The Trouble With Wanting

Chapter 3

When Tessa exited the safety of the bathroom, she found Osha in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. Osha watched as Tessa took up residence at the kitchen island counter. "You good?"

"Yeah, I just really had to go." Osha placed a mug of coffee in front of Tessa with a smile and returned to her task. "Thanks." Tessa took a tentative sip of her coffee. "Where's Mena?"

Tessa hoped that the edge in her voice surrounding Mena's name was masked by the fact that she had just recently woken up.

"She went to work." Tessa relaxed a little now that she knew they were alone. "She wants to meet up later for drinks. Is that okay with you?"

"Cool." Another thing Tessa wasn't looking forward to. "So what are you making for breakfast?"

"Yogurt and fruit parfaits," Osha answered, "Did you want something else?"

"No, I'm fine with whatever you make."

Tessa wasn't exactly big on breakfast, give her a cup of coffee and she was fine until lunch but she knew that Osha would feed her even if she said she was fine. That was the type of person she was, giving, caring, and nurturing; all great qualities that Tessa looked for in a girlfriend.

As Tessa sipped her coffee, she watched as Osha operated in silence and traced the outline of her body, etching it into her memory. A blush crept to her cheeks as her eyes settled on Osha's agile fingers and memories of her dream came flashing back to the forefront of her mind.

Osha gave her a quizzical look as she slid the parfait toward her but Tessa couldn't reveal the thoughts floating through her mind.

"Thank you." They sat across from each other, neither saying a word and the silence became unbearable. The quiet left room for Tessa's thoughts that centered on Osha to echo in her mind, so loud that she feared Osha would hear them. "Is it always this quiet?" She broke the silence first, simply to escape it. The only sounds that could be heard were their spoons against their respective bowls and the sounds produced with their mouths.

"I can play some music if you want."

"Please," Tessa pleaded, "I can't stand to hear myself chew."

Osha appeased her and began to play music on her phone that was nearby. Tessa thought that would be better to abate her thoughts but with the mix of lyrics and interlocking stares that resulted in an exchange of smiles, she knew that more factors needed to be added to the mix.

"I love your house," Tessa started up again, "it's quaint. I'd love to live in a place like this."

"Thank you."

The comment was enough to fill the silence as Osha began to tell her about the history of the house and how by luck they came across it and were able to purchase it for below the actual cost.

"I need to get to work." Osha got up from the small table and grabbed both of their bowls. "Are you sure you're going to be okay here by yourself?" Osha was wary about leaving Tessa alone when she came to have a good time but she had to work and Tessa understood. "I don't want you to be bored."

"Don't worry about me," Tessa reassured her, "I'll be fine. I could use the time to get in touch with my inner self or something."

Osha released a small smile. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Tessa said firmly. "Go get ready."

***

Tessa had been lounging on the couch, watching Netflix when she heard a car pull up. Soon, Osha entered the house.