Part Seven
"I miss Maggie."
"So do I."
It had been a beautiful day. Not too hot and just the slightest breeze. The two of them were watching the sunset from Sarah's front steps as they drank lemonade. Sarah was feeling a little out of sorts since Maggie left for her cruise. "It's not even that I want or need something from her right now. It's just this nagging feeling that something is missing."
"I know, babe. I feel that way every year when she goes."
"So, it's not just me?"
"Nope."
Sarah set her glass between her feet and rested her elbows on her knees. "I can't even think of anything I want to do to take my mind off of it. I'm feeling all grumpy."
"I don't know what I want either, but I'm willing to bite someone to get it."
Sarah leaned away from her lover. "Where's Pete when you need him?"
Jordan chuckled. "Yeah, pounding on him might make me feel better."
"Maybe we could go to the batting cages. Knock some balls around."
"Maybe."
Sarah studied her lover. Something wasn't quite right with her. Things had been tense after the article in the paper, but Jordan claimed she was over that. She'd been better for a while, but now things were getting worse again. "Jordan?"
"Hmm?"
"What's going on? You've been kind of down for a while now. I'd really like to help if I can. Even if it's just by listening."
Jordan sighed, her eyes downcast.
"Is it me?"
"No, baby, it's not you."
"Then what is it? What's wrong?"
Jordan seemed to deflate. "Is it that noticeable?"
"Only because I love you."
"It's not just one thing. I just need some time to work it all out, but it's not you. Believe me. You're the one good thing in my life right now. Just be patient with me, okay?"
Sarah couldn't help but feel disappointed. She wanted Jordan to confide in her about her problems, but Jordan wouldn't, or couldn't, do it. "As long as it takes," she said lovingly. "I'll be here for you."
Jordan leaned over to kiss Sarah's cheek. "Thanks."
"My pleasure."
Several minutes passed in silence as the sun set. There were no clouds to make the sky more vivid, but it was pretty nonetheless.
"Finals," Jordan said abruptly.
"What about them?"
"They're not this week, right?"
"The following week," Sarah clarified.
Jordan nodded. "I was thinking that maybe you should skip the parties until they're over. Not much happens anyway and it might be less stressful for you if you have plenty of time to study."
It made sense. The last few parties Sarah had attended were quiet affairs. Folks dropped by for an hour or so to visit and then left. She wouldn't be missing anything. "If you think it's best."
"Yeah. I'll just come back here after they've gone."
"Okay."
The feeling that something was wrong got stronger. Sarah didn't know what to do. Until Jordan was ready to talk about it, all Sarah could do was be there for her lover. Scooting closer, she put an arm around Jordan's waist and laid her head on Jordan's shoulder. Love would have to be enough.
~***~
For the first few seconds, Sarah thought a bird had somehow flown inside her t-shirt and was trying to get out. She leapt to her feet and had her shirt halfway off before she realized it was her cell phone vibrating. Sarah fumbled the phone out of her shirt pocket, her face catching fire as people figured out what had happened and started laughing.
Pushing a button at random, she lifted the slim device to her ear. "Hello?"
"Hi, baby."
"Oh God," Sarah groaned. "You have no idea how bad I just embarrassed myself. Half the airport is laughing at me."
"I can hear them. What happened?"
Sarah stepped away from the common seating and leaned up against a support pillar so she could have a little privacy. "I thought a bird flew up my shirt."
"A bird?"
"I had the phone set on vibrate so it wouldn't bother anyone if it rang."
Jordan started to laugh.
"It's not funny."
Jordan disagreed by laughing even harder.
"I almost had my shirt off before I realized what it was," Sarah complained.
"Oh God," Jordan howled. "I can picture it. Pete's going to love it."
"You can't tell Pete," Sarah protested.
"Why not?"
Sarah grinned. "Because if you do, I'll tell him about our little adventure in Macy's the other day."
There was total silence on the line.
"Remember?" Sarah asked innocently. "I still can't figure out how you managed to immobilize yourself. It was just a bra. I know you haven't worn one in a while, but they aren't that hard to figure out."
"We agreed we wouldn't talk about that," Jordan said calmly.
"Well, now we're agreeing not to talk about me freaking out when my phone rang."
Jordan sighed. "Fine. Go ahead. Suck all the fun out of my life."
Sarah silently pumped an arm in victory. "I'll make it up to you."
"Oh, alright."
"Was there a reason you called?"
"Beyond just wanting to hear your voice?"
"Beyond that, yes."
"I need you to stop at Premium Liquors on the way home and pick up another couple bottles of Jameson's. I already called the store and paid for them. They just need a ride home."
Sarah rolled her eyes. Stephen Jennings, Jordan's financial wizard, had been at the estate for three days now and he drank like a fish. The bourbon he liked cost over $400 a bottle and he was going through them like they were spring water. Not to mention that he smoked cigars incessantly. Jordan tried to keep the smoking confined, but the entire house was beginning to reek.
Even worse, when Jordan wasn't looking, Stephen leered at Sarah like he wanted to dip her in barbeque sauce and gnaw on her bones. It was creepy.
She could have sworn that Jordan had told her she would like Stephen. It was a complete mystery why Jordan liked him. From what Sarah could see, there wasn't a single thing worth liking about the man. He was smug, pretentious and greedy. Sarah didn't like him at all and she avoided him as much as possible. When she couldn't, she played like a mouse and tried to be invisible.
"Sure. The only problem is that it will be a while yet. Maggie's first flight was delayed. She made her second, but not the last one. She won't be here for another hour or so."
"Oh. She's going to be tired. Maybe I can get someone else to do it."
"That's alright. I'm sure Stephen can wait and if you already paid, it will only take a second. I don't mind and I'm sure Maggie will be okay with it."
"Are you sure?"
"Yep. It's not a problem."
"Thanks, baby. I appreciate it."
All Sarah could think was that the side trip meant that much less time spent in Stephen's noxious presence. "Anything else I can pick up for you?"
"I can't think of anything off the top of my head."
"Okay."
"I love you, baby."
"I love you, too."
Sarah found a place to sit after the call. With nothing better to occupy her time, she played with her phone. Jordan had downloaded a bunch of games into it. Most of them were puzzle and card games, but there were some run-jump-and-shoot games as well. Sarah learned quickly that she wasn't good at those. She found a pirate game and opened it just out of curiosity. Reading the 'help' file, she determined that it was a turn-based financial game. It sounded like something she could handle, so she initiated the game.
Right away it asked her to name her ship and captain. Sarah thought about it for a few minutes. She didn't want to choose anything cliche and being a pirate wasn't something she had ever played at as a child. It came to her suddenly and made her giggle.
Captain Clitoris of the Frigate Vulva was on the prowl. Mwahahahaha.
The hour passed quickly. When the arrivals and departures board showed Maggie's flight as having landed, Sarah put her phone away and went to stand where she could see down the terminal. She was excited about Maggie coming home. She hoped that Maggie's trip had been what she hoped for, but Sarah had missed her terribly. It would be good to have her back.
A lot of people were coming and going. It was impossible to tell if any of them were from Maggie's flight. She was beginning to worry that Maggie had missed another connection, but then she spotted her being driven on a motorized cart. Sarah broke into a smile. It was all she could do to refrain from jumping up and down like a game-show contestant. Maggie was home!
The cart barely came to a stop before Sarah was hugging the life out of Maggie. "God, I missed you!"
"I missed you too, dear. Where's Jordan?"
Sarah made a face. "Home with Stephen."
Maggie frowned. "I thought he would be gone by now."
"He arrived a few days late. Something to do with the fate of the free world, from the way he tells it."
Maggie snorted her displeasure at the news and turned to talk to the skycap. She gave him her claim tickets and some money and he left with a smile to fetch her luggage. Taking Sarah's hand, she found some seats and plopped down into one. "Lord, I'm bushed. They do what they can to make travel comfortable, but it still makes me feel like stale bread."
Sarah sat down beside her friend. "How was the cruise? Did you have a good time?"
"Oh, it was wonderful. If you ever have a chance to sail on a masted ship, do it. It's just the most amazing thing. One minute it was calm and peaceful and the next it was a flurry of activity. Watching those young people climbing the rigging was breathtaking. At times I felt as if I had traveled back in time. It gave me a whole new appreciation for our ancestors. They accomplished astonishing things with what they had."
Sarah was grinning from ear to ear. It was nice to see Maggie enthusiastic about her trip. "You have to tell me everything."
"I'll do better than that. I kept a journal."
"Really?"
"Oh yes. When my memory goes, reading the journal will be like taking the trip all over again. It's full of trinkets and souvenirs. Silly things mostly, but I think you'll enjoy reading it."
"I can't wait."
Maggie folded her hands in her lap and looked seriously at Sarah. "So, how's it going with Stephen?"
Sarah sighed. "I can't stand him, Maggie. For the life of me, I can't see what Jordan likes about him. He brags all the time and nothing is ever enough for him. He's horrible."
"I was hoping to avoid seeing him this year."
"I don't blame you."
Maggie patted Sarah's arm. "He can't help it, dear. Is he still drinking?"
"Like a fish. What do you mean? Why can't he help it?"
"He has a narcissistic personality disorder. It's only begun to manifest the last four years or so. He was so sweet and gentle before."
Sarah felt like a jerk. Here she was hating the guy and it turned out that he had mental problems. "Why isn't he on medication?"
"It can't be medicated. He needs psychotherapy, but he can't admit that he needs it. Denial is at the root of his condition. It's so sad. Watching him destabilize is heart wrenching."
"Why didn't Jordan tell me?"
"You would have to ask him, dear, but we both know that keeping secrets for others is a fundamental part of his personality."
"True," Sarah admitted.
"Oh," Maggie moaned. "I'll be so glad to get home. I want to take a long bath and sleep until tomorrow."
"Maybe I should go get the car and meet you outside."
"Would you? You're such a sweet girl."
Sarah had forgotten that Maggie wasn't home when she'd traded the Jaguar. She beamed with pride as Maggie oohed and aahed over the car.
"It's so quiet."
"It only uses the gas engine when it needs to. I'm still getting used to how quiet it is. Cirenio is going to keep it next week to put a special battery in the back."
"Why?"
"It's a lithium ion battery that will run the car for fifty miles before needing to be recharged. When it runs out of juice, the car reverts to normal, but with the battery it will only use a half a gallon of gas over that fifty miles. I really like the idea of getting a hundred miles to the gallon."
"Especially with gas prices the way they are."
"Jordan is talking about getting you one, too."
Maggie smiled. "He can be the sweetest boy."
"Even if he's a girl?"
"Even then."
~***~
Maggie's journal was incredible. It was filled with all sorts of trivia about the voyage itself, but the stories of the other passengers made it so much fun. Every funny or sweet thing that Maggie witnessed on the cruise had found a place in the pages. In between stories were little line drawings. Sarah was surprised at how good an artist Maggie was.
There were pictures of passengers, sunsets, birds and islands throughout the pages and they made Sarah feel as if she had actually been there. Also tucked within the pages were little souvenirs: cocktail napkins, a feather, a drink umbrella, several flowers, matchbooks and postcards. It was a treasure chest of memories. She might not know where they were going, but Sarah decided that she would keep a journal just like it when Jordan took her away after school.
Sarah was sitting on the floor beside Maggie's chair in the den. The old woman was sleeping, her mouth hanging open. A big box sat on the other side of Maggie and Sarah desperately wanted to open it. There were presents in it.
Jordan and Stephen were on the other side of the room. Financial statements were spread out over a desk and Jordan was trying to understand them. Stephen might have been able to help, but he was three sheets to the wind and not making much sense at all. Fortunately, he was not smoking one of his noxious cigars.
Maggie had walked into the house earlier, hugged Stephen, and then informed him that it was rude to smoke in a house of non-smokers. She had been very stern. To Sarah's surprise, Stephen had been very gracious about it. The house still smelled, but not as bad. In time the scent of smoke would fade completely.
Now that she knew about Stephen's disorder, Sarah was able to be much more forgiving. She still didn't particularly like him and the way he looked at her was just wrong, but he was easier to tolerate now. Unless he spoke to her directly, Sarah tuned him out.
Sarah was reading about the day and a half Maggie spent in Barbados when Jordan threw her hands up.
"I'm just not getting it, okay? You've explained it a dozen times and it makes less sense now than when you started."
"It's really very simple," Stephen sighed dramatically.
"Enough," Jordan barked as she abruptly stood. "I'm going for a walk to clear my head. We'll try this again when I get back."
Sarah watched Jordan stalk out of the room and glanced at Stephen. He was shaking his head as if he'd been dealing with a particularly stupid child. Sticking her thumb in the journal to save her place, she asked, "What are you trying to explain?"
Stephen sniffed at her. "Now your talents extend outside the bedroom?"
Fighting against the urge to poke him in the eye with a sharp stick, Sarah took a page from Maggie's book. "That was unnecessary. I don't deserve that from you."
Stephen stared at her for a long moment as if he were undecided how to proceed. "Would you be willing to sign a cohabitation agreement?"
Sarah blinked. It was not what she expected him to say. "Yes."
"Good," he said as he began looking through his papers. "I've got one here."
That made her nervous. Sarah was not against signing the agreement. She had been expecting Jordan to bring it up for some time, but it was something she assumed she would do with Jordan. To have Stephen shoving one in her face was not the way she'd seen it happening.
"Ah. Here it is. Come on over and we'll get this done."
Maggie was still asleep. Sarah wished she were awake to help with this. Setting aside the trip journal, Sarah reluctantly approached the desk.
"There's a lot of legalese here, but I'll help you through it."
Sarah sat down and took the three page document. "I'll read through it and ask if I have questions."
"Very well. This is a smart move on your part. It protects you from being taken advantage of."
Sarah raised an eyebrow. "As the wealthier party, Jordan will benefit more from this document than I do."
"You could see it that way. Or you could see that losing half of your assets would hurt you far more than Jordan losing half of hers."
"Losing Jordan would hurt me more than losing all of my...assets."
"Hmm...yes, well..."
The agreement seemed pretty standard but for a few sections. If Sarah cheated on Jordan, she forfeited everything. If Jordan cheated on Sarah, she had to pay the equivalent of ten years of Sarah's salary at the time. After ten years, Sarah was automatically due five million dollars upon dissolution of the relationship. Provided the relationship didn't end due to infidelity before that ten years, Sarah could expect to receive fifty thousand dollars for each year they had been together. Anything they bought jointly would be divided appropriately, but the assets they held prior to the signing of the agreement were untouchable.
Sarah finished reading and sat back to think.
"Problem?"
Stephen was sitting beside her with a pen in his hand. The smell of bourbon rolled off of him like a wave and was making her nauseous. "Just considering."
"This is more than fair. You won't get a better deal than this. And really, it's not like you can get married. You don't have a right to expect anything at all. You should feel lucky to be getting this much."
Personality disorder or not, enough was enough. "Screw you, Stephen." She passed Jordan on her way outside.
"Where are you going?"
"Home."
"What's wrong?"
"Ask your friend."
"Sarah."
Stopping on the back steps, Sarah looked up at her lover. "I don't care what's wrong with him," she said angrily. "He's an asshole. I'll sign whatever you want (though I could have done without having a price tag on our relationship), but I don't want to see him again. I'm sorry, but that's just how it has to be."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"The cohabitation agreement," Sarah all but screamed.
Jordan's face got hard. "I'll kill him."
"You do that."
She left Jordan there and stomped home. What Stephen said hurt. The clauses about infidelity hurt. The idea of planning for the loss of their love had hurt the most. Sarah broke into tears as soon as she got inside her house.
She was down to sniffles and the occasional hiccup when Maggie walked in without knocking. The old woman went straight to Sarah and embraced her.
"You poor thing," Maggie crooned.
Sarah broke into fresh sobs. It was embarrassing to cry because she was angry, but she couldn't help it.
"That's it, honey. You just cry it all out. It'll make you feel better and then we can talk while we wait for Jordan."
Wait for Jordan? Curiosity dried up her tears and Sarah sat back to look at Maggie. "Where is Jordan?"
"Packing Stephen's things. She's taking him to the airport."
"She's kicking him out?"
Maggie caressed Sarah's hair. "She's giving him thirty days to get into therapy. If he doesn't do it, she's going to fire him."
"But...I didn't...she can't..."
"Shh. I don't know exactly what was said, honey, but I saw the papers. Jordan is furious. She had nothing to do with drawing them up. She's worried that you think she did."
"I wasn't sure," Sarah admitted. She reached for a tissue and dried her tears. "It's not the papers anyway. I'll sign anything she wants. I don't have a problem with it. It only makes sense for her to have an agreement like that."
"What hurt your feelings then?"
Sarah bit the inside of her cheek to keep from crying again. "Basically, that we don't have a real relationship and that I should feel lucky to get anything at all. And I do. Every single day I wake up and I know how lucky I am to have Jordan in my life. You, Pete, Amanda, my friends at school; all of it. Not a moment goes by that I'm not completely aware of how fortunate I am. But, Stephen was making it all about how much money I was going to get if we don't work out. I don't care about that. This is not a business proposition for me."
"That's not what it is for Jordan either, honey. You didn't see how angry she was. I've never seen her like that."
Sarah laid her head on Maggie's lap with a sigh. "I didn't mean to come between them."
"Don't think that, dear. Stephen's condition came between them, not you. This has been a long time coming. I think, in the long run, that this will be good for Stephen. He needed someone he values to stand up to him and point him in the right direction. It should have happened years ago."
Sarah closed her eyes as Maggie played with her hair. "Some homecoming this has been for you. All you wanted was a hot bath and a good night's sleep and you ended up with all this drama."
"It's good to be home," Maggie chuckled.
Sarah tilted her head up to look at Maggie. "I love you."
Maggie smiled gently. "I love you too, honey."
While they waited for Jordan to return, Maggie went home to shower and Sarah retrieved the box of gifts from the big house. Sarah was delighted with her gifts. Maggie got her two sarongs. One of them was a royal blue with a lighter blue pattern of leaves on it. The other was a deep purple with flowers hand-painted on it. Fortunately, Maggie also brought instructions on how to wear one. Sarah stripped down and tried it out. It was the most comfortable thing she'd ever worn.
The other thing Maggie brought her made her laugh with delight. It started with a large ceramic bowl done in blues and greens. Into it, Maggie poured enough white beach sand to fill it. Then she was given a Ziploc bag full of rocks and shells Maggie had collected from different beaches. Maggie called it a Carribean Zen Garden. Sarah was enchanted with it. To be able to touch something from so far away was quite amazing. The sand still held the scent of the ocean. Each rock was unique and the shells were as perfect as they were beautiful.
Sarah got it all arranged just so and Maggie put a colorful drink umbrella in it to finish it off. "This is the best gift ever," Sarah said truthfully. "I love it."
Jordan arrived a short time later. She still looked angry. Sarah swallowed nervously and stood up. "I'm sorry, Jordan. I just couldn't..."
"Don't. It wasn't your fault, but we do need to talk."
Maggie made as if to go, but Jordan stopped her. Holding a hand out for Sarah, Jordan waited until she took it and led her into the kitchen. Sarah's belly was full of butterflies.
Jordan took papers from a pocket and opened them. "This is the agreement Stephen wanted you to sign. I knew nothing about it and would not have approved of this if I had."
"I know."
"You believe me?"
"Of course I do. I'm sorry that I snapped at you like I did."
"No forgiveness is necessary." Jordan dangled the paper in Sarah's view. "Do you think we need an agreement like this?"
Sarah considered her words carefully. She didn't know what Jordan wanted to hear, but she had to be honest. "I think it's smart for you to have one, but I hope we don't ever need one. If we do...split up...I don't want anything. There's not enough money in the world to make up for losing you."
Jordan looked like she was going to cry. She struggled with her emotions for a few seconds and then took a deep breath. "We're not going to need one because we're never going to split up. Not ever."
Sarah fought her own emotions. She'd done enough crying for one day. "That might be long enough."
Jordan looked confused. "Long enough for what?"
"For loving you."
The cohabitation agreement was forgotten as Jordan held Sarah close. "I'm sorry about Stephen. I should have warned you, but I was hoping he was better. I didn't know he was going to hurt you. I'm so sorry."
"It's okay," Sarah said into a strong shoulder. "Even when it's bad, you're the best thing I've ever felt."
Several minutes passed in silence, their bodies rocking back and forth. After the stress of the last few days, they needed this connection.
"Sarah?"
"Hmm?"
"What is this you're wearing?"
Sarah pulled back and looked down at herself. "It's a sarong. Maggie brought me two of them. Do you like it?"
Jordan nodded her head slowly. "It's the sexiest thing I've ever seen."
Sarah grinned with pleasure.
"I'm buying you more of them."
"I'd like that. It's really comfortable."
Jordan glanced toward the living room and lowered her voice to a whisper. "After Maggie leaves, I'm going to peel this off you with my teeth."
Sarah shivered with anticipation. "I can't wait."
~***~
Finals week was intense. Sarah spent every moment reading and re-reading her course books. She felt confident that she would do well on her tests, but school was almost over. Sarah couldn't help feeling like this was her last chance to absorb what her professors had been trying to teach her. She wanted everything they could give her.
Jordan and Maggie were very helpful. Between them, Sarah's needs were taken care of. Maggie cooked for her and kept her cottage cleaned. Jordan took to quizzing her when Sarah was bathing, eating and dressing. The two of them kept distractions to a minimum and Sarah took full advantage of the extra study time. Having the support was invaluable.
And then it was over. Sarah stepped out of her last final late on Friday afternoon with a sigh of relief and trepidation. School was over. She had achieved what she set out to do. She had graduated from college. Of course, graduation wasn't for a week, but that was just a formality.
"Hey."
Sarah turned to Tamar with a smile. "Hey."
"You okay?"
"Yeah. It just hit me that I'm done. It's over."
"For you," Tamar teased. "I'm on to law school now."
Sarah looped her hand through Tamar's arm with a laugh. "Do you know where yet?"
"Little Rock, Arkansas."
"Interesting choice."
"It's a good school. I won a scholarship and I can live with cousins."
"That's great, Tee. I'm happy for you."
"I'm pretty excited. What about you? Have you found a job yet?"
"Not yet," Sarah admitted. "Of course, it might help if I was actually looking. I've got the vacation with Jordan after graduation and I'm reluctant to look seriously until after that. I'd hate to have to cancel this trip because of a job. Jordan would be so disappointed."
"Do you know where you're going yet?"
"Well, I've gotten her to admit that it's not Antarctica or the moon. Beyond that, I have no idea."
"It's so romantic. Being swept away to an unknown location with the hottest guy/girl on the planet. You're so lucky."
"I know," Sarah grinned smugly.
"Hey, did you hear about Lisa?"
"I haven't heard anything about anyone for over a week. Why? What happened?"
"She got caught cheating."
Sarah was shocked. "Are you serious?"
"She was buying term papers. Previously used term papers. They kicked her out of school."
Part of Sarah wanted to celebrate, but her over-riding feeling was pity. Lisa was no genius, but she wasn't a slouch either. She could have graduated on her own merits and gone on to do whatever her abilities would allow. Instead, she threw her potential credentials away on a shortcut.
"I didn't know," Sarah said. "I thought she was smarter than that."
"Apparently not. I thought you'd be happier."
"I thought I would be, too, but it's just such a waste. She was this close to graduating and now it's gone. She might be able to get into another school to finish up, but it's going to be harder. Maybe I should be glad after the crap she pulled, but I just feel sorry for her."
"You are one weird chick," Tamar teased.
"What does it say about you that you're my friend?"
"Bite me."
"Don't tempt me."
Tamar rolled her eyes dramatically. "You're such a perv."
"But you like that about me."
"There is that," Tamar sighed. "The three of us should get together this week. One last blow out before we leave the nest."
"I'd like that."
"Good. I'll talk to Janet and give you a call."
~***~
Sarah opened the door to her house and a smile bloomed on her face. Jordan was stretched out on the easy chair, her feet crossed on the ottoman and her hands behind her head. She was buck naked except for a strap-on sporting a day-glo purple dildo and a smirk.
"Well, well. Looks like it's my lucky day."
Sarah put on her best serious face. "Who are you and what are you doing in my house?"
"Jest restin' mah feet, little lady," Jordan drawled in a disturbingly bad cowboy accent. "Ah'm right tuckered out."
"You'd best be moving on before the neighbors come to see why I'm screaming, mister."
"Nah. All the neighbors be out. E'en that nosy old woman nex' door. We be all alone. Ya kin scream all ya want."
Sarah was having a hard time not laughing, but she liked where it was going. She began to take off her clothes, leaving them in a pile behind the door. "You wouldn't force me, would you?"
"Cain't hardly call it forcin' if'n yer on top, now kin ya?"
Sarah kicked off her shoes and let her jeans fall. "I have to tell you that I'm a lesbian."
"I kin do that," Jordan said as she flicked her tongue out.
Sarah bit her lip to keep from giggling. "I have a girlfriend. She would not approve."
"Well now, what she don't know won't hurt 'er none." Jordan patted her lap. "Why don't ya come on o'er and have yerself a seat. I'll show ya what a real man kin do."
Naked, Sarah straightened up and put her hands on her hips. "I don't think so."
"No sense in fightin' it, darlin'. Ya know ya want it." Jordan grabbed a hold of the dildo with one hand. "It's right purty, ain't it?"
"You aren't getting near me with that thing."
Jordan grinned. "Ya kin run, but ya cain't hide."
A crazy idea sprouted and Sarah decided not to censor it. "Wanna bet?"
Two seconds later she was running across the lawn, giggling.
"Come back here, you wench!"
Jordan's shout spurred Sarah on. The giggles grew into laughter as she ran towards the big house.
"Do you have any idea how hard it is to run in one of these things?"
Laughing too hard to run, Sarah stopped and clutched her middle, trying to catch her breath. Turning, she saw Jordan standing on her porch, hands on her hips, the dildo standing out like a flag pole.
Sarah took a deep breath and shook her tits at her lover. "You wanna piece of this? Bring it on, big man!"
"Oh, that does it!"
Jordan leapt from the porch and started to run. The dildo was flapping side to side and Sarah laughed so hard she snorted. It was the funniest thing she had ever seen. In the next instant, she realized that Jordan was moving really fast. A tendril of panic gave her legs a shot of adrenalin and she was running again.
In a straight out run, she knew that Jordan would catch her quickly. She needed something to slow Jordan down. She made for the big house. Flying through the kitchen door, she toppled a chair as she went by, praying that Jordan didn't hurt herself getting by it. Making her way through several more rooms and creating obstacles, she put a small distance between them.
It would be too easy to get trapped in the house, so Sarah went out the front door. She knew it was a mistake as soon as she did it. There was nowhere to hide. Trees and hedges would not help her. The only thing she could see that might be of some use was the gazebo. She could almost feel Jordan on her heels.
Sarah wanted to stop running and figure out why she was scared. She wasn't sure how it had happened. Taking off from her house had been a game. Somewhere between there and here it had changed. She wanted it to be fun again.
Sarah was steps away from the gazebo when long arms wrapped around her and lifted her off the ground. She screamed as they came to a stop.
"I've got you," Jordan panted into her ear. "I've got you."
Sarah calmed almost immediately. This was Jordan. She was safe.
"You have a safe word," Jordan whispered.
Sarah gulped air for a few seconds as she realized that they were playing. She could stop this whenever she wanted to. Knowing that changed everything. She nodded to let Jordan know she understood.
"You sure can run, girl," Jordan said in a rough tone. "But I've got you now."
The fear receded even more. "What are you going to do to me?"
"I'm going to fuck you so hard you won't be able to walk."
Sarah groaned as she felt her body provide all the lubrication Jordan would need. "Please, mister. Don't."
"You know you want it."
Jordan's hands were everywhere. They were rough and gentle all at once as they stroked her.
"Tell me you want it, girl."
The naked passion in Jordan's voice stripped away Sarah's resistance. Her entire body was trembling with need. Her nipples hardened under his expert touch and her clit was throbbing.
"Tell me you want it."
Sarah cried out as long fingers slipped between her legs and rubbed her clitoris.
"You're so wet," Jordan moaned. "I want you so bad. I want to put my cock in you and make you scream."
Sarah was past thought. She was so close to coming. Her knees began to buckle and she was lowered to the ground. Jordan's hands forced her to her knees and Sarah put her hands down for balance. She felt the dildo between her legs, stroking the length of her sex and she shivered.
"Do you want me? Do you want to feel me inside of you? Filling you up, making you come? Do you want that? Let me fuck you, baby. Let me inside."
Jordan's words were as exciting as her touch. She could feel Jordan's hips rocking against her ass and it was almost more than she could take. She wanted it all.
"Do it," Sarah gasped. "Go inside."
"Say you want me," Jordan growled.
"I want you. Oh, please."
"I'm gonna fuck you, baby."
"Yes yes yes," Sarah chanted mindlessly.
Jordan's hands grasped Sarah by the hips and lifted her knees off the ground. Sarah arched her back and screamed her pleasure as Jordan plunged into her. Passion overwhelmed her as Jordan pumped into her relentlessly. Nothing existed beyond the onslaught of sensation, but she could feel everything. The burning sun on her back, a cool breeze over heated skin, blades of grass tickling her nipples as they swayed from the force of Jordan's thrusts, powerful hips driving against her ass, the pressure inside pushing her to the edge. The intensity grew and Sarah gasped for air.
Jordan stilled deep within Sarah, her hips grinding and she came with a high pitched ululation of sound. Sarah followed with a soundless scream.
"Good God," Jordan panted. "That was intense."
Sarah groaned aloud as her lover withdrew and lowered her to the ground. Sprawled out in the grass, she concentrated on breathing, her body boneless and spent. She managed to open one eye as Jordan fell to the grass beside her.
"You alright?" Jordan asked.
"Uh huh."
"I didn't hurt you?"
Sarah licked her lips. "You were awesome."
Jordan stretched out with a smirk. "I was, wasn't I?"
Smiling, Sarah managed to roll onto her back. "Yes, you were." The grass tickled, but it was cool and welcome. "You do realize that we are lying naked in your front yard?"
"I ain't nekkid."
Sarah lifted her head to see the dildo rising from Jordan's groin. "I don't think wearing a purple dick qualifies as being clothed."
"It should," Jordan sighed contentedly. "But, we've gotta start doing a better job of using condoms."
"If I'm pregnant, you're in so much trouble."
Jordan laughed helplessly. It was contagious and Sarah laughed with her. They rolled to face each other, the sun coating their bodies with warmth.
"It got a little real for you, didn't it?"
Sarah placed a hand on Jordan's hip, grounding herself on the soft skin. "Yeah. One second it was just a game and the next I was scared. But you made it better."
"It happens like that sometimes," Jordan said with a gentle smile. "Just remember that you can always stop me."
"I know, but can we analyze this some other time?"
Jordan's eyes opened wide. "You have something in mind?"
Sarah trailed her fingers over Jordan's belly, smiling at the catch in Jordan's breathing. "Oh yeah."
"And what might that be?"
"Well, I thought you could do the caveman thing and carry me home," Sarah said coyly. "And then..."
"And then...?"
"I'd like to spend the next hour or so sucking on your clit."
Jordan gulped. "I see."
"It would make me very happy."
"Your happiness is very important to me."
"I know it would be a huge sacrifice on your part..."
"Terrible."
"...But, I'll try to make it up to you."
Jordan climbed to her feet. "The things I do for you..."
"I know." Sarah took Jordan's hand and allowed herself to be pulled up, finding herself over Jordan's shoulder in the next move. Wiggling to get comfortable, she smiled. "You know, the view from here is amazing."
"Oh yeah?"
Sarah reached down with both hands to grab Jordan's backside. "Gitty up, pony boy." She yelped at the swat on her ass.
"Behave yourself."
Feeling the gorgeous backside tighten and relax under her hands, Sarah bit her lip. "Jordan?"
"Yes?"
"Um...that felt strangely good."
Jordan chuckled. "Maybe we can analyze that later, too."
It was Sarah's turn to gulp.
~***~
It was dark when Sarah woke up alone from her nap. It took her a few seconds to remember that Jordan was up at the big house for the players. Sarah stretched until she was dizzy and relaxed with a sigh. She felt really good. School was over and making love with Jordan had been amazing.
After several minutes of indulging in memories of the afternoon's activities, Sarah got up to take a shower. After that, she went in to make herself something to eat. It occurred to her while she ate a sandwich that she didn't have anything to do. There was no reason in the world why she couldn't go up and join Jordan at the party.
That decided, Sarah quickly cleaned the kitchen and went to dress. It wasn't a play party, so she pulled on jeans and a t-shirt.
The big house was quiet. Too quiet. Sarah stopped halfway up the stairs. The door was open. If there was anyone in there, she'd be able to hear them. So, if they weren't upstairs where were they? And if there wasn't anyone there, where was Jordan?
Sarah began searching. She found Jordan in the solarium, sprawled out on the couch hidden behind the waterfall.
"Hey."
"Hi," Jordan said somberly.
"Where is everyone? Did they already leave?"
Jordan stared at her for a moment and then looked away. "There isn't anyone. There hasn't been for a couple of weeks now."
Sarah wasn't sure what to think. "I don't understand."
"They ditched me, okay?"
The angry tone didn't fool Sarah for a second. Jordan was hurting. It explained why Jordan had been depressed. Sarah moved to sit beside her lover, but was careful not to touch her. Not yet. "You've been up here alone? For weeks? Why didn't you tell me?"
Jordan looked like she was going to cry. "I'm handling it."
Sarah opened her mouth to refute that statement and then paused. Why wasn't Jordan talking to her? What was holding her back? It came to her with quiet certainty. "You're worried that I'll stop seeing you as my top if I see you as anything less than strong and in control."
Jordan sat forward and buried her face in her hands.
Sarah put a hand on Jordan's back and began to rub in small circles. "Oh love, don't you know? It is the essence of who you are, not what you do, that makes you my top. I can't even imagine anything that would change that for me. Listen, you always make me feel like it is an honor and a privilege to be with me."
"It is."
"And so it is for me, too. Is that so hard for you to believe?"
Jordan's hands dropped to hang between her knees.
"You don't have to always be strong or happy or thoughtful for me to love you. I'm not that shallow. If you are hurting, I need you to need me. I need to be the one you can talk to and cry on. I won't think you're weak. I promise."
Jordan was visibly struggling for control of her emotions.
"Tell me what's happening, sweetie."
Jordan spoke with effort. "I thought...they were my friends."
Sarah's heart broke. To have hundreds of friends suddenly abandon you...it would be devastating. Sarah gathered Jordan into her arms as the bigger woman began to sob. She felt terrible that she had not known this was going on. Had Pete known? Had Jordan been carrying the betrayal all alone?
Great, wracking sobs tore from Jordan's slender frame. Sarah cried in empathy. She wanted to hold Jordan close and kiss the wounds until the scars were gone. How could the players have done this? How did they justify it to themselves? Jordan gave and gave to them and all she asked in return was a little loyalty. Sarah hated them.
In time, Jordan calmed, her body limp across Sarah's lap. The sound of the waterfall was enough to fill the silence.
"It's not just the players," Jordan said quietly.
"There's more?"
Jordan nodded. "First it was the shelter business. Then, the other projects I've been working on started scheduling meetings and neglecting to tell me when they are. No one is keeping appointments. The whole town is shutting me out. Some of the lesbian players want to have a regular 'tea party', but the rest...they're just gone."
It was good to know that there were some who still wanted to spend time with Jordan. "I'm so sorry, sweetie. I just don't understand how people could do this to you. It's not like you committed a crime or anything. How do they justify stabbing you in the back like this?"
"Maggie was right. They were all just using me and I didn't want to see it. They were imaginary friends and I believed in them. I feel like a fool."
Sarah wasn't sure what to say to make things better for her lover. The scope of the betrayal was too great to repair with a few words. "I think they encouraged you to believe in them, sweetie. It's not your fault."
"It doesn't matter whose fault it is."
"It does to me." The anger she had been holding back began to surface. "I want something bad to fall on every single one of them. I want to hurt them for hurting you. That jackass reporter is still hanging around. I see him sitting in his car outside the front gates now and then. I say we put all the dungeon equipment on the front lawn and let him have his story."
Jordan snorted in mild amusement.
"I mean it. You went to great lengths to protect their privacy and they betrayed you. They deserve to be exposed. Maybe we could find another reporter and have them write a story about how the town has turned on you."
"Nah. I don't want to do that."
"Then we'll think of something else. We can't just do nothing. What they're doing isn't right."
Jordan wiped her face and sat up. "I've had a lot of time to think. I know you love this house..."
"Wrong." Sarah almost smiled at the look of surprise she got. "I like this house, but I don't love it. I don't love your money or your cars or anything else you have. I just love you. If Stephen took all of your money and disappeared, I'd still love you."
"Oh." Jordan's eyes swam with tears, but they didn't fall. "I just assumed..."
Sarah took her lover's hands. "It's just you, sweetie. Nothing else."
Jordan nodded. "That makes this easier."
"Makes what easier?"
"Pitching my idea."
"Go for it."
Jordan took a deep breath and let it go. "Let's get the hell out of here. Fuck this town and fuck the players. Let's go."
Sarah blinked in surprise. "Where?"
"I don't care. Wherever you get a job is fine with me. I've given enough to this city. I don't want to give any more. Find a job you want and we'll go there. Maybe I can start living more of my life as a woman. Maybe I can find some real friends. I just want to be with you and make a life. That's all."
Sarah was not at all against the idea, but it was somewhat of a shock. "What about the house?"
Jordan shrugged. "I don't know yet. Maybe I'll sell it. Maybe I'll donate it to some group that will piss off the city. Turn it into a nudist colony or make it a retreat for transgendered people." Jordan almost smiled. "That would make me feel pretty good, but it would drive the city crazy. I haven't decided yet."
"What about Maggie?"
"If I have to get down on my knees and beg her to come with us, I will. It won't be easy, but I'll do it. Unless you'd rather it was just the two of us?"
Sarah shook her head. "No. It wouldn't be home without Maggie."
Jordan smiled. "I'm glad you feel that way. As to the others, I'll offer to let them come with us, but I don't expect many takers. They have lives here beyond the jobs I give them. I'll set them up before we go, of course, but I think most of them will stay. Maybe even all of them."
Sarah was trying to wrap her head around it all. It was a huge change.
"Listen, baby. I know that it's a lot of responsibility to throw on your shoulders; choosing a new place for us to live. Don't think of it like that. Just look for a job you want. I'll handle the rest."
There was a pleading look in Jordan's eyes and Sarah realized that, in a way, Jordan was asking to be rescued. She needed Sarah to take this step for them. There was no way Sarah was going to let her down. "Alright. Let's do it."
"Really?"
Relief, wonder and hope infused Jordan's face and Sarah couldn't help smiling. "Really." She could hardly breathe through the crushing embrace Jordan gave her. "Easy, love."
"Thank you, baby. Thank you. Anywhere you want to go is fine. I don't care."
Sarah had not really been looking for work, but she had been reading the classifieds. One posted job in particular popped into her head. "Hey. Is yesterday's paper still around?"
"I think so," Jordan said as she pulled back.
"I need to see it."
Jordan found the newspaper in the den. Sarah flipped to the classifieds and quickly found the job she had rejected because it had been too far away for commuting. Now that they were going to move, it was a real possibility. "Take a look at this."
Jordan read the ad. "It's an auto shop."
"I wouldn't be fixing cars. It's basically a bookkeeper position, but I think I'd be the only one in the office. Running the place would kind of be my responsibility."
"They're not going to be able to pay you what you're worth. Not with your education."
"I'm not in it for the money yet. If they can give me the experience I need, it'll be more than fair, as far as I'm concerned. Do you know anything about Edgewater?"
Jordan nodded thoughtfully. "It's not that far. Maybe an hour and a half or two hours to get there, depending on which car I drive," she grinned. "It's pretty. Lots of trees and the river is right there. Much more of an artsy community than this one is."
"Is it the kind of place where you could be happy?"
Jordan dropped the paper and took Sarah's face in her hands. "I would be happy in hell if you were by my side."
"Hopefully, we won't have to find out if that's true," Sarah laughed.
Jordan's kiss lit Sarah up like a Christmas tree. Sarah pulled Jordan's hips closer to her own. "I'll call them on Monday morning. See if I can fax my resume and get an appointment for an interview."
"If you need anything from me, just ask. I'll do whatever I can to help you."
Sarah rubbed her breasts against Jordan as passion filled her. "You know what I want?"
"What's that, baby?"
"Tie me up," Sarah purred, "and do bad things to me."
"I can do that," Jordan said in a husky tone.
Sarah pulled her lover's mouth to her own and surrendered.
~***~
"How does it feel?"
"It's sore. I dread putting on a bra."
"Then don't. Give it a couple of days."
Sarah was fascinated with the silver ring through her left nipple. It was shocking, but so erotic. It had hurt having it done, but not nearly as much as she had feared. Jordan had pulled out all the stops the night before, making love to her repeatedly, the evening culminating in the piercing. At the time, Sarah had considered using her safe word to stop Jordan, but her curiosity had prevailed. Now she was glad she had allowed it. If it wasn't for the throbbing now, she would be playing with it. "How come you only did the one?"
"Gotta have one to play with while that one heals."
Sarah rolled her eyes at Jordan's smirk. "I'm not sure, but I think I really like it."
"I know I do."
Sarah lazily stretched, knowing that Jordan would appreciate the view. "I have almost a whole week off. All I have to do is pick up my cap and gown."
"And the honor cords," Jordan added. "Summa cum laude. I can't tell you how proud I am of you for graduating summa cum laude."
Sarah blushed shyly.
"It makes me feel smarter just being near you."
She giggled. Sarah loved the praise, but she wasn't sure what to do with it. "So, what are we going to do today, oh great and powerful wizard?"
Jordan performed her own morning stretch with a satisfied groan. "We need to talk to Maggie about moving and make sure she's going to come with us. I need to call Pete and have him set up a meeting with the staff. Then, I thought we could go shopping."
"For what?"
Jordan glanced at Sarah's nipple ring and licked her lips. "Jewelry. Lingerie. Whatever."
"I think it's funny that you like to shop."
"I love shopping. Don't you?"
"It's growing on me. Now that I have savings and can afford to actually buy things."
Jordan rose up on an elbow. "I hope you don't think you're paying today."
Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Jewelry and lingerie sound like entertainment items to me."
"Au contraire. They're a necessity. You can buy lunch."
Sarah suspected that "whose-money-to-use-for-what" would be a recurring battle between them. She was too happy to argue about it today. "Deal."
Jordan leaned over for a quick kiss and rolled out of bed. "Come on, lazy bones. We've got things to do and people to see."
Sarah smiled. Jordan was back.
~***~
When Maggie learned what had been going on, she was as mad as a hornet on methamphetamines after the money ran out. She was slamming pans and cursing a blue streak until she suddenly broke down in tears. Jordan went to her immediately and held her close.
"It's okay, Maggie. You were right. I should have listened to you."
"I never wanted this for you," Maggie sobbed. "How could they? After everything you've done for them, how could they?"
"Shh. It's okay, Mags. Everything is okay."
It took a few minutes to get Maggie calmed and sitting down so they could talk. Sarah kept her fingers crossed. Wherever they ended up, she really wanted Maggie to come with them.
"I never actually thought they would turn on you," Maggie sniffled. "I'm so angry."
"I know. Sarah thinks we should throw all the dungeon equipment outside and have a yard sale."
It wasn't exactly what Sarah had suggested, but it made Maggie snicker so she let it pass.
"It's an excellent idea."
Jordan shook her head. "I'm not going to do that. Regardless of whether they deserve it or not, I made a promise to protect their privacy. I won't go back on my word."
"But they betrayed you! You have to do something!"
Jordan glanced at Sarah before speaking. "We have a plan."
"What is it?"
"Wherever Sarah gets a job, we're going to move there. We're leaving and we..."
"You're running away?" Maggie cried in disbelief. "That's your brilliant plan?"
"Why would I want to stay?" Jordan asked with some exasperation. "I don't want them back as friends. They can't be trusted. As for the committees I've been serving on, screw them. I'm taking my money with us. They'll have to find other sources. I've given enough. I'm done with them."
Maggie sputtered for a moment, then turned her eyes on Sarah. "You support this decision?"
"Yes," Sarah said simply. "They didn't stab me in the back. It's Jordan's decision to make. The only thing I care about is being with her. And you...if you'll come with us."
That stalled Maggie's objections for a moment. "Me?"
"We love you," Jordan said. "We want you to come with us."
"Where?"
Jordan shrugged. "We don't know yet. Wherever Sarah decides to get a job. Right now, she's looking at a job in Edgewater."
"Oh," Maggie said as she relaxed back in her chair. "It's nice there."
"Please, Maggie, come with us," Sarah pleaded. "It'll never be home unless you come with us. Please?"
Maggie studied both of them thoughtfully. "This is the true start of your lives together. Are you sure you want me tagging along?"
Jordan threw up her hands. "What do you want, old woman? An engraved invitation? Yes! We want you to come!"
Maggie folded her arms with a disapproving look. "Don't you take that tone with me, young man. I'll think about it. You want me to uproot myself, leave my friends and traipse off into the wilderness. I'm going to need some incentive."
Jordan dropped her head to the table and proceeded to bang her forehead on it. "Here it comes."
Sarah wanted to dance. Maggie was coming with them.
"I want my own cottage again, but closer to the house. I'm getting older, you know. I can't be making treks like that anymore. I could break a hip and then where would you be?"
Jordan groaned.
"I want one of those cars like Sarah has," Maggie pronounced. "In candy apple red."
Jordan lifted her head. "It doesn't come in that exact shade."
"Then have it painted. Don't be dense, dear."
Sarah laughed out loud as Jordan scowled. Maggie was in complete control and loving every minute of it.
"Anything else?" Jordan asked with false civility.
"Grandchildren before I die."
The stillness in the room was almost terrifying. Sarah held her breath, waiting for what Jordan would say.
"We have not yet discussed the possibility of having children," Jordan said evenly. "If we do decide it's something we want to do, you'll be the first to know."
Maggie pouted. "But I want your little babies to hold and spoil."
Jordan failed to contain a sigh. "How about a dog? Preferably something that won't bite my ankles and pee on the furniture."
"Deal," Maggie smiled smugly.
Sarah knew it was a foregone conclusion, but she had to ask. "So, you'll come?"
"Hell, yes!"
Sarah jumped up to hug the old woman. "I'm so glad. I was so afraid you wouldn't come with us."
"Of course I'm coming, honey." Maggie chuckled. "Especially since I finally get to have a dog!"
"Why couldn't you have a dog?"
"They don't like me," Jordan said grumpily.
Sarah moved to Jordan's side and ran her fingers through the dark hair. "We'll find one that does."
"Yeah, right." Jordan leaned forward to point at Maggie. "First time it bites me, I'm shaving it bald. Second time, I'm shaving you."
"Yes, dear," Maggie said primly.
~***~
"You should wear this under your gown at graduation."
Sarah turned to look and her mouth fell open. Jordan was holding a sheer red corset. It was almost completely transparent and the cups were clearly not full enough to actually cover her breasts. "I don't think so."
"Why not?" Jordan glanced at the lingerie briefly. "It's going to be freaking hot. You're going to sweat your life away and die of dehydration before they get through the first speech. It only makes sense to wear as little as possible. It's not like anyone will know what you're wearing under that hideous gown anyway. Besides, this doesn't have cups to irritate your..."
Sarah captured the finger wiggling its way toward her pierced nipple. "I am not going to wear that thing for graduation. Just forget about it."
Jordan's bottom lip poked out. "What about in private?"
Sarah blushed from the ground up. "What's the point? It's not going to cover anything."
"Duh. That is the point."
Sarah looked at it again. It was beautiful on the hanger, but there was nothing to it. "You really want to see me in something like that?" Jordan stuck her tongue out and panted like a dog. Sarah had to laugh. "It's your money, sweetie. If you want it, buy it."
"Will you wear it?"
Sarah's blush was becoming life-threatening. She shrugged as though the question were of no consequence and turned away. "Maybe."
"Sweeeet," Jordan said softly.
Jordan was more light-hearted than she'd ever been before and Sarah was enjoying it immensely. She didn't know how long it would last, but hanging out with happy-go-lucky Jordan was a blast. It made Sarah feel like a teenager with no responsibilities. They'd been in the mall for hours already and had wandered through more than a dozen stores. Except for a couple of CDs and a bottle of cinnamon massage oil, they hadn't bought anything.
Sarah looked back at her lover and smiled. Several lacy-nothings now lay over Jordan's arm. If she didn't intervene, she suspected Jordan would lay out some serious cash filling Sarah's drawers with lingerie. "Hey. I'm getting hungry."
"Just give me a minute."
"Okay. I'm going to step outside."
"'Kay."
Foot traffic in the mall was steady, but not overwhelming. Sarah found a padded bench with a view of Jordan and sat down. A woman sat on the next bench cleaning a little boy's hands with a tissue.
Sarah had never considered the possibility of having children. In fact, it had never even occurred to her to think about it. Having children had no place in the plans she'd made for herself.
She shifted her eyes back to her lover. Maybe things were different now. Did Jordan want kids? Considering Sarah's childhood, was she capable of the selflessness that being a mother would require? Was motherhood something she wanted to experience? Who would carry the child?
Picturing Jordan pregnant made her grin. It was so wrong. No, if they were ever to have children, it seemed likely that Sarah would do the bearing. It was certainly something to think about, but there was plenty of time.
Jordan left the lingerie shop with a twinkle in her eye and a smirk on her lips. She looked pretty proud of herself as she dropped down beside Sarah.
"Do I even want to know what you bought?"
"Nope."
"I'm in big trouble, aren't I?"
"Oh yeah."
Sarah laughed. "What are you hungry for?"
Jordan waggled her eyebrows. "That all depends."
"Now, now. There are children about. Behave yourself."
"Later then."
Jordan looked around and then suddenly cocked her head to listen. A blissful smile spread across her features. "Unforgettable." *
"Wha...?"
"That's what you are."
Sarah was stunned. She'd never heard Jordan sing and she was...extraordinary.
"Unforgettable though near or far."
The smooth tenor made chills run up Sarah's spine. Jordan's voice was exquisite. The tone and timber were perfect.
"Like a song of love that clings to me, how the thought of you does things to me."
People were turning to look. Sarah was aware of them, but they didn't matter. The love glowing from Jordan's eyes and the beautiful voice that sang to her were the most important things in the world.
"Never before has someone been more."
Jordan rose to her feet and held a hand out. Sarah took it and was pulled into Jordan's arms.
"Unforgettable in every way."
They began to dance to the music drifting through the mall, their bodies moving together as if they had been crafted as a single unit. Sarah's eyes were riveted on her lover.
"And forever more, that's how you'll stay. That's why, darling, it's incredible that someone so unforgettable, thinks that I am unforgettable, too."
Sarah swallowed past the lump in her throat. "I didn't know you could sing," she said softly.
"With you in my arms, I can do anything."
Sarah thought her heart would burst with joy. "Do I tell you enough how very much I love you?"
"Yes, baby. You do."
Jordan continued the song in full voice. "Unforgettable in every way, and forever more, that's how you'll stay. That's why, darling, it's incredible that someone so unforgettable, thinks that I am unforgettable, too."
Their lips met in a gentle kiss as the music ended.
"I love you," Jordan whispered.
"I love you, too. So very much."
Applause erupted around them. A good number of people were smiling and laughing at them. Even Jordan was blushing at the unexpected attention.
"I've decided on Chinese for lunch," Jordan said as they picked up their bags.
Sarah couldn't help but look at the people watching them. Every single one of them was smiling at her with genuine warmth. It made her feel blessed. She took Jordan's hand openly and let her heart lead the way.
~***~
First thing on Monday morning, Sarah contacted Family Motors in Edgewater about the job opening and spoke with a woman named Kelly. She arranged to send her resume by fax and was given an appointment for an interview on Friday afternoon. This was perfect for Sarah. Graduation was scheduled for early afternoon on Thursday. She knew that Jordan had a party scheduled for her on Thursday evening. She wasn't supposed to know, but Janet had spilled the beans about being invited to it. Tamar was going to be there as well. Sarah suspected some of the staff would be there, too.
Jordan wanted to go with her on Friday to get another look at Edgewater. Sarah thought it was a great idea. It wasn't a long drive, but it would be a day away for both of them. Besides, it would be nice to have the emotional support.
They were leaving on Sunday for parts unknown. Sarah still didn't know where they were going and Jordan wouldn't let her pack. Apparently, they were going without luggage of any kind. Sarah was allowed to bring her passport, her driver's license and the digital camera. That was it. It made Sarah feel a little lost and out of control, but it was also very exciting. They could end up anywhere. Suddenly the world felt like a very big place.
Sarah sat down and composed an introductory letter for her resume. She worried about stating that she wouldn't be available to start work for two weeks, but she would need that time. If it cost her the job, so be it. The delay was unavoidable. There was the mystery trip for the first week and, if she got the job, they would need at least a week to relocate. Even that would make for a very rushed move. Jordan was planning for them to stay in a motel or bed and breakfast until they found a suitable house. Sarah knew there would be a lot of traveling back and forth from Anderson to Edgewater before they were settled.
Of course, if she didn't get the job, they would have plenty of time to organize a move while she searched for something else. She felt the responsibility of it all keenly, but Jordan was quite relaxed about how it would all turn out. She didn't seem to care at all where they ended up. Sarah had gone online and read about Edgewater. It looked very promising and she kept her mental fingers crossed about getting the job. It wasn't so far away that they would lose touch with the staff and Maggie could still see the friends she had in Anderson. Edgewater would be perfect for them all.
While Jordan was filling Pete in on their plans, Sarah drove the Hummer into the city for her cap and gown. She stopped at a U-Haul store on the way home and bought boxes for Maggie and herself. It went against her grain to buy boxes. They were hideously expensive. Left to her own devices, Sarah would have hunted for stray boxes behind supermarkets and liquor stores, but Jordan wouldn't hear of it. Sarah gave in, but it still hurt to hand over Jordan's credit card and spend several hundred dollars on cardboard boxes that would only be used once.
She spent the rest of the afternoon packing her books, CD's and winter clothes. There was no sense waiting until after they got back from gallivanting about the planet.
After dinner with Maggie and Jordan, the staff started arriving for the meeting. Sarah was surprised to see that their families had come with them. Jordan explained that the families would be affected and should be part of the process. Sarah felt enormous pride that Jordan was the kind of employer who would make that distinction. She really was an extraordinary person.
The meeting was to be held in the formal dining room. The table was large enough for all of the adults to sit comfortably. Maggie gathered the smaller children off to one side and was helping them make necklaces out of Fruit Loops and mini marshmallows.
After nearly a year on the estate, Sarah finally met Joey, the young man who tended the indoor plants and the solarium. She was very surprised to learn that he was autistic. Joey interacted very little with the staff, choosing instead to stand by a window, rocking from one side to the other while he alternately chewed on his thumb and tugged at his forelock. Jordan spent several minutes with him in silent conversation, an arm around his shoulders. He seemed calmer while Jordan was with him. Sarah had never dealt with anyone who was autistic. She had not the slightest idea how to approach him, so she left him alone. She wondered why no one had told her of Joey's condition.
Joey had come with his mother. Sarah spoke to her for several minutes, pleased to meet another person who thought Jordan made the sun rise and shine.
When everyone was ready, Jordan quickly laid out recent events for them. A wave of outrage swept the table. Sarah grinned as they expressed their indignation. This would be good for Jordan. She needed to see that there were people who would get angry on her behalf for the way she was being treated.
Jordan calmed them down before continuing. "As satisfying as it might be to exact a little retribution, we've decided that's not the way to go. It wouldn't gain us anything but enmity. Until this happened, I hadn't realized how unhappy I'd become with the life I created for myself. I'm tired of the players and what they do upstairs. I'm tired of arguing endlessly with the city about who's going to plant a tree or put benches on Main Street. I want something different."
Jordan took a deep breath. "Sarah will be looking for a job soon. We talked it over and decided not to limit her options to Anderson."
Several people gasped.
"You're moving?" Wendy asked in dismay.
"There's no reason to panic," Jordan said quickly. "Sarah doesn't even have a job yet, so this isn't happening tomorrow. Even when we do decide on a place to go, it will take some time to make it happen. No one's out of a job just yet. In fact, it may be that none of you will be out of a job."
"This isn't right," Brent scowled.
Adam nodded his agreement. "Damn straight. Screw this town. You should fight back. Not run away."
"I'm not running away from anything," Jordan protested. "I'm tired of all this. Now that everything is out in the open, I can finally relax and be myself. This city isn't going to accept me for being different. I want to go someplace where I can make a fresh start. Maybe I can do it right this time."
"What are you going to do with the house?" Wendy asked.
"I don't know yet," Jordan shrugged. "We might sell it. Or we might donate it to some organization. In any case, until we figure it out, we're going to need people to take care of it. The other thing to consider is that we will likely need staff wherever we end up. Those of you that want to come with us are welcome. Moving expenses will be taken care of. If, down the road, we sell this house, those of you who remained behind will have the option to join us or look for other work. You will receive generous severance packages. No one will be left out in the cold."
Missy, the quiet one who had helped Sarah with her cufflinks on New Year's Eve, was near tears. "It's not just the job. Maybe you don't know how important this place is to some of us. I don't have anyone else. This is my family. You are my family. I don't want to lose anyone. If I stay or go, part of my family will be gone."
Amanda put an arm around the crying woman. "All families grow and change," she said calmly. "It's never easy, but it doesn't mean the changes can't be good ones. I think that this move will open up all sorts of possibilities for everyone. Follow your hearts and trust in each other. This is not the end."
Leroy spoke up while everyone was thinking. "Any idea where you might be goin'?"
Jordan looked near tears herself, so Sarah stepped into the discussion. "I have an interview in Edgewater on Friday. It looks like a nice place and it's not too far."
Leroy nodded his head. "There's some good fishin' up there. I reckon it's as good a place as any."
"I might not get it," Sarah warned.
"Don't matter none," he drawled. "I'll be comin' with you."
Jordan folded her arms on the table. "I hired every one of you because I liked you. I've come to...love each of you. Leaving anyone behind will hurt. A lot. There's plenty of time to decide what you want to do. Talk to your families. Come to me if you have any questions or ideas. But I want you to know that if you decide to find other jobs, I will always be there if you need me. For anything. Missy is right. You are my family and I will care about you even if you decide to work for someone else."
Jordan's chair screeched on the floor as she stood up. "Take your time. I don't need answers today. Let me know what you decide to do."
Sarah glanced at the looks of grief and confusion on her co-workers' faces before following Jordan from the room. She hadn't thought too much about how the news would be taken before the meeting. Now she understood that this was going to be difficult for everyone. Especially Jordan. Her lover would take full responsibility for the anguish they would feel. It was in Jordan's nature to do so.
It was in Sarah's nature to do whatever she could to ease the burden Jordan felt. She followed her tall lover into the den and watched her pour a drink. "I don't think I knew how difficult that would be. I'm sorry."
Jordan shook her head as she sat down and cradled the brandy in her hands. "It's not your fault."
Sarah moved to sit on the footstool in front of Jordan. "I know."
"We're doing the right thing," Jordan said with a sigh. "I can feel it. I just wish..."
Placing her hands on Jordan's knees, Sarah scooted a bit closer. "So do I, sweetie. But maybe they'll come with us. Leroy already committed to it. Others will follow. And maybe, after the ones who stay with the house have had a chance to think about it, they'll come, too."
Jordan was fighting tears. "I hope so. They are my family, you know."
"I know. Remember Emily?"
"Of course. I talked to her the other day. Why?"
"She told me my first day that this would be my family if I let it. She was right. This is a pretty special place and it's because of you."
"I just..."
"It's because of you," Sarah insisted. "You are a very special person. They don't work for you because of the money. They do it because they love you. They love you because you give them love, respect, compassion and loyalty. No one is like that, Jordan. Out in the real world, people aren't like that. Maybe a little bit when it suits their purposes to be, but only rarely. I think most of the staff will come with us. Especially if I can get the job in Edgewater. They won't feel like they are going so far from home."
"Don't put that kind of pressure on yourself, little one."
"Too late," Sarah grinned. "I want that job so bad I can taste it. I don't care what it pays or what kind of work I have to do. I talked to them this morning and the woman was really nice. You know how sometimes you just get a feeling?"
Jordan smiled. "Like the feeling I had about you."
"Yes, well, okay." Sarah was blushing. "Anyway, I had that feeling this morning on the phone. If they are considering anyone else, I'm going to make them change their minds. That job is mine."
"That's not what you said in the staff meeting."
"Well, I suppose there's a slight chance that I might not get it. There could be an earthquake or a tornado or something. I can't be held responsible for acts of God."
"Baby," Jordan said with a relaxed smile, "you are an act of God."
A knock at the door prevented Sarah from ravishing Jordan where she sat.
"Come in," Jordan called out.
Pete and Amanda came in holding hands. "Hey, boss," the big man said.
"Hey. Grab a drink. Have a seat."
Amanda shook her head and sat down close to them. "I'm fine."
"Thanks for what you said in there," Jordan said as Pete went to pour a drink.
"It was only the truth."
Sarah turned so she could see Amanda, but kept a hand on Jordan. "Is Missy okay?"
Amanda grinned. "She's going with you."
Sarah squeezed Jordan's knee at the news. "Excellent."
Pete sat down beside his wife and took her hand. "We've got something to tell you."
Jordan cocked her head. "Okay."
The smiles Pete and Amanda wore made Sarah's eyes go wide. Somehow she just knew. Sarah threw both arms up in the air. "Yes!"
"What am I missing?" Jordan frowned.
Sarah clapped her hands over her mouth and did a happy dance on the footstool.
Amanda did the honors. "We're pregnant."
Jordan leapt to her feet, her drink falling to the carpet unnoticed. "Are you shitting me?"
Pete was puffed up like an old bullfrog in mating season. "I'm gonna be a daddy."
Jordan all but jumped on Pete to hug him and then turned on his lap to hug Amanda, too. "This is so great! A baby!"
"Oof," Pete grunted. "Get your fat ass off me, you pig."
Laughing, Jordan bounced up and down on the big man. "Get used to it, buddy. The kid is gonna be dancing on the jewels before you know it."
"Jeez! Knock it off! We want more than one, you know."
Jordan shifted to sit on the coffee table. "A baby. Amazing. How far along are you? When is it due?"
"Only two months," Amanda explained. "He's due around Christmas."
"She," Pete interjected.
Amanda patted his leg absently. "We haven't told anyone else yet. We wanted to wait until the second trimester. We're only telling you today because we have more news."
Sarah slid over next to Jordan and put an arm around her waist. "Good news, I hope."
"I had already decided on taking a year off from teaching to have the baby," Amanda said. "Then Pete came home today to tell me about your plans."
Pete grinned, his white teeth flashing. "We want to come with you."
Jordan put a hand to her chest as tears rolled down her face. "Do you mean it?"
"Edgewater's not far," Pete explained, "but it's far enough to give us some breathing room from the family. If we stay here, we won't see the baby until she's a teenager. Besides, you're my best friend. We're going with you."
Jordan ended up between them, hugging them as well as she could. "I love you guys."
Sarah was fighting her own tears of happiness. Jordan would have been devastated without Pete. She would have tried to hide it, but she would have been lost inside. Sarah was equally as glad that Amanda would be coming. She was growing closer to Amanda all the time. Losing that friendship would have been terrible.
"I'm so happy for you," Sarah said. "I can't wait to meet the baby, but I'm so glad you're going to come with us."
"Hey," Jordan exclaimed to Amanda. "Do you want a job?"
Amanda raised an eyebrow. "What kind of job?"
"Maggie wants grandbabies. I'll pay you to let her fuss over you. Anything to take the pressure off of us."
Amanda laughed. "Sorry, Jordan. I can't let you pay me for something I'm looking forward to."
"You two should have children, too," Pete said. "Our kids could grow up together."
"Hey," Jordan said in a warning tone. "We just found each other. Let us have some time together. We'll talk about it when we're good and ready."
Amanda reached out for Sarah and pulled her into the pile. "Do you think Edgewater is ready for us?"
It was a giant group hug with Pete and Amanda holding them together. Sarah giggled. This family thing was incredible. It was good to know it was only going to grow.
~***~
Sarah was wearing a skirt and blouse under the gown and now she regretted it. Jordan had been right. It was hot as blazes. Graduation was being held on the football field and the sun was turning the black robe into a solar oven. The temperature was only in the low 80's, but that was enough to make it miserable. The shade of her mortar board did absolutely nothing to alleviate her discomfort.
The only enjoyable part of the entire ceremony had been receiving her diploma. In spite of instructions not to from the chancellor of the university, Jordan, Maggie, Pete, Amanda, the rest of the staff and their families had stood up and cheered for her, disrupting the ceremony for several minutes. It had been embarrassing, but Sarah loved them for it. It was the first time in her life that anyone had done something like that. She would never forget it.
Except for the heat, it had been a wonderful day. She had woken to Jordan singing "Baby, if I'm the bottom, you're the top" in the shower. The lyrics had been so ludicrous that she'd dissolved in laughter. It was funny how waking up laughing could make your whole day brighter. Especially when it was followed by hours of delicious love-making.
Maggie had put together a veritable feast for breakfast and most of the staff had joined them. While some of them had not yet committed to following them, everyone was relaxed and lighthearted. The consensus over breakfast was that the very best graduation speech possible could be summed up in three words:
Get a job.
Sarah was wishing now that the speakers knew that. She had tried to listen for the first half hour, but now she was just waiting for it to be over. She couldn't even understand the words being spoken anymore. It was all just a blur. All she could think about was getting out of her clothes and taking a cool shower.
And ice cold lemonade. A whole pitcher full. She could almost taste it.
Sarah dozed for a while and woke as everyone around her stood up. Scrambling to join them, she grabbed her mortar board as a group yell split the air and caps went flying. No way was she going to lose hers.
It was over! The last eight years of her life had reached the finish line. Sarah took off her cap and let her head fall back. She had launched herself at the future like a pit bull and ended up in a place she had never dared to dream of. All of the sacrifices she'd made over the years were worth it.
The graduates slowly scattered and Sarah wound her way through them in search of Jordan and a drink of water.
"There she is!"
Sarah turned to grin at her friends. Both looked as hot and tired as she felt, but there was an aura of excitement about them as well. "Hey! How were the cheap seats?"
"Bite me," Tamar grinned.
"She graduates Some Come Loudly and thinks she owns the place," Janet snorted.
Sarah had not heard the bastardization of her honors title before and it struck her as funny. She laughed until she snorted and that set her friends off as well. The three of them ended up in a hug and the laughter gentled. "You are coming to the party, right?"
"I've gotta grab my folks," Janet said, "but then I'll be there."
"I'm hoping to catch a ride with you," Tamar hinted.
None of Tamar's family could be bothered to attend her graduation. They didn't feel obligated to provide their support since they disapproved of her goals. Sarah knew exactly how that felt and tightened her arm around Tamar's waist. "That would be great. As soon as I find Jordan we can go."
"I'm gonna miss you guys," Janet said quietly.
A wave of affection swept through Sarah. "I wish I looked up years earlier and met you both. You've become such good friends in such a short time."
"Edgewater isn't far."
Sarah grinned at Janet. "Not far at all." She looked up at Tamar and felt a pang in her chest. "You're the one I'm afraid we'll lose contact with. You're going so far away."
Tamar shook her head. "We'll stay in touch. Maybe we can even get together over holidays and summers."
"You have a standing invitation," Sarah insisted. "You'd better count on coming to see me every chance you get. If you don't, I'll send Jordan after you."
Tamar smiled. "I wouldn't object to that."
Sarah pinched her side. "She's all mine."
And then she saw her. Tall and beautiful with a huge smile on her face. Sarah's heart opened to eternity. "Speaking of which...here comes what I'm going to do with the rest of my life."
Sarah hitched up her gown and ran into her future.
* Disclaimer: I put a song in this chapter. "Unforgettable" written by Irving Gordon was used without permission. (I couldn't help it. It's such an awesome romantic song. Especially the version sung by Natalie Cole where she gets to sing with her legendary father, Nat King Cole. Please don't sue me. I bought the MP3 and put it on my Zen. It's on my favorites playlist. Shouldn't that be taken into consideration?)
Continued...