Home For the Holidays

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LENA POV

"I think you made enough pies to last a year." My mother said to me as we loaded them into the store hoping the extra we made would sell. With Callies idea to set up a little area to have coffee I made a few extra for that as well.

"Well it's better then not enough."

"Very true. So no sign of Stef yet huh?"

"Mom serioulsy why are you stuck on that or her? I haven't even given it a second thought." I lied.

"Sure baby.  I just think you two should talk."

"Mom if Stef wants to talk she knows where to find me but I'm not chasing after her."

"No one said anything about chasing. But maybe she accepted that she's gay."

"Really mom?" I said looking to her and shaking my head.

"What honey? You accepted it about yourself once you realized it and maybe she finally has too. That is why she ran right?" Shaking my head at my mother her persistence was out of this world and always has been. "I know I'm a broken record baby but you wanted to know why she left and why she didn't say goodbye and got distant with you and now is your chance to ask. Even if we all know why."

"Mom it was a 100 years ago and I have moved on and I'm sure she has as well. Stop harping on it."

"Ok honey. I will leave well enough alone."

"Thank you mother now please help me take inventory after this."

"Of course dear." Shaking my head at my mother part of me was wondering if and when I would run into Stef. We were the only general store in town so if she was here she would have to show up sooner or later. The real question was would she even say hello? Would I? Or would she avoid me this whole time that she was back. I didn't know and hated that it was on my mind. I'd do anything for it not to be.

FLASHBACK

"The stars are so pretty. Which one is that?" I asked pointing to a bright white one as the two of us sat on Stef's farm fence taking in the clear night air. It had been a week since we had spoken and it felt like years. Why I didn't know and it was a stupid fight as usual between us. I hurt her feelings about Jerry even if she wouldn't admit to it and blew it off saying it was nothing. But it was more then nothing. 

"Big dipper sweet thang!" She said winking at me.

"How do you know?"

"My dad taught me. We still use the telescope he got me on clear nights like this." Running her hand through her long blond hair I couldn't help but play with the ends of it rolling it around my finger. Why did she look at me the way she did and why did I like it. Jerry didn't look at me like this  and when he did look at me I didn't get any funny feeling in my stomach that Stef gave me.

"It's nice how close you and your dad are." Glancing into her eyes she smiled staring directly into mine as she chewed on her piece of hay like always.

"Yeah he's not to bad. So how was ya date? "

"Stef, you don't need to ask. It's ok honest."

"Look Lena I'm sorry I got weird about you and Jerry. He's a nice guy."

"It's ok. I didn't know you would have taken me."

"Lena I'll take you anywhere you wanna go. You're my best friend ya know. How many times do I need to tell ya."

"A million."I giggled as she shook her head laughing."What about you? The delivery guy?"

"Ha! Ya we went out once. Never again. Last time I go out with anyone my mother sets me up with. He's not even remotely my type whoever that is."

"Maybe you just haven't met them yet." I lied as she turned to me again my finger continuing to play with her hair. Of course I hated that she had gone out with him and I was super jealous not knowing why either.

"MM yeah or maybe I have." Staring deeper into my eyes as I glanced into hers she gently stroked my face as the butterflies continued to fly around in my stomach. "Come help me in the barn babe. Need to feed Wilbur."

"Ok."Jumping down from the fence  she grabbed my hand holding it tight as we ran into the barn chasing one another. "Haha I'm faster!" I joked feeling her wrap her arms around me.

"Oh yeah your faster huh? How fast are you beautiful? MM?"

Feeling her so close to me her eyes grew more intense as well as mine the more she looked into them. She was so close and pulled me even closer to her that I couldn't breath. Was she going to kiss me? No? We were friends, friends from birth and what did any of this mean. I had a boyfriend sort of and well Stef never did but..

" If Jerry fucks up with you let me know. He won't walk again." She ordered pecking my cheek with her soft lips as I grinned wide at her feeling my entire face and neck blush. I wanted to kiss her lips and bad.

FLASHBACK ENDS

"Honey I'm heading to the cellar to get more flour. Be back up in a second!"

"Sure mom." I yelled back slicing up some of pie. Being that it was almost lunchtime I was hoping to get a few of the afternoon workers in for early dessert. Maybe Callie's idea would turn out well for us as I set up a few placements and silverware. Hearing the door chim and assuming it was Callie I failed to look as a cute little girl came running over to me.

"Yum. What kind of pie is that?"She asked wide eyed with the cutest pink hat on that I couldn't help but smile at her with her big hazel eyes. Looking so familiar to me for whatever reason she grinned at me waiting for my answer.

"Peach. Just took it out the oven this morning. Would you like a slice?"

"Yes. But I have to ask my mama first."

"Very good idea. It will be here waiting if it's ok with her."

"Ok!" She said happily running off as the smile remained on my face. Having no clue as to who she belonged to since I knew everyone in this town I brushed it off as I set up a few more tables.

"Mama look the lady is setting up pies and coffee. Can we get some pie?"

"Sure sweets maybe Nana would like some." I heard a familiar voice say but still not paying much attention I failed to look up once again. 

"Excuse me how much for the pie?"

"About 2 dollars a slice would you like some with coffee?" Turning around now I almost dropped the piece out of my hand for standing right in front of me was someone who I didn't expect to see much less talk to me. Looking just as surprised if not more an awkward smile formed on her face as well as mine.

"Stef?"

"Hey Lena."