~ A Sibling's Rivalry ~
by Katia N. Ruiz
Disclaimers: See Part 1.
Additional disclaimer. From here on it gets controversial, if you disagree with how it goes, then email me. But I don't accept outright mean and insulting criticism. That said, read on and enjoy!
A Sibling's Rivalry
{Part 3}
By Katia N. Ruiz
Copyright 1997
PART
THREE
ONE-
Paris, France
FRANCES arrived in Paris the next day; on Friday. The Concorde only took two hours and forty-five minutes between New York and Paris. Louie Bordeaux greeted her at the terminal. It was the first time she had seen Louie since he had visited her in New York, after she had left France almost four years before. He quickly ran up to her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders, and lifting her up in a bear hug. Frances responded, wrapping her own arms tightly around his neck and laughing. "Hey, Louie!" She exclaimed, the happiness overwhelming her, making tears come to her eyes.
He let her go, taking her luggage. "Hey, Frances!" He said in French. "Your hair is long!" He exclaimed tenderly. Frances' hair was very short when she had left France, now it was down to her shoulders. "You are still gorgeous!" He complimented.
Frances threw her head back, laughing. "And look at you!" She studied him. His blond hair was cut short, just a few inches above his shoulders. His gray-blue eyes were full of happiness, as they were every time that he saw Frances. Everyone found his resemblance to Frances shocking; always assuming that they were really brother and sister. In fact, he had helped with conceiving William, kindly donating his sperm with no holds barred; and what was best for Frances and Katie, was that he didn't consider William to be his son. William was his nephew.
"So," He said in French again, looking closely at Frances. "Did you see Katie before you came?"
Frances met his eyes squarely and in French also, she answered: "Oui." Then she looked down at her feet as they walked.
Louie nodded knowingly, looking ahead. They walked in companionable silence, and he walked a little faster, until they were outside the airport; his car was parked outside the terminal's doors. He went and opened the trunk, putting Frances' things inside. At the same time, Frances went into the car, sitting on the passenger seat. Louie sat on the driver's seat and drove off.
İİİİİİİİİİ
"YOU have changed the house!" Frances exclaimed, delighted, her eyes running across the large living room of the house. The house belonged to the DeValoi family, but since Louie was a part of the family, he was allowed to inhabit it and do with it as he pleased.
Frances' eyes revealed her pleasure with the changes. The curtains were an off-white color, her favorite, and they allowed enough light in to allow a romantic setting to occur. The furniture was of the same color and it was scattered all over the room to give it sort of a perfect home designing magazine kind of look. The walls were a bright white that allowed the light to reflect, at the same time creating a very delightful room to be in.
She realized that she hadn't been in her homeland France in four years. She thought to herself that she had to bring Katie and William to this country and this beautiful house. But then she remembered that she and Katie were no longer together. The sorrow returned to her eyes.
Louie watched as the emotions displayed across her features, walked up to her, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "What's wrong?" He asked, leading her towards the den. There, he poured her a glass of wine. He handed it to her. "Is there something that you do not like about the house?"
Frances took the glass gratefully and downed its contents. She extended her arm for a refill and sat on the couch, crossing her legs gracefully. "The house is perfect," She reassured him. She remained quiet for a long moment, staring at the floor; and then spoke again: "I was just thinking of how I should bring Katie and William to this house," She looked up at Louie, irony in her eyes. "As if we were still together." She laughed bitterly; she took a long swallow from the glass, emptying it. She extended her arm for more.
"Do not give up so easily, Frances." Louie walked away from the bar, bottle in hand; he still hadn't finished his first drink. He was aware that this would be her third drink. "Careful," He said in French, smiling, pouring the wine into her glass. "Wouldn't want you to get drunk on me; those days are over, remember?"
Frances looked at him; she was starting to feel a little lightheaded. It had been a long time since she'd had a drink. She drank the glass' contents again. "No worry, my friend," She replied in French; a giggle escaped her lips. "I know you can take care of me; now, fill it up."
He shrugged and did so. "You, my friend, will never change." He said softly, sitting across from Frances on the chair.
Frances' smile faded. "I changed," She whispered bitterly, her eyes were very sad and nostalgic. "And what did it bring me?"
Louie fought the sudden urge to cry for the only sister he ever knew. Fifteen years before, when he was in high school, at the age of seventeen, his family had died in a car accident and the DeValoi family took care of him as if he were one of their own. Frances, who was fourteen then, was instantly his best friend and they committed their little jokes and mischievous acts together.
Frances and her parents were the only ones he got along with. He never really got along with Ross, who from the beginning treated him like an outsider and always coldly threw it in his face that he had no real mother, nor father, nor siblings. He always saw the rivalry that Ross insisted on maintaining against his older sister. Louie never understood Ross and his hate for Frances, who had done everything possible to get along with him.
And then at the age of sixteen, Frances started seeing the beauty in women. She brought many of them home. Beautiful women at that. Going out with them, bringing Louie out with her on double dates. Louie smiled at the memory. Frances wouldn't go anywhere without Louie; except if it was to take these women to bed, which was very often. Often, she would be a little more enthusiastic with one or two of these different women, introducing them to the family; and more sooner than not she would get bored of them, and that would be the end of that relationship. Fortunately, Richard and Francine were never closed minded about their daughter's obvious sexuality and allowed her the freedom to do her thing; although Frances never really did care what they thought, she knew that they would support her from beginning to end, even if they disapproved.
And then Ross began to show his hate for his sister; he berated her for her open sexuality, often unsuccessfully trying to take her girlfriends from her. Frances never did really care. She would never take these women seriously, she swore to Louie. And she never did. She began to study law in an advanced high school and her parents and brother moved to New York, leaving the very intelligent and young Louie to run their prominent wine business.
And for almost nine years, she and Louie shared this giant house alone, with the company of only the maids to keep them in order, like babysitters; but they couldn't prevent that each brought a different woman almost every night for their entertainment. Syrah had come along around that time, the only woman with enough perseverance to try to get Frances into a monogamous relationship. And after a year of trying, she left, leaving Frances the same way she was. And when she turned twenty-five, Frances decided she wanted to finish law school in New York and live with her family.
And in New York, she met the young and beautiful Katie, who swept her off her feet; and she fell in love for the first time in her young life, which was so full of women and sex. Then she vowed herself to Katie, never looking at another woman sexually again. Both women waited almost a year before asking Louie to help them have their very first child, who had been born in the following year, the month of July. Louie, who like everyone else had taken to this incredibly nice young woman, never hesitated, donating his sperm to help the only best friend he'd ever had fulfill her dream.
He was brought back from his memories by the soft sound of Frances' breathing. Frances was slouched on the couch, deeply asleep. Her face was softened into the peacefulness some find in sleep and Louie realized that Frances probably hadn't slept well since the separation. He felt a sudden pang of pain for her. He put the bottle down and stood up, approaching Frances. He tapped her on the lap; she stirred with a deep groan. "Come on, let me walk you to your room. You are falling asleep." He said soothingly.
Frances nodded and allowed him to pull her to her feet, draping her arm across his shoulder. She stumbled and he held her up. "I promise, we will go out tomorrow night..." She mumbled. "Tonight, I am just too tired
"
He laughed softly, pulling her up the stairs. "I know you keep your promises." He said, pulling her down the hall and into her old room, where he laid her on the bed, pulled off her shoes and covered her, leaving her fully dressed and fast asleep. He went back downstairs, to finish the delicious wine bottle, and to brood over his best friend's very sad situation.
TWO-
New York, U.S.: Saturday
KATIE was in the living room sitting with Richard and Francine; William sat quietly on her lap. "I was thinking," She said slowly. "That I want to return to accounting school." She wanted something to do other than thinking of Frances, who had left a large void in her heart.
Richard smiled his pleasure, leaning forward. "That is great!" He said, genuinely pleased. "When do you want to start?" He asked softly.
Katie sighed. "As soon as possible." She said. "I realize that I should never have left school in the first place. I mean, Frances always left that choice open to me; but I always wanted to take care of her, and then William came, so I made the choice to leave." She was quiet, deep in thoughts of Frances.
Francine finally spoke. "Well, you know that Frances left a very large account open for you. She would be very happy to know that you are using some of that money to go back to school." She looked at William and smiled tenderly. "What are you going to do with the little speeding bullet, here?" She asked, standing and picking William up. The name "Speeding Bullet" had come along when William first began to walk, or better said, run. His first few steps when he was nine months old were a distance of five feet between Frances and Katie. He'd stumbled the first few, then the rest were sure quick steps that left everyone present astonished. Hence, the name Speeding Bullet
Katie looked at both of them with love. Not having a family of her own, Katie felt very grateful to this family. This family that had accepted her since the beginning, even before she had met Frances and fallen in love with her. But that had added even more love and care once they saw how happy their daughter was to be with her, how she managed to tie her down and at the same time keep her happy. As their daughter moved from woman to woman, they saw that she was searching for some hidden thing, something she finally found in Katie. "Day care," Katie said. "It can be a great learning experience for him. Plus, he's so intelligent and well behaved. It should be no problem."
"Great!" Richard said. "I still have to bring you your new check books." He thought a moment. "Katie, when was the last time you saw Frances?" He asked.
Katie looked down, then her eyes returned to Richard. Francine had moved off to the den with William, talking tenderly to him. "Thursday night... she spent it here. Why?" She tried to make her voice sound casual. Those desperate hours of lovemaking that she and Frances had shared had left her scathed and hurting.
Richard read right through her. "I do not know," He replied. "I guess I just wanted to know. Will that be the last time?" He asked.
She knew what he meant. "Oui." She replied evenly. Even though he didn't ask the question directly, it was direct enough. She and Richard shared a father/daughter-in-law relationship that was closer to father/daughter than most. They had wordlessly agreed to honesty and straightforwardness.
Richard looked down sadly. "You know I love you for my daughter. You make her so incredibly happy." He said, looking up into her eyes. "It is with my every being that I'm hoping that you two can get back together."
Katie looked at him and smiled wanly. "Thank you," She said slowly, feeling her voice would betray her and force her to cry once again. She had cried more in the past month than when she lost her parents at the age of fifteen. "You are like a father to me, Richard." She said, her voice breaking, tears threatened both of them. It took all her might to force herself not to cry. "I'm just so tired of crying," She whispered, trying to reason with herself. Richard nodded in understanding. "I need to stop sitting at home and pitying myself over this." A hint of decisiveness showed in her voice. "That's why I want to return to school."
THREE
SYRAH sat inside her champagne colored Cadillac, thinking about her life, those unforgettable three weeks that she spent making love with Frances.
She knew that to Frances it may not have been making love; that it might have been a scapegoat, a means of forgetting her suffering. This knowledge didn't really hurt her, just like the knowledge of almost four years ago that Frances had fallen deeply in love with Katie hadn't. It bothered her a little, yes; but it was nothing she couldn't get over. After Frances had left to return to France, she realized that Frances would never feel for her the same way she felt for Frances. Frances, in the heat of her own passion, would call out Katie's name over and over.
Syrah had resigned herself to this from the beginning of their rekindled affair, deciding to enjoy it while it all lasted. Although she wanted Frances and loved her deeply, she knew that Frances' heart belonged and always would belong to Katie. Her heart told her this; and usually her intuitions were right. She knew that the most she would get from her would be bedtime. Syrah also knew that Frances had slept with many other women in that month. Having gone out to forget her problems, and finding these women throwing themselves at her feet without reservation, not refusing them in her search of love and care. Syrah felt the pain that Frances was feeling, the heartbreak, the emptiness- an emptiness that only Katie had fulfilled. And she knew that of all the women Frances allowed into bed with her, she was probably the only one in whose presence she allowed herself to cry.
Syrah sighed, watching the passersby absently. She knew she had to start anew, the past in the past. But she didn't know how.
İİİİİİİİİİ
ROSS sat out in the garden of his parents' beautiful house, his hands shoved into his windbreak jacket. He luxuriated in the knowledge that his coast was clear to win Katie over. With Frances around, there would be no chance. His cold blue eyes were glistening with happiness. He had loved Katie disconsolately for the past five years and he thought it was only fair for him to marry her. This that this sister and Katie had shared was not a real marriage anyway, was it? They didn't need to get a divorce, did they? He sneered smugly, chuckling. No, no divorce necessary, what they had had never been real.
He had to start slow, a little courting here and there. Something undercover, so that his parents and Katie herself- as she was unconsciously falling in love with him- wouldn't notice his plans. This was great!
He never stopped to think of why he felt this hatred towards his only sister. Was it maybe because she always got what she wanted? Because she was the smarter one, the one who always had beautiful women galore? He never thought about that. He never even thought that Katie would love Frances until the day she died and even well beyond her death. In fact, he never thought that much about anything other than making his sister unhappy and getting his own way. That was why he wasn't working, wasn't it? That was why he was still living under his parents' roof and off his parents' money.
But then again, he never really thought about anything important at all. And that would be his undoing.
FOUR-
Paris, France
"NOT ready yet?" Louie asked Frances as he impatiently knocked on her door.
Frances was in front of her mirror, adjusting her trimly tight off-white colored sleeveless shirt, which allowed her beautiful arms to be revealed alluringly, her chest accentuated provocatively. Her black pants were flawlessly ironed, her white off-white colored shirt flawless also. She looked at her hair, pushed it back with her fingers, and made sure it looked fine. She walked over to the door and pulled it open, smiling. "Now, I am ready." They had switched to speaking in their language, French.
Louie smiled approvingly as Frances opened her door. He hadn't expected her to look so goddess-like. Her blond shoulder length hair was carelessly thrown over her straight bronze shoulders. No makeup of any kind covered that perfect French skin. Her slim fingers still held her wedding band and a few other gold and diamond rings. She was the perfect picture of a self-assured, fashion conscious and successful French woman.
Frances studied her best friend and cousin, never doubting for one second that he would look this perfect. With blonde hair stylishly long and wavy, he was the perfect picture of an Adonis. His white blazer was open to reveal a tight, black spandex V-neck shirt that accentuated his rippling muscles. His black jeans were not too tight, but they weren't loose either. "Let's go." Frances said, walking past him towards the stairs. He quickly followed.
"Oh," He said. "I forgot to tell you that a couple of friends are going to join us at the club."
"Great." Frances said and they walked out of the now darkened house together.
FIVE
LOUIE and Frances entered the giant club, both attracting the attention of many of the present. The Cherie Mademoiselle dance club was one of the biggest and most profitable dance clubs in France. It was also one of the most favorites spots amongst rich mammas' and daddies' gay and straight kids.
The young lesbians, and even some straight women, in their vicinity were all looking at Frances with unmistakable longing; they really wanted to dance with her. Frances was dancing with Louie, swinging her perfectly curved hips sensually to and fro; she was oblivious to the desire around her until one of these young and beautiful French women boldly danced up to her and asked her to join her in a dance. Her name was Claudette, a red haired beauty with warm green eyes that read right through Frances. She could see the unhappiness that lurked behind the angelic face; she could see the vulnerability and sensitivity behind the gray eyes. She didn't know this woman, but she took an instant liking to her; and she wanted to know the reason why this woman was so utterly sad.
After a few songs, Frances noticed that Claudette was moving closer to her, that her dances were becoming more seductive, more sensuous. She didn't move back, but she didn't move forward either. She liked the tease, remembering how long it had been since she had done something like this. Claudette moved even closer, her eyes never leaving Frances'. She lifted her arms up over Frances' shoulders and rested them there. Frances, slowly wrapping her arm around Claudette's small waist, pulled her closer. They both swung their hips against each other.
The music was now slow and sensual. Frances pushed her hips hard against Claudette and they kissed. Frances' mind went to Katie, her beautiful, black haired beauty. Her beloved Katie, whom she loved more than anyone in the world, who stirred her insides in a way many women dreamed they could, who awoke a passion deep within her that left her burning.
Frances breathlessly asked her if she had a car; Claudette nodded. Frances waved in Louie's direction, he saw her and nodded in understanding, but the brunette beauty that was intelligently speaking to him soon took his attention. Outside, Frances had the gasping Claudette pushed up against her car, one leg draped over her waist and pulling her closer. She was kissing her and her hand was up her short skirt, her hips thrusting languidly against hers. Her mind was still on Katie; she tried to push the burning thought away, but found herself not being able to. She pulled back and suggested that they go to her house. She was bent on not thinking of Katie, aiming to get the sorrow out of her mind.
Claudette was in high heaven; this woman was the best kisser she'd ever had and she had a feeling that she was a great lover too. If only her soft kiss could cause her insides to quiver, what would her lovemaking be like? She allowed Frances to drive, not only because she didn't know Frances' address, but also because she didn't trust her quivering self to face the road. She gasped at the sight of the giant house that faced her, it was beautiful and it somehow matched the personality of Frances. She sat passively in the car as Frances pulled up to the little box and dialed the security code, and then led them through the automatically opening gates.
Claudette barely had time to look at the living room before Frances was on her like a bulldozer, kissing her deeply and slipping that hot, wet tongue into her waiting mouth. Before they knew it, they were on the floor, Frances' own slim waist between Claudette's thighs. She was kissing Claudette with a hunger that astonished both of them. Frances pushed her groin against Claudette's, sending a ripple of sensation through their limbs. God, Claudette had never met a woman so sizzling in her life! She knew this scalding French woman would keep up with her every wish, be it what it may. Claudette moaned, the first thing that she allowed to escape her mouth in what seemed a long time.
She pushed Frances up and pulled up her own shirt, revealing a gorgeous pair of round tanned breasts. Before Frances attacked her like a vulture out for meat, she pushed her skirt and panty down and kicked them off along with her shoes. She groaned deeply as Frances' tongue found and played with her nipple until it was painfully engorged. And then she moaned loudly as Frances sucked it into her warm mouth. She moaned again and again, a high-pitched moan, as Frances did the same to the other nipple.
God, how she wanted to feel this strong woman naked against her! She told Frances so, and watched in fascination as Frances slowly removed her own clothes, revealing a gorgeous, rippling, yet exquisitely feminine looking body. She sat up to pull Frances against her. She moaned as she felt Frances rub her heat against hers. She cried out as Frances propped herself up on her arms and rubbed her heat harder against her, groaning and moaning with abandon. Bracing her hands against the back of Frances' neck, she pulled herself up too. Her weight hanging from the strength of Frances' arms, she screamed in her passion as Frances drilled against her, as she arched her back when she felt the staggeringly strong contractions that led to her first explosion of ecstasy, as orgasm after orgasm ran through her body. She thrashed all over, her body arching feverishly, Frances keeping her in one place with her weight.
But it didn't stop yet, because Frances' holding off was torture, yet it was utterly pleasing. And she screamed again in orgasm as she felt and heard Frances' frantic cries and moans of her own ecstasy, passionately calling out Katie's name over and over in her orgasmic oblivion.
İİİİİİİİİİ
Louie woke up the next morning feeling relaxed and quite fulfilled. He realized that his head, instead of being on a pillow, was on a more comfortable pair of firm, but soft, round breasts. He remembered the night before and smiled to himself, surprised to find that he had fallen asleep in this beautiful woman's arms. That was something he never allowed himself to do. Usually quickly dispatching the women after sex was his way. But tonight had not felt at all like sex. It had been passionate, slow, and fulfilling.
He was also surprised he remembered her name: Korina.
Korina's hair, in the sunlight was still a deep brown. Her seemingly pale skin was wholesome and dark instead. Plus she was a great lover. Hmmm, maybe he could really get to know her, something he never allowed himself to do either. Frances was different, she let the women stay in her bed, only to have a second serving on the next day; but that also depended on the woman. For some reason, Louie was interested on getting to know Korina. He just hoped she was interested in getting to know him also. He slowly stood up from the bed and went, naked, to his bathroom.
SIX
IT was noon by the time Frances woke. Claudette was still sleeping, an arm thrown over Frances stomach. After those first orgasms, they had moved upstairs to Frances room, leaving everything (clothes and all) strewn all over the floor. It was a sex filled night that left Frances feeling empty and craving for Katie. There was nothing warm about the way they'd had sex. Nothing sweet or promising.
And Claudette knew that this goddess-woman, as she referred to her in her thoughts, who was so desperately and helplessly in love with another woman, would never give her more than this. But that was good for her; she wasn't one to go for commitments anyway. All she really wanted was some passion and pleasure.
Frances carefully stood up from the bed and slipped on her pair of silk pajama shorts. She looked into her drawer and pulled out a comfortable cotton tank top. Her body felt loose and relaxed from the long night of great exercise. She went to the bathroom, where she washed her mouth, brushing her teeth and rinsing her mouth thoroughly. She left the bedroom and walked towards the stairs. She heard a noise coming from the kitchen and she went towards it.
Louie stood with a frying pan and a spatula in his hands. "I'm starving!" He exclaimed, patting his muscled stomach with the pan. He was smiling broadly, his golden hair gleaming with the sunshine. "I'm cooking for eight."
Frances smiled. "What, did you have an orgy, monsieur?" She joked, chuckling.
"I could have been," He said, smiling. "This woman could have been in the Olympics, running twelve hundred laps five times and never gotten tired! By the time we were done, I was exhausted!" He paused and looked at her closely. "How do you feel, Cherie?" At this question, he turned serious.
Frances sat on the stool and smiled. "Fine," She replied. "She was not bad at all."
Louie smiled again, a perfect toothy smile. "God, your first night out clubbing, second in France and you already got laid!" He laughed now. "You could set a Guinness World Record for endurance, luck and capability." He was giggling.
Frances laughed; she couldn't help it. No matter how sad she felt, Louie would always make her laugh. She suddenly felt a desire to speak to William and Katie. But she knew she would have to wait until that night, for in New York, it was still too early. Suddenly, they heard voices and instantly knew that both women upstairs had encountered each other in the halls.
A few seconds later both beauties strolled into the kitchen, in great conversation. Claudette had taken one of Frances' shirts, and it was a little big on her, since Frances was slightly bigger in frame and wore her clothes slightly bigger than her own size. She'd found a pair of shorts from somewhere in Frances' bedroom and donned them. Korina had taken the shirt that Louie had been wearing the night before; its tightness pressing against her hardened nipples. Louie fought the sudden urge to ravish them; his eyes never strayed from the fullness of her chest.
Claudette walked over to Frances, wrapping her arms around her neck and pulling her close. Frances smelled the toothpaste on her breath. Claudette kissed her suggestively and kissed her slowly, slipping her tongue into her mouth. Frances responded, not really wanting to. She pulled away slowly; Claudette saw the reluctance in her eyes. "Let's speak," She whispered knowingly. Frances nodded, pulling her out of the kitchen. Louie and Korina remained in a lively conversation of their own, Korina looking into the refrigerator and Louie looking into the cabinets, trying to figure out what they could fix up to eat.
In the den, Frances sat on one of the chairs, inviting Claudette to sit wherever she liked. She crossed her legs and thought for a few seconds. "I am going to let you know that the most I can give you is a friendship," She said bluntly. "And occasional friendly encounters."
Claudette wasn't affected by this revelation. "Oh, I knew that already, mademoiselle!" She laughed, gesturing to Frances to dismiss the notion that she wanted more than that. She stopped laughing after a while and studied Frances intently. "Tell me something, Cherie," She continued, looking into Frances' eyes. "Who is Katie?"
Frances gasped in surprise. "What?" How did this woman know about Katie?
Claudette saw the question in her alarmed eyes. "You called out her name all night long," She said, answering the silent question. "Every time you came, Katie would come out of you mouth."
God, Frances didn't even remember having called out her name. She knew that her mind would stubbornly keep Katie in her mind. Imagining it was Katie whom she was making love to, imagining it was she who caressed her... "Katie
is the woman I love." She whispered.
Claudette smiled reassuringly. "Really?" She asked.
Frances smiled bitterly, looking down at her left hand with such nostalgia. "She is the only woman I have ever loved, and ever will love." The pain in her eyes was unbearable. Claudette looked down at her left hand and saw the wedding band on her ring finger. Funny how she almost didn't care the night before. Now, she felt for this suffering young woman facing her.
"Why aren't you with her, Cherie?" She asked.
Not knowing why, Frances related the whole story to her. She felt she could trust Claudette; she knew they would become great friends. "I know now that we will never get back together." She whispered when she finished, tears came to her eyes. She wiped at them, but they kept coming.
Claudette stood up from the chair and went to her and sitting on her lap pulled her head to her, cradling it against her chest. Frances was crying against her, small sobs making her body shake. Claudette felt helpless; all she could do was comfort her until her cries subsided. "You can not just give up like that, Mon Amie." She whispered softly, shifting her fingers through Frances' soft hair.
Frances didn't respond, she continued crying, desperately hopeless about her return to Katie's arms. Louie happily walked into the den to announce that food was ready; his eyes softened with concern as he realized the situation. He approached both women and kneeled in front of them, putting his hand gently on her back. "Frances," He said softly and his voice broke, tears came to his eyes. Claudette looked down at him and saw that he was almost crying. She realized that these two had a very strong bond.
Frances moved and lifted her head up, looking at him through teary eyes. She stood up, Claudette in her arms; she held her gratefully for a few long seconds and then she let her stand on her own. "Let's go eat." She said hoarsely, wiping her tears, and left them both in silence.
SEVEN
KATIE was sitting behind the desk that was in the den, the room that Frances had used as her little office. William was sitting on the floor, in front of the twenty six-inch television Frances had there on a stand, watching some educational cartoons in PBS. Katie was looking through the college application, pen poised, when the phone rang. She looked at it with a start. She picked it up and said: "Hello?"
Frances' strong, husky voice rang through her ears. "How are you?" She sounded happy to hear her voice. "I am sorry I did not call you before."
The sound of Frances' voice had activated the memory of that last passionate night together. "I- I'm fine," Katie's voice wavered. She wanted to tell Frances how much she missed her and wanted her and needed her. But she stopped herself, saying instead, "William has missed you."
Frances sighed. Only William? She wanted to ask. Instead, she said: "I have missed him also." Katie heard the sadness in her voice. "And I have missed you too."
Katie held herself; her love for Frances drove her wild. "Do you want to speak to him?" She asked, trying to control her body's reaction to that sensuous voice.
"Oui!" Frances said softly. She lifted her eyes from the desk to look at Claudette smiling at her.
She could hear Katie talking to William sweetly, saying something to him. His young voice came on the phone. "Di?" He hesitated.
At that moment Frances broke down, tears streamed heavily down her cheeks. "I am here," Her voice shook. "How is my little Rug Rat?"
William, smart little boy that he is, heard her crying. He started crying also; tears streamed down his little plump cheeks. "Di, 'ome back!" He sobbed into the phone. Katie pulled him up on her lap, crying also, burying her face into his abundance of hair. "Pease, 'ome back." He repeated.
Frances tried to keep her voice controlled, but found that she couldn't. "I miss you." She sobbed, feeling the tears trailing down her nose.
"When you 'oming?" He asked slowly, sniffing.
"Soon, baby." She said.
"For my 'appy pirthday?" He asked, his baby tears were already subsiding.
"Before that." She said, laughing softly.
"Okay," He said and handed the phone to Katie, returning to his cartoons and wiping the tears from his eyes.
"Hello?" Katie said, her voice shook. She listened to Frances crying softly, crying herself. She waited until the woman she loved so desperately stopped crying.
"I am sorry," Frances sniffed, wiping her tears with a tissue. She knew that Katie was still at the other end of the line, crying also. They remained quiet for several moments before Frances' hoarse voice said, "I have missed you so much!"
Katie sighed heavily, not answering. Then she said, "I'm going back to accounting school."
Frances smiled despite her sadness. "That is great!" She said. "When do you start?" She was genuinely pleased.
Katie was glad that she was able to veer Frances away from the memory of their situation. "I'm barely starting to fill up the application. But I'm hoping to send it out by tomorrow."
Frances asked: "What made you decide to return?" Her voice was soothing to Katie, whose hands were shaking; flashes of those last nights were torturing her.
Katie hesitated, finally deciding to be honest. "I need to keep my thoughts away from you." She said slowly.
Frances sighed. She still loves me! She thought happily.
"Have you called your parents?" Katie asked. "I think they're waiting to hear from you."
Frances gasped. "Shit!" She cursed. Katie smiled; Frances' accent was already beginning to deepen since she had left to France. Frances hesitated. "But I do not want to hang up with you." She sighed.
Neither do I. Katie thought to herself. "But you have to." She said instead, softly. "I'll talk to you when you call next time?"
Frances saddened; then suddenly she became angry. She and Katie hadn't had a real conversation in over a month! Now she wanted to just hang up with her? Just because they weren't together anymore didn't mean that they couldn't talk! "Speak to you some other time, then," She said coldly. "Give William a hug and a kiss for me. Bye." She hung up, looking at Claudette.
Claudette, even though she didn't understand or speak English, heard the sudden coldness in Frances' voice. "What happened?" She asked, approaching Frances and sitting on her lap.
Frances looked up at her; her eyes were cold and angry. "I have to call my parents." She said, moving forward, reaching across Claudette's lap and picking up the phone. She dialed her parents' number.
"Hello, DeValoi Residence." Flores said into the phone.
"Hello, Flores." Frances said. "How are you?"
"Miss Frances?" Flores exclaimed. "It's so good to hear you!"
Frances smiled. "And it is very good to hear you." She said. "Is my father there?"
"Yes, miss Frances," Flores replied. "He's been waiting to hear from you, since you had told him that you would call him."
"I would like to speak to him, please." She said.
A few seconds later, Richard came on the phone. "Frances?" He said.
Frances smiled and said in French, "Hello, father. I have missed you very much." Claudette stood and left the den, leaving her to have privacy.
Richard sighed. "And I have missed you, my child." He said, also in French. "Your mother has been driving me crazy telling me to call you. I told her you said you would call us."
"Is she around, dad?" Frances asked, trying not to laugh. She knew how her mother could sometimes drive her father crazy.
"Unfortunately, no." He said, and then he laughed. "I convinced her to go out with some friends, to try to get her mind off your not calling."
Richard and Frances spent some time in conversation and catching up on the past few days of separation; she asked for a few favors regarding William and Katie. After half an hour, they decided that it was time to hang up. They said I love you, and promised to call each other. When Frances finished, she went in search of Louie, who was still talking with Korina, and Claudette, who had probably joined them. As she headed for the kitchen, she found that Claudette was coming down the stairs, fully dressed and ready to go. "Where are you going?" She asked.
Claudette looked at her and smiled. "Home," She answered.
Frances smiled mischievously. "Do you really have to go?" She teased.
Claudette smiled knowingly. "Well," She said. "Not really."
Frances walked up to her and wrapped her arms around her waist, pulling her tightly close. "Now, when I said I could not give you anything more than friendship, I did not say I would not give you this." She kissed her softly, teasing. "Just because we are friends does not mean that we could not have fun once in a while."
Claudette shivered, she wanted more of that kiss. She let her hands feel Frances' arms, which were strong and slightly cut. "Let's go back upstairs." She whispered hoarsely.
Frances nodded and pulled her up the stairs. In the room, she wasted no time in removing both their clothes. As they stood naked in the middle of the room, Frances spread Claudette's legs apart and slipped her finger into her wetness. This situation reminded Frances of a long ago evening, but she pushed it aside. Claudette cried out and her legs weakened. Frances pushed weak-kneed Claudette towards the bed and laid herself on top of her, straddling and pushing herself on Claudette's thigh. With her fingers, she brought Claudette once again into ecstatic oblivion.
EIGHT
New York City, New York
SYRAH was strolling down Sixth Avenue in Greenwich Village. She was looking through all the store windows without any real interest. Her apartment was close by, a suite in a hotel on Fifth Avenue. She didn't know why she was walking around, doing nothing. She felt lonely, needing company and a good conversation. She was about to turn on Eighth Street, when she spotted Lucy, Frances' secretary walking down Sixth Avenue in the opposite direction. She stepped in front of her and smiled.
Lucy stopped and narrowed her dark brown eyes in recognition, saying nothing. "Aren't you Lucy, Frances' secretary?" Syrah inquired, letting her eyes run freely up and down Lucy's lithe body. Out of her work clothes, Lucy was stunning. Her curly black hair was loose and beautiful, as opposed to being in the tight ponytail in the office. She was wearing a dark blue windbreaker suit, and a white T-shirt under the jacket.
Their eyes met and Lucy smiled in recognition; she nodded slowly. "And you are Syrah, right?" She asked.
Syrah smiled in return and nodded also. "So," She began, a little shyly. "What are you doing around here?" She asked.
Lucy noted the shyness and smiled. She made a gesture of boredom. "I was just walking around," She replied. "Doing nothing. I was with my friend and then we separated to go home."
The word 'friend' caught more of Syrah's interest. "Your friend? Boyfriend or Girlfriend?" She asked before she could stop herself. She clamped a hand to her mouth and looked at Lucy in embarrassment.
Lucy laughed with delight. Ever since she had seen Syrah in the office that first time- plus the other times she had gone to visit- Lucy felt a slight interest in her. She stopped laughing and looked at Syrah with a small smile. "Guy friend," She said; she saw the disappointment in Syrah's gorgeous hazel eyes. "I do not have a girlfriend at this moment."
Syrah looked down and smiled with delight, then she looked back up. "Uh... listen," She said slowly. "I was getting hungry, do you want to catch a meal somewhere? My treat."
Lucy smiled a dazzling smile. "Of course, I was actually heading out to eat." She said. "Where are you planning to go?"
Syrah shrugged. "Actually, I do not know." She said. "Do you have a place in mind?"
Lucy smiled again. "Yes, I actually do."
İİİİİİİİİİ
LATER that night, after a long and fun dinner, Syrah invited Lucy over to her apartment. Lucy had accepted, a teasing smile on her cute dark face. Syrah had seen the smile and blushed. They walked into the darkened apartment and Syrah turned on the lights. "Do you want anything to drink, Lucy?" She asked, gesturing for her to sit down.
Lucy shook her head and patted the cushion next to her. "No, just sit here and talk to me."
Syrah obeyed. She sat next to her and turned to look at her face. "So, what do you want to talk about?"
Lucy's face softened. "What are you to Frances?" She asked slowly.
Syrah sighed, deciding to be honest. "I used to be Frances' lover," She began. "Before she married Katie. We rekindled our little thing after Frances and Katie separated."
Lucy didn't seem fazed by this revelation. "Will it keep going on when she comes back?" She asked, her face was strangely serious.
Syrah looked down at her lap and played with her hands. "Not if I find someone who could make me forget about her." She said softly, looking up at Lucy. "I have deep feelings for her, but I know that nothing will come out of that. I know that she's too deeply in love with Katie, but I cannot help myself. I have to keep coming back to her."
"And you never thought of getting serious with someone else?" Lucy asked, taking Syrah's hands in her own. She silently forced Syrah to look into her eyes.
Syrah shook her head. "No," She replied. "I've seen other women, but it was basically sex. The only woman I've ever wanted to get serious with was Frances. But she never felt that way about me."
Lucy didn't know what to say, this woman that was sitting across from her seemed to be very lonely. She felt a surge of protectiveness. She leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips; then she pulled back. Syrah was shocked only for a moment; she lifted her hand to Lucy's face and caressed it. She looked into her eyes again and saw the sweetness and softness that Lucy possessed. She leaned forward and touched her lips again with her own. They breathed against each other. Lucy moved up to her and wrapped her arms around the smaller woman's waist, pulling her closer. They stopped kissing and hugged.
Syrah felt like crying. She wrapped her arms around Lucy's shoulders and buried her face into her neck, sighing heavily. Lucy held her, kissing her neck softly. Syrah was beginning to respond, slowly moving against her. Lucy pulled back and looked into Syrah's eyes. "I could make you happy if you would give me a chance." She whispered. "There doesn't have to be love yet, but as long as we like each other, it can be all right."
Syrah didn't know what to say, so she grabbed Lucy's head with her hands and brought their lips together again, pushing her tongue into her mouth. They breathed hard against each other as their lips and tongues met in a passionate encounter. Syrah allowed her hands to caress Lucy's back. Lucy squeezed her deeper into her embrace. She allowed her hands to caress Syrah's shapely thighs. At this, Syrah arched against her, pulling her over her as she lay down on the sofa. They were looking into each other's eyes, breathing hard against one another.
Lucy spoke, her voice was hoarse and it held something like pleading. "Will you give me a chance?" She asked. She didn't let Syrah answer just yet. She gave her a deep kiss, slipping her tongue into her waiting mouth. Then she pulled away, leaving Syrah breathing in short gasps and needing more. "Will you?"
And Syrah nodded, whispering: "Yes," Into her ear. Pulling her down to make their lips meet again. And soon they were naked against each other, too wrapped up to notice the uncomfortable feeling of the sofa. And Lucy deftly caressed Syrah, allowing her hands to travel all over her body. Syrah moaned and groaned as Lucy's hands touched, found, and lingered on those secret places; those places that would make her loose control.
Syrah moaned, arched, gasped, and groaned as Lucy's fingers entered her in a careless rhythm. Cried out as Lucy pulled her fingers in and out of her. Her thighs quivered with pleasure as she felt her clitoris swell even more. And Lucy kissed her, sucked on her, caressed her as her fingers glided in and out of the intoxicating wetness. And Syrah found herself moaning, crying out, scratching, biting, arching and groaning as her passion released itself from her body in an ecstatic tidal wave.
And as ecstasy subsided, she realized that Lucy hadn't stopped. She feebly tried to push the expert hand away, but she was too weak to win. And Lucy lulled out yet another orgasm, Syrah didn't know from where. By now, she was too weak to stop her, and the sweat was making her beautiful body glisten. And then another, and another orgasm until Syrah was sore and wanted more, but couldn't take anymore.
She wanted to please Lucy, but Lucy had not moved from where she was on top of her. Their lips were touching softly, their tongues caressing each other. And Lucy let Syrah know that all those times she came, she was with her; she felt her pleasure. They lay together, completely tired, peacefully falling asleep in each other's embrace.
İİİİİİİİİİ
"SO," Syrah said. "Tell me, where are you from?" They were in Syrah's bed now. They had woken up feeling all cramped up and Syrah suggested that they go to her bed.
Lucy was half sitting and held Syrah against her. She smiled at Syrah's question. "Well," She started. "I'm half Chinese, half Puerto Rican. I was born here though."
Syrah smiled. She thought Lucy didn't really look Chinese, she looked more Puerto Rican. Her dark hair was very curly and her face was oval shaped. Her nose wasn't long, but it wasn't small either. The mixed ancestry made her very beautiful. Syrah considered her eyes to be like a puppy dog's, brown and soft. She allowed her hand to softy caress the side of Lucy's face. Lucy looked down at Syrah and smiled. "What about you?" She asked.
"I'm originally from England, but I travel a lot." She replied. Lucy realized then where the slight accent came from. Syrah continued, "My family is a family of artists, but I've been the only one with the luck to be known around the world. You see that painting over there?" She asked, pointing at a very beautiful painting across the bed. "I had it specially put there to relax me. When I was working on it, I found myself relaxing and able to keep my mind off my troubles. So I kept it to myself, not wanting to give it up for observation. When I looked at the finished work, I would find myself sitting there for hours just staring at it. So at night, when I can not sleep, I just look at it." She stopped herself, feeling foolish, looking up at Lucy, who was watching her with a smile. "I'm talking too much, sorry." She blushed.
Lucy laughed aloud. "You're doing no such thing!" She exclaimed. "You are beautiful when you talk. You should see the light in your eyes when you were talking of your painting." She laughed again; then she stopped and ran her hand through Syrah's curly hair. "Poor sweet Syrah," She whispered, before kissing her softly and lingeringly on the lips, igniting their passion once again. "You need to talk to someone, didn't you?" Her voice was hoarse with renewed want.
Syrah pulled Lucy's lips to her own, marveling at how quickly that kiss had ignited her senses. She gently slipped her tongue into Lucy's mouth and pulled her down on top of her, loosing herself into the oblivion of their lovemaking once again.
NINE
THE days passed and Katie felt the loneliness around her like clothes. She had not gotten word yet from BMCC about her application, but she was already looking for day care centers for William. She would go out with him for long walks in the afternoons, the beautiful springtime reminding her of when she and Frances strolled the neighborhood while she was pregnant and after William was born. Frances had called and talked to Katie for no longer than a minute, immediately asking to speak to their son. Katie felt hurt, so she was acting in the same curt manner towards Frances; such attitude towards each other left them hurting.
ONE morning, while she sat in her living room, she was surprised when Richard arrived with a present. There were two men behind him, holding large boxes in their hands. At the sight of her questioning eyes, he replied simply: "Frances has asked me to buy you a computer with a modem and camera."
Katie frowned. "For what?" She asked confused. Even though her career required some interest in computers, Katie never had any. Her brain would do most of her thinking, so she never desired to have her own computer. And Frances never showed any interest in getting a computer for the house, and now the sudden change? Well, she doesn't live here anymore, does she? She thought sadly.
Richard laughed. "So that when she calls she can get an image of you two." To the deliverymen, he said, pointing towards the den: "Take it to that office and set it; take your time." He looked at Katie and smiled. "Now, child, won't you invite me in?"
Katie apologized and moved aside to let him in. They went towards the office and watched while the men set up the large computer screen with the built-in camera lens and connected the modem to the phone line. One of the men, a burly guy in his early twenties sat in front of the computer for a few minutes, setting up the drive for the fax, modem and camera.
Within the half-hour, everything was set up. Richard paid the two guys cash and sent them on their way. Then he sat in front of the computer and pressed the button below the standby light. The screen flashed and an image of a phone came to the center of the screen. From the speakers, the dial tone reverberated. He played around with the keyboard; the sound of dialing then filled the room. Katie came to stand behind him, staring at the screen curiously. "You see," Richard said softly, staring at the screen and working on getting through. "Frances has the same kind of computer that we have in front of us." Finally, the sound of ringing came through.
Frances' husky voice came through. "Hello," She said, suddenly her image was on the screen. Katie marveled at the great visibility. Frances was still gorgeous; Katie gasped. "Hello, father. I see you perfectly."
"So do I," He replied. "The connection took no more than a half hour."
Frances smiled. "I told you it wouldn't take long." She said. "Where's my son, father?" She asked, the eagerness was in her eyes.
Richard could also see the urgency to ask for Katie in Frances' eyes and he wondered why she didn't.
Katie said, "William is watching some Sesame Street. I'll go get him."
Richard stood, and motioned for Katie to sit in his place. "No, I'll go get him."
Katie reluctantly sat down and looked at Frances on the screen. "Hi," She said, looking down. The sight of Frances' gorgeous face tore her.
Frances' face softened. The sight of Katie brought back the memories of that last night before she left to France. "Hi," She replied. She wanted to reach through the screen and touch Katie. She felt the pain in her heart. "How have you been?" She asked softly.
Katie looked back up at the image of Frances and she felt her love for her increase. "I've been fine." She replied. The sudden longing she felt for her made her gasp; Frances heard her and softly exhaled, looking down at her hands. Katie looked at her and her eyes watered.
Frances wanted to cry also. "Katie," She said, her voice broke. "I have missed you so. I love you."
Katie looked up and whispered, "I love you too."
At those words, Frances cried. Completely allowed herself to cry, letting out all the emotions she had kept in check for so long. Katie buried her face into her hands, tears flooded her eyes. Richard walked in with William at that moment; Katie stood up from the chair and walked out of the den, hiding her face from William.
Richard shook his head, staring after Katie. He sat on the chair and pulled William onto his lap. William gasped when he saw the image of Frances on the screen. He sprang forward, letting his hand rest on the screen. His eyes were wide with awe. "Di?" He said.
Frances wiped the tears away from her eyes. "Yes, baby?" She said softly. "How is my little Rug Rat?" She moved forward, resting her hand on her screen also, hoping to God that she could feel her son under her hand.
William laughed. "I'm fine." He said slowly, still in awe.
Frances smiled, her son was speaking with more clarity and this made her proud. "Do you miss me, baby?" She asked.
William nodded. "When you come home?" He asked, serious faced.
"I told you, baby, soon." She answered, knowing that this would be so. "Okay?"
William nodded again. He sprang from the seat and ran out of the den to find his mother, calling out his name for her. Richard watched him go and looked at the image of Frances. "We will speak again, dear?" He asked.
Frances nodded, smiling. "Definitely, father. Bye." She said and broke the connection.
TEN
IT had been over a month since Frances had left to France. Ross had already started his undercover courting. Rather primitively. First visiting Katie for a few minutes during the week; then prolonging the time on the weekends. Katie, who was very lonely, would accept his presence without question. When he found it proper, he began to shower little William with presents; toys the child didn't even find interesting. Ross figured that by courting the brat also, he could get a few points ahead. At home he would sit down and think that if Katie had returned the love he felt for her, William would have been his son. This knowledge made him hate the poor child even more.
William, smart boy that he was, didn't like Ross much. Ross knew this, but what was the difference, he wasn't fond of him either, was he? And when the day came that Ross asked Katie if he could take little William out for a little walk, the very intelligent two year old cried with fear, hoping his mother would understand that he was afraid of this monstrous man.
But to his dismay, Katie didn't understand. She didn't see the monstrosity behind Ross' eyes, she could never understand. She tried to soothe the crying boy, telling him that `uncle Ross' would be fun to be with. Finally, resigned to the fact that he would have to go anyway, William stopped crying. He resignedly walked out of the house, Ross holding his hand. When they had reached the first block away from the house, Ross began walking faster, the poor William struggling to catch up with the fast, adult strides. Ross looked down at him and smiled with venom. "Little brat! What, did you think you could get away from your uncle Ross?" He snarled.
William began to whimper with fear. He wanted to go home to his mommy. But Ross pulled him on, harshly pulling him up by the arm when William stumbled and almost fell. "Let me tell you something, you little jerk," He snarled, grabbing the boy by his small torso and pulling him up to face level, bruising his tender little chest. "Your mommy is mine! You hear? Not yours, not Di's or who-ever's, mine!" He shook the frightened boy, who had already begun crying. A lady passed close to them and Ross pulled William to him, a little too tightly, as if he were comforting him. The lady smiled reassuringly, loving the `father/son' image they represented.
And when the lady was a way back, Ross put William down on the floor. Before he could take his little hand into his, the boy ran away. "Speeding bullet" wasn't said lightly when they regarded William. He ran away from Ross, crying, wanting to run to his mommy. Ross ran after him, trying to catch up to him. "Come here!" He yelled, waving his arms in an almost comical manner. Being only two years old, William was never taught how to cross the streets, the reason being that he was still too young and was always with either Frances or Katie, his hand being held by his mothers.
So he ran into the street, and out of nowhere came a Lincoln; the driver pressed on the break frantically. It stopped, not before it hit the poor frightened boy, breaking quite a few bones and knocking him unconscious. Ross cried out, he didn't need this now! People gathered around the bleeding boy. The driver climbed out of his car, crying pitifully for the boy, holding his head between his hands, falling down to his knees and calling out for an ambulance.
BACK in the house, the mother's instinct in Katie sent a jolt through her heart; instantly letting her know that something had happened to William. She ran out of the house wildly, not conscious of anything but finding her son. The tears ran down her cheeks freely, the pains in her heart letting her know that her son was very near death. What she found was William's swollen little body being carried into an ambulance. She screamed, running through the crowd and up to the blonde female paramedic. "He's my son! He's my son!" She shrieked frantically, tears were by now streaming down her face in great big gushes. He looked into her eyes and complied, letting her into the ambulance.
A few feet away, Ross watched as Katie climbed into the ambulance. He cursed and turned away and ran towards the house. As he reached the lawn, he realized that Katie had run out and left the door open. He ran into the house and into the kitchen, towards the phone. He dialed his house number and waited while the phone rang. Flores answered the phone.
"Flores!" Ross exclaimed. "Get my father." Flores sensed his excitement and told him to hold.
Richard's voice came to the line. "Ross?" He said, there was worry in his voice. "Is something the matter?" He demanded.
"Dad! William's had an accident!" Ross said, touching his forehead with his fingers. Shit, shit, shit! What am I going to do? He thought frantically.
Richard felt his heart stop. "What!" He exclaimed. "What hospital is he in?"
"Jamaica." Ross said. He heard his father hang up the phone. "Damn!" He cursed over and over again. He didn't need this now; he was supposed to be winning Katie's trust and now this happened. Ross walked out of the house, making sure that he took Katie's keys and purse from the kitchen.
Continued in Part IV
Katia N. Ruiz
The Athenaeum's Scroll Archive