Loving in Sunset Valley

Chapter 15

After a rough week at their jobs, Paisley and Rosabeth decided that they were in desperate need to blow off some steam.

"We need to go out clubbing," Rosabeth announced when they were on the couch with their feet up, recovering from another long day.  "How long has it been since we went out for a drink and a dance?"

Paisley honestly couldn't remember.  "Not since we moved here, that's for sure.  Do they have any clubs here for us?"

"Not unless you want to count the Cowboy bar down the street,"  Rosabeth said.  "Where the guys come up and offer us twenty to kiss each other in front of them."

Both shuddered at the thought.  "Eww!"

"Let's ride into Bridgeport," Paisley said.  "At least our old bar is there.  We can see the old gang again, show off my ring and just hang out."

"Now you're talking,"  Rosabeth said.  "I need to get my dance on.  When are we going?"

"Why not now? Night's still young, plus we have the day off tomorrow, we can sleep in."

"I like your plan."  Rosabeth nodded.  "Let's get dressed and do this.  There's a couple of margaritas with our name on them."

The girls put on their clubbing outfits with heels included.  After feeding their pets they drove out to their old neighborhood.  Lucky for them the traffic going into the city wasn't as heavy as the one going out so they made it there in no time.

"Wow," Rosabeth said when they drove through the familiar streets.  "It's been a while since we've been out here.  It seems so different now."

"We've been away for a while," Paisley said, looking at the bright lights and the shops they used to frequent.  "It doesn't feel like home anymore."

They had trouble finding a parking place.  Cars were lined everywhere.

"Okay, now we're home," Paisley said.  "I definitely remember this.  It was a pain in the butt trying to park here."

Finally after about twenty minutes of circling the block, they found a parking spot near the curb.  A drunk person approached them.  "Hey, sweet thangs, let me hold a dollar?"

The girls recoiled at the smell.  "No! Go away! We're broke, dammit!"  As they walked the half a block to the bar Rosabeth remarked "Now I know I'm in the city.  I really miss having winos pestering us."

They went into Lala's Club, their old hangout.  It was like coming home for them.  The place was jumping with its usual regulars, dancing and drinking and having a great time.

The girls went to the bar and ordered margaritas, then turned around to check out their action.

"This is the only thing I miss about Bridgeport." Rosabeth said in Paisley's ear.  "If I could transplant this entire club back to Sunset Valley, I would do it in a minute.  That's what that town needs."

"No arguement from me."  Paisley said as she sipped her drink.  As she scanned the crowd, something caught her eye.  Or rather someone.

On the other side, also having a drink and checking out the crowd was that young girl from a while back.  The one that Paisley met at the diner when they first moved to Sunset Valley.  

The one that didn't approve of her "lifestyle".

What the hell?

Paisley slammed her drink on the counter and nudged Rosabeth.

"What?" Rosabeth whined.  "Damn, you made me spill my marg--"

"It's her!"

"What? Her who?"

Paisley pointed.  "Her, her.  That girl I was telling you about, remember? The one that gave me such a warm welcome when we moved to Sunset Valley."

"Oh yeah, the one you wouldn't shut up about.  I remember."

"She's a homophobe." Paisley insisted.  "She said that no one in town would approve of us being a gay couple.  Why  is she even here?"

"Maybe she's observing us in our natural habitat,"  Rosabeth said.  "Or maybe she learned that the gay clubs are the best.  Lots of the straights like to hang in our clubs.  We're the best."

Paisley was still smarting over that girl's remarks.  "This is a nice town.  We don't approve of your relationship." she had said.  Who did she think she was?

"I'm going over there." she told Rosabeth.  "I want to give her a piece of my mind."

Rosabeth rolled her eyes.  "Seriously? Get over it."

"Nope." Paisley set her glass down and grabbed Rosabeth's hand.  "Come on."

Paisley led Rosabeth through the crowd.  Before they could make it to the girl a sight stopped them in their tracks.

The girl was kissing another girl.

What the frick frack?

"Well damn!" Rosabeth said.

The girl looked up and saw Paisley and Rosabeth staring at her.  Immediately the girl pulled away from her companion.  She looked like a deer caught in headlights with her eyes and mouth wide in shock.  She tried to turn and run but there was nowhere she could escape through the thick crowd.  All she could do was stand there.

Dragging her better half along, Paisley pulled right up to her.  "Hello," she said loudly.  "Remember me? The one you said was wrong for being gay?"

Rosabeth waved her hand.  "Hi, you don't know me at all cause we never met.  I was in the diner stuffing my face when you picked a fight with my sweetie."

The girl held up her hand in defense.  "I don't know who you are. . ."

"Oho!!" Paisley scoffed.  "Really? You wanna play that game? Okay, allow me to refresh your memory.  At the diner back in Sunset Valley when we first moved in? You gave me such a warm welcome it just melted my heart."

"Yeah," Rosabeth said.  "I had to spend the next two weeks listening to that crap." Paisley popped her on her arm.  "Ow! Abuse."

"Okay, okay,"  the girl weakened.  "You got me.  I play on your team.  But listen, I wasn't trying to insult you back there.  I was only trying to give you a heads up."

"Right."

"Seriously,"  the girl said.  "I grew up in a small town like Sunset Valley.  I had so much crap about being gay that when I moved to Sunset I just decided to stay in the closet.  It was so much easier, but not as fun.  I was jealous of how you two just breezed into town all out and proud."

"Why don't you just move to Bridgeport?" Rosabeth said.  "You can be out all you want and nobody gives a damn.  Why not live in the city?"

"For the same reason you moved out of the big city."  the girl said.

They nodded.  No argument there.

Paisley began to warm toward the girl.  She could understand where she was coming from.  "Well, what's your name?"

"Holly."

"Wanna hang out with us for a while?" Paisley said.  "Life's too short to not be yourself."

"Yeah," Rosabeth said.  "We can be ourselves together."

Holly smiled.  "I'd like that."

For the rest of the night the girls talked and giggled and just had a good time.