September Canvas (28 page)

“So you were driving this way tomorrow anyway? Perfect. Have you ever been to Deanna’s cabin? No?” After providing clear directions she said, “Hers is the eighth house on your left and mine is the ninth. That’s where we’ll be.”

Nervous, Deanna closed her eyes. She had come out to her mother when she was twenty-two, and her mother handled it well. Angela was always supportive and caring, always putting her girls first. Did her mother realize she was sleeping with Faythe? Angela probably would have difficulty imagining the wholesome TV personality Faythe Hamilton, beautiful and feminine, as a lesbian attracted to her daughter.

As open-minded as her mother used to be, she was also a woman of her generation who would have stereotypical ideas of what a lesbian looked and acted like.

“Good. Good. Excellent.” Faythe beamed and made a thumbs-up toward Deanna. “Around noon will be perfect. I can’t say how much this means to Deanna and Miranda. And to me, since I care deeply about De—about both of them.” Faythe colored faintly and cleared her throat.

“I know you’ve been out of touch with Deanna for a long time, but, trust me, that’s at an end.” She was quiet for a moment while Angela talked. “Yes. I definitely think you should bring Percy. This is a family matter, and if the girls didn’t have school, they should be here too, in my opinion. Yes. All right. See you tomorrow.” Faythe disconnected her cell phone and took a deep breath. “Whew. That wasn’t as hard as I thought it’d be.”

“How did she sound?” Deanna felt a bit silly that she hadn’t made the call, but to do so, after all these years, even if they’d met only recently at the outing, seemed impossible.

“Surprised at first, probably because it was me calling, and then decisive and excited. Confused, since I didn’t give any details, naturally.” Faith pushed her hair out of her face. “She said she loves her daughters and she’ll give you whatever you need.”

“Wow.” Deanna clasped her fingers and tugged at them. “That’s generous. I thought she’d say no.”

“That’s your insecurity talking, which is understandable, but Angela’s not like that madwoman Gloria. Of course your mother loves you and Miranda, and tomorrow should prove that once and for all.”

“I hope so. I’m probably just as much to blame for our estrangement. I could have been more approachable. For Miranda’s sake.”

“For your sake too. And for your Mom’s.” Faythe disentangled Deanna’s fingers with gentle hands. She raised one hand to her lips and kissed Deanna’s fingertips, one after another. Deanna shivered at the soft caress and could feel the caress of Faythe’s tongue against them.

She moaned quietly as she cupped the back of Faythe’s neck with her free hand.

“I want this to end. I do. I want to be whole again. I want my life back. Not necessarily that job, but I don’t want to be shackled by false rumors, by being emotionally blackmailed—”

“And you won’t,” Faythe said hotly. She placed Deanna’s hand against her chin and only then did Deanna realize Faythe was crying.

Her cheek was damp and new tears were forming in the corners of her eyes. “You won’t have to put up with any of that anymore. I won’t allow it. I’ve seen what it does to you, and I can’t watch it go on any longer. I just can’t. You mean too much to me.” Faythe’s expression altered from anguish to wide-eyed realization. “You mean the world to me,” she whispered.

Deanna trembled and wrapped her arms tight around Faythe.

“What?”

“You.” Faythe spoke into Deanna’s shoulder. “Heaven help me, I tried to tell you I’m not good at any of this. I mean relationship stuff.”

“I know you did. You were wrong, you know.”

“That’s just it. I
don’t
know.” Faythe rubbed her cheek against Deanna. “All I know is that I care more about what happens to you than what happens to me.”

“And for the first time since this nightmare began, I feel that enough is enough.” Deanna tipped Faythe’s head back. She kissed her damp cheeks gently and then her soft, parted lips. “Because of you.”

“These feelings are completely new to me.” Faythe looked like she was ready to bolt, but her body pressed impossibly closer. “You know that, right?”

“They’re just as new to me, Faythe.” Deanna couldn’t get enough of Faythe’s nearness. “I’m in uncharted waters.”

“Scared?”

“Yes. Mostly about losing you.” Deanna held her breath. What if Faythe didn’t understand just how hard it was for Deanna to be open and honest about how she felt? Especially since she constantly expected Faythe to withdraw and remind her about her attitude toward steady relationships.

“Oh, sweet Jesus, baby.” The words left Faythe’s lips in a gush. “I don’t want to lose you either. Ever.”

She tugged Deanna even closer, pressing her lips against hers. Deanna returned the kiss hungrily. She had no idea what tomorrow might bring. They might crash and burn, making a bad situation even worse, but right now she was where she belonged. Faythe’s hot tongue explored her mouth, and Deanna sensed a new, more intense feeling behind their caresses.

“I want you. I want you so badly, darling,” Deanna said against Faythe’s lips.

“Yes. Oh, yes.” Faythe’s hands pushed Deanna’s shirt up, spreading greedy fingers over her stomach. “Any way you want, for as long as you want.”

Deanna knew Faythe wasn’t talking about a life perspective, but her foolish heart still jumped in her chest. “Bed, then?” Deanna walked toward their bedroom, stopping intermittently to kiss Faythe again.

Perhaps, if the deities granted her more time, Deanna would be able to convince Faythe that she was capable of forever.

Pammie nearly fell over the threshold when Faythe opened the door. “Hi, there. You okay? We got here as soon as Nana found someone to cover for her at the animal shelter.”

“For goodness’ sake, breathe, kiddo.” Faythe shook her head at the battle-ready Pammie and pulled both girls in for a group hug. “So good to see you. You look great.” It was true. Pammie was vibrating with life as always, but she also was positively glowing for another reason, Faythe suspected. Savannah was less exuberant, but her pallor from last time was now a healthy glow, and she had a small smile on her lips that didn’t look like it would go away anytime soon.

“So do you.” Savannah returned the hug, then wrapped her arm around Pammie’s waist. The open display of affection spoke volumes and Faythe sensed that these two were about to figure out things in general, and between them in particular.

“Deanna, the girls are here!” Faythe called out.

“Oh, great. Coffee, ladies? Tea?”

“Coffee for me, please.” Pammie grinned and bounced out into the kitchen. “I’ll help.”

Savannah and Faythe looked at each other under raised eyebrows.

“Coffee will do that to you.” Faythe shook her head. “I think Deanna’s had four mugs of double-espresso lattes today. That’s normal for me, but not for her.”

“She’s nervous. Who can blame her?” Savannah said softly. “I’ll have some tea.”

“How do you feel about today?” Faythe walked to the living room with Savannah in tow.

“I’m okay. I’ve been working toward this moment ever since we left here last time. It was the only way this could happen, really, so I figured I’d better get ready for it.” Savannah looked serious, but also calm and prepared. “I’m not looking forward to what Mother will say, especially not what she’ll say to Deanna, but this has to stop.”

“You’re a brave girl. I loathed you once for what you put Deanna through, but you’re doing everything possible to help her now, which is what really matters.” Faythe sat down on the biggest of the couches and patted the seat next to her. “Despite your mother’s best intentions, you’re a good person.”

“Thanks.” Savannah blushed faintly. “I worried about becoming completely estranged from my mother for putting her on the spot like this, but I can’t see any other way. And we actually can’t get much more estranged than we are. I rarely see her or talk to her.”

“And your father?”

“Is a man of his generation. Doesn’t want to know, doesn’t want to get involved, and is content to let Mother run the show.” Savannah sighed. “I was never Daddy’s girl. He didn’t have time when he was running for office and realizing his political ambitions, except when he needed to display his happy home, complete with his stunning wife and well-brought-up daughter.”

“Ah, the joys of politics. Seen enough of what goes on behind the scenes there to never want that type of a career.”

“As a matter of fact, I might run for office one day,” Savannah said. “Who knows, I might become the first lesbian president of the United States.”

“Hear, hear,” Deanna said, entering the living room with a tray loaded with six steaming mugs next to the large plate of assorted sandwiches.

“They’re here, I take it?” Faythe asked, checking Deanna’s expression carefully as she placed the tray on the coffee table.

“Yup. I’ll go greet them, all right? Be right back.” She walked toward the back door, and Faythe debated if she should go with her.

She would’ve asked me if she needed me.
Faythe put a damper on her protectiveness and remained on the couch.

It only took Deanna a minute to bring her mother and Percy in to join them. “Mom, Percy, you remember Faythe? And these are our friends Pammie and Savannah. Pammie, Savannah, this is my mother, Angela, and her…my stepfather, Percy.”

After shaking hands with everybody, Angela sat next to Faythe, and Percy chose one of the armchairs. Gazing around the room, he looked impressed. “What a great place you have here, Ms. Hamilton,” he said, clearly set on keeping a polite tone.

“Faythe, please. And it’s not mine, exactly, it’s my aunt’s. She’s in Florida this time of year.”

“Please, have some coffee. It’s fresh from Faythe’s aunt’s state-of-the-art espresso machine.” Deanna gestured at the table, her smile a little too wide.

“Thanks, honey. Sandwiches look lovely.” Angela sipped from her mug and nodded approvingly. “This is good coffee.”

“Why don’t we get right to the point, instead of tiptoeing around each other in this rather uncomfortable way?” Faythe said.

“All right.” Deanna drew one leg up underneath her as she sat down in the other armchair. “I suppose I should start.”

“I admit I was startled yesterday,” Angela said. “But as long as you and Miranda are all right, we can figure things out.” She glanced at her husband. “Right, Percy?”

“Of course.” Faythe couldn’t quite figure out Percy’s tone of voice, but he seemed serious.

“All right, then.” Deanna exchanged a quick glance with Faythe before she continued. “You remember the woman you met at the picnic, Gloria Mueller?”

“Yes.”

“She’s been blackmailing me for the last two years.” Deanna’s complexion turned grayish and she pressed against the backrest of the chair.“What?” Angela jerked, nearly spilling her coffee. “She’s after money? You’re successful, but not rich. Or are you?” Angela looked confused.

“No, Mom, I’m not rich by any standard. I do okay, but that’s it. And no, Gloria Mueller is not after money. She’s quite well off.”

“My mother wants to keep her position as the leading lady of Grantville, the spider of the web, the queen bee. Whatever you call it, she’ll do anything to maintain her position of power.” Savannah looked as pale as Deanna now, scooting closer to Pammie.

“Your mother? You’re Gloria Mueller’s daughter?” Angela spoke slowly. “And this woman is under the impression that Deanna stands between her and her position in Grantville? Who the hell is this megalomaniac?”

Faythe smiled inwardly at Angela’s astute word choice. “Why don’t we give you the short, fact-filled version?” she suggested, then told Angela and Percy what Savannah had done two years ago, and what had transpired the last few weeks. Angela and Percy listened without interrupting, but Angela’s eyes kept darkening.

“And what is she threatening to do, exactly, that keeps Deanna from taking her to court?” Percy asked when Faythe quieted.

“She knows that Mom and I haven’t been on speaking terms for years, and she also knows how important Miranda is to me.”

“She always was everything to you, from the day she was born,” Angela said softly.

“Yes.” Deanna pushed trembling fingers through her hair. Faythe couldn’t remain on the couch any longer. She moved and sat down on the armrest of Deanna’s chair, placing her hand on her shoulder in a clear gesture of support. “Anyway, she knows this about me, and she thinks it wouldn’t be hard to convince you two to see things her way.”

“How dare she—?”

“Until last week, wouldn’t you have believed her? Or at least listened to what she had to say?” Deanna spoke quietly, and the pain in her voice made Faythe squeeze her shoulder gently.

“I…I suppose.” Angela sobbed once. “Go on.”

“So, what if I had taken her to court, called Savannah a liar in public, and raised holy hell like I wanted to?”

“I’m so sorry…” Savannah had apparently had enough and burst into tears. “It’s all my fault. No matter what, it’s all my fault.”

“Oh, sweetie.” Pammie threw her arms around Savannah and held her tight. “Come here.” Her fiery eyes darted between them, daring anyone in the room to say anything accusingly to Savannah.

“Child, you’re a hundred times more honorable than your mother,” Angela said. “That woman lacks basic human decency as far as I can tell, but you don’t. You did something that was very wrong, but you’ve come forward and dealt with it. And you’re here, helping to save my daughters from any further harm.” Angela turned to Deanna. “So, what else does Gloria threaten to do?”

“She knows I’m helpless when it comes to Miranda and said if I cause any trouble whatsoever, she would have me banned from visiting Miranda. You know what that would do to her. She said she would also make sure Miranda knew I was evil and did horrible things to young girls, and that she wasn’t safe with me and couldn’t see me again.” Deanna tipped her head back against Faythe and closed her eyes briefly. She squeezed Faythe’s thigh through her jeans before she continued.

“She relied on the fact that you and I weren’t talking. But that’s not the only reason Faythe managed to convince me to invite you.” Deanna looked up at Faythe again, as if debating how to go on. She rose and stepped over to her mother, where she knelt next to her and took Angela’s hands. “I was so hurt that you chose Percy over Miranda and me. I was furious that you sent Miranda away after we had been a family, our little trio against the world, for seven years. I felt you replaced us with Percy’s two perfect girls, and that you didn’t want us anymore.”