Her Touch

17

With flustered cheeks and deep breaths, I managed to get dressed, the thoughts of what I had done still reeling in my mind, "Kylie," I heard someone's sleepy voice by the door. I looked to see that it was Natalie.
"Hey sleepyhead," I untied my hair out of the bun on my head.
"Where's Ava and mommy?" She asked, as she walked into my room.
"They're probably downstairs," I took out a pair of socks from my dresser drawer and took a seat on my bed. As I began to slip them on, I heard Natalie begin to laugh, "what's so funny?" I looked up at her.
"You even have rainbow socks," she placed her hand over her mouth, "did you raid a leprechaun's closet?"
I furrowed my brows and pouted, "that's not funny."
"It is, I gotta tell Ava," she ran out of my room and presumably down the stairs. I groaned, before I finished slipping my feet into my socks and headed downstairs as well, "Ava, Ava, Kylie's so funny," I pressed my lips together, as I entered the kitchen.
"What has she done now?"
"Her rainbow socks," Natalie giggled and pointed to my feet.
I shrugged and walked over to the fridge, "you should see her rainbow underwear," mom chuckled, as I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge.
"Mom, really?" I grumbled, as both Ava and Natalie bursted out laughing.
"I bet you're wearing a pair right now," I didn't deny it, as I shifted my eyes side to side.
"I plead the fifth," I lowered my gaze and bit down on the inside of my cheek.
"You're so predictable," she continued to stir something on the stove.
"I'm not, would you like me to discuss your rainbow toy?" I arched my brow.
"Kylie, there's a child here," mom didn't seem embarrassed, "and you weren't supposed to know that existed."
"I needed batteries," I chuckled, "and I didn't know what it was."
"You know now though, do you have one?" My eyes widened.
"No," I mumbled.
"Just because you're gay doesn't mean you can't have one."
"Mommy, what are they talking about?" Natalie questioned.
"I don't know, sweetie, but it's not nice to eavesdrop. Let's go see what grandpa Donald is doing in the backyard," they both left and Ava remained.
"I don't masturbate mom," I said openly, since Natalie was no longer around.
"So you say, wait till the hormones kick in," I rolled my eyes, "Ava, you have to show my daughter a few tricks, she's such a prude."
"Mom, don't involve her in this and I'm not a prude," I grumbled.
"Aren't you two dating or something, whatever it is," Ava cleared her throat.
"Something like that, I would rather my parents' don't know yet though."
"Your mom will be fine with it, isn't she bisexual?" Ava's eyes widened with surprise, "I see she neglected to tell you that."
"Mom, please don't tell me you two..."
"Oh no, we were friends and I strictly like a penis," she chuckled and I let out a sigh of relief, "but don't tell your mother I told you that, just know they'll accept you. I have known Diane and Philip for many years, they're open-minded people."
"What are we open minded about?" Mrs. Reese walked back into the kitchen.
"Oh, Kylie was just wondering if anyone is uncomfortable with her sexuality," mom pressed her lips together, as she turned off the stove.
"Oh, I'm totally fine with it. I honestly am," Mrs. Reese walked over to me and placed her hand on my shoulder, "you're an amazing young woman, don't think otherwise."
"Dinner's almost ready, let's get everyone seated at the table," mom placed the dirty cooking utensils into the sink, "Kylie, go get your grandfather, he's in the backyard," I nodded, as we all walked out of the kitchen.
"Mommy, I need to use the bathroom," Natalie wiggled her legs, walking over to us.
"Okay, let's go," Mrs. Reese held her daughter's hand and led her to the bathroom.
"Are you okay?" I asked Ava, as she stood awkwardly next to me. She pressed her lips together and didn't say anything, "come here," I placed my hand in hers and led her into the living room to take a seat.
"I don't know, Kylie, I'm afraid of what my parents might say," I placed a kiss on the top of her hand, trying to ignore my need to avoid affectionate moments.
"I came out to my mom when I was fifteen. She thought I was just not attracted to men because of what happened with my father," I took a deep breath, "the reason my father did what he did," she gripped my hands firmer, "was because I told him about a girl at school."
"The Brazilian?" I nodded and bit down on my lip.
"I didn't know those were his reasons when he first started, but as he got more abusive and demanding, I asked him, why are you doing this to me, and you know what he said to me?" I looked up at the ceiling, as tears began to stream down my face. She pulled me closer to her, so that my head rested against her chest, "he said because it is his duty as a father to make sure I didn't turn out to be a dyke," she wiped away the tears with the pads of her thumbs, before kissing my forehead.
"You've been through so much," Ava ran her fingers through my hair, "but you're so strong."
"It took time for her to accept that it wasn't just a phase or an after effect of trauma," I closed my eyes, as I felt a tightening inside of my chest. I placed my hand over my heart and felt the slow beat, "I'm so calm," I furrowed my brows, "I'm not usually this calm when I talk about it," I looked at her to see tears in her eyes.
"As I said, you're strong and you're finally letting go of the past," as I took a deep breath, I cupped both sides of her cheeks and pulled her into a kiss. My lips parted at the slightest brush of her tongue. She pressed in, taking the opportunity to delve deeper, as our tongues intertwined. She tasted like passion fruit, just like her lip gloss.
I moaned, as she pulled back, taking my lower lip between her teeth. My hands snaked their way into her hair, pulling her forward. I couldn't breathe, yet I couldn't get enough.
Someone then cleared their throat and I immediately looked up to see my grandfather and mother. Heat rose to my cheeks. I pulled away from Ava and stood nervously, facing the intruders.
"Um...mmm..." I stuttered, making my mother burst into a fit of laughter.
"Aw, my baby is blushing," she chuckled, as she walked over to me and pulled me into a hug.
"Kylie, I didn't know you and... I mean I suspected something was off."
"Dad save it, Kylie finally has a girlfriend, we should celebrate," mom squealed.
"I just didn't know that Ava is..." He furrowed his brows, "I have nothing against it, whatever makes the two of you happy," he raised his hand in surrender, before walking off. It seemed as though he was lost for words.
"You two might want to be more careful next time," mom tapped my shoulder, "anyway, time for dinner, but I'll give you two a moment for those ladyboners to die down," she giggled.
* * *
AS WE SAT for dinner, everyone seemed either very tense, or happy. Mom was the happiest, since she had a wide smile on her face and was humming joyously.
"Ava, I saw Archer today and he said I am the cutest girl he has ever seen," Natalie blushed.
"Really now? And when was this?" Ava asked, as she took a sip of water.
"While I was waiting for you to pick me up, I also saw him talking to Kylie," Natalie looked at me, "did he ask you anything about me?"
I shook my head, "he's gay."
"No, he isn't," Natalie defended.
"Um, okay, he's not," I responded, not wanting to get into an argument with her.
"Why would you say that?" She sniffled, as tears began to stream down her little face.
"I'm stupid I guess," I shrugged, before looking over at Ava.
"Don't say things that aren't true," there was then an awkward silence at the table.
"So Ava, Johanna's son asked me about you, no pressure but I think he is interested," I felt a tightening in my chest, as I listened to what Ava's mother had to say, "he is the editor of the town's newspaper," she added.
"I don't know, mom," Ava said, with much hesitation, "I want to focus on my job at the moment."
"Oh honey, you're already twenty-three, how much longer will you wait?" I looked down at my plate, as that uneasy feeling inside of me grew rapidly.
"Mom, I'm gay," Ava blurted, making me choke on the air that I was breathing.
"What are you talking about?"
"I like girls," Mrs. Reese slammed her hand onto the table, making me immediately raise my head.
"That's impossible."
"Diane, maybe you should listen to the girl," Mrs. Reese shook her head.
"Just because your daughter is a lesbian does not mean mine has to be, so stay out of this," mom furrowed her brows, clearly offended, but didn't say anything to defend herself.
"Donald, you understand what I mean, right? You once told me you didn't understand why Jaclyn was not doing something to change Kylie's mind about liking girls," I looked at my grandfather, as he quickly lowered his head.
He then looked up with guilt in his eyes, "that was the past, Diane. I realized that there is nothing wrong with Kylie."
"I have nothing against who your granddaughter wants to be with, that is none of my concern, but my daughter will not be influenced into the same."
"So, you're trying to say that my daughter is turning yours gay?" My mother asked with shock, "who's the bisexual one here?"
All of the color from Mrs. Reese face faded, "that was high school, I made some mistakes, and I won't let my daughter do the same."
"Mom, you can't change it," Ava whispered.
"Ava, are you okay?" Natalie tugged on her sister's hand.
"Yeah, I'm fine, don't worry," she mumbled, looking at the little girl. I could see tears streaming down her face, making my heart have an excruciating sensation, "being gay doesn't change you as a person. Ava is still the woman you know her to be. Just because she likes the same sex as herself doesn't mean anything is wrong with her," I said.
"Listen, my daughter is not gay. She has had boyfriends in the past. She's probably going through a phase."
"Mom, I dated men because I tried to be straight. I tried to like them but I failed."
"You'll meet the right man in time. You need to start going out on dates again, you'll see how much you like men when you do," her mother walked over to her and placed her hand on her shoulder.
"You don't understand, you never will," Ava shook her head, before getting up and walking out of the room.
"Luckily, her father is at work, so he didn't have to hear any of this. Donald, Jaclyn, thank you for dinner, but we will leave now. Philip is supposed to get home from work anytime soon as well," she grabbed Natalie's hand, as they walked out of the room.
"I thought she would understand," mom sighed and got up, including my grandfather.
"People are unpredictable. Kylie, I just want you to be careful," my grandfather said and I nodded.
"Just leave me alone," Ava yelled. I got up and ran into the direction of the voice.
"Ava. don't you dare. I am your mother and you live under my roof."
"Because you wanted me to. I knew I should have found my own place when I graduated from college."
"The only place you'll be moving into is your future husband's," my eyes widened, as I entered the living room.
"Forget it, I'm a grown woman and I'm never getting married," I heard a loud slap, before I saw Ava holding her hand against her cheek, "I'm moving out," she snarled, backing away from her mother.
"And where will you go?" Mrs. Reese grumbled.
"She can stay here," my grandfather interjected, as he walked into the room, alongside my mother.
"Donald, please don't get into this."
"Diane, you are being way too harsh, and inflicting unnecessary pain upon your daughter. You should leave."
Mrs. Reese shook her head, "Phillip will not be happy about this."
"And I don't care what you or Phillip think. I consider Ava as my grandchild and I will not allow anyone to treat her this way without doing something about it."
"Mom, just leave," Ava sobbed, making my heart yearn to hold her in my arms.
"Fine, but this isn't over, come on Natalie," the little girl looked petrified, as she walked behind her mother and looked back waving goodbye.
As I heard the front door slam, I ran over to Ava and wrapped my arms around her body, as she burst out in tears.