Silent Storm Lesbian Story

31: Goodbyes

31: Goodbyes

Davis sat a small table in the corner of the trendy coffee shop near "U Dub" waiting for Vineeta. The space was quiet peppered with a few students and faculty, socializing, winding down from the semester.

When Vineeta stepped into the space Davie stopped breathing for a moment. A tight knot of uncertainty and loss built in her chest. She thought she was ready but she felt her eyes burning with tears. She watched Vineeta move to her in a painfully familiar way.

Vineeta stood at the edge of the table and said nothing as Davie stood. For a moment the two women shared the silence both anxious and unsure. Vineeta smiled softly just before she crashed into Davie, hugging her fiercely.

"Davis." Vineeta murmured into Davie's ear, she could feel her shaking lightly in her arms. She too felt a wash of sadness. "I missed you too, Baby."

Vineeta pulled back gently and kissed Davie on the cheek, "Let me grab a tea. I'll be right back." Davie nodded, grateful for the time and space to compose herself.
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"So, Dr. Chopra?"

Vineeta grinned, "I know. Crazy! Not exactly the kind of doctor mom and dad were hoping for but they're pretty pleased too!"

Davie nodded, "Mom and Dad send their love. They miss you and really loved that you called them over Thanksgiving."

"Oh, Joan." Vineeta laughed. "She just misses the best Spades partner she's ever had!"

"Yes true! How's your family?"

"Good! Really good. They can't wait to see you tomorrow. Mom and Sashi will be cooking for the next 24 hours straight."

"Sashi's in town too?" Davie met Vineeta's younger sister a couple of times when she visited over school breaks. "How is she?"

"Great! And it's looking like grad school for her too. We'll see. She'd really like to get into Emory's Anthropology program, but it's pretty competitive."

"Wow! Your parents must be really happy." Davie grinned and winked, "Two doctors in the family."

Vineeta rolled with laughter, "You know it! Did you stop by the labs?"

"Ummm-Hmmm. I touched base with a few people, and watched a couple of sessions. It felt surreal. Like it was my place, but not my place."

Vineeta nodded, holding Davie's gaze,"Like this right? Like you're mine, but not mine."

Davie winced and blinked trying to drive back the tears forming in her eyes. "Yes, like that. It's a little harder than I thought it would be. You?"

"Me too. You're sitting here and it feels, 'easier said, than done.' I feel ... horrible ... because ... well ... I want to kiss you." Davie nodded and swallowed thickly. "I'm sorry, Baby. I'm sorry this is so hard, so painful." Davie nodded again.

Davie had a fleeting thought of Mirabelle. "It will get easier. It was getting easier right?" She sighed thinking that her connection to Vineeta would soon change and release her completely. Davie would feel relief, she thought she understood better Belle's torment.

Vineeta sighed, the pain evident in her voice. "Yes, you're right Davie. I guess it just feels like ripping the scab off right now and it's my fault. I pushed us here."

"We both know you were right V. Our love it's not built for distance. But we can work it out, right? R-E-D-E-F-I-N-E it? I don't want to lose you Vineeta." Davie got no immediate response so she continued to move her hands, "I'm so happy for you, so proud of you. You've worked so hard."