Chapter five

Gail and Tannen were into their fourth week together when Gail decided she had a problem.

She rustled in her bed when the scent of fresh coffee awakened her. The clicking of Tannen's computer keys from the bedroom across the hall added to Gail's morning wake-up call.

When did I become accustomed to that scent and those sounds? We've even equalized the housework. Tannen runs the Hoover; I do the dusting. She cooks; I'm the cleaner upper. She washes the cars; I detail the interiors. We wax on/wax off together. We're nearly living together. We are living together, but without sex.

"Fuck." Gail heard from Tannen's room.

"Exactly." Gail hugged the other pillow to her.

But I invited her. How else would it be? I should accept her help as the proper thing for her to do. Tannen suggested the division of housework. I accepted. What really bothers me is...what? That it feels comfortable and I enjoy every minute of my time with her? That I look forward to waking up every morning and hearing her fingers clicking the typewriter keys? That I would miss fresh coffee and her foul language as she typed? That every night I want to knock on her bedroom door and...just...hold...her? What would I do if she invited me into her room? Give her a one-hour lecture on building characters? Give her a pedicure?

Gail turned her eyes to the small oval porcelain container on her nightstand. It was no larger than a pillbox. It was white with a red rose on top. She reached over and touched the container with her fingertip. She stroked it once, pulled her hand away, and pushed the sheet from her.

Gail slipped into a pair of shorts and a lemony, chiffon blouse. She tied back her hair with a pale green scarf and then brushed her teeth.

At Tannen's doorway, she knocked lightly and popped her head in.

"Fun. Fantasy. Floral. Flotsam. Frigid. Flask," she said.

Tannen sat back and gave Gail a puzzled look. "What's that?"

"I heard a lot of F words, and I thought I might play, too."

"How do you do it? All I want to do is write a simple script, and it's turned quickly into rubbish."

"If you aren't working against a deadline, leave it for a bit. The words will come. Unfortunately, they'll probably come when you're nowhere near a PC."

"Perhaps I simply don't possess the writer's mind." Tannen turned back to the PC and saved her work. She joined Gail at the threshold.

"Writers are a strange group," Gail said. "I think Tolstoy's head would have exploded had he not written War and Peace."

Tannen nodded. "What a mess that would have been. Do you think actors are less creative than writers?"

"Actors are creative in their interpretation of stories, but I can't think of any film that is as lasting, and as profound, as the written story."

Tannen shrugged. "I suppose you could be right."

"I just belittled your profession and you're letting me get away with it?"

Tannen grinned. "I think your attempt is more to annoy me, but I don't mind. The longer you speak, the more you close the gap between us. You've moved at least seven inches closer to me." She reached only three inches, to touch the ruffle on Gail's sleeve. "Very pretty top." Tannen crossed her arms and looked into Gail's eyes. "Good morning, Ms. Prescott. Do you want some breakfast?"

Gail studied their proximity. How did I not notice? Tannen hadn't budged from the threshold, and now Gail felt each warm breath from her.

"No, thanks. Did I hear you talking to someone earlier?"

"Yes. Karen called and I invited her over. We had coffee and chatted a bit. She invited me to your birthday party. Forty is quite a milestone."

Gail headed toward the steps and Tannen followed.

"Forty does not qualify as a milestone. It signifies a very long time, possibly with even fewer years remaining." Gail entered the kitchen. "I've accomplished a lot of things I'd wanted, with no one to reap the rewards after I become ashes." Ashes to ashes. She pulled a plastic basin from beneath the sink and filled it with warm water. "Charities will become my beneficiary."

"It's difficult to imagine someone like you choosing to be alone until you die. Why do you want this life?"

"Alone is what I do best." Gail hoisted the full basin from the sink and nodded toward the door. "Come to the deck with me."

Tannen opened the door for Gail.

"No coffee this morning?" Tannen asked.

"Maybe later," Gail said and placed the basin on the deck. She pointed to the chair closest the basin. "Sit and put your feet in the water. I'll be right back." She smiled halfway through the kitchen when she heard Tannen ooh and ahh over the warm footbath. She returned to the deck with everything she needed to proceed with a pedicure.

"I'm keeping you," Tannen said.

Gail sat in front of the basin and dipped her hands into the water. She took Tannen's left foot into her hand and massaged the muscles. She looked up at Tannen.

"You're out of your mind to even think that."

Tannen leaned her head against the back of the chair and closed her eyes.

"Why?"

"Because I'm irresponsible with women."

"This foot massage doesn't feel irresponsible to me. It feels very caring."

Gail stopped and looked at the foot she held. Her left hand caressed the side and then the ankle. She envisioned her hand as it moved up the length of Tannen's calf while her other hand lifted Tannen's foot. Her tongue was quick to catch the flow of warm water. She swallowed and refused to allow another drop fall wasted. She moved her tongue slowly from Tannen's heel...

"Having a little fantasy, darling?"

I hate when you bust me. "I was wondering how long it's been since you've had a pedicure."

"You do like to arse around."

Gail dropped Tannen's foot and soaked herself with the splash. She didn't complain. Even the warm water felt cool against her hot face.

"I'm not wasting time." She picked up Tannen's other foot and began another massage, leaning more toward therapeutic. "See?"

"It still feels wonderful." Tannen moaned. "Do that harder. Right there."

"Right here?" Gail pressed harder and her thumbs worked Tannen slowly. When she felt Tannen's foot reacting with rhythm that dripped of sexual overtone, Gail lightened her touch. She could have sworn she heard another light moan from Tannen.

"Tell me a story about Gail Prescott," Tannen suddenly said.

"A story about me?" Gail wrinkled her nose.

"Yes. Any story will do."

"Okay." Gail thought for a few seconds. "This is why I became a writer: When I was eleven, my parents vacationed alone and I stayed with my grandmother. That was mostly fun because we played Monopoly and kept entertained in other ways. She would make tea and we would eat Town House crackers with butter. If not crackers, she would make peanut butter fudge. It was always grainy, but I ate it." She moved the basin away from Tannen's feet. She dried them with a towel.

"What made your staying there not fun?" Tannen asked.

"Grandma was a retired schoolteacher, and she would help me with my homework. Mathematics was her forte. I remember many nights, trying to understand what numbers were all about. She had me in tears. One night she hammered her fingertips on top of my head. I felt very stupid."

"How did you feel about her after that?"

"I got over the humiliation, but I'll never forget it. Her action did nothing to help my math skills." Gail laughed. "We still had our good moments." She reached for the moisturizer.

"This is how you became a romance writer?"

"No. While my parents were on vacation, Grandma took me on my first train ride from Johnstown to Altoona. Not far, an hour maybe. The only things I remember about that day are the train station in Johnstown and the MAD magazine some guy was reading on the train."

Tannen opened her eyes. "What's a mad magazine?"

Gail smiled. "MAD is the magazine title. It's mostly satire and still in publication."

"I'm not familiar with it. Go on, darling."

"I looked over his shoulder, and the magazine was opened to a comic strip. In that strip was the drawing of a man and woman kissing. He was on the left, and she was on the right. The drawing was black and white, but it appeared that she was blond and he had dark hair. Her left hand reached around to the back of his neck, and even I could tell she was pulling him hard onto her mouth. I couldn't stop looking at the drawing, and I remember it made my toes curl with a warm, tingly feeling." Gail wiggled her toes. "It still does. Isn't that funny?" She rubbed lotion into Tannen's feet.

"It's romantic. It's passionate. You were so young," Tannen said. "Uhh. Don't stop. Your hands are very skilled, darling."

Gail dragged her fingernail up Tannen's foot. Tannen giggled and jerked her foot away.

"I'm very ticklish there."

"Anyway, I went home and wrote an entire story about those two-dimensional characters."

"Do you remember the story?"

"Not really. But I remember wanting to be him." She set Tannen's feet on the towel and then capped the lotion.

"It was an early indication of your sexuality." Tannen sat forward, leaning on her knees. "One look at that comic strip and you knew your future?"

"Yes, I did. MAD magazine made me who I am today."

"Thank you for the story, darling, and thank you for the foot massage." She looked down to the nail clipper and cuticle remover. "I think I've been shortchanged."

"You were enjoying it too much."

"I'll do you, if you want."

Yes, please, and make it a double, Gail thought. "No, thanks. Maybe another time." She poured the water through the deck floor.

Tannen leaned down and kissed Gail's forehead. She gathered the equipment and basin.

"I'll return these and then I'm back to work." Tannen walked away, humming.

Gail watched her go into the kitchen and set the bowl into the sink. She stretched out on a chaise lounge, to abuse her body with the morning sun. Soon she heard typing from the window above her. She closed her eyes and fell asleep to the clicking of computer keys and Tannen's colorful language.

"Gail?" a distant voice called. "Darling?" The voice came closer. "Yo, Gail!" Tannen called again, and shook Gail's arm. "You'll regret the sun, darling. You're a lovely shade of pink."

Gail rustled and rolled over. The lounger began to tip, and the near freefall startled her awake. Tannen held on to her and pulled her back.

"Shit," Gail muttered and rubbed her eyes. "How long have I been sleeping?"

"About two hours." Tannen touched Gail's leg. "You're very hot. I made us some cold beverages. Take them over there." She pointed to the line of shady white birch trees. "I'll get some lotion for you."

Gail grabbed the tray of iced tea and glasses and sat in the shade. She examined her neon pink legs and arms, suspecting her neck and face matched the hue. She poured two glasses of tea and leaned against a fat white birch.

"Forget pink. You're a steamed lobster, darling." Tannen placed a tray near the tree. She spread a tablecloth in front of them and served a plate of red grapes, orange segments, bleu cheese spread, and French bread. "I thought you might be hungry."

"I feel as though I haven't eaten in weeks." Gail tore a piece of bread from the loaf. She spread a generous amount of cheese on the top and took a bite.

Tannen sat beside Gail. She grabbed the lotion and squeezed single dollops onto Gail's leg. Her hands moved slowly from Gail's foot to her knee.

"Gail, I want to talk about women."

Gail reached to her right and offered a bite to Tannen.

"My favorite subject."

"Good," she said. "I received a call from Pam Bishop and Janeane Tesla today." Tannen looked at Gail.

Here it comes. Let's make a movie, Gail! She nudged Tannen. "Talk about a woman you can climb. Pam Bishop has at least two inches over me. One call?"

"Yes, darling. They live together."

Tannen's hands reached Gail's knee. She pulled Gail's raised leg toward her and continued to spread the lotion on her inner thigh.

Oh my God. I can't live through this. Gail moved her leg away.

"Thanks. I'll finish," she said.

"Still having that fantasy?"

Gail's eyes met Tannen's. Fantasy? It felt closer to reality. She finished with the lotion and wiped her hands on a napkin. Tannen handed Gail a piece of orange segment spread with cheese.

"Tannen, what are you doing?"

"I'm telling you about my phone call."

"Your hands weren't in the conversation."

Tannen looked at her hands and then at Gail's thighs. She looked up and smiled. "I think that would have been impossible. Did I make you nervous?"

Only beyond all recognition, she thought. "Not really. We were talking about Pam and Janeane living together. You mean like sweetie-sweetie kind of living together?"

"I thought their relationship was common knowledge."

"Oh. You're serious." Gail shrugged. "I don't keep up with Hollywood gossip and red carpets."

"I'm aware of that. They want to talk to you about Tenfold."

Gail laughed. "Who knew? Why do they want to talk to me about my book?"

"They want the lead roles, and I think they're perfect."

"How did they know about your desire to make the film?" Gail raised her eyebrows and fed a grape to Tannen.

"I had discussed my desire for their participation on a few occasions."

"Before or after I said no?" Gail asked.

"Both, darling." Tannen turned, lay back, and rested her head on Gail's lap.

Gail placed a grape on each of Tannen's eyelids. Feeling even more playful, she placed two orange segments over Tannen's eyebrows. Still without protest from Tannen, Gail smeared Tannen's lips with bleu cheese spread. On a roll now, she messed up Tannen's hair, took a cell phone snapshot, and then showed the picture to Tannen.

Tannen plucked the grapes from her eyes. "Lovely! Let's send it to the Enquirer."

In Gail's best Ricardo Montalban voice, she said, "You look mah-velous," and returned the phone to her pocket. "The wheels of Hollywood keep turning for you. Is there a reality show for producers?"

"I'm not Hollywood, Gail," Tannen said and licked most of the cheese from her lips. "I'm a friend talking, and you're the only holdout on the project."

"Then as my friend, stop. I've said no." She ate one of Tannen's citrus eyebrows and pressed the other against Tannen's lips. "What is it you can't understand?" When Gail realized she was running her fingers through Tannen's hair, she stopped.

Tannen sat up. "You're very adamant about not doing this."

"That's been established," Gail said and brushed the breadcrumbs from her lap. She let the crumbs stay in Tannen's hair. Serves you right. "You're wasting your time with Tenfold."

Tannen wiped the remaining cheese from her lips. "Darling, what-"

"Tannen, darling," she mimicked and put a dollop of cheese on Tannen's nose, "Tenfold is nonnegotiable."

"Everyone has a price, Gail." She leaned forward and wiped the cheese on Gail's cheek. "It looks like bird shit."

Gail wiped away the cheese. "I don't need more money." She watched a monarch butterfly dip toward them. He performed a graceful landing on Tannen's ankle and Gail pointed to it. "I've summoned him to destroy you and your charlatan ways."

"Charlatan? I've been called many things, but never that." She studied the butterfly. "How much time remains before he does me in?"

"He'll devour you cell by cell. I estimate fifteen years." The butterfly flew off toward the pool. "Or not."

"I thought I was a goner." Tannen looked at Gail. "Darling," she placed her hands on Gail's knee, "is there anything I can do to convince you to film your book?"

"No." Gail squeezed Tannen's hands together. "I think you should know something more about me. When pestered too often, I've been known to throw people into my swimming pool. They're never seen or heard from again."

Tannen studied the pool and nodded. "Can we bring back the butterfly? If I have to leave this world-"

"No butterflies for you." Plenty in my stomach, though.

"I can't swim. I have no buoyancy," Tannen said. "Water frightens me, Gail."

That was all Gail needed to hear. She convinced Tannen to change into her bathing suit. Gail slipped into a one-piece bathing suit and waited at the edge of the shallow end of the pool.

"I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing," Tannen said as she approached the pool.

Gail looked up. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw how tanned Tannen had become. The white two-piece bathing suit enhanced the tan. I love your thighs. I may have to drown myself to keep away from you.

Tannen sat on the second vinyl step. Water covered her legs and hips. She held her hand toward Gail. Obligingly, Gail splashed down the steps. She sat and leaned her arms and head on her legs. She turned her head to look at Tannen. Tannen appeared concerned and in thought while she scanned the body of water in front of them.

"David was an avid swimmer," Tannen said. "He tried teaching me many times, but I make a better anchor."

"I'll be honest with you, Tannen. I have a friend who said more or less the same thing. I didn't believe her and I tried to teach her. No matter what we did, or how much time we spent, she couldn't stay afloat."

Tannen looked at Gail. "You're a fountain of encouragement, darling." She laughed and splashed Gail.

"I'll do what I can, as long as you cooperate. We can stop when you say."

Gail stood and pulled Tannen up. They waded down the remaining steps until Tannen was waist high in water.

"How does this make you feel?" Gail asked.

"This is fine." She pointed to the center of the pool. "That scares me. Just thinking about it makes me want to gasp for air."

"Then let's go out there."

"I've never known anyone who encouraged my suffocation. Perhaps I should fear you, Ms. Prescott," Tannen said, holding Gail's hand even tighter.

"Not me." She pointed toward Tannen's vulnerable point of the pool. "That's your fear, and you really should make a friend of it, so let's take a walk to that point." She guided Tannen until the water reached Tannen's shoulders.

"This is not good." Tannen turned and moved to a lesser depth. "This is okay." She looked at Gail. "Do I sound like a child to you, darling?"

"Not at all. You're brave for telling me and even more brave that you're about to place your life in my hands." Tannen stiffened and Gail saw genuine fear in her eyes. "I've already asked you to not die here, so I promise to protect you," she said and received no response, other than a tighter grasp on her hand. "Okay. Let's go back to the steps." Gail turned and Tannen stopped her.

"No." Tannen shook her head. "No. Teach me to float."

"Atta girl." Gail placed her left hand on Tannen's back. "Relax your arms and let the water hold their weight." Tannen's arms floated easily up. "Partway there."

"It's my immense arse I'm worried about."

Gail looked at Tannen's backside. With the motion of surface water, the image changed continually and appeared more like a white jellyfish.

"I wouldn't call it immense. It's a nice ass." Gail placed her right hand behind Tannen's legs. "Lean back and relax. I'll take your weight."

Slowly, Gail felt Tannen release the tension in her body. As Tannen leaned back, her legs lifted to the surface with Gail's help. Gail moved her right hand to the base of Tannen's spine. Without support, Tannen's legs began to sink, and Tannen thrashed about with her arms.

"Gail!" It didn't matter to Tannen that she could stand, if she would bother to try. It mattered that she was sinking. Gail slid her arm under Tannen's thighs and lifted her legs.

"You can't do that, Tannen. When you panic, you lose energy and then you die. Relax. Don't think of what we're doing. Talk about something." Now cradling Tannen, Gail kept her promise of protection.

"What do you think about Pam and Janeane for the lead parts?"

Gail heard the nervousness in Tannen's voice, but she laughed and shook her head.

"You're incredible." Gail studied Tannen's wet torso. If this were a wet T-shirt contest, Tannen would claim another golden award. "I think they're of appropriate age for the parts. I also think they're attractive and talented enough."

"Would you like to meet them?"

"I'd enjoy meeting them, but there are no parts, Tannen!"

While they spoke, Gail slowly released her hold on Tannen.

"Janeane asked me if you were a lesbian."

"What was your response?"

"I couldn't answer for you." Tannen opened her eyes and looked at Gail. She shielded her eyes from the sun. "I can see up your nose, darling."

"Oh, for crying out loud." Gail shook her head, embarrassed. She barely touched Tannen's legs, allowing them to float on their own. "I appreciate your response to Janeane, but it wouldn't have mattered if you had said yes." Gail allowed Tannen's upper torso to float without supporting her and kept her fingertips against Tannen's back, for reassurance.

"She said my response was as good as saying yes."

When Gail moved her fingertips, Tannen floated easily.

"Then she has her answer." Gail stepped away from Tannen. "There. How does that feel?"

"Am I missing something?" Tannen asked.

"You're floating on your own."

"I am?" When Tannen lifted her head from the water, her body went underwater, and Gail pulled her up quickly.

Tannen choked on the bit of water she had taken in. She leaned her head against Gail's shoulder and caught her breath.

"That was incredibly stupid of me," she said.

"Yup. Live and learn. You okay?"

"Yes. Enough for today. We'll try this again?"

"Whenever you like."

Gail spent the remainder of the afternoon weeding her garden and mentally plotting her next novel. When her phone rang on the opposite side of the pool, Tannen brought it to her. STEVEN flashed on the screen. Gail looked at the dirt on her hands.

"Put it on speaker for me," she said. Tannen pressed the button. "Hello, Steven. Are you calling to ream me a new one?"

He laughed. "No, I'm calling to say I like the manuscript as it is, regardless of the changes you've skipped. You got lucky this time."

"Good for me, and thanks."

"Very good for you, but we still need a title. What have you come up with?"

To finalize the Sommer Rayne series, Gail had let her protagonist die. "Camille," she said.

"Funny," he said. "Seriously, what do you have for me?"

"I haven't given it any thought. I was hoping-"

Tannen whispered, "Sommer's End."

Gail looked up at her and Tannen nodded quickly. It's perfect. And how do you know this, Tannen? "Steven," she said, still looking at Tannen in wonder, "how about Sommer's End?"

"Perfect," he said, and Tannen smiled. "Okay. That's all I need for now. Good-bye, Gail." He hung up immediately.

Tannen closed the phone. "I like knowing I've made a contribution to literature," she said proudly. "Karen gave me her disk. I finished the story just last night. What a tearjerker!"

Gail smiled. "Make 'em laugh, make 'em cry, as long as it sells. I'm glad you liked it." She stood. "Thanks for the title." She draped her arm around Tannen's shoulder. "I think you've deserved an evening of wine and a DVD. I'm finished here."

They nixed the wine. Tannen took a call from her manager and Gail headed straight to the sofa. She stretched out, waiting for Tannen to join her.

"What are we watching tonight?" Tannen asked, entering the living room twenty minutes later.

"The Gauntlet." Gail clicked Play.

"I like this film. Mindless, shoot 'em up, and a little romance. Good choice. Now scoot back," Tannen said, and approached the sofa.

"I'll sit up." Gail began to push up, but Tannen stopped her. "I don't need to lie down. Let's just watch the movie."

"Don't get your knickers in a twist. I need to recline and you look comfortable. Now scoot back, darling, unless you're afraid I might bite." When Gail moved to the back of the sofa, Tannen stretched in front of her. She pulled Gail's arm around her waist.

"Nag, nag, nag," Gail said.

Gail propped herself on her arm, not daring to move for fear of... What do I fear? That a single movement would be misconstrued as making a pass? Tannen felt comfortable enough to lie next to me. It's a tight space, and I can at least breathe without making her uncomfortable. But will I be comfortable?

Gail took a deep breath. Her breasts pushed against Tannen's back. She smiled. Gail felt very comfortable but feared she might have been wrong earlier when she assumed Tannen was coming on to her. Maybe she really was just applying lotion to my legs.

She studied Tannen's body. Gail's hand was no more than an inch away from Tannen's left breast. She moved her head slightly forward and caught a glimpse of Tannen's cleavage. She has more Golden Globes than she realizes. Tannen's hip peaked higher than Gail's. The angle sharpened down to her toes. She lingered on Tannen's calf, then returned her gaze to Tannen's shoulder. More than she would ever want to greet the Swedes, Gail's desire was to nuzzle into Tannen's hair, the nape of her soft neck, and let her lips roam against her warm flesh. She wanted to fill her right hand with Tannen's breast, the breast she now dared to touch with her thumb. God help me.

Tannen turned her head toward Gail. "Are you uncomfortable?"

"No."

Tannen fell asleep midway through the film. Her light snoring wasn't enough to distract Gail from the film, but Gail's arm had become heavy and lifeless. She turned off the television and shook Tannen's shoulder.

Tannen rustled with a sleepy "Huh?"

"Go up to bed," Gail whispered.

"Is the film over?" Tannen asked through closed eyes. "I'm sorry I fell asleep, darling. I felt relaxed in your arms."

"It's okay. Clint and Sondra made it to the courthouse without you." She ran her fingers through Tannen's hair and then pushed it around.

"Mmm."

Tannen turned a lazy, but strategic, 180 degrees. She put her arm around Gail and rested her head against her breasts. How do people do that without falling off the edge, Gail wondered. Karen was adept at the practice as well. Some type of weird internal gyro they have, Gail presumed.

Gail's lips rested against Tannen's head. She held Tannen a little closer. Can't let you fall. You'll take me with you.

"Are you coming to bed?"

"Soon. Go on now. It's late." Gail leaned down; her lips lingered when she kissed Tannen's temple.

Tannen acknowledge the kiss with a hug. "Good night, darling," she said and pushed away. She lumbered toward the steps. The front of Gail's body cooled quickly without Tannen near.

Gail wondered how she managed such good behavior with Tannen in her arms. Had Tannen been another woman, Gail would be on round three of getting kinky in Connecticut. She knew how her characters fell in love, but she never gave thought to how it would feel to her. Love never appeared on her list of priorities. Is love a behavioral change? Do I really have to ask myself this? Maybe I should read my own books.

She placed her hand on the empty sofa space in front of her. Tannen had filled that void and now Gail felt loneliness creep up again. Inches from the edge, Gail was soon to fall. I can't be falling in love.

Дата добавления: 2015-08-27