Chapter Eighteen. Clancy knocked at the back door on Thursday evening, making a silly face that had Abby laughing

Clancy knocked at the back door on Thursday evening, making a silly face that had Abby laughing. "Bring that cute mug in here and let me kiss it," she said.

Clancy opened the door and looked around stealthily. "Are we alone?"

"Yeah. Hayley went to Santa Barbara to surf. She won't be home until late."

"How late?" Clancy asked, her hungry look giving Abby a good idea of the reason for her interest in Hayley's schedule.

The brunette walked over to Clancy and slipped her arms around her. "They usually go out for dinner at a taco place they love. She probably won't be home until 11:00 or midnight. Why? Got something on your mind?" She nuzzled at Clancy's neck, then nipped her sensitive earlobe.

"Uh-huh. Your body." Strong arms enveloped Abby, squeezing her hard enough to force the air from her lungs. "I've been thinking about you all day. The way you feel in my arms, the way you always smell like flowers and fresh air." Her hands slipped down and cupped Abby's cheeks. "But most of all, I've been thinking about your ass. You have the most delightful ass I've ever laid eyes or hands on, and there's nothing I'd like more than to study it up close for a couple of hours."

"Clancy!" Abby blushed, enormously pleased with her lover's interest. "You sure do know how to turn a girl's head!"

"Your head is wonderful, but I'd really like to see your ass," the architect said, massaging the cheeks with fierce intensity. "See it … touch it … bite it … kiss it …"

"Whew!" Abby pulled back a little, fanning herself. "I've gotta call Maria and tell her I'm canceling!" She headed for the phone, but Clancy pulled her back.

"What are you canceling?"

The older woman draped her arms around her lover's neck. "I think Maria's holding something back, and I arranged to go over and talk to her tonight. I thought you might want to go with me."

"We can go -"

Abby kissed Clancy's lips, stopping them as they were about to form another word. "Now that you've got me thinking about asses, I don't want to go out. I wanna stay in. Inside you," she added, looking a little embarrassed at using this sort of playful banter.

Clancy ran her hand through her partner's hair, looking into her eyes. "Have you been worrying about Maria?"

Abby nodded. "Yeah. Something doesn't seem right. It makes me wonder if she's holding out on me to avoid hurting my feelings, or if I'm just projecting."

"This sounds important," Clancy said. "I think we should go. I'll still feel like having sex later."

"That goes without saying," Abby said, kissing Clancy until the blonde's knees began to shake. "I'm absolutely insatiable for you. Nothing makes me happier than touching you."

Clancy slipped her hand into Abby's shorts, then gently tickled between her legs. "Nothing?"

With a soft growl, Abby pushed her pelvis forward, pressing her mound into Clancy's hand. "Okay," she purred. "Nothing makes me happier than touching and being touched."

"That's more like it." Clancy pinched her lover's lips together, then gave them a tug, grinning when Abby's eyes closed and her nostrils flared. "You're so easy."

"Only for you, baby." They kissed for a few minutes, neither wanting to leave the house. Finally, Abby pulled away. "Stay or go?"

Lazily, Clancy replied. "Go. Damn it. Go."

"I was going to walk. Want to walk with me?"

"Uhm … sure. But I have to shower and change first. I can't go like this."

Abby smiled at her dirt-streaked face, sweat-stained, rumpled shirt and mud-caked knees. "I think you look adorable. You remind me of Trevor when he was about four."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Clancy decided. "But I really do have to go shower."

"You could shower here …" Abby began, but Clancy was shaking her head before the older woman could finish the sentence.

"That's asking for trouble," she said. "I know Hayley won't come home this early, but it's not worth the risk. I'll go home and then come pick you up."

"No, I'm ready to get going now. I'll walk, and you can go home and take your time. Actually, would you stop at the store and pick up something from the deli for all of us? Pam and Maria despise cooking, and they jump at the chance to avoid it."

"Sure. Any preferences?"

"For the adults, anything that strikes your fancy. But make sure you get some of their macaroni and cheese for Alyssa. She's addicted to the stuff."

"Will do. See you in a bit." She leaned in for a quick kiss and a squeeze of Abby's butt. "I couldn't resist," she said, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

After leaving a note for Hayley, Abby started off on her walk, reaching her friends' home a short while later. She made idle conversation with the whole family for a bit, dropping in the news that Clancy would be joining them. Eventually, she turned to Maria and said, "Could we go to your office for a few minutes? I have some things to talk to you about."

Maria looked a little surprised, but she got up and said, "Why don't you see if your mom can help you with your math homework, Alyssa? Then you'll be finished by the time we're ready for dinner."

The child gave her mother a fairly unhappy look, but she got up and took Pam's hand, compliantly heading for her bedroom.

Abby watched the pair leave, saying, "I miss the days when I could tell Hayley what to do. It feels like she's in charge of the house now."

Maria put her arm around her friend's shoulders while they walked down the hall. "It's always hard when a kid's on the verge of adulthood. And Hayley was never a pushover, Abby. Let's be honest."

Abby laughed, nodding in agreement. "You're right. She's always had a lot of spirit."

They entered the office, and they both sat on the modern, leather sofa. "What's up?" Maria asked.

Abby was suddenly shy, and spent a moment playing with the seam on the back of the sofa. "I … uhm … I've been getting some vibes …"

After waiting for her friend to speak again, Maria said, "Come on, Abby, this is me. What's bothering you?"

Their eyes met, and Abby forced herself to spit it out. "You and Pam both say you're supportive of me, but I've had a funny feeling that you don't think this is a great idea."

"What isn't … you and Clancy?"

"Yeah. And it seems odd to me that you and Pam would be uncomfortable with my being in a lesbian relationship."

Maria reached out and put her hand on her friend's knee. "Oh, Abby, that's not it," she said, her expression filled with empathy.

"Then what is it?" Abby asked, looking young and vulnerable.

Maria stood and walked to the window, looking out at the traffic gliding down the wide expanse of Orange Grove Boulevard. She knew Abby was staring at her, but she needed to compose her thoughts before she revealed them. "I haven't been entirely honest with you," Maria admitted.

Hurt, Abby blinked her eyes, trying not to cry. "Why? Don't you trust me?"

Maria went back to the sofa and sat next to her friend. She draped an arm around her back and was surprised to have Abby snuggle up next to her and rest her head on her shoulder. "Of course I trust you. I just didn't want to offer an opinion that you hadn't asked for."

"But I asked for your opinion," Abby said.

"No, you didn't, honey. You asked when I thought you should tell Trevor and Hayley. You didn't ask if I thought you should tell them."

Astounded, Abby sat up and stared at her friend. "You don't think I should tell my kids the truth about my life? I'm not ashamed of this, Maria. I have nothing to hide!"

"I know that," the doctor said, closing her eyes to avoid seeing the pain in Abby's expression. "And it's not that I think you should keep things from your kids. It's just … it's just that I think you should wait and see where this winds up," she said.

"Where what winds up?"

"Where you and Clancy wind up. What if this doesn't work out, Abby? Is it worth it to go through the whole thing if you decide you're not comfortable in this relationship?"

Abby stood up and walked around the room slowly, trying to expend some energy. Finally, she stopped and perched on the edge of Maria's desk. "Say what you're thinking, Maria. Just say it."

The doctor let out a sigh, regretting that she'd opened her mouth in the first place. "I'm afraid that you and Clancy aren't going to last. And I'd hate to see you upset Trevor and Hayley for nothing."

Abby's eyebrows arched up, and she stared at her friend before she could speak. "Well, I asked for it, so I can't fault you for being blunt."

"Oh, Abby, I would never have said anything. It's not my business! But I care about you and the kids so much that I'm willing to risk hurting you now to help you avoid more hurt later."

Walking back to the sofa, Abby sat down and patted her friend on the leg. "I know you love me and the kids. That's without question." She sat there quietly for a few moments, then asked, "Why do you think we won't make it?"

"I … I'm sorry to say I feel a little like Ellen does," Maria admitted. "This is such a radical move for you … it just doesn't seem like something you'd do! You're the most stable, rational, conservative person I know, and I mean that in the best possible way. You're not someone to make a huge change that will affect every part of your life! I worry that you either haven't thought it through, or you're not letting the repercussions sink in. Either way, I'm very worried for you, Abby. I love you, and I want you to be happy, but I'm afraid this isn't what will make you happy."

Once more Abby got up. She wrapped her arms around herself and leaned against the window, looking out, but not seeing. "I haven't been this happy since before Will died," she said softly. "Do I have to put other people first all of the time? Haven't I done enough of that?" She turned to Maria, tears sliding down her cheeks. "I was the perfect daughter, then the perfect girlfriend, then the perfect wife, and the perfect mother. I haven't done anything for myself - only myself - since I was a teenager! When will I get my turn?"

Maria got up and went to her, holding Abby in her arms while the taller woman cried. "Oh, Abby, I'm sorry for hurting you. I'm so sorry."

"I've sacrificed willingly," Abby sniffed. "I went to college even though I wanted to travel for a year first. I got married long before I had planned, but it made sense, and it was what Will wanted. I had Trevor when I was barely twenty years old! I didn't get my Ph.D. because it would have been too hard to juggle my work with the kids. I didn't teach because I wanted to be home for them. I didn't work because I wanted to be able to go on trips with Will or attend conferences with him." She let out a big breath, looking tired and defeated. "I did everything because it made sense. It's what worked out. It made the people I loved happy. But I'm forty-five years old, and I want to live a little! I want to be carefree for the first time in my adult life. I want to swim naked in my pool and make love on the patio. I want to spend the whole day in bed with Clancy, eating pizza out of the box and drinking warm beer because we're too exhausted to go downstairs. I want all of that, and I can have it. I can have what I want. Finally, I can have it and think only of myself. Me! Just me!"

"Oh, Abby, you deserve that," Maria whispered. "You deserve it."

"Do I?" she asked tiredly. "Do I? What if you're right? What if it doesn't work out? What if my kids can't accept it?" She put her head down and cried again, her sobs breaking Maria's heart. Maria heard her friend's fragile voice ask, "Will I ever come first?"

Clancy arrived while Abby was in Maria's office, and her arms were laden with cartons filled with delicious-smelling items. She was a little uncomfortable to be alone with Pam and Alyssa, so she volunteered to arrange the food. "Okay," Pam agreed. "I don't imagine they'll be long. I'll just finish up with Alyssa -"

The phone rang, and Pam smiled and threw up her hands when she heard rapid and determined little footsteps heading for the phone in the hallway. After a few moments, Pam gave Clancy a smirk and said, "No one calls us any more. Since Alyssa declared herself our receptionist, people don't call because she bends their ear for an hour. It works great on sales calls, though." Raising her voice, she called, "Honey, who is it?"

"Hayley," came the reply, and both Clancy and Pam froze in place for just a moment before they both ran to the child to stare at her in horror as they heard her say, "Clancy just got here. She brought me macaroni." Her face scrunched up, and she nodded her head. "Sure I know her. She's your mom's girlfriend." She looked into Clancy's terror-struck face and asked, "Don't you know your mom likes girls now?"

Clancy leapt for the receiver, ripping it from Alyssa's hands. She fell to her knees and tucked an arm around the startled child to reassure her, while she said, "Hayley!"

A small, thin voice gasped out, "Is that true?"

"Hayley, it's … it's … uhm … your mom and I …"

"It's true!" she cried. "It's true!"

"Hayley, come on, calm down. Let us come home, and we'll all talk it out."

"Fuck you! Go fuck yourself, Clancy!" She slammed the phone down violently, and before the sound had finished reverberating in her ears, Clancy was running for the door.

"I'll be back. Tell Abby to wait for me." She wasn't even sure why she was certain that time was absolutely critical, but Clancy knew that she couldn't wait to explain to Abby what had happened. She had to stop Hayley before the girl could leave the house, and every second was precious.

Her truck was right outside, and she peeled out while still struggling with her seat belt. She raced down the streets of the quiet neighborhood, her heart thudding loudly in her chest. The only thought that kept going through her mind was that she had to stop Hayley from driving off when she was irrational. They could work through any problem with enough time and effort, but if Hayley drove off and hurt herself, Clancy was sure that that was one thing Abby could never get over.

As soon as the girl had slammed the phone down, she ran upstairs to rip off her sandy swimsuit and throw on a clean pair of shorts and a T-shirt. Luckily, that slight delay slowed her down enough for Clancy to reach the house just as Hayley was pulling out in the Lexus.

The yellow truck pulled into the drive, blocking the exit as Hayley cleared the garage. "Get the fuck out of my way!" she screamed, appearing hysterical.

Leaving the engine running, Clancy got out and approached the convertible. "Hayley, please get out and hear what I have to say."

"Are you fucking my mother?" she screamed, tears running down her face.

Clancy took a breath and said, "We're in love with each other," her eyes never leaving Hayley's.

The dark head bowed, and Hayley started slamming her head against the steering wheel, sobbing pitifully.

Going around to the side of the car, Clancy got in. Noticing that Hayley's foot was pressing the brake down, she slid the car into park and leaned over to kill the engine, tucking the keys into her shirt pocket.

"Why you?" the younger woman gasped out. "Of all people - why you?"

"I don't know," Clancy said quietly. "It just happened. All I know is that I love her. And she loves me."

"She does not!" A tear-streaked, outraged face glared at Clancy. "She does not love you!" Hayley fumbled with and finally yanked the door handle; the door opened and she started running for the street. Clancy paused a moment, then took off after her, gaining on her easily since Hayley was barefoot.

"Hayley, wait!" She grabbed her by the arm of her T-shirt, and the younger woman wrenched away from her so violently that the sleeve ripped half off.

She turned and swung hard, her fist catching Clancy right on the bone under her eye. Gasping in pain, the blonde doubled over, only to have Hayley kick her hard on the shoulder, knocking her onto her seat.

Stunned, Clancy watched as Hayley ran for the truck. The older woman got to her feet and ran as fast as she could, grabbing the passenger door handle and pulling it open just as Hayley threw it into gear. Holding onto the handle over the seat and the rail of the bed, Clancy powered herself into the seat, settled her weight and jammed her foot onto the brake, banging her head into the windshield hard enough to see stars. She wrestled with Hayley for a second, but her superior strength and bulk allowed her to overpower the girl and get the truck into park. Jerking the key from the ignition, she glared at the girl and said, "This isn't the fucking end of the world! Now stop being such a big goddamned baby and calm fucking down!"

Hayley reared back to slap her again, but Clancy reached out and roughly grabbed her hands. She shook her hard, giving her a lethal glare and saying, "I told you to calm down! I meant it!"

The younger woman slumped against the door, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. Clancy's cell phone chirped, and she got out of the truck to answer, casting a worried glance at Hayley while she punched the answer button. "Hi," she said quietly.

"Where are you?"

It sounded like Abby had been crying, and Clancy turned her back to the truck and said, "I'm at your house. Hayley's really upset, but I don't think you should come back quite yet. Give me a few more minutes with her, okay?"

"But -!"

"Abby, she's really angry. Let her vent some of her anger before you try to talk to her."

"But she's venting at you -"

"I can handle it. She's not my child. Trust me on this … please?"

"Do you have the number here?" Abby asked after a moment.

"No. Page me and leave the number. I'll call you soon."

Walking back to the driver's door, Clancy knocked lightly, then swung the heavy door open. "Come on. Let's go inside."

Wordlessly, the young woman got out and stood by the truck while Clancy parked it. Once in the kitchen, they spent a few minutes calming the dogs down, both animals agitated from hearing raised voices.

Hayley went to the freezer and took out a few ice cubes, then wrapped them in a kitchen towel and handed it to Clancy. "Put that on your eye," she said, going to sit on one of the kitchen stools.

Puzzled, Clancy touched her eye, noticing for the first time that it was swollen and painful to the touch. She placed the cloth to it, flinching a bit when the cold hit her skin. "Can I have another one for my head? I banged it pretty hard."

Getting up to fetch another, Hayley brought it over, then gently ran her fingers through Clancy's hair, wincing when she felt the knot that was already forming. Pressing the cloth against the spot, she said, "I'm sorry I hit you. I've … never hit anyone in my whole life."

"It's okay," Clancy said. "I've had worse."

"Bar fight?" Hayley asked, the ghost of a smile on her lips.

"Tree limb." Clancy returned her smile and asked, "What's going on? I thought this would bother you, but you act like this is the worst thing in the world. Where does that come from?"

"How would you like it if your father died and your mom fell in love with a chick?"

Clancy made a face, annoyed that she had such a visceral reaction to the mere thought. "Okay. It would be weird," Clancy admitted. "I don't know what it's like to be in your shoes. Neither does your mom. But she loves you very much, and she doesn't want to hurt you. Neither do I."

Tears started to roll down the young woman's cheeks, and she muttered, "I don't want you to be with her."

"I can see that. But I am. It's what we both want."

"So I don't even get a vote?"

"I can't speak for your mom. You'll have to ask her that. But even if you get a vote, it's still two to one."

"She'd choose you over me," Hayley sobbed, dropping the cloth and distancing herself from Clancy. She walked to the other end of the kitchen, clutching her belly with her arms.

"That's not true. Your relationship with your mom is precious! There's no outsider who can ever mess with that. And as much as I love your mother, I'm an outsider. I'll always be an outsider. You're her flesh and her blood; you're her child. No matter how old you get, no matter how many fights you have - she's your mom."

The younger woman dropped her head, then wiped her eyes with the hem of her T-shirt. "I hate this," she whispered.

"I know." Clancy walked over and stood next to her. "I know how upset you are, but I also know that your mom is worried sick. I want to go pick her up now. Will you at least try to be civil to her?"

"Yes."

Clancy had both sets of keys, but just to be sure, she decided to take Abby's car. There could be another set of keys that she didn't know about. When she reached the door, Hayley's soft voice floated over to her. "You're not going to come back with her, are you?"

"No. This is between the two of you. I'm going home."

"Good."

Abby was understandably beside herself with worry, and nothing Clancy could say helped in the least. "Why didn't you take me with you?" the older woman asked, her voice shaking.

"I don't know why I knew it was so important," Clancy said, "but I knew she was going to get in that car and take off. I couldn't risk her doing that and hurting herself."

Abby nodded, then patted Clancy absently and said, "Thank you. I never would have forgiven myself if she'd gotten hurt."

As soon as they pulled into the garage, Abby jumped out, but Clancy stopped her. "Abby, uhm … Hayley told me some things, but I think it's best if you hear them from her. I'm gonna leave now."

"Oh. Right. Uhm …" she looked towards the door, and Clancy waved her off.

"Go ahead. Just close the door after me, okay?"

Abby looked at the lost, lonely expression on her lover's face and ran around the car to hug her fiercely. "We'll get through this." A kiss on the temple and she was gone, leaving Clancy alone in the dark garage, the quiet whir of a fan in the car the only sound.

Abby walked into the house tentatively, expecting the worst, but Hayley didn't answer when she called. The dogs were missing, too, but the open back door led her to the pool, where the lithe young woman was churning out laps. Abby watched her for a moment, then went back into the house and put on her own suit. A few minutes later, she joined her in the pool, quietly watching her work out her frustrations. A very long time passed, and Hayley finally drew to a stop, her muscles too fatigued to manage another stroke.

The young woman looked up at her mother and asked, "Are you mad at me?"

"Mad at you? Why on earth would I be mad at you?"

"'Cause I hit Clancy," she said quietly.

"You hit …?"

She nodded. "Didn't you see her eye? It was all swollen. And she hit her head on the windshield. Uhm … you'd better make sure she's okay."

"Shit!" Abby jumped out of the pool and raced for the kitchen, her hands shaking while she dialed Clancy's cell. The architect answered on the second ring. "Are you all right? Hayley told me she hit you and that you hit your head on the windshield!"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Clancy said. "Just a headache. Don't worry about me."

"I am worried about you," Abby said, her voice shaking. "You might have a concussion."

"I don't think so," the younger woman said.

"Clancy, go to the emergency room right now, or I'll come over there and take you."

Sighing, the landscaper said, "I don't want to spend the whole night in the E.R. I have to work in the morning."

"Then go back to Maria's," Abby said. "She'll know if you're hurt badly enough to need a CAT scan."

"Abby -"

"Clancy, I'm just about to rip my hair out. I can't take much more stress today. Now, please, if you love me, go see Maria!" Clancy had never heard her lover sound so thoroughly agitated. Just to calm her down, she agreed. "Fine. Give me her number so I can tell her I'm coming."

"I'll call her for you. And her number's on your pager, too. Now call me as soon as she looks at you, okay?"

"I promise. I love you."

"I love you, too. I swear I do."

Clancy closed her cell phone, a little puzzled by the emphatic way that Abby had professed her love. There was something about her tone that sounded desperate, and a gnawing worry worked at her stomach all the way to Pam and Maria's home.

After calling Maria, Abby walked back to the pool and slipped in, wishing she could submerge herself for a few hours until things had calmed down.

Hayley was squatting in the corner of the pool, crying. "I've never hit anybody in my life," she said. "I was just so mad …"

"I'm sure Clancy will be fine," Abby soothed. "She'll forgive you."

Hayley looked at her mother for a moment and asked, "Are you in love with her?"

Without hesitation, Abby nodded her head. "Yes, I am."

The narrow shoulders slumped, and Hayley turned away from the level gaze that her mother fixed her with. "I guess I'll go back up to Santa Cruz. I have some friends who rented an apartment. I can crash with them."

"Hayley, there's no reason for you to leave! How can we work this out if you're gone?"

"I can't stay," she said quietly. "I just can't."

"But why?"

"You made your decision. Clancy's the one who matters."

"Hayley! Of course Clancy matters to me, but you're my child! You're not in competition!"

"Yes, we are. You let me tell you about my crush on her … let me look like a fool … and never said a word. That's when you chose her." She walked over to the edge of the pool and pushed herself up, getting to her feet. "Don't start acting like you care now." Shaking her head to get the hair from her eyes, she wrapped a towel around herself and went inside. Abby knew she should go after her, but she didn't have the strength. She went over to the hot tub and turned on the jets, trying to feel centered before she had to face her daughter once again.

Steeling her nerves, Clancy rang the doorbell, wondering how the night had gone so wrong so quickly. Maria answered, looking as uncomfortable as Clancy felt. "I hear you accept house calls," the landscaper said.

Maria put her hand on her shoulder and urged her into the house. "After the night you've had, waiting in the emergency room would be cruel and unusual punishment. Come into the kitchen where the light is good."

Walking down the hallway, Clancy asked, "Is Alyssa okay? I've been worried about her."

Maria took a quick look at the young woman, surprised and pleased that Clancy would think of the girl during the turbulent night. "Yeah, she'll be fine. But she's pretty upset. She thinks she caused trouble for Abby … which she did," she added in a whisper.

"Would you like me to talk to her?" Clancy offered. "I think I freaked her out by yanking the phone out of her hand and then running out of the house. She might feel better if she saw me acting normally."

Maria pursed her lips, then shook her head. "You haven't looked at yourself in a mirror, have you?"

Her hand flew to her cheek. "That bad?"

"Yeah. I don't think Alyssa would feel better to know that Hayley belted you."

Making a sheepish gesture, Clancy said, "I don't have much experience with kids, but that probably wouldn't be the best idea."

Maria pointed at a chair, and Clancy sat down. The doctor took a penlight from one of the kitchen drawers and turned it on. She touched Clancy's chin and said, "Look straight ahead." She spent a few moments looking at each eye, watching it dilate. "Your eyes look fine," she said. "The pupils are the same size, and they dilate at the same rate." She sat down next to Clancy and touched the bruise under her eye. Clancy winced, but didn't move, allowing Maria to feel the bone around her eye. "Okay. Now let me ask you a few questions."

"Questions?" Clancy asked weakly. "Don't make 'em too hard. I'm wiped."

Maria smiled at her. "Simple ones. Don't worry." She felt the knot that had formed right at Clancy's hairline. "Do you remember coming over with dinner?"

"Sure. I went home, showered, and went to the store. Then I drove over here."

"What were you doing when you hit your head?"

"Wrestling with Hayley and hitting the brakes too hard. I learned that seat belts are a good idea when you're fighting to take control of a truck."

Patting her on the shoulder, Maria said, "Does anything seem fuzzy or unclear?"

"Yeah, but not because of being hit in the head." Clancy smiled at her, and the doctor found herself returning the charming grin. "I'm not used to a lot of dyke drama."

Maria got up and went to the freezer, pulling out a pair of cold packs. She handed one to Clancy for her eye and held the other to the landscaper's forehead. "Since both of your bumps are on the same side of your head, you need a little help."

"You've helped a lot," Clancy said. "I really appreciate your taking a look at me. I don't want to cause Abby any more worry." She thought for a moment, then asked, "How did she seem when you talked to her?"

"Not great," Maria admitted. "She was very worried about you."

"Oh, this is nothing," Clancy said, waving her free hand dismissively. "She's the one with problems. I just hope Hayley isn't as irrational with her as she was with me." She took in a deep breath and looked at Maria, her gray eyes filled with concern. "I hate for her to go through this alone, but I know it'd be worse if I were there."

Maria smiled at her, saying, "You really care about her, don't you?"

"God, yes!" Clancy said. "I'd do anything to help her!"

"I hope it all works out for you," Maria said, hoping fervently that it would.

Abby knocked on Hayley's door, but the young woman didn't ask her to enter. "I don't want to talk now, Mom," she said.

"Come on, honey; don't shut me out."

"I'm sorry. But I want to be alone. I don't feel like talking tonight. Just let me calm down."

"All right," Abby said, feeling her eyes fill with tears. Lonely and depressed, she walked down the hall to the guest room, grateful when the dogs jumped onto the bed, waiting for her. She cuddled them for a few minutes, relishing the simple, unquestioning devotion they held for her. "You don't even get mad at me when I take you to the groomer," she sighed into Athena's curly coat.

She lay down and dialed Clancy, not surprised in the least when the younger woman answered on the first ring. "Hi."

"Are you all right?" Clancy asked quickly.

"Yes. I'm so sorry that Hayley hit you. Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Maria checked me out. But I'm worried sick about you, Abby."

"Well, it sounds like it went better for me than it did with you. She didn't try to hit me."

"She was angry," Clancy reminded her. "It was no big deal."

"Yes, it is. It's a very big deal, and I'm sorry you had to suffer because of Hayley's temper."

"Forget about it," Clancy said firmly. "Now, how are you?"

Abby sighed heavily and said, "Well, other than her telling me that she thinks I've chosen you over her, she didn't talk much. She's more guarded with her feelings than I am - if you can believe it."

"Ouch! No wonder you don't have many fights."

"Yeah, that's part of it. She's angry and hurt, but I'm sure she'll get over it. I just … I think that we should back off a little - just until she's more comfortable with this."

"Back off?"

Abby cleared her throat, trying to keep her gathering emotions at bay. "Clancy, I love you. That's not going to change. But I need to spend some time with Hayley. I have to give her some space so that she feels like she can express herself. Is that okay?"

"Sure. You do what you think is best." She paused a second and asked, "Can you come to my house?"

"Let's see how it goes. I want to make sure we handle this properly so that we can move forward."

Clancy did her best to still the doubts and the worries threatening to overwhelm her. She forced herself to take a deep breath and take a leap of faith. "Okay. I'll let you decide how to handle this. I trust you."

She could almost see the smile on her lover's face. "I love you, Clancy. And I'm so happy to know that you trust my judgment. I'm sorry for how badly this all went, but we can get through it. We will get through it."

"I know we will. I love you with all my heart. G'night."

"Try to sleep, honey. You have a big day tomorrow."

"I will. You, too."

Дата добавления: 2015-10-26