Cherry (GirlxGirl)

Chapter 5

It didn't take long to get to Aunt Jean's house. It was a sunny yellow color, surrounded by brightly colored flowers she must have planted herself and a freshly mowed lawn. All the houses on the quiet street were bright pastel colors, like in a movie, and it reminded me of Cherie's Aunt Jean very much. Of course she would live in a neighborhood like this.

Cherie walked to the front door with me behind her, ringing the doorbell. I looked at the cross and large 'Welcome!' sign on the door. It swung open, revealing the plump, smiling Aunt Jean herself.

"Cherie!" She squealed loudly. "You're here! Come in, it's so nice to see you!" She spotted me. "Ah, you're her friend Sutton from the dress shop! So lovely to see you again, dear!" 

I smiled, flattered that she remembered my name, and followed Cherie inside, both of us giving Aunt Jean our greetings. Jean's house was full of perfectly matching color schemes and furniture, and decorations could be seen everywhere. Me and Cherie sat on her white, floral-patterned couch.

"Well, I'll be right back, girls, with that stuff of Maria's you wanted. It's just upstairs, I'll be down in a few mintues. Go help yourself in the kitchen!" She disappeared around the corner, headed upstairs, and me and Cherie looked at eachother.

I let out a breath, and Cherie laughed, understanding. "I know, she's something. Much too energetic for her age, don't you think?" She said.

I agreed, nodding. Cherie stood up. "Come on, I'm thirsty." 

We walked into the kitchen, which was strawberry-themed. Very stawberry themed. Strawberry carpets, wall decor, silverware, plates, clock, towels, soap dispenser, refridgerator magnets, everything. It was slightly painful to look at. 

Cherie got a container of iced tea from the fridge, getting some strawberry cups and pouring us both some. We sat down at the table with it's strawberry table curtain and sipped at them. 

"Seems like she's okay with Maria. Do you think she knows?"

"No, I mean, not if your grandmother reacted that way. Right? Do they have the same views and everything?" 

"I don't know. Aunt Jean is much more laid-back. I think she's just happy as long as you're happy."

I nodded. "Ahh."

"I'm back, girls!" We heard Aunt Jean say from the living room, and we got up to go see. Aunt Jean carried a big box of things, and Cherie rushed forward to help her. She took the box from Aunt Jean, who thanked her. "Whew! That girl had a lot of junk." She said, clapping her hands together. "Both her and Felice always felt the need to save everything! I assume you've found out about them by now, yes?"

Me and Cherie looked at her, surprised. She was being her smiley self, no issues at all. 

"You knew about them?" Cherie asked., bewildered. We both stared at plump Aunt Jean, looking very self-satisfied and amused at our surprise.

"Yes I did." She said proudly. "I helped them all these years with staying in secret. Such a beautiful pair." She sighed, wistfully.

"That's amazing. You never had a problem with it?" I asked.

"Of course not! I wouldn't judge them, they were so in love, I can't imagine anyone judging them."

"Like grandma?" Cherie said.

"Ah, yes, she found out by accident. I never did find out how. But no, she thought they were abominations. She kept their secret, but was never happy with it." Aunt Jean said sadly.

Cherie loaded the box in the car while I chatted with Aunt Jean about Felice and Maria, and then about her house. She was extremely proud of her strawberry kitchen. "The bathroom is all lavender flowers, you should see it. Oh, and you know I've got the beach theme here in the living room. My room is full of swans, you would love it. Come on, the upstairs is so lovely! You-"