Timing

Scotty's On Madison

Carol was making lunch the next day, when she got Abby's gift and letter. She smiled. Ever since she got married, she never had any time for anything else but dinners, businesses functions, parties, and family events with her in laws. It was Harge's world, and she was just living in it.

She felt trapped some days, others she felt sedated. Rindy brought her joy, though. She was the only thing keeping her sane. The only thing keeping her with Harge. She felt more like a doll than a wife. More robot than a human. More like a slave, than one's better half.

Just when she thought she couldn't take it anymore, there was Rindy. Rindy was worth it. She was her everything. She would do anything to keep her happy, even if that meant giving up everything, including her own happiness.

Carol read the letter and smiled. She missed Abby immensely, thought of her every day. She thought for sure Abby would be upset with her, given that when she told her thing's wouldn't change, they did. Abby sent Rindy a gift, though and Carol the letter, as if time never passed.

It did pass though. Carol felt guilty. She wrote a letter back to Abby.

Abby,
Thank you so much for the stuffed rabbit, Rindy loves it. She is very fortunate to have her aunt Abby. I'm sorry I have not written you or called. I'm sorry it's been so long. There's no excuse I can offer you that could possibly explain or make up for lost time.
Believe me when I say I am sorry, though. I miss you terribly and I love you so much. I'll stop by the furniture store next week. Florence can watch Rindy. You and I can grab lunch and catch up. Scotty's on Madison, this Wednesday for lunch. Can't wait to see you.
Carol

Upon getting this, Abby's heart rate picked up. She was going to see Carol. She should have been upset with her, never to want to see her again but she was too excited to see Carol to be ill with her. That's all that mattered to her, seeing Carol. Her Carol...Finally.

   Abby arrived at Scotty's, Wednesday afternoon. Carol wasn't there yet. She followed the hostess back to a booth in the back. She sat down. "Anything I can get you ma'am?" The waitress asked. "A martini with an olive, please" Abby requested, timidly, nerves at an all time high. The waitress smiled at her.

   The waitress brought it out with the mixer. It had enough for another martini in it. "Thank you" Abby said, grateful for the waitress noticing she was nervous. "I get nervous on dates too" she said. Before Abby could say anything to correct her, the waitress walked away. She smiled to herself. If only it was a date.

   She drank her first martini, feeling a bit calmer. She lit a cigarette, hoping that would take the edge off. It did. She felt a decent amount calmer. This was Carol. She knew Carol. Why be nervous?

   It's not like Carol knew she was in love with her. It's not like Carol felt the same way. They were two friends meeting for lunch. Catching up, making up for lost time. It wasn't a date like the waitress said. There was nothing she needed to be nervous about. It was Carol.

   She looked up from her glass. It was Carol. There she was. A vision in red. That familiar voice, side profile and stature, standing up at the hostess podium, waiting for someone. Abby just stared at her for a moment, before Carol noticed her. She wanted to drink her in.

   Then, Carol's wandering, icy blues met hers. She felt butterflies in her stomach. Carol's lips began to turn up in the corners. Abby couldn't help but smile back, almost involuntarily, instinctually.

  Carol made her way over to their table, gliding over effortlessly, her hips swaying as she walked. Carol was always elegant but this walk was new, more refined, as were her looks. The way she dressed, and carried herself. It was new.

   Carol spoke. "Abby Gerhard" she said. Almost in a knowing way, as if she were going to speak in riddle to her at any moment. Abby smiled. "Carol Aird" she mimicked back to her.

   There was a silence, not necessarily uncomfortable or empty. It was the kind of silence, where there's so much to be said, that you don't know where to start.

   The waitress came to the table. She looked at Abby, then Carol. She seemed a bit uncomfortable. Then Abby realized, the waitress had called it a date. She thought they were on a date. She didn't say anything though. She just took their order.

This must be one of those safe places where same sex couples could go. Abby noted that in her mind. Carol had two martini's, and Abby another. Then the conversation seemed to flow easier.

   They talked about old times, new things in their life. They laughed and joked as they always have before. Abby caught Carol up on her mom's life, and Carol talked shit about her mother in law.

   It was good. It was like before. Only this time, Abby knew her feeling's for Carol. Abby was a lesbian... Carol didn't know that. She was worried about telling her. She wasn't going to mention her feelings for obvious reasons but she wanted Carol to know this new part of herself.

   Carol never judged before, so she was confident she wouldn't now but still, she was nervous to tell her. So, being that there wasn't a good way or time, she just decided to come out with it.

   "Carol, there's something I want you to know about me" Abby said. Carol smiled mischievously. "What's that, Miss Gerhard?" Carol asked, amusement in her voice. Abby laughed. "I... I am not attracted to men" Abby said.

   "Well, who could blame you?" Carol laughed. "Some days, I'm not either" Carol added, sipping her martini. Abby laughed. "We'll touch on that later but Carol... what I'm trying to say is that..." she was at a loss for how to phrase it.

   "I know" Carol grabbed her hand. Abby looked at her wide eyed. "You- you know?" Abby asked. "I do" Carol smiled, knowingly, smugly. "I've known for as long as I knew you" Carol said. "You did? Because I didn't!" Abby laughed.

   Carol threw her head back and laughed. "Come on now, you didn't know? I thought it was obvious" Carol joked. "I swear, I only found out about two years ago" Abby laughed. "Wow... you must be more observant Miss Gerhard" Carol smiled and sipped her martini.