Message from Heaven Read online

  “I would, Mom, but that won’t happen. There could only be one Kim in my lifetime.”

  “I don’t believe that. You can be happy again, honey. Don’t shut yourself off from life,” Jennifer sighed. “We only get one life and I would hate to go to my grave knowing you were alone.”

  “When nothing else works, you try guilt.”

  “I don’t mean to guilt you into anything.” Jennifer took a deep breath. “I want you to be happy.”

  “I’m happy enough, Mom,” and as she said the words, Nadine closed her eyes because even she no longer believed them.

  “Oh honey, you can’t believe that this is all there is to life. I think if you gave that woman a chance, she would take it.”

  “Mom, she has a kid.”

  “Even better. I would love a grandchild to spoil.”

  “I can tell I am not going to win this conversation,” Nadine said rolling her eyes.

  “This is not a contest, Nadine. Okay, I’ll let it go for now.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  “Want to come to dinner tonight?” Jennifer asked before ending the conversation.

  “Thanks, Mom, but not tonight.” Nadine didn’t think she could take another conversation like this twice in a day.

  “Enjoy your day. Nadine, call that girl and let her know you had a good time last night,” Jennifer said before she disconnected the call.

  While Nadine contemplated about what she was going to do, someone made a decision for her. She picked up her phone and read the text message.

  Nadine, I had a wonderful time last night. Thank you again for inviting me. Sandy.

  Nadine smiled unconsciously as she read Sandy’s message. She began to type.

  Sandy, you are very welcome and I had a good time too. Nadine.

  “There, Mom,” she said to the empty room.

  *

  “You got home late last night,” Eva said as she entered the kitchen. “I guess you had a good time.”

  “The best, Mom. I felt like I was Cinderella at the ball. I knew I didn’t belong there, but got to enjoy it.” She didn’t want to tell her mother that she also felt like Elizabeth Bennett with Mr. Darcy as her escort. That would have been too much information.

  “Did you dance with anyone?” Eva asked as she poured a cup of coffee.

  “I did,” Sandy answered looking down at the newspaper.

  “With whom?” Eva sat down across from Sandy.

  “I don’t remember their names.” Sandy picked up the paper and turned the page holding it to her face. “I danced with Nadine a couple of times too.”

  Her mother pulled the newspaper down. “Do you like her?” she asked wearing a big smile.

  Sandy stared at her mother. Her lips were parted, but nothing registered. To herself she thought. What’s not to like? Tall, dark and gorgeous. She shook herself out of her daydream. “What are you getting at Mom?”

  “Honey, I know about you.”

  Sandy’s eyes opened wide. “What do you mean?”

  “I know you like women. I’m sorry that I never said anything before. I know you didn’t even entertain the thought because of your father.”

  “But I never dated a woman,” Sandy stammered out.

  “You didn’t have to. I guess I sensed it. You never showed any interest in boys growing up. I saw the way you looked at some of your girlfriends when you were younger.”

  “I was shy around boys, Mom,” she said looking down.

  “Why are you still hiding this from me?” Eva asked touching Sandy’s hand.

  “I don’t know if that is who I really am, Mom. I’ve never thought this would be possible for me.”

  “I saw the look on your face when you saw Nadine last night. Don’t run from this, Sandy. If she is who you want, don’t turn her away.”

  “Mom, I work with her. I finally found a job that pays me well and I like it. I am not going to go up to her and say, would you like to go out with me? No way, Mom.”

  “Maybe she’ll ask you out.”

  Sandy remembered hearing Nadine talk about Kim. No, she would never do that. “Mom, she’s still grieving for her wife.”

  “Maybe, but she looked at you the same way you looked at her. There is something there. One of you has to be the brave one and make the first move.”

  “Well, it isn’t going to be me, Mom. Forget it.”

  CHAPTER 36

  Monday morning, Sandy was already at her desk when Nadine walked in the door. “Good morning, Nadine,” she said smiling.

  “Morning, Sandy.” Her smile never changed on her face as she kept walking toward her office.

  Sandy’s heart felt the twitch of pain. See, Mom, nothing there. She closed her eyes tightly, shaking away the disappointment and went to work.

  All week long, Sandy and Nadine returned to their professional behavior as if Saturday night had never happened. Sandy knew that she shouldn’t feel hurt, but no matter what she told herself, she was disappointed.

  The following Monday the UPS driver came in the door. “Hi, Kate. Cold enough for you out there?” Sandy asked with a smile.

  “My fingers are frozen,” she said taking off her gloves. Kate began to scan the packages. “You’re on your own now?”

  “I am,” Sandy said smiling.

  Kate looked around before she looked back at Sandy again. “I was wondering if you would like to have coffee some night after you get off work.”

  “Me?” Sandy asked with her hand on her chest. “Uh...” Her mind was going a thousand miles an hour.

  “That’s okay. You don’t have to answer. I guess I’m not your type.”

  Sandy looked up at Kate. Her short brown hair was tucked under a hat. Her green eyes looked friendly and she had a muscular body. “I’m just shocked that you asked me.” Sandy’s smile opened. “Sure.”

  “Great,” Kate said. “How about Friday night at the coffee place down the street? You get off at five, right?” Sandy nodded. “Five-thirty?”

  Sandy nodded again. “Yes.”

  Kate smile was wide. “Great, I’ll see you tomorrow.” She picked up the packages and left the offices.

  “What are you doing?” Arlene asked, surprising Nadine who was tucked back from entering the lobby.

  “Nothing. I was just going to bring this out for the mail.” She walked to Sandy’s desk. “Sandy, would you put this in the mail please?”

  “Of course.”

  “Thanks.” Nadine walked back toward her office with Arlene’s eyes following her. She closed her office door and sat down at her desk. She is gay and going out with a butch in a uniform. I’ll be damned.

  Sandy watched as all her co-workers passed her desk on the way out of the building at the end of day. Even the owners were gone. The only one she hadn’t seen was Nadine and she assumed that maybe she had slipped out without her seeing her. She now heard a noise from the back as she gathered her things together.

  “Oh, you’re still here,” she said as she entered the front office.

  “Just on my way out,” Sandy said putting on her coat.

  “I’ll walk out with you,” Nadine offered and they walked to the elevator together.

  As they approached their vehicles, Sandy said, “Have a good night, Nadine.”

  “You too. Good night.” Then she disappeared into the dim lights of the parking lot.

  Later that evening after Carly was in bed, Sandy told her mother, “I’m going to be late on Friday night. The UPS woman asked me out for coffee.”

  “The UPS woman? What about Nadine?” Eva asked and looked at Sandy.

  “What about Nadine? I told you that she doesn’t think of me like that.”

  “So, the UPS woman?”

  Sandy shrugged. “Yeah, why not?”

  Eva mumbled under her breath. “The UPS woman. Oh brother.”

  CHAPTER 37

  “Hey, Nadine,” Cheryl said when she answered her cell.

  “Hi. I need a favor,” Nadine said trying t
o keep her voice calm, but her insides were tumbling.

  “Sure. What do you need?”

  Nadine smiled. She knew her friend wouldn’t turn her down. “Can you meet me at that coffee shop by work at five on Friday?”

  “Of course, but what’s the problem?” Cheryl asked, but Nadine didn’t answer. “Is this about a woman?”

  “Yeah,” Nadine answered softly.

  “It’s about freaking time,” Cheryl screamed into the phone. “Tell me about her.”

  “How about we wait until I see you on Friday?”

  “Okay, but I want all the details.”

  “You’ll get them. Thanks, my friend.”

  “Anything for you, Nadine.”

  *

  Nadine was already sitting against the back wall when Cheryl came into the coffee shop. Nadine had rushed out past Sandy when she left saying she had an appointment to get to. “Thanks for coming,” Nadine said when Cheryl took her seat.

  “I’m here, so tell me what is going on.”

  “Sandy has a coffee date with the UPS driver at five-thirty.”

  “Sandy? The UPS driver? What the hell are you talking about?”

  “I met this woman when she came to one of my seminars. Gina who was our receptionist knew Sandy and suggested her for the job. You know me,” Nadine was rambling, but she wanted to get the story out quickly, “when I heard she was a single mother and had married a loser...” she took a needed breath, “I knew I needed to help her. She’s been working at my office for the last three weeks.” Cheryl watched as Nadine looked over her shoulder.

  “Is that her?” Cheryl asked.

  Nadine used the mirror on her phone to take a peek. “Yes.”

  They sat there quietly while Sandy waited for Kate to arrive. Cheryl leaned over and whispered, “Is the UPS driver a guy or girl?”

  “A butch,” Nadine said keeping her voice low.

  “I assume she divorced the loser?” Cheryl watched as Nadine nodded her head. “The butch just walked in.”

  “Hi,” Kate said taking her seat.

  “Hi, Kate.” Sandy ran her hand on top of the table. “I should tell you a few things first.”

  “Okay,” Cheryl said raising an eyebrow.

  “I was married and have an eight-year-old daughter.” Sandy watched at the shocked expression on Kate’s face. “I’ve never been with a woman before, but...”

  “What the hell,” Kate said angrily, but tried to keep her voice low. “You thought you would take the butch for a spin to see if you like it?”

  “No, but…”

  “No way, lady. Besides, I hate kids.”

  Sandy looked shocked by what was coming out of Kate’s mouth. “I’ll leave.”

  “No. You stay. I have my route to finish.” Kate stormed out of the shop.

  Cheryl and Nadine looked at each other and watched as Sandy’s head dropped to her chest. They couldn’t see if she was crying, but wouldn’t blame her if she was. Sandy got up and put her coat on and left.

  “Holy shit, Nadine. That was brutal,” Cheryl said shaking her head.

  “I’m sorry she had to go through that.”

  “Tell me the rest of the story,” Cheryl insisted, touching her friend’s hand.

  “Anyway, I invited her to the fundraiser that I had last weekend. I thought I was doing it because I’m sure Sandy never experienced anything like that before.” Nadine smiled. “I was right. Sandy said she felt like Elizabeth Bennett at the ball.”

  “Who?”

  “Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice.”

  “Never read it, but Amber loves the movie. I’ve seen bits and pieces.” Cheryl rolled her eyes. “Continue.”

  “My mother took one look at Sandy with me and the questions began. When I left to go to the restroom, my mother followed me and continued her interrogation.” Nadine’s eyes glazed over. “When I got back to the ballroom, Sandy was dancing with different men.” She leaned closer to Cheryl. “I got jealous and wanted to leave.” The smile had returned to Nadine’s face in remembrance. “Sandy wanted to dance with me before we left and we danced for a long time.” Her eyes came back to Cheryl. “Now what do I do?”

  “Well, Mr. Darcy,” Cheryl said chuckling. “I think you should go home and call that gal. Take her to dinner tomorrow night.” Her eyes commanded that Nadine look at her. “I bet you’ve been ignoring her since the fundraiser?” Nadine’s head tilted. “Sandy ending up with the bitch tonight was your fault. You did the same thing with Kim. She tried so hard to get you to go out with her, but you always had excuses. She’s too young, to poor, not enough ambition.” Cheryl touched Nadine’s hand. “You two had a wonderful relationship and now you are looking for excuses again.”

  “Yeah. I thought I was satisfied to spend the rest of my life alone. Then this tiny woman walks into my life and everything changes.”

  Cheryl laughed. “Kim probably sent her to you. She didn’t want you to spend your life alone.”

  Nadine nodded in agreement. “I like her, Cheryl. I can’t believe I’m saying that.”

  “I can tell. Now get your ass home so you can call her. Otherwise she is going to spend her evening thinking about what just happened.” Cheryl stood up. “Go save your gal from that nightmare.”

  Eva took one look at her daughter when she came in and knew something was wrong. “What happened?”

  She went directly to her mother’s arms. “It was horrible. She said she hates kids and she got angry that I’ve never been with a woman.”

  “Oh, honey.” Eva pulled her closer. “I’m so sorry. There are other women out there.”

  “No, I’m done,” Sandy said through her tears.

  Eva held her at arm’s length. “One woman and you’re done? Oh, sweetie. I’m sure there are nice women out there. Don’t throw your life away because one date didn’t work out.”

  Sandy sat up and wiped her eyes and then her phone started to ring. “It’s Nadine,” she said to her mother in a whisper.

  “Answer it,” Eva motioned with her hand.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi.” Nadine swallowed hard and picked up the glass of wine she had poured to calm her nerves. “I uh, was wondering if you’d like to have dinner with me tomorrow night.”

  “Another fundraiser?”

  “Uh, no. I just thought we could share a meal together.”

  Sandy watched as her mother got up and left the room to give her daughter privacy. “As friends?”

  “Friends?” Nadine asked suddenly feeling rejected. “Friends sure, but, let me be honest, Sandy.”

  “Okay,” Sandy said and waited.

  “I like you.”

  “I like you too, Nadine. I have to be honest with you too. I’ve never dated a woman before.”

  “I have a feeling that you’ve always wanted to. Am I wrong?” Nadine asked feeling better about their conversation.

  “Yes, and no, you aren’t wrong.”

  “So how about it? I mean dinner.”

  “I’d like that, Nadine.”

  “Great. I’ll pick you up at seven so you can spend time with your daughter.”

  Sandy smiled at Nadine’s kindness. “I’ll be ready.”

  “Good night.”

  “Good night.” Sandy disconnected the call. “Mom,” she called out until her mother came back into the living room.

  CHAPTER 38

  Nadine was surprised when the door opened at Sandy’s house. She looked down at the blond little girl staring up at her. “Hi, sweetheart.”

  “Hi, Nadine. Are you going out with my mommy again?”

  “I am. Is that okay with you?” Nadine asked the little girl and looked up as Sandy walked into the room wearing a black sweater dress. Her eyes ran up and down her body before they came back to her eyes. “Hi,” she said softly and then added, “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” Sandy answered. She couldn’t comment on Nadine’s outfit because it was covered by a beautiful camel hair coat. She c
ould see the black wide legs pants and a white blouse at her neck, but nothing else. “Carly, let Nadine into the house.”

  Carly stepped out of the way and looked up at her mother and then to Nadine. “Do you like my Mom?” the little girl asked innocently.

  Nadine smiled looking at Sandy and then back down to the little girl. “I do.”

  “Okay,” she said running back to the couch.

  Nadine smiled at Sandy and shrugged. “That was easy.” Eva walked into the room. “Hello, Eva.”

  “Hello, Nadine.” She turned and looked at Sandy. “Put your coat on so you two can go have some fun tonight.”

  Sandy chuckled and went to the coat closet. As she brought out the coat, Nadine held it open for her. “Thank you,” she said looking over her shoulder. Now she looked at her daughter. “You be good for Grandma.”

  “I will, Mommy.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  “Goodbye, you two. Have fun.” She waved her hand for them to leave.

  “Good night,” Nadine called out before they left. This time she intentionally opened Sandy’s door and held her hand as she stepped inside the car.

  “Thank you,” Sandy said with a smile and watched as Nadine hurried around to the driver’s side of the car. Once they were on their way to the restaurant, Sandy said, “I took Carly to the mall today to do some Christmas shopping.”

  “It’s not even Thanksgiving yet,” Nadine said with a chuckle.

  “I know. I hate the crowds at Christmas time.”

  “I do too and that’s why I do most of my shopping online.” Nadine was pulling up to the restaurant at the valet parking. “I’ll get your door,” she said before getting out of the car.”

  The valet handed Nadine the ticket and Sandy waited patiently for Nadine to open her door. She was about to tell her it wasn’t necessary to open her door, but seeing the smile on Nadine’s face as she did, kept her quiet. “Thank you.” This time, Nadine kept her hand on the small of Sandy’s back as they went into the restaurant.

  “Connors,” she said to the hostess.

  “This way, please.”

  They followed the hostess to a table along the window. The gardens outside were lit up and it gave them a nice view to look at while they dined. “Thank you,” Nadine said as the hostess handed them their menus.