The Wall Crossers

Two Promises

Olivia's perspective

I step into the foyer of the building, ready to leave and put the Army in my past, closing the door behind me... and here she is.

She is wearing a pink wool skirt and light green blouse. She has several delicate gold chains looping down between her breasts, and the star sapphire is on her thumb—still sized for me. She has matching sapphire ear studs. A pink overcoat with white furry collar and cuffs and a black bag rest on the bench she is now rising from. She has white tights and black go-go boots to mid-calf, and a gray wool vest that is open in front. Like me, she has a black belt with a brass buckle.

She has her lovely brown hair up in a tight bun, like a ballerina, (I have never seen it like this) rendering her face more open than usual—a palette of lovely features that cry out to me to be kissed. Her amber eyes capture my green ones and I know for sure I am trapped by her in these eyes for always. She slow blinks at me, and my knees almost buckle—as ever and again.

She is looking at me like she wants to know my mind right now... reading my expression.

Leida's perspective

Olivia has just stepped into this room, carrying her big Army travel bag and a green heavy overcoat. She is wearing her striking green wool Army dress jacket—the one they wear with all the medals and unit insignia—and pants and light tan shirt with black tie, and one of those formal service caps is perched on her long black hair. Her pretty black Army shoes shine like mirrors. As does her brass buckle on the black belt.

She sees me and her expression in seconds changes from blank, to shock, to joy, and then into a question. I stand.

Third Person perspective

Olivia and Leida stand in silence regarding each other. Olivia drops her bag to the floor, and drapes her coat over it, and her hat on that. She stands back up straight, looking at Leida.

Leida stands with her arms down in front, fingers intertwined. She whispers, "She..."

A few seconds pass. Leida says louder, "... said..."

A few more seconds pass. Leida begins to sing, "... deep hurt..."

And then, gazing at Olivia, with intensity in her eyes, and sweetness in her voice, although tempered by recent pain, Leida sings She Loves You full on,

"... endured,
And her mind came all undone.
But now her heart is sure
That you're still the only one.
She says she'll have you
And you know that's so far out!
Yes, she wants you
And it makes her want to shout, ooh.
She'll have you, yeah, yeah, yeah
She wants you, yeah, yeah, yeah..."

But the singing is interrupted and stops suddenly because, Olivia, who has been edging closer to Leida during this this time, moves quickly and takes her in her arms, while Leida takes her in hers too, and they press their lips together and are kissing hard as Leida's song still echoes in the room, in their hearts, and Leida says "Ohhh" into Olivia's mouth as their lips move all over each other's and Olivia says "Mmmm" into Leida's mouth, and Leida does that squeal that she does and they are crying and kissing and after a minute or more of this they disengage their lips and press Olivia's left face to Leida's left, facing past each other, eyes closed and panting from the emotion and energy of the kisses.

Olivia's perspective

"You came back," I whisper.

Leida's perspective

"I never left," I pant with a great exertion to speak after the kissing. "I was at Maren's. She called the clerk here about you every day, for me—to learn when you would be released. I sent her here yesterday to check on you. To see if you still... "