Kindred Spirits

Part 27

Stevie held tight enough to Joan's hand that she couldn't let go when they reached the cafeteria door. When they entered the room, most eyes turned their way. Specifically the women from H1. Stevie didn't care, and Joan ignored the looks until Boomer spoke up.

"Freak lover!"

It sent up an echo around the room.

"Freak lover! Freak lover! Freak lover!"

A banging on the tables started as some of the women banged their trays on the tables.

Stevie was about to say something, her temper flaring again when something utterly surprising happened.

"Fucking hell, shut up!" Lou raged as she banged her fists on her own table.
"You'd think you lot had never seen two women holding hands before. Go back to your own damn business before I start chopping off fingers. I don't give them back like lips with eyelashes over there."

The room became quiet as the women went back to their dinner. Lou looked up at Joan and winked before chuckling at the whole thing. It was irony at its best.

Joan patted Stevie's shoulder before they both went back into the kitchens. Their presence and the incident wasn't lost on Eve who was also in the kitchen. She was much too focused on their actions and Joan could feel her eyes, but she decided to let her actions go for the moment.

"I hate them all." Stevie whispered, and Joan squeezed her hand.

"It's over now. Let's get you something you can handle." Joan said with care and Stevie let it go for the moment.

Joan helped her fix some vegetable soup which would be both nutritious and easy on her tummy.

"I'll probably be eating a lot of this." Stevie said as she smelled the soup which actually smelled like heaven. Joan was actually an excellent cook. In another life, she could have been a chef.

"Need anything else?" Joan asked Stevie with a bright smile as she picked up her plate.

"I don't think so." Stevie replied and turned to walk out and saw Miyake.
"Hi, Miyake."

"You good to start back tomorrow?" Miyake asked with a bright smile.

"Sure if you want me back." Stevie replied.

"Kath explain everything. You come with her. Work same schedule, yes?" Miyake asked, and Stevie nodded.

"I can."

"Good. Looks good." Miyake said pointing at the food. "Enjoy."

Stevie looked at Joan and smiled.

"What?" Joan asked.

"I didn't think Miyake would want me back here." Stevie responded and Joan just nodded toward the tables.

"I can be very persuasive when I need to be. Move along. You won't want the soup to get cold."

Stevie rolled her eyes but she listened. Joan purposely looked at Eve Wilder amd their eyes met. Joan's smile didn't reach her eyes as she stared the woman down before she followed Stevie to the table. Marie was already seated and waiting for them.

Marie looked between the two women and noted the lack of tension.

"So..." Marie said, not wanting to get into their personal affairs but she did want to know everyone was doing alright.

Joan looked at her with a raised eyebrow, expecting her to finish her statement. When she didn't Joan chose to speak.

"We are fine, Marie."