The Gemini: Emancipation

19 - The Line

August 1994

Perched on the edge of the couch, Jody's intentions to stand were denied as she was pulled back, mounted, and kissed. Breaking free from thieving lips, she nudged at the weight on top of her.

"What are you doing?"

"Looking for the remote control."

"Liars burn in fire."

"But I'm already burning for you. Can't you feel how hot I am? I'm gonna die, Jody. You gotta put me out!"

She ha-ha's a laugh at Tommy's exaggerating, knuckling against his chest to stop his raining neck kisses.

"How about I push you on the floor. You can roll around and put yourself out."

"Such a bitch."

She paid neither mind to the grin shaping his mouth nor his slick tongue. He's just trying to get started a thing that she decided she doesn't want from him today.

"Nice try. Get off me."

Reluctantly he does and ever so slowly. "Stay with me tonight."

"Twice a week isn't concerning to you?"

"Not really."

She's up finally. Tommy magnets to her again. Sitting forward, he tugs her near so that she stands before him. Arms slung loose around her hips, chin resting against her. Meeting his gaze, Jody hated to call it such, but he resembled a loyal pet.

Smoothing through his hair, "You're a disaster waiting to happen." She's being nothing but serious.

He's the opposite. Burying his face in her bosom, his mumbled words warm the cotton of her shirt, "What a way to go."

She frowns at the uninvited images that flash in her mind. An increasingly normal happening as of late; visualizing worst case scenarios out of the blue. A bothersome thing that she blames on guilt.

Dropping her touch, she disapproves his carelessness, "Don't say that."

Her tone still doesn't inspire him serious. Instead he shrugs it off. Lifting his head, "It's been this long and nothing's happened. One more night won't kill him."

"It's not him I'm worried about."

Tommy's being extra brave recently, Jody's noticed. Playing up something that he isn't. Beefing up every ounce of rebel he possesses as if it'll win her heart. She wishes he'd stop.

Arms down, he stands. Stealing another kiss. "Whatever," he shrugs.

December 24, 1996

"Whatever."

She hears his voice. She can't get it out of her head.

Red, orange, blue, purple, green. The tiny Christmas tree lights dance, twinkling softly, synchronized together. An entrancing sight blurred by the sorrow drops in Jody's eyes. With her pajama shirt sleeve she pads them away. Off guard, she startles mildly at the sound of Nikki's voice breaking up the living rooms deep quiet.

"Sorry. Kyla wanted a bedtime story." Going for a nearby lamp, she clicks it on.

Jody winces, "Turn it again."

Nikki does and it activates a dimmer, bringing the glare to a glow. The other woman isn't in the mood for light. She'd much rather grieve in the darkness.