Message from Heaven Read online

  Sandy wore her clothes for years until they became impossible to wear in public any longer. She nodded at Nadine’s comment.

  “Together we spent our time donating to helping others less fortunate. We helped charities where we could. I’m still on the board of a lot of local charities. There is a fundraiser coming up in town. I was just coming back from a meeting when I saw you,” she said looking at Sandy. “If you would like a ticket, I’ll give you one,” Nadine offered. “The food is going to be good and there will be music and dancing.” She smiled. “You will meet some really nice people.”

  “I don’t think I would feel comfortable going to something like that alone,” Sandy said honestly.

  “You can ask someone,” Nadine offered, but Sandy shook her head firmly. “Well, I’m going alone. You can come with me. This way you won’t feel awkward on your own.” She couldn’t believe she had just made that offer. Nadine looked up toward the ceiling. Stop interfering, Kim.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course, and I could pick you up. It’s next Saturday night.”

  Sandy smiled. “I’d love to, but I can pay for my own ticket.”

  “Sandy, I’ve been given two tickets because I’m one of the organizers. The ticket would only go to waste if you don’t use it.”

  “Okay.” Sandy left two hours later. She didn’t realize she was smiling until she looked in the rearview mirror in her car. She had been right when she told her mother that Nadine was a sweetheart. She had never been to a fundraising event and she wasn’t feeling as afraid as she thought she would be. Maybe it was because she was going to attend with Nadine that she felt comfortable.

  “Mom, I need to find a dress,” Sandy said when she came in the door at home.

  “For what?” Eva asked.

  “A fundraising event. Nadine asked me to go.” Sandy didn’t realize how odd her words sounded to her mother.

  “Nadine? Your boss?” Eva asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “It’s not a date or anything, Mom,” she said pursing her lips. “She is one of the organizers and has a complimentary ticket.”

  “Where did you meet your boss?” Eva asked, still not understanding.

  “Nadine lives in the same neighborhood as the Carey’s home. She invited me over for coffee.”

  “Is she interested in you?” Eva asked softly.

  Sandy began to laugh. “No, Mom. Nadine was just being nice.” She patted her mother’s leg. “I have to find something nice to wear.”

  “We can go to that consignment store in town. They have some nice clothes there and it won’t cost an arm and a leg.”

  “Great idea, Mom.”

  CHAPTER 34

  Sandy did indeed find a dress in the shop. Unfortunately, it was too long for her and her mother spent the week making the alterations. The dress was green with gold and shimmered in the light. The sleeves were three-quarter length and came down in a V showing a little bit of the cleavage of Sandy’s full breasts. By Saturday, Sandy was dressed and ready for Nadine to pick her up. When the doorbell rang, Eva went to the door with Carly following.

  “Hello, Nadine. I’m Eva, Sandy’s mother.”

  “It’s very nice to meet you.” Nadine looked down at the little girl with blond hair and blue eyes that matched her deceased wife. “You must be Carly?” she asked smiling as she blinked back her own tears.

  “Hi,” Carly said smiling at the tall woman. “Are you my Mom’s date?” she asked innocently.

  Nadine chuckled. “Well, I am here to be your mom’s escort.”

  Sandy came out of the bedroom and walked toward them. “Hello, Nadine.”

  Nadine looked at Sandy and almost lost the ability to speak. “Hi. You look beautiful.” Her eyes now fluttered because she couldn’t believe she had said that out loud.

  Sandy looked down at her dress and then back to Nadine. “Thank you. You look nice too.” Nadine was wearing a pair of black pants with a thin stripe that showed off her long legs. The pants had a matching jacket that just came to her waist. A white blouse with a loose ribbon tie at the collar finished off the outfit.

  “Thanks. Are you ready?” Nadine asked and then glanced at Carly again. She imagined that Kim might have looked like this little girl at her age and it tugged at her heart.

  Sandy reached for her coat and purse. “I’m ready. Mom, thanks for watching Carly tonight.”

  “No thanks necessary. We’re going to have fun. Right, Carly?”

  “Yep,” the little girl answered.

  “Have a good time, ladies.” Eva opened the front door.

  “Thanks, Mom.” Sandy kissed her mother’s cheek.

  “It was nice to meet you both,” Nadine said before stepping outside.

  “You too,” Eva said before closing the door.

  Sandy and Nadine walked toward her Lexus that sat in the driveway. Nadine walked over to the passenger side and held the door open for Sandy. Her action surprised the younger woman. “Thank you,” she mumbled as she got in.

  Sandy didn’t see Nadine roll her eyes as she walked to her side of the car. What the hell are you doing? She’s not your date. Nadine drove over to the venue and pulled up in front of the valet. This time it was the valet that opened Sandy’s door.

  “Where are we?” Sandy asked when Nadine appeared at her side.

  “The country club.” Nadine said hello to many of the people as they walked up the stairs to the front door.

  “You know a lot of these people. Are you sure they aren’t going to talk because you’re here with me?” Sandy asked glancing at Nadine.

  Nadine smiled. “They all know I’m gay. Kim and I used to attend these functions.” She stopped walking and looked at Sandy. “Are you afraid someone might think you’re gay?”

  Sandy laughed. “No. I don’t care what other people think about me. People have been making assumptions about me for years. This time it won’t be because everyone has wondered why I married such a loser.” Her laugh was light as she spoke.

  Now Nadine wondered why Sandy would have married a loser, but she pushed those thoughts out of her head. “Let’s go have some fun,” she said taking Sandy’s elbow leading her into the ballroom.

  “Hello, Nadine,” someone said walking over to them. “And who is this lovely woman?”

  “Christine, this is Sandy.”

  “It’s good to see a woman on your arm again, Nadine.” The woman turned to Sandy. “It’s nice to meet you. You must be something special for Nadine to bring you.”

  “I wouldn’t say that, but I’m happy to meet you too.” Sandy noticed the look that Christine was giving Nadine and wondered what that was about.

  Nadine pressed Sandy forward with a hand to her elbow again. “We’ve got other people to say hello to.” When they were away from Christine, Nadine said, “I’m sorry about her. She’s been asking me out for years. I hope you didn’t mind that I didn’t explain who you were?”

  “It’s fine, Nadine.” Sandy watched as another couple approached them. It was like that for the first half hour of their arrival to the event. Nadine now went to retrieve them both a drink. Sandy stood there looking at all the people around her. She could tell these people exuded money. Sandy watched as a man approached her.

  “Hi, I’m Steven,” he said extending his hand. “Your dress is beautiful.”

  “Thank you. I’m Sandra.”

  “Are you here by yourself?” Steven asked just as Nadine returned.

  “No, Steven. Sandy is with me.” Nadine handed her the drink.

  “Oh, sorry, Nadine. I didn’t realize that she was with you.” Steven looked at Sandy. “Maybe you’ll dance with me when the music starts?”

  “Thank you, Steven, but I don’t think so. I’m here with Nadine and I wouldn’t want to run off with someone else.” She grinned. “You understand.”

  Steven nodded. “Of course.” He bowed and walked away.

  “Not your type?” Nadine asked into Sandy’s ear.

&nb
sp; “Not even close.”

  “So, suave and charming aren’t your type. Okay, we will have to find someone else.”

  Sandy touched Nadine’s arm. “I’m not here to find a date, Nadine.”

  Nadine’s eyes blinked. “Sorry. I’m acting like Arlene trying to find you a date. Forgive me?”

  “Nothing to forgive.” Sandy watched another couple approaching them and her jaw dropped. It was Mr. Connors and she assumed the woman next to him was his wife.

  “Sweetheart,” the woman said pulling Nadine into her arms. “You look beautiful.”

  “Hi, Mom. Hey, Dad. Mom, this is Sandra Williams. Sandy, this is my mother Jennifer.”

  “I’m so happy to meet you Mrs. Connors,” Sandy said taking Jennifer’s hand. “Hello, Joe.”

  “Isn’t she sweet, but please call me Jen.” She now looked at Nadine. “You didn’t tell me you were bringing anyone tonight.”

  Joe interrupted. “Sandy is our new receptionist.”

  “Oh,” Jennifer said looking at Sandy.

  “Nadine was kind enough to invite me tonight. I’ve never been to anything like this before.” Sandy was blushing at Jennifer’s scrutiny.

  “Let’s go find our table,” Joe said leading his wife toward the table.

  The four of them sat at the same table and Nadine knew her mother was dying to ask questions about Sandy.

  The speeches were completed and the meal had been served to all the people in the ballroom. “This is delicious,” Sandy said licking her lips.

  “I told you the food would be good. I love the fact that we have received a lot of money tonight, but I wish we could get that money without spending so much on the event.”

  “I know what you mean. How much was it a plate tonight?”

  Nadine grinned. “Five hundred a plate, but the money is going to the food pantry and other charities in the area. The money is used very well and no one who organizes gets a salary. We all volunteer our time.”

  “Well, you were given two tickets free,” Sandy said softly. She turned when she heard Jennifer cough.

  “Oh, sorry,” she said drinking some water.

  Nadine wondered if she should tell Sandy the truth that she paid for the tickets. She gave her mother a look to keep quiet. “Yes, but I’ve also given a large donation to the function,” she said close to the truth.

  The music began to play and people took to the floor. Sandy watched as couples danced to fast music and then the slow music. Joe and Jennifer got up to dance. There were even a few country songs thrown in so people could two- step. “The music is very diverse,” she said leaning over to Nadine’s ear so she could hear her.

  “We have to have something for everyone,” Nadine answered with a shrug.

  Another country song began. “Do you two-step?”

  Nadine laughed. “It’s been years and years. Not since college.”

  “Want to give it a try?” Sandy asked halfway out of her seat.

  “It’s your feet,” Nadine answered with a shrug.

  They were laughing as they made their way to the dance floor. Nadine was rusty, but Sandy helped her remember the steps and they managed not to step on each other’s toes. When the song ended, a slow song began and Nadine thanked Sandy for the dance and walked off the dance floor.

  “I’m going to the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back.”

  Before Sandy could get back to the table, a gentleman asked her to dance. She nodded and took his hand.

  “It’s good to see you back out there,” Mrs. Goodwin said as she reapplied her lipstick.

  “She’s just a friend, Abby.”

  “Looks like a very good friend,” she said looking at Nadine through the mirror.

  Nadine walked into the stall without responding. Her mother was standing in the bathroom when she came out of the stall. “Mother,” she said walking over to the sinks.

  “Are you dating her?” Jennifer asked hopefully.

  “No, Mom. I invited Sandy because she doesn’t have much and I thought she would enjoy the evening.”

  “It looks like more than that. She seems like a very nice woman.” Her arms crossed over her chest and she asked, “Why did you lie to her about the tickets?”

  “I didn’t want her to feel badly about her ticket. She never would have accepted if she knew I paid for them. I know you’d like for something to be going on with the two of us, but there isn’t and won’t be.”

  “Whatever you say, Nadine,” Jennifer said, but she knew there was more than Nadine was admitting.

  When Nadine returned to the ballroom, she saw Sandy dancing with someone she didn’t know. She took her seat with her mother and kept an eye on Sandy.

  Sandy returned to the table after three dances with three different men. “I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed dancing. I haven’t danced since high school.” Even though Sandy hadn’t dated anyone, she and her girlfriends attended all the school dances. She had been happiest when she danced with one of her friends.

  “Don’t let me stop you, Sandy. You can dance with whomever you’d like.” Nadine kept her voice light. She didn’t want Sandy to think she was jealous or anything, but her thoughts had gone that way when she saw Sandy dancing with someone besides her. They watched as another gay couple got up to dance.

  “Since they are dancing together,” Sandy said with a nod toward the women. “Would you dance with me?” She didn’t know where she was finding this courage.

  “Yes, get out there and dance with her, Nadine,” Jennifer said before her daughter could refuse.

  Nadine stood up and held out her hand to Sandy. The women stayed out on the dance floor for many songs before returning to the table for something to drink.

  “Thank you for asking me tonight. I’ve had such a good time. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Sandy said smiling as she looked out onto the room. “I feel like Elizabeth Bennett at the ball.”

  “Who?” Nadine asked and heard her mother snicker. Now she remembered. “Pride and Prejudice, right?”

  Sandy nodded smiling. “My mother is going to die when I tell her about tonight.”

  “Well, I hope not literally.”

  Sandy looked at Nadine and laughed. “Funny, but no.”

  “Are you ready to leave?” Nadine asked as the room thinned out.

  “Can we have one more dance before we leave? I may never have the opportunity again to do something like this.”

  “Your wish is my command,” Nadine said with a laugh, making sure her mother didn’t hear her response. “Ms. Bennett,” she said with a bow when they reached the dance floor and held out her hand.

  “Why thank you, Mr. Darcy,” Sandy answered chuckling. Nadine held her close, but not so close that their bodies touched. Even without contact, Sandy could feel the heat coming off Nadine’s body. She felt relaxed and comfortable in this woman’s arms.

  “What do you think?” Joe asked his wife.

  “I think it is about time that someone caught our daughter’s eye.”

  “You aren’t worried because they work together?”

  “I just want Nadine to be happy again. If this woman can do that for her, that’s all I care about.”

  “You know Nadine is going to fight any attraction she might have for this woman.” Then Joe thought a moment. “Sandy was married once. She has a daughter.”

  “Honey, she wouldn’t be the first woman to get married and then realize she’s a lesbian.”

  “You’re right,” he said nodding his head.

  When the song ended, they went back to the table to collect their purses and to say good night to the people left at the table. “It was so nice to meet you Jennifer and good to see you, Joe.”

  “I’m glad you were here tonight. My daughter spends too much time alone these days.”

  Nadine rolled her eyes. “Good night, you two.”

  Collecting their coats, they walked outside and waited for the valet to bring the car. Again, Nadine opened Sandy’s
door.

  “You know I had a great time, but did you?” Sandy asked on the way home.

  “I had the best time I’ve had in years,” she said feeling the pinch to her heart. Nadine had not enjoyed herself since the last time she was there with Kim. They had danced the night away and never left each other’s sides. “Thank you for agreeing to come with me tonight.”

  “You don’t have to thank me. I’m the one that owes you big time,” Sandy said showing the pleasure in her voice.

  “If we have another function, you’d come with me?”

  “Anytime, Nadine.”

  Nadine smiled the rest of the way to Sandy’s home. Pulling into the driveway, she said, “I guess I’ll see you at work on Monday.”

  “Yes, you will,” Sandy answered, opening her door. “Good night and thanks again.”

  “Good night, Sandy.” Nadine waited until Sandy was in the house before she pulled away.

  CHAPTER 35

  Nadine was sitting in the kitchen having her coffee and reading the newspaper on her iPad when her phone rang. Barely glancing at the phone, she said, “Mother.” Nadine was expecting this call since last night and now she would be hit with a ton of questions.

  “Good morning, Nadine. You’re alone, right?” Jennifer asked cautiously.

  “Yes, Mother, of course, I am. Who did you expect to be here with me?”

  “Sandy.” Nadine laughed in her mother’s ear. “It’s not funny.”

  “Yes, it is. I told you last night that Sandy is straight.”

  “Well, she didn’t look so straight dancing with you last night.”

  “The woman likes to dance. Didn’t you notice she danced with some men too?”

  “Yes, I did and I could tell she preferred to dance with you instead.” Again, Nadine laughed. “Stop laughing. It is not funny.”

  “Yes, it is, Mom. How many times do I have to tell you that I am not interested in dating anyone?”

  “You have, and I don’t know why you keep saying that. Kim wouldn’t want you to spend the rest of your life alone. You had a great love with Kim. Don’t you want to find that again?”