RaStro FicS

She keeps me warm (18)

The experiences that Rhian and Glaiza had shared woke long dormant memories buried deep inside and they were threatening to burst out. It was no wonder that both women felt compelled to hunt for the nearness of each other as the morning sun brought a new day.

After a light breakfast and morning flirting with Robbyn, Glaiza settled down next to Rhian on the couch. "I'm glad you came over."

The red hair propped her arm over the back of the couch, dropping her chin on her arm. "Me, too." Rhian recognized that her friend had been in quite reflection all morning and the early phone call inviting the red hair to breakfast beckoned with a silent plea from the short hair. "What's on your mind?"

Glaiza scrunched her eyebrows together. "Nothing." Seeing that the younger woman wasn't buying that answer, she asked. "Why?"

Rhian shrugged. "I could see your mind working on something all morning." Rhian wished Glaiza hadn't walked away but remained patiently on the couch, hoping that the older woman would share her thoughts. "I'm here." The red hair quietly offered.

The caring, whispered words of her friend pulled at Glaiza's heart and it was the key that unlocked the final bolt on a herd of distressing memories. Sucking in a deep breath, Glaiza turned, with folded arms and slowly walked back to the couch. She sat down next to the red hair but kept her eyes looking forward. "The other day we were talking about..."

As Glaiza's words fell silent, Rhian encouraged the short hair. "Your life being changed because of..." Each woman easily understood what was unsaid between them.

Glaiza nodded. "Yeah. I...a long time ago...." The short hair chanced a quick glance at Rhian. "Too long, I guess."

Rhian waited patiently with a small smile on her face. "Go on."

Chynna's voice in the back of Glaiza's head and Rhian's tender concern prompted her to continue. "Her name was Danita." Rhian recognized that name from her talk with Chynna. "She a...we were...she was my first love." Glaiza finally revealed. "Well, my only love really. That was five years ago." The short hair drew comfort from Rhian's fingers gliding over her arm. "Anyway, she had strong feelings about what other people thought."

"Uh huh." Rhian wanted her friend to know she had her undivided attention.

Glaiza looked away. "I don't even know why I'm telling you this. I guess cause of what we were talking about the other day. I don't know but...well, I understand where you're coming from and..." Glaiza looked determinedly in to Rhian's eyes. "I lost her because of what they thought. People who didn't even care about us. They didn't understand what we were feeling or what we had. Yet, their righteousness caused me to lose her." The short hair thought for a long moment before continuing. "That's not right exactly. Danita's concern over what they thought was stronger than her love for me."

Rhian's fingers traveled down the short hair's arm and took Glaiza's hand in hers. "I'm sorry."

Glaiza attempted to shrug the pain off and her eyes turned downward. "I gave her everything, all my love." The short hair let out a small nervous laugh. "She took it and then she left me and I vowed never to go there again."

"But surely someone... someday..." The short hair sought and found Rhian's caring eyes. "I've never been one to give my love easily...I mean, not my heart, my soul....when I do, it's forever."

Trying to understand, Rhian asked. "And you don't think you'll ever find someone else to love?"

"I...I don't know." Glaiza's eyes filled with unshed tears as she stared at Rhian. I want to. "I don't know if I ever can."