Chapter ten

A blistering midday sun burned an unusual ninety-eight degrees onto Gail. She stood at the edge of the diving board. With two short jumps, she propelled herself, arms stretched in front of her. The shock of temperature change forced her to inhale water. Gail surfaced almost immediately when eighty-degree water felt like ice against her hot flesh. Choking, she swam to the side and grasped the edge. Happy birthday, idiot. Trying to drown yourself? It might make life easier.

"Are you all right?" Karen slipped into the water from the edge of the pool and steadied Gail. "Shit! This is cold!"

Coughing to dispel the water she had sucked into her lungs, Gail finally coughed forcefully enough to catch her breath. She rested her arm on the edge.

"Yeah." She coughed again. "I'm okay. I don't know what I was thinking."

"You're really all right, honey?" Karen rubbed Gail's back. "Should I roll you over a barrel or something?"

Gail laughed without wanting to. "I'm okay."

"Good. Now I can call you a dumb-ass and not feel bad about it."

"Just following my recent theme, I suppose."

"You're turning forty in about," she looked at her watch, "four hours and six minutes. Do you think you'll live long enough to bring your dumb ass to your party?"

"Thanks." Gail looked up at Karen. "I love you, too, Karen." She hoisted herself from the pool and sat on a toweled stool. She squeezed sun block into her hand. It was hot to her touch. She applied it quickly to her arms and face.

Karen climbed the ladder. She removed her shorts and thong. After wrapping a towel around her waist, she draped the wet items over the handrails of the aluminum steps.

"I'm sorry. I guess the humor was lost." She sat on the concrete and applied lotion to Gail's legs. "A bit sensitive today?"

"Do you think I'm capable of having a loving relationship?"

Karen looked up at her. "As long as it's with your PC and not a human being, your chances are excellent."

"Am I that pathetic?"

"Yes."

"Thanks again."

"Do you want me to lie?" Karen cleared her throat and said automatically, "Why yes, Gail. I think you'd be the perfect life partner for Tannen Albright."

"Maybe she'll get a call from her agent while she's in London. She'll fly to Sydney for a couple of months and fall madly in love with her leading man."

"Or maybe you could simply ask her to go back to New York. How do you feel about her?"

Gail put her sunglasses on.

"How do I feel?" she asked "How do I feel about a woman who is strong, tender, insightful, sensitive, self-assured, sexy, giving, witty, truthful?"

Karen smacked Gail's thigh. "Ditch the adjectives."

"I might be in love with her." Gail dropped her head on the back of the lounge chair. Did I really say that?

"Liar." Suddenly Karen's head snapped toward Gail. "You said you love her? Well, I'll be damned. I've never heard you say you loved any of your women. Not even me. I'll amend my response. If you permit yourself, you can have a very loving relationship with Tannen."

"I didn't say I want to be with her."

Karen gave Gail an exasperated look. "You're such a shit sometimes. Are you ready to party tonight?"

"I am," she said cheerfully. "I'm going to hit forty with a smile on my face. Hopefully, I'll end the night with a soft butch sitting on it."

"A soft butch? You? Well, that's different, but"-she stood, grabbed Gail's hands, and pulled her up-"that's my girl. Happy birthday, honey." Karen kissed her lips.

"Thanks." Gail wrapped a towel around her waist. "I do love you, as a friend. You know that, don't you?"

"Don't get mushy on me. Of course I know." Karen gathered her nearly dry clothes. "I have to get back to the Maines' residence. The DJ is coming to set up, and the piano tuner will be there soon."

"Piano tuner?"

"In case anyone feels like playing. Be there by sixish." She pointed to the towel around her waist. "I'll wear this home."

At 6:38 p.m., Gail passed at least forty cars parked along the road before she pulled into Karen and Jeff's driveway. Graciously, they had reserved a space for the Beemer. Hundreds of balloons of various shapes, sizes, and colors flooded the front lawn. An occasional bubble danced past her. She followed the sound of the DJ to the back of the house.

"Wow!" she said as Karen and others came to greet her. "A lighted dance floor and bubbles make turning forty fun." Gail waved to those in the pool and hugged those who gathered around her. The DJ stopped the music to announce her arrival.

"Here she is. Gail Prescott is turning forty before our eyes." Gail cringed and playfully took a bow. "She's even lovelier to look at than the day she was born." He pointed to the widescreen behind him. "Look at that smile," he said while pictures of Gail flashed through the years.

Gail felt embarrassed, but even she cheered when the obligatory "two years old and naked in a bath" photo appeared on-screen.

"What a body on that girl, eh?" she said.

"Happy birthday, Gail," the DJ said when the screen shots ended. "I'll start the next set for you. Your host says this is a call in request, straight from London, England. Methinks you've captured someone's heart." He romanced the guests with Bobby Vinton's "I Love How You Love Me."

"Unbelievable." Tannen doesn't stop, does she? Gail hugged Karen. "Those were beautiful pictures."

"I had to rummage through your attic for them." Karen wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. "I told everyone to move inside if needed. The food is there, too." She grabbed Gail's arm. "C'mon. Let's find some lobster."

Gail mingled, munched, and mingled more. Jeff wandered by with a fresh Jack and Coke for her. She saw Jordann in the periphery and whisked herself to her side.

"Hi!" She hugged her. "I'm so pleased you came."

"I almost didn't." Jordann handed Gail a bottle of Remy Martin, Louis XIII Grande Champagne cognac. "Happy birthday."

"Ooh. You're full of surprises. This is superb cognac! Thank you."

"You're welcome. So," she looked among the guests, "is Tannen here?"

"Still in London," Gail said, getting a large grin from Jordann. "Should I be afraid?"

"No. On the other hand, one never knows the future." Jordann winked at Gail.

As the evening progressed and cooled, everyone moved outside. The caterer added more ice to the lobster feast. The bartender opened box after box of wine, liquor, and beer.

The DJ was hot, playing requests and dancing to his own tunes. The pool was crowded and noisy. Karen turned on lights that laced through the shrubbery. Gail was pleased with the display of white, and a sprinkling of blue, that shone into the evening.

Gail was talking to Jordann and Karen when Jeff approached.

"Gail, I'm sorry, but I have to leave for a moment. I'll be back before long." He put his arm around Karen's waist and they walked away.

"I'll see you in about half an hour, then," Gail heard Karen say to him.

"Let's dance." Gail pulled Jordann onto the dance floor.

They danced to a mix of popular tunes from the sixties, seventies, and eighties.

"Quite an interesting range of music," Jordann said. "It's nice."

Gail felt Jordann's hands sliding over and around her hips, but they suddenly stopped. Jordann's eyes widened. She leaned closer to Gail.

Jordann asked, "Am I mistaken, or are you wearing nothing beneath your skirt?"

Unflinching, Gail said, "It felt too hot to wear anything."

Jordann just shook her head. "You're not making this easy for me."

They finished their dance and Jordann disappeared into the crowd.

Gail approached Karen from behind. "What happened with Jeff?"

"One of the guests needed a little guidance to get here. They'll be back in a few minutes." Karen looked at Gail. "What are you doing with the redhead?"

"Just friends."

"Uh-huh. She seems nice enough, but be careful." Karen poked at and burst a bubble that flew between them. "Jeff will be back soon. We'll need your undivided attention when they return. If you have to powder your nose or something, do it now."

Gail ambled upstairs toward the bathroom and caught Jordann coming out of another bathroom.

"I thought you'd gotten lost." Gail leaned against the wall.

"I stopped to talk with your editor's wife. She's a fine-looking woman."

"Do you think? She doesn't do anything for me. Her sister, on the other hand-"

Jordann opened a door, adjacent to the hallway.

"Come here." She pulled Gail into the room and swiftly locked the door behind them. Enough light shone through the windows that Gail could see her features. Jordann slipped her hand beneath Gail's skirt, and Gail jerked from the sudden surprise. "God, you really are bare."

"Oh, shit! We can't do this, Jordann. I don't-"

"Shh. Yes we can."

Jordann hustled Gail into a straight-back chair. Jordann fell to her knees. She pushed Gail's legs up, with her feet on Jordann's shoulders so her legs framed Jordann's face.

"Make a wish, birthday girl." Jordann's mouth was on Gail before she knew what hit her.

"Oh, God." Gail grabbed Jordann's head with both hands, "No...Jordann...this is...oh." Her hips moved naturally with the expert tongue that licked and pressed into her. "Uhh." Gail grabbed underneath the seat. Her fingernails sliced tiny incisions into the wood beneath them. Jordann's fingers suddenly sank into Gail. Gail erupted with orgasm. She whimpered as her muscles contracted. Her hips twisted and assisted Jordann, until the longed-for spasm subsided as quickly as it happened.

"Stop. Stop!" When Jordann stole a final lick, Gail grabbed her. "No more," she breathed. "Shit shit shit!" Her fists pounded the sides of the chair. Jordann moved her hand and draped Gail's legs over her shoulders. She leaned her arms on Gail's legs.

"Shit." Gail laughed nervously. "I came so damned fast I nearly missed it."

"Mmm. You're yummy," Jordann said. Her grin was ear to ear and she bit into Gail's inner thigh. "I should have done that last week."

Gail felt the heat of Jordann's mouth against her. She kissed Gail and Gail jumped with sensitivity.

"We're going to hell for that." Gail caught her breath. She put her feet on the floor and leaned down to Jordann. She kissed her several quick times before they hoisted themselves to a standing position. Gail's legs felt rubbery.

"That wasn't planned, Gail. I swear to God it wasn't."

Gail grabbed her. "I don't care if it was. That was hot." She kissed her again. "It certainly throws my scruples straight to the trash." She peeked out the door. "The coast is clear."

Gail hurried into the bathroom. She brushed her hair and pondered the last few minutes. She found it difficult to believe that she just had a quickie while others partied below. Was it even a few minutes? Satisfaction and guilt intermingled in Gail's mind.

"I'm healthy. I wanted it. It's a good thing." She took a clip from the vanity, twisted her hair, and clipped it to the back of her head. She looked into the mirror. "Why do I feel like I've just cheated on Tannen?" She pushed stray hair behind her ears. "Get over yourself, Gail. Go back to your party and tuck that quickie into your memory."

When she arrived downstairs, Jeff and Karen were at the piano. They talked with a woman, and Karen nodded in Gail's direction. The petite woman turned around. Gail's eyes widened with joy when she recognized Reva Caspian standing beside Karen's baby grand piano. Gail moved quickly to her and Reva extended her hand to Gail.

"I'm Reva," she said. "Happy birthday, Gail."

"Thank you. It's wonderful to meet you." Gail was nearly speechless and wiped a tear from her eye. Gail glanced at the piano and then looked back at Reva. "Are you going to-"

"I'm here to play specifically for you, Gail. Tannen Albright contacted me and requested my presence. I've never been a birthday present." Reva smiled warmly. "Tannen asked me to apologize that she can't be here. She sends warmest wishes toward love and happiness."

Gail summoned a best effort to stop her lip from trembling. She wiped another tear. In forty years, this was the most extraordinary gift she had ever received. Jeff pulled a chair next to her.

"Sit with me," Reva insisted, seating herself on the bench. Gail sat, anxious for the performance. "What's your pleasure, Gail?"

"I get to choose?" She looked at the piano keys and then at Reva. "Will you begin with Chopin's Etude in G flat major, the-"

"Black keys piece," Reva interrupted and nodded with approval. "You know your classical music." She began to play.

Gail watched, wide-eyed, while Reva played all the Chopin Gail could spontaneously think of. Sometimes she played with her eyes closed, and Gail wondered how anyone could possibly resist the expertise of this musician. After twenty minutes, Karen suggested a break for Reva. Jeff escorted Reva to mingle with the guests.

Karen gripped Gail's arm and pulled her aside.

"That hurts, Karen! What's wrong?"

"What's going on, Gail? You disappeared with that redhead."

Gail flashed back and blushed before answering. She looked at Karen.

"That redhead has a name. She's Jordann. We were talking."

Karen huffed. "You're going to screw around and lose Tannen."

"What makes you think we did anything? We were gone ten minutes tops. It's none of your business anyway."

"I slept with you for six months. I know what that look in your eyes means, and it is my business. This is my residence, not a brothel. You're in public, for Christ's sake."

"All right! All right! Jesus Christ, Karen." Gail whispered, "It was a quickie. Are you happy now? Happy birthday to me, I say!"

"I can only hope it was worth it. If you screw this up or hurt Tannen, I'll lose all respect for you. You'd better deal with this situation, and soon."

Gail had enough reprimanding and she located Reva at the bar. The bartender slid a glass of white wine toward Reva.

"JD, straight, Gail?" he asked.

"I'll pass, but thanks." She looked at Reva. "Hello again."

"I understand this is forty for you. My condolences," Reva joked, and tipped her glass toward Gail. "To you."

"Save condolences for my fiftieth. Having you here makes forty even more pleasurable." She watched Karen talking to Jordann. It wasn't looking pretty from Gail's perspective.

"I've enjoyed it and your party is lovely. I'm disappointed Tannen couldn't be here. We haven't seen each other in several months."

"You know each other, then?"

"Yes. I recorded a soundtrack for one of her films and we became friends." Reva sipped her wine. "Remarkable woman. Brilliant actor."

"She's..." Gail thought for a moment. "Yes, she's remarkable."

"Are you ready for more?" Reva asked.

"Yes!"

Reva sat at the baby grand and Gail sat in the chair Jeff had originally provided. Reva wiped a few specks of dust from the keys.

"What do you want to hear?" she asked.

Gail thought for a moment. "I'd love to hear Brahms's Lullaby and the third movement from Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata."

"Absolutely. I'll begin with Beethoven."

Thank you so much for this extraordinary gift, Tannen.

It was near the end of the lullaby when Gail watched Karen return from outside. Shortly after her arrival, the scent of Clive Christian entered the room and confused Gail. Her back stiffened as the scent once again captivated her. Tannen. She's here? Gail's eyes darted around the room, but Tannen was nowhere in sight. She looked at Karen.

"Where is she?" she mouthed, but Karen simply shrugged.

While Reva played the final notes, Gail felt two hands come to rest on her shoulders. She closed her eyes in bliss. Her heart hammered at Tannen's touch. Gail reached to her shoulder and grasped Tannen's hand. At the same moment, she felt Tannen's lips next to her ear.

"Maybe I lied a bit," Reva said.

In a warm whisper, Tannen said, "Happy birthday, darling."

If Tannen's words were honey, Gail was the cup of tea. The sound mixed and swirled within her. Her grasp tightened on Tannen's hand, and she stood to greet her.

"Thank you, Reva. I want to say hello to Tannen. Please feel free to become our guest."

Tannen said to Reva, "I'll see you in a bit."

Gail and Tannen entered an adjacent room. Gail closed the door behind her and she spun quickly around to face Tannen.

"Come here, darling." Her eyes sparkled. "I've missed you very much."

Gail didn't hesitate. She took Tannen into her arms with a feeling of relief. It seemed like forever since she had last touched her. This is where I belong. This is what feels right. This is real, whatever this is. I want you to stay with me. I need you, sweetheart.

"I've missed you," Gail said.

Gail kissed Tannen, first gently and then passionately. Tannen's warmth flooded Gail once more. She broke the kiss and Tannen snuggled against Gail's shoulder. She stroked Tannen's hair and then playfully messed it up.

"You feel wonderful," Tannen whispered.

After a tight squeeze, Gail asked, "Your mum is doing well?" She ran her fingers through Tannen's hair and noticed it was recently trimmed.

"Mum will be fine. She'll need a great deal of help during recovery, but I've hired an aide to look after her." Tannen looked seriously into Gail's eyes. She cocked her head left and then right, studying Gail. "There's something different about your look."

"I don't doubt it." Gail gave her a playful, bouncy squeeze. "Holding you always makes me different."

"No." Tannen studied her eyes longer. "It's not me. Something more is there."

"Are you tired from traveling?"

"Not at all." Tannen stepped back. "Is there something you should tell me?"

Gail hesitated. "No."

Tannen shrugged off the thought and ran her hand over Gail's breasts.

"Do you know how much I want to make love to you right now?"

"No. Tell me." Gail nuzzled and nipped at Tannen's neck.

A knock sounded at the door.

"It's Karen. Can I come in?"

With one arm around Tannen, Gail reached over and opened the door. Karen stepped inside. She looked back and forth from Tannen to Gail.

"You two look fabulous together, but you have to wait before you can do more kissy kissy." She grabbed their hands. "Right now we have something more for Gail."

Jeff turned off the outside lights, and the first volley of fireworks burst above them. Blue and red, gold and green splashed across the evening sky. Gail stood with Tannen in front of her, feeling protective with her arms surrounding her. She glanced to her right and saw Jordann sitting on the patio steps and watching them. Gail kissed Tannen's cheek and continued her watch of the firework display.

"This is wonderful." Tannen turned slightly and returned the kiss.

Gail nodded and released one arm from Tannen. She pulled Karen into the other.

"Thank you so much, Karen. Jeff, too. This has been a wonderfully memorable night for me."

"Uh-huh. Lots of memories here tonight," Karen mumbled, only to Gail.

Gail shot Karen her best "leave it alone" look.

After the final burst, Jeff turned up the lights. The DJ took center stage with a more mellow sound. Karen grabbed her neighbor and coaxed him to the dance floor.

Tannen turned to Gail. "Are you ready to have that dance with me? Or do I have to search for Jeff?"

Gail yanked Tannen against her. "Just try and dance with another person."

"This is much better," Tannen said. Her eyes kept a steady hold past Gail's shoulder. "How has your evening been?"

"Very nice. It's incredible that you asked Reva to come. You sure know how to treat a lady." She leaned down and kissed Tannen quickly.

Tannen kept looking toward the patio, and Gail turned her head to see what the fuss was. Jordann and Tannen were staring at each other. This can't be good. Gail danced Tannen to another part of the floor, but Tannen's eyes remained locked on Jordann.

"Darling, is there something I should know?"

Gail shifted their position a second time. Her mind raced for a reply, and nothing came out of her mouth. The truth would damn Gail, and a lie would damn her. The lesser of both evils. Go with the truth.

Tannen continued. "The expression on Jordann's face matches yours." Tannen turned her eyes back to Gail. "Have I missed the fuck fest?"

Gail's pulse quickened. Am I that transparent? What the hell was I thinking? This is going to get very ugly. "We...there was...a moment. It meant nothing."

"There was a moment that meant nothing?" Her eyes etched into Gail. "You're a coward. Had you said, 'Yes, we fucked each other's brains out,' I would have more respect for you."

"It wasn't like that. We don't need to make another scene," Gail said and pulled Tannen to the front of the house. Surrounded by helium-filled, shiny balloons and bombarded by stray bubbles, they continued.

"You're incredible, Gail." Tannen looked at her and Gail saw disgust in her eyes. "Just a few days ago..." She laughed. "How could I possibly think-?"

"Tannen, I had no plans with Jordann." Gail knocked a balloon away from her face. "It just happened."

Tannen waved her off.

"It doesn't just happen unless she raped you, and I doubt that was the case. What possessed you? I have no influence on you at all, do I?" She shook her head. "That troubles me because you were beginning to convince me otherwise, only to my finding that you truly are a cad."

"I hate that word!"

"Then stop being that word!"

"It was a brief moment, Tannen. It was nothing...substantial."

Tannen chuckled. "I bet Jordann would love that compliment." Gail said nothing and Tannen continued her chiding. "Isn't it odd to you, Gail? Among a residence packed with people, you can have a 'moment' that 'meant nothing,' but alone with me, in a room filled with a lot of love for each other, you tuck your tail between your legs and run off?" Tannen pinched the writer's cheek. "You sure know how to treat a lady."

Gail felt like a worm and Tannen's comments only emphasized her questionable behavior.

"I-"

"Even for the brevity of your moment, you're the one who is proud of her conquests. You should be strutting around like a peacock with plumage in full display, not apologizing for an indiscretion!"

"I know it was a mistake," Gail said meekly. "It wasn't my conquest. She-"

Tannen gave Gail a sour look and turned her head away. "I really don't want the details, Gail."

"What do you want, Tannen?" Gail asked, suddenly finding some footing that had been there all along. "I've given you no reason to believe that you and I are embroiled in a unique relationship. We share an attraction that goes far beyond friendship, but there is nothing written in stone."

"That's especially obvious," Tannen said, "but you're correct." She softened. "I'm a reasonable person, and I understand we're not a couple. Whatever you did tonight is really none if my business, but I cannot help feeling jealous."

Gail took hold of Tannen's hands. "For us to be a couple. Is that what you want?"

Several bubbles passed between them. One popped, and the others drifted toward the array of parked Audis, Mercedes, and the occasional SUV. A latecomer swooped between them and smacked Tannen's chin. Gail sensed that the air was lighter than it had been a few moments ago. She looked back into Tannen's eyes and saw a tear. Gail reached to wipe it away, but Tannen stopped her.

"In the casino suite, I said I'm not afraid of you. That's because I know when to quit. Now that I feel thoroughly misled by you, this is the moment when I quit." A large bubble floated between them. Tannen touched it with her finger and it exploded into oblivion. "If you want to discuss it further, we'll do it tomorrow. You have a party to attend, and I want to enjoy the remainder of it."

"I love you, Tannen," Gail found herself suddenly blurting as she grabbed Tannen's arm. "You know I do, and I'm willing to work on this." A single bubble hovered between them. Hot on its spherical heels, another arrived. They collided in the warm, moist night air that kept them active. Clinging together now, they floated silently and then burst.

Tannen dried her eyes and looked long at Gail. Sadness, hurt, disillusion...they were all there.

"If a shag with Jordann indicates your willingness, then piss off!" Tannen then finalized their confrontation. "Now let go of me."

Gail released Tannen's arm as Karen came around the corner.

"Do I have to drag Gail back to her party, or what? The good thing is neither of you are dead."

"I'm ready for some Silver Patron. I can introduce myself to your guests." Tannen turned and walked back to the party.

Karen's eyes followed Tannen, then she looked back at Gail. She opened her mouth to speak.

"Just keep quiet, Karen. I have to go home for a few minutes. I'll be back."

Gail returned an hour later. As she got out of the car, she grabbed a brightly wrapped package from the passenger seat. The party had thinned, but several guests lingered and she talked with all of them. She looked around for Tannen but couldn't locate her.

"Where's Tannen?" she asked Karen.

"She's sitting on the fence." She pointed toward the shadowed perimeter of her lawn. Gail could barely make out the forms of three people. "She's talking with Reva and Jordann. Tannen is one classy dame, Gail."

"Thanks."

Gail made a beeline to the fence. Her eyes adjusted to the dark, and the three women watched her approach.

"The worst of it is a long day," Gail heard Jordann say to them.

Reva said, "My days can be excruciatingly long, but I enjoy traveling. That makes up for it."

"If I had a short workday, I wouldn't know what to do with myself," Tannen said and then greeted Gail. "Hello, writer lady."

Jordann pushed herself from the fence. "I'll give you two some room."

Reva followed suit.

"No. Both of you stay." Gail stopped in front of Tannen. "I want you to have this. Consider it a birthday present from me to you." She then addressed Jordann and Reva. "Thank you for celebrating with me." Gail reached forward and fluffed Tannen's hair. With an emptiness she'd never felt so deeply, Gail managed to say, "Good night, ladies."

Gail found Karen and Jeff. She thanked them for the evening and returned to her home.

Дата добавления: 2015-08-27