Dandelions

Karen Wilson

Edited 1/11/2025

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Karen moved around the bedroom, half-focused on the mirror and half on her thoughts. She smoothed concealer under her eyes, adjusted an earring, then changed it for another, trying to land somewhere between casual and put-together. The evening had started as a joke at the barbecue — a light "when you're ready, bring your boyfriend and we'll double-date like adults." But then Buck had actually called. His voice had been nervous but hopeful, and Karen knew she would never be able to turn him down.

She checked her reflection again, caught the small, involuntary smile tugging at her mouth, and shook her head. They were really doing this — a double date with Buck and Tommy. And somehow, it felt like a sign of how far they'd all come.

Karen leaned closer to the mirror, applying a soft rose lipstick she knew Hen liked. She smiled at her reflection, then caught sight of her wife sitting on the edge of the bed behind her. Hen was still only half-dressed, laces undone, fingers resting on her knees as she stared ahead, lost in thought.

Karen's smile faded, just a touch.

It wasn't that Hen was upset. She'd been happy for Buck — really happy — and had even hugged Tommy the last time they'd seen him. But there was a quiet stiffness whenever his name came up, a flicker of something that never completely settled. Karen understood it.

She turned from the mirror and crossed the room, the carpet warm beneath her feet. Hen was tugging absently at one bootlace like it might give her an excuse to avoid talking. Karen crouched in front of her and rested a hand over hers.

"Hey," she said gently. "Talk to me."

Hen's shoulders slumped, and she looked down at their hands before meeting Karen's eyes. "I want to be fine with this. With Tommy. And I think I am, most days."

Karen stayed quiet, rubbing her thumb over the back of Hen's hand.

"But then I think about that time under Gerrard," Hen went on, her voice low. "Coming to work every day, watching the people who were supposed to have my back do nothing as Gerrard abused me. And Tommy just... standing there. I know he's sorry. I know he's trying to make things right. But knowing and feeling aren't always the same."

Karen had learned not to interrupt her wife once she started ranting. The best thing to do was let Hen keep going until she'd talked herself out.

"I don't want to drag that history into tonight," Hen said finally. "Buck's happy, and he deserves to be. It's just... complicated."

Karen gave her hand a squeeze. "You're allowed for it to be complicated," she said. "There's no clock on forgiveness."

That pulled a small smile out of Hen, tired but real. "You always know what to say."

Karen shrugged. "Only because I've said the wrong thing enough times to learn." Hen laughed quietly, the sound easing the tension between them. "All I care about," Karen kissed her knuckles, "is that you feel safe. That you know I've got your back, whatever you decide to do."

"I do," Hen replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

They sat like that for a moment, quiet and close, before Karen stood and reached for her hand. "Come on. Let's go make Buck and Tommy sweat by asking who said, 'I love you' first."

Hen grinned as she laced up her boots. "It's Buck. Has to be. Man falls fast."

Karen laughed, the tension gone now. "Oh, absolutely. He's been ready to invite Tommy to move in since the first good morning text."