Somebody Like You: A Lesbian Romance Read online

  “Sydney also arranged for Grace to have a private room and nurse.” Michelle laughed. “Your daughter is in very good hands.”

  “Who is this Sydney?” Ryan asked softly.

  “Sydney is someone who is very important to me, Ryan.”

  “Are you in love with her?”

  “Yes, Ryan. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry, Michelle. If she makes you happy, that’s all that matters.” He took a breath. “I’m happy for you, Michelle.”

  “Thanks, Ryan. Maybe you can come out when Grace comes home from the hospital for a visit?”

  “I’d like that, Michelle. Can I call Grace?” Ryan asked.

  “Sure. There’s a phone in her room.”

  “Are your parents still there?”

  “Yes,” she said with a sigh. “Grace told them to go back to New York.”

  Ryan laughed out loud. “Our daughter is something else, isn’t she?”

  “She’s one of a kind, Ryan.” Michelle was laughing too.

  Michelle walked out of the bedroom with her suitcase. “Call me if you need anything. I’ll go to the hospital tomorrow after work.” Michelle showed her parents the take out menus and the phone number for a cab.

  “You’re just going to leave us here alone?” Her mother asked firmly.

  “You’re both adults.” Michelle picked up her bag. “There is a key on the hook for the apartment if you decide to go somewhere.” She disappeared through the front door.

  “Your daughter has lost her mind,” Celeste said to her husband.

  Bob Avery stood up. “No, Celeste. Our little girl has finally grown up.”

  “You can’t be okay with your daughter being involved with a woman?”

  “You mean the woman that saved your granddaughter?” Bob shook his head. “You know she was in love with Sydney all those years ago. When she graduated from college, she came home so sad. You knew what the problem was and you let our daughter suffer. You let her marry someone she wasn’t in love with.” Bob stood in front of his wife. “It stops now. You may not like her choices, but they are her choices to choose. Do you understand me?”

  Celeste sat down in a huff crossing her arms across her chest.

  “You will do nothing to interfere in your daughter’s happiness. I won’t have it.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  As soon as Michelle pulled into the driveway, Sydney opened the front door. Michelle went into her arms as soon as she stepped into the house.

  “How are you holding up, honey?” Sydney asked stealing a kiss.

  “It’s been a rough couple of days, but I think we’ll get through this,” Michelle said with a sigh.

  “Grace appears to be getting better. She’ll be back on her feet in no time.”

  “I know, Syd. Thanks to you.” Michelle squeezed her close and laid her head on her shoulder.

  “Are you hungry?”

  “Starving,” she said releasing Sydney.

  “I picked us up some Chinese food. I’m sure it won’t be as good as yours, but it will have to do.”

  “Thank you, Syd.”

  Sydney took her hand and led her to the kitchen. “Your mother must have been upset that you came here instead of staying with them.”

  “Yeah, but I don’t care.” Michelle watched as Sydney put the food on the table. Once Sydney sat down, she said. “I love you, Sydney. Grace loves you. That’s all that matters.”

  “I love you both.” Sydney squeezed Michelle’s hand. “Brian will stop in and check on Grace this afternoon. Would you like to stop by this evening and see her?”

  “Please.”

  “Okay. Eat up so we can get some rest before we go to the hospital.”

  “I’m going back to work tomorrow.”

  “You are?”

  “Grace insisted. She doesn’t want me to lose my job.”

  ****

  They were back at the hospital at seven o’clock that evening. Michelle walked over to Grace and kissed her cheek.

  Sydney looked at the nurse. “Doctor Sydney Legend,” she said with her hand extended.

  “Barbara, Doctor Legend. I’m the night nurse.”

  “How is she?”

  “Helen said she slept most of the afternoon, but she’s starting to get bored.” Barbara chuckled.

  “They always do. Honey, why don’t you ask your parents to bring Grace’s IPad when they come to the hospital tomorrow?”

  “Would you like that Grace?” Michelle asked.

  “Where’s my cellphone?” Grace asked.

  Sydney went over to the closet. She found the phone with her clothes that she had arrived at the hospital wearing. “Here it is.” Sydney handed it to her.

  “I’ll call grandma and tell her what to bring to the hospital.” Grace looked at Sydney. “When can I get out of here?”

  “Grace, you had a serious head injury. We’ll talk again on the weekend to see how you are doing,” Sydney said resting her hand on Grace’s leg.

  “So how is grandma handling you two?” Grace asked pointing back and forth between them.

  Michelle smiled. “How do you think?”

  Grace chuckled. “You must have told grandma to mind her own business because you’re still together.”

  Michelle took Sydney’s hand. “I have no intention of letting Sydney leave my life again. She’s part of our family now.” Michelle took Grace’s hand. “I love you both and I’m not letting either one of you go.” She turned to Sydney. “Ever again.”

  When Sydney and Michelle left the hospital Grace called her grandmother. She gave her a list of what she wanted from her room.

  ****

  The next day Grace spent speaking with her grandparents and writing her essay to submit with her college application and scholarship. When her grandmother went off to get coffee, she handed the essay to her grandfather. “Grandpa, would you take a look at what I wrote so far?”

  “Sure, honey.”

  He sat back and began reading. Grace had written about her mother. She watched as her grandfather read page after page. He finally stopped and looked up.

  “I knew your mother was sad when she came home from college. I tried talking to her, but she wouldn’t tell me what was wrong. I knew she had fallen in love with someone at school, but I thought whoever it was broke up with her. Then she met your dad and I thought she would be happy again.” Bob sighed. “It wasn’t until you were born that I saw any sign of hope in her eyes.”

  “She gave me my middle name for Sydney.”

  “I realized that when I met her. Sydney looks like your father. Grace, you look like you could be Sydney’s daughter. You both have the same color hair and eyes. Even your height,” he said with a chuckle. “I knew the moment I met Sydney that she was the person your mother had been in love with all those years ago.” He touched Grace’s hand. “Sydney didn’t break up with your mother, did she?”

  Grace shook her head. “No, grandpa. Sydney wanted her to go to California with her.”

  “Why didn’t she go?”

  “She was afraid. She was afraid of what you and grandma would say.”

  “So she spent the last eighteen years sad because of us?”

  “Mom wasn’t brave enough to go either, grandpa. Don’t blame yourself.” Grace chuckled. “Did mom tell you that I was the one who kept throwing mom and Sydney together?”

  He shook his head. “No.”

  “Mom was still afraid. Afraid that Sydney hated her for what she did to her all those years ago. Afraid of what I would think of her loving a woman.”

  “Obviously they worked out their differences.”

  “Sydney never stopped loving mom. Mom never stopped loving her either. They belong together. You can see it every time they are in a room together.”

  Bob nodded. “You can.” He agreed.

  “What about grandma?” Grace asked looking toward the door.

  “Don’t worry, Grace. She won’t interfere.”

  “Are
you sure, grandpa?”

  “Yes, I’m sure. I want your mother to be happy and Sydney seems to be that woman to do that.”

  “That’s what I want people to see. That even a woman who was afraid herself could raise a girl to realize that she could do whatever she wanted. That there was no shame in love as long as you’re both happy.” Grace grinned. “Do you think Grandma would realize that if she read this?”

  “Your grandmother is very stubborn. I’m not sure, Grace.”

  Celeste came back into the room. She handed her husband a cup of coffee. “You look much better today, Grace.”

  “Thanks, grandma.” Grace glanced at her grandfather. “Grandma, would you take this back home when you leave? I finished with it for now.”

  “Of course, darling.” Celeste put the pad next to her purse.

  “When are you going back to New York?” Grace asked smiling.

  “We’re leaving on Friday.” Her grandfather answered.

  “I’m so glad you both came to see me, but I’m sorry I made you worry.”

  Celeste moved over to the bed. “You are our granddaughter and of course we worried. We’re both happy that you are going to be alright.” She touched Grace. “Are you happy living in California, Grace?”

  “Yes, grandma. I love it out here. I think mom has really flourished out here too.”

  Celeste cleared her throat. “That’s one word to say, but I can think of a few others.”

  “Celeste.” Bob scolded.

  “I know you don’t understand how my mother could be in love with another woman, but you have to realize that for her it’s natural.”

  “Is your mother turning you into a lesbian, Grace?” Celeste asked in a scolding tone.

  Grace laughed and so did her grandfather. “Grandma, you can’t turn someone gay. Why would anyone choose to live that way? It would be so much easier for mom to fall in love with a man, but that’s not her.”

  “It was at one time.”

  “No, grandma. Mom was trying to live the life that you and everyone else thought she should live. She was miserable.”

  “But she had you.” Celeste insisted.

  “Yes. I’m thankful for that, but she is finally happy, grandma. Please try to be happy for her.”

  “I’ll try, Grace. For you.”

  “Thank you. Now why don’t you both go back to the apartment and rest? I don’t want you two to end up in the hospital.”

  “Okay, dear. We will let you get some rest. Your mother should be here shortly.” As she said that, Sydney walked in the door.

  “Hello, everyone.” Sydney walked over to Grace. “How’s my patient today?” She asked looking through her chart.

  “I’m good, Doc. Brian was here this morning checking on me.”

  Her grandparents stood. “We were just leaving.”

  “You don’t have to leave on my account,” Sydney said.

  “No, I was just sending them home before you walked in,” Grace said looking up at Sydney.

  They kissed their granddaughter. Bob put out his hand to Sydney. “Thank you for taking such care with our granddaughter.” He shook her hand firmly. “And our daughter too.” He added.

  “You’re welcome, Mr. Avery.”

  “Please call me Bob,” he said with a wink. “We’ll see you two tomorrow.”

  “Good night.” Once the door closed, Sydney said turning to Grace. “Looks like your grandfather came around?”

  Grace nodded with a smile. “We had a long talk today. He’s happy for mom. Grandpa said he knew mom was unhappy and tried to talk to her. She wouldn’t confide in him.”

  “I’m sure your mom thought he would never understand,” Sydney said softly.

  “You both wasted so much time.” Grace added. “Everyone says I wouldn’t be here if she didn’t get married, but that’s not true. You two could have had a baby and I’d still be here. I’m not the only one to notice that mom married a man that looks like you. Even grandpa said I look like I could be your daughter.” Grace grinned. “I think so too.”

  Sydney’s eyes teared up as she put her arm around Grace. “I would be very proud to call you my daughter.”

  Michelle walked into the room and saw the two women teary eyed. “What’s going on in here?” She asked rushing to the bed.

  “We’re just happy, mom. Everything is okay.”

  Sydney shook her head up and down and brushed the tears from her face.

  Michelle smiled and walked toward the door. “Look who I found looking for your room?”

  A girl about Grace’s age walked in. “Hi, Grace.”

  “Ellen,” Grace said surprised, but a smile appeared on her face quickly.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Besides the bad haircut the Doc gave me, I’m okay.” Grace turned to Sydney. “Ellen, this is Doctor Legend.”

  Sydney put her hand out. “Please call me Sydney. I’m happy to meet you.”

  “You too, doctor.”

  “Call her Doc. She’s okay with that, Ellen.” Grace smiled. “Can you two give us some time alone?”

  “Sure,” Michelle said. “Helen, why don’t you take off? Barbara will be here shortly.”

  Once in the hallway, Sydney asked. “Is Ellen in Grace’s class?”

  “I don’t know. She’s never mentioned her before. I only knew about Cathy.” Michelle answered.

  “Do you want to go for some coffee?”

  “May as well.”

  The two women returned to Grace’s room. Michelle went first into Grace’s room and stopped in her tracks which caused Sydney to walk into her.

  “Why did you stop?” Sydney asked looking over Michelle’s shoulder. She saw Ellen jumping off the bed.

  “I’m sorry for interrupting, ladies,” Michelle said looking at Grace.

  “I guess we may as well tell them,” Grace said looking at Ellen. “Ellen is my girlfriend.”

  “I kind of figured that out when I saw you kissing her,” Michelle said giggling. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “It’s my fault,” Ellen said. “I didn’t want Grace to tell you.”

  “Are you afraid of what your parent’s will say?” Michelle asked.

  “No. My mother is gay, but she wants me to concentrate on school instead of dating. I brought Grace the homework she’s missed. My mother just thinks Grace is a friend.”

  “Your mother is bound to find out sooner or later.”

  “I’d rather it be later than sooner.” Grace laughed at Ellen’s statement. “I’d better go. It was nice to meet you both.”

  “You two, Ellen. Don’t be a stranger,” Michelle said smiling.

  “Grace should be coming home this weekend, if you want to visit her.” Sydney added.

  “I will. Thank you,” Ellen said not meeting their gaze.

  “So I can go home, doc?” Grace asked raising an eyebrow.

  “Yes. You can recuperate just as well at home,” Sydney said with a smile.

  Ellen took Grace’s hand. “I’ll call you later.”

  Grace nodded and looked at her mother. Michelle turned her back and so did Sydney so the girls could say good bye.

  “Good night,” Ellen said as she went out the door.

  “She’s very pretty,” Sydney said to Grace.

  “She’s mine, Doc. You have your own girl,” Grace said laughing.

  “Noted, Grace.” Sydney winked at Michelle.

  “Who’s going to take care of Grace while I’m at work? Is Grace okay to take care of herself while she’s at home?” Michelle began with her questions.

  “Helen will be with her until you come home from work. She’ll take care of her including making breakfast and lunch for Grace.”

  “Honey, this must be costing you a fortune.”

  “Nothing is too much for our girl,” Sydney said winking at Grace.

  “We both are very lucky, Grace,” Michelle said wrapping her arm around Sydney’s waist.

  “I know, mom.”


  CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

  Michelle and Sydney walked hand and hand back to the car. “You were right,” Michelle said squeezing Sydney’s hand in her own.

  “Great. Now your mother will have something else to blame me for. She thinks I’m the one who turned you gay and now she’ll blame me for Grace.”

  “You and I both know it was me who made the first move,” Michelle said giggling.

  Sydney pushed Michelle against the car door and kissed her mouth. “I still get a tingle every time there is a thunderstorm.”

  “No one is going to tell my mother that Grace is a lesbian except Grace. It’s Grace’s secret and something she will tell them when she’s ready.” Michelle’s lips found Sydney’s again. “I hate to say this, but I have to go back to the apartment tonight.”

  “I know, Michelle, but I’m going to miss you.”

  “My parents are only here until Friday morning. I have to spend some time with them.”

  “I know I’m being a baby, but I will miss you.” Sydney opened the car door for her.

  “I’ll miss you too, honey,” Michelle said as Sydney slipped into the driver’s seat. “We have Friday night to ourselves.” She added.

  “I’m working Friday night.” Sydney answered.

  Michelle began laughing. “Fate is sure playing a wonderful joke on us.”

  Sydney pulled into the driveway of her home and turned in the seat. “I know it’s only been a short time for us, but I want you and Grace to move in with me.” She took Michelle’s hand. “We’ve spent too much time apart and I don’t want to waste another minute without you. You don’t have to give me your answer now. Just please think about it.”

  “Syd, I don’t have to think about it. I want to be with you for as much time as we’ve got left on this earth. Even it means your job won’t allow us to sleep in the same bed every night.” Michelle’s words were choked with emotion. “I want to live with you too, Syd and I want to marry you someday.”

  “I love you, Michelle and I want nothing more than to marry you.”

  EPILOGUE

  “Our little girl is all grown up, Syd,” Michelle said wiping her eyes as they dressed.

  Sydney put her arm around Michelle and nuzzled her neck. “At least she found a job close to home. I couldn’t stand it if she moved to far.”