now it's gonna be sticky."
"Lick it then."
It was the LVN's turn to smirk. "Lick it? I don't know how long yours is, but my tongue won't reach to my nose."
"Too bad." The blonde wore a devilish grin. "I guarantee you that a whole bunch of women would love that!"
"Maybe, but I'd be freaked out if my tongue was that long." Laughing, Sharon fished a melting ice cube from her glass and swiped it across the tip of her nose. "There. That's better. Now, about jet skiing. Yes, I would still like to show you if you're game."
"I'm game."
##########
Jaden was seated at a cozy table on the second floor of Honolulu's most happening super gay friendly nightclub with Mack and Kelly. Since Saturday evenings were ladies only nights, the large club was filled strictly with women. Most appropriate, the song Ladies Night performed by Kool & the Gang had just started playing over the speakers. A particularly rowdy group of ladies on the main level were boisterously singing along and bumping their hips together while they clutched a variety of brightly colored beverages with tiny umbrellas in them.
If you hear any noise
It ain't the boys
It's ladies night…uh huh
Gonna step out ladies night
Steppin' out ladies night…
Taking a break from their conversation, Jaden, Mack and Kelly grinned down at the display. The first to look away, Kelly sipped what was left of her mai tai. Though having heard of them, until night she never tasted one. She was now in love. Of course, they were doing bad things to her bladder.
"I have to go to the restroom," she mentioned while standing, feeling a tad lightheaded, but mostly feeling so very good! "Be right back girls."
Mack stood as well. "Hold on, I'm going with you." Looking over at Jaden she asked, "You wanna come with?"
The musician abruptly snickered while recalling her second meeting with Sharon. Georgie had looked mortified. "No sugar, I'm fine."
"What's so funny?"
"Oh, that just reminded me of something funny. You guys go ahead. No telling how long the restroom line is."
The pair hadn't long disappeared when Jaden noticed their server dressed in hula garb approaching the table balancing a tray loaded with drinks on the palm of her left hand. She had to swerve so much that it was amazing the drinks weren't catapulted to the floor.
Successfully arriving with beverages intact, the young server smiled in awe at the seated brunette. Somehow Jaden Connelly was even more gorgeous in person than on television and photographs. Also, she was so down to earth and friendly. Though Kalani couldn't remember ever hearing an unpleasant word about her like she had numerous other celebrities.
Searching her tray for the correct drink, Kalani placed a virgin piña colada in front of Jaden. "I'm sorry it took so long." She smiled, her white teeth shining under the multicolored lighting as she put Mack's bottle of Bud Light and a fresh mai tai for Kelly in front of their empty seats. "We have a lot of ladies in attendance tonight!"
Jaden smiled at her. "Yes, I can see. A lot of ladies equal a lot of business."
"And with any luck a lot of tips!" The server chuckled. "Ms. Connelly before--"
"Just Jaden hon."
"Okay, Jaden." Too giddy to be holding a heavy tray, Kalani put it on the table. "Before I go, would it be too much trouble for me to get your autograph?"
"Not at all."
"Cool!" Reaching underneath her grass hula skirt, the young woman produced a black Magic Marker, which she handed to the musician. Hopefully, she was wearing shorts under there. "You can sign here," Kalani shyly stated as she tapped her right imitation coconut shell bra.
Jaden uncapped the marker. "Do you spell your name K-A-L-A-N-I?"
The server looked surprised and pleased at the same time. When first coming to their table, she had introduced herself but quite a few customers tended to forget. Jaden had remembered and she even spelled it correctly!
"That's right."
Grinning, the brunette indicated for Kalani to sit down and then carefully wrote both their names along with a short message on the hard shell bra. The server didn't mind when she opted to use both cups to complete the autograph. Beaming as she read it, Kalani thanked her before she obtained her tray and moved to her next table. Lightly chuckling, Jaden tasted her piña colada while returning her attention to the lower level. Within seconds a couple dancing almost provocatively against each other caught her attention. The sultry song now playing had that "let's make love all night long" quality to it and the two women appeared as though they wanted to do exactly that. Though she wanted to, she couldn't tear her eyes away from them. She hoped that they didn't happen to look up and catch her stare.
"What has your rapt attention?"
Jumping in her seat, Jaden quickly turned around, watching as Mack and Kelly reclaimed their chairs. Having been the inquirer, Mack looked at her and then toward the lower level not finding anything out of the ordinary.
"Uh, nothing." She actually didn't want it anymore, but she wrapped her lips around her non-alcoholic beverages' straw and sucked.
Both younger women looked unconvinced. "Jaden what's wrong?" Kelly asked, her expression now concerned.
"Nothing is wrong."
Mack pointed below. "What did you see down there? You looked ill."
"No, I didn't." Standing, Jaden pulled her wallet from her back pocket, took out some money and dropped it onto the table. It would take care of their bill and there would be enough left over for Kalani to have a generous tip. "Ladies, I hate to sound like an old geezer, but I'm getting pretty tired so I'm going to head on out."
Mack pouted. "You're leaving us?"
Smiling, Jaden ruffled her dark head. "Yes, but I'll see you in the morning. Don't stay out too late since you guys have to be up early to catch your flight."
"Yes Mom," they replied in unison, causing Jaden to roll her eyes.
"Jaden before you go, do you by any chance have Ronnie's phone number? Like her cell phone number?" Mack asked. She had mentally kicked herself for not remembering to ask the nurse for it last night during the party after Jaden's concert.
"No, I don't. Why?"
"Mack has a crush on her," Kelly supplied in a teasing singsong voice. "Mack and Ronnie sittin' in a tree…"
"I do not have a crush on her," Mack retorted in a way that let them know that the opposite of her exclamation was the real truth. "I'd just like to talk with her again. She didn't stay very long after you and your friend left. I thought she was nice." She gave the redhead seated next to her a pointed look. "I'd like to have nice friends." Kelly just snickered.
Jaden mentioned the name of the hotel Sharon was staying at. "That's the best I can do for a phone number. If you decide to call, just ask to be connected to Sharon McDaniel's room. However, just in case you have more than friendly intentions, I have a feeling that she might already be taken hon."
Mack's disappointment only showed for a second. "Oh…well that's all right 'cause I don't." Still, Jaden and Kelly saw right through her words to the truth, but both decided not to comment on it.
"Okay, see you tomorrow." Waving, Jaden headed toward the stairs leading to the main floor.
Kelly thoughtfully sipped her mai tai. "What do you think had her so fluttered? She left awfully quick."
Mack rested her chin in her hand. "Like she had to leave right then or…" Shrugging, she shook her head. "I don't know." She looked at her watch. "We should call and check on her. Give her about twenty minutes to get to her villa."
"Sounds like a plan."
##########
It was close to midnight when Georgie and Sharon entered their hotel room, wearing smiles because of the pleasurable time they had together. Doing the gentlewomanly thing, Sharon walked the younger woman to her bedroom door where they embraced as she reminded Georgie for the fiftieth time that she had a fantastic birthday.
The blonde placed a light kiss on her lips. At least that was how it started. Before she fully realized how it occurred, Sharon had her pressed against the door and their mouths were meshed together in a heated kiss, arms wrapped tightly around each other's body. The moment she felt Sharon's tongue brush against her bottom lip, Georgie pulled back.
"Wait Ronnie," she sounded breathless. "We shouldn't be doing this."
Sharon's slightly calloused palm caressed her cheek. "Why shouldn't we?" She had dreamt of this moment many times.
"You want to wait for Ms. Right."
"I've found her," she softly admitted. Georgie's mouth opened but no words were uttered. "Georgie, I know it sounds crazy since we barely know each other but I love you. And I know deep in my soul that I will never have feelings for a woman that are as powerful as those I have for you. So regardless of how you feel about me, Georgie you are my Ms. Right and if it only lasts for tonight, I would cherish this night with you for the rest of my life."
Removing the hand cupping her cheek, Georgie wrapped hers around it while her free hand searched for the doorknob behind her. Finding the knob, she turned it and pushed the door open before drawing the brunette inside. Closing the door and switching on the light, they resumed kissing, however this time Sharon had her back pressed against the door. Her hand trailing down to rest on the taller woman's hip, Georgie looked up into blue eyes darker than usual.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
Sharon's thoroughly kissed lips lifted into a smile. "I couldn't possibly explain to you just how sure I am." She paused, searching the other woman's face for any sign of uncertainty. "Are you?"
Georgie proceeded to unbutton the LVN's shirt. "I'm sure."
They shared kisses and gentle strokes as they slowly undressed each other before moving to the bed and underneath the sheets. Sitting on top of her, Georgie leaned down, causing her long locks to curtain Sharon's head. Locating her mouth, Georgie's tongue spent a few moments caressing the contours of her lips before gliding between them. Beginning to rock against each other, they moaned as their kisses deepened.
Leaving Sharon's lips, the blonde took ample time making her way down her body, her mouth leaving a damp trail. During her travels she discovered that the brunette's nipples were extra sensitive, since just a light flick of her tongue across the tightened buds caused the long body beneath hers to tremble. Her fingers stroked the saturated area between Sharon's thighs as her mouth and tongue gave the sensitive nipples the attention they deserved.
Before long, her lips were almost touching the damp curls covering Sharon's sex. She waited until the aroused woman looked at her before she tasted her, flicking her tongue along puckered lips. Practically whimpering for more, Sharon slowly swung her hips to and fro. Giving her what she obviously needed, Georgie's tongue plunged inside while her hands held on to the curvy hips.
Crying out, Sharon grabbed the back of her head as sensations she had never experienced before raced through her body. She could feel her inner muscles clenching around the tongue giving her so much pleasure. Her hips gradually began to thrust faster against Georgie's mouth and if they had neighbors, surely they could hear her loud moans of approval.
Within thirty seconds after Georgie slipped a finger inside of her while her mouth suckled a swollen clit that was previously only familiar with Sharon's hand, the brunette's body convulsed as she exploded. She felt the tears leaking from the corners of her eyes before she realized that she was crying.
Climbing up to her, Georgie wrapped her arms around her, causing the older woman to curl up against her. Her face pressed to the crook of Georgie's neck, she quietly cried. She didn't want to seem like a big baby, but she couldn't help herself. Only when she settled down within a couple of minutes did the blonde speak, continuing to stroke Sharon's back.
"Are you okay Sharon?" She inquired, her voice gentle. "I didn't hurt you, did I?" She softly smiled when she felt a warm mouth kiss her neck.
Raising her head, Sharon looked at her. "No Georgie, you didn't hurt me. You made me feel…" She searched for the word she wanted, "alive. I never knew that making love could feel that incredible."
Cupping her face, Georgie brought her down for a kiss, which turned into a round of them. Her opinion of herself being that she was romantically naïve; Sharon proved the statement to be incorrect when she soon had Georgie's body thrumming in ecstasy like an expert.
##########
The following morning, Georgie's cell phone rang as she was getting dressed so that she could take Sharon to the airport. Finished trying her shoe, she grabbed the phone from the nightstand.
"Hello?"
"Hey babe!"
The blonde smiled into the phone. "Hey back atcha. What's up?" She hadn't spoken with Vanessa since the day she and Sharon arrived in Hawaii.
"I'm on my break and thought I'd call you to see what's going on there. Hope I didn't call too early. It's earlier there than it is in California, right?"
"Right. We're 3 hours behind you. And you may rest assured that you didn't call too early because Ronnie and I woke up around six." Obtaining her other shoe from the floor, Georgie pushed it over her foot.
"At the same time?"
She could hear the other woman's wheels starting to turn. How could she take such an innocently spoken sentence and read something into it? "Yes, just about." Leaning over, the blonde tied her laces.
"And…just how would you know that she woke up about the same time as you did?"
There was no use trying to keep what happened between she and Sharon a secret because Vanessa would figure it out anyway. She was already getting there. "I would know because we slept in the same bed."
"Oooh. Didn't you book a two bedroom room?"
"Uh huh."
"So you had two beds."
"We had two beds. Just decided to sleep in the same one."
"Ooooooooh." Those wheels were turning so rapidly that they were about to fly off. "And is there a particular reason you and Ronnie decided to share a bed?"
"It's much easier to make love that way."
"Ooooooooh." There was a brief pause. "Hooooooooo."
"Hey! Before Sharon I hadn't had sex in 15 months so how can I qualify as a hoooooooo?"
Vanessa snickered. "I'm just kidding with you Georgie. Damn! I really wanted you two to hook up, but I had no idea that things would progress this much in such a short time."
"No progression. It was a one time thing."
Another pause, this one longer. "What? A one-night stand? You don't do one nighters."
"Van, she and I discussed this and we agreed that we would have one night of lovemaking. From here on out we're just friends."
"Ooooookay. If that's the way you guys want it."
Georgie's eyebrow rose. Giving up so easily Van? "So matchmaker I have to get going because I'm going to drive Ronnie to the airport. You still gonna pick me up tomorrow?"
"Nah, I've decided to make you take a taxi."
Georgie stuck her tongue out at the phone.
"Haven't you used that wet organ enough lately? Give it a rest already!"
The other woman's mouth dropped open. How did she do that???
##########
Getting ready to board the plane, Sharon pulled Georgie into a tight embrace, never wanting to release her from it. Before they pulled apart, their mouths connected for one final kiss. They weren't concerned about who might have been watching as their tongues explored. Whispering an 'I love you' against the blonde's lips, Sharon stepped back and picked up her duffel bag.
"Have a safe flight." Reaching for her hand, Georgie gave it a slight squeeze. "Call me when you get there?"
Smiling although she wanted to sob, Sharon nodded. "I will. Bye Georgie." With a little wave, she walked toward the line of passengers moving onto the plane.
Georgie waited until she could no longer see the LVN before she turned and started to walk away. She stopped moving when a hand touched her shoulder. She instinctively knew whom that hand belonged to without having to turn around.
"Aloha G-Dog."
Continued...