Somebody Like You: A Lesbian Romance Read online

  Sydney didn’t comment as they took a seat near the CT lab. “I’ll give you both the results as soon as they’re ready. Then your mom can get that leg put in a cast.”

  “Mom is not going to be happy about a cast.”

  Sydney chuckled. “Most people aren’t. I understand your mom works at one of the studios?”

  “Yeah, she is in the wardrobe department. This is all my fault.”

  Sydney chuckled again. “Why? Were you driving the golf cart?”

  Grace laughed. “No, but I talked her into moving out here because I want to go to Cal Tech.”

  Sydney nodded understanding. “It was an accident, Grace. It could have happened anywhere.” She rested her hand on Grace’s shoulder. The door to the CT lab opened and Grace jumped out of her seat.

  “Mom.” She called as she approached.

  “Grace. Are you okay?” Michelle asked taking her daughter’s hand.

  “I’m fine, mom. What about you?”

  “I feel fine except for the leg and dizziness in my head.”

  “I’ll go check your scans,” Sydney said standing.

  “Thanks for keeping me company, Doc.”

  Sydney winked at Grace and walked away.

  Michelle was wheeled back to another room so her leg could be x-rayed. The nurse said to Grace. “You can wait right here. This shouldn’t take long.”

  Sydney came out of the CT lab with the scans and found Grace sitting alone. “Your mom doesn’t have any bleeds, but I want her to spend the night so we can keep an eye on her.” Sydney took a seat next to her. “Do you have someone you can stay with tonight?”

  “I’m seventeen, Doc,” Grace said with a roll of her eyes.

  “Sorry. I didn’t realize.”

  “Doc, can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure,” Sydney said sitting back down.

  “Were you and my mom good friends in college?”

  Sydney swallowed. “Yes. Yes, we were.”

  “So how come I’ve never heard about you?”

  “Well, after graduation I went on to medical school in California and your mom went back to New York.”

  “Yeah, but she never talked about you. I thought college friends stay friends.”

  Sydney stood up again. “Not always, Grace. You’ll have to ask your mom why she never told you about me. I’ll check in with you and your mom later.”

  Sydney walked down the hall and back to the elevators.

  ****

  Grace went with her mother to her room once they cleaned up her scratches and put her left leg into a cast. Michelle had requested a walking cast, but the Doctor wouldn’t do it. She was to stay off her leg for a week and then only move around with crutches.

  “Mom, how come you never told me about Sydney?” Grace asked as she sat next to her mother’s bed.

  “Sydney and I were friends in college.”

  “I know. The Doc told me, but how come you didn’t stay friends?”

  “We both had other goals when we graduated. She went to the west coast and I went east.”

  “I know. She told me that too.”

  “What else did she tell you?” Michelle asked suddenly nervous.

  “Nothing. I like her.” Grace was not about to let her questions end. “I asked her why you never told me about her.” Michelle looked at her daughter. “She told me to ask you.”

  “There’s nothing to tell, Grace. We just drifted apart.”

  “But you named me Sydney and told me that it was because of someone you cared for.” Grace moved her chair closer. “Is the Doc the Sydney?”

  “Yes and I did care for Sydney a lot. I still do,” she said softly. “She was my friend all through school.” Michelle reached for Grace’s hand. “I’m sure you have homework and it’s getting late. I want you home before it gets dark.”

  “Okay, mom. I can take a hint. You don’t want to talk about Sydney.” Grace leaned over and kissed her mother’s cheek. “I’ll see you after school, mom.”

  “Call first, honey. In case they let me go home during the day.”

  “Okay. Love you, mom.”

  “I love you too, Grace.”

  Grace walked down the hall and ran into Sydney. “Take good care of my mom, Doc.”

  Sydney smiled. “I will.”

  “By the way, you are the Sydney for my middle name,” Grace said with a wink.

  Sydney walked into Michelle’s room and knocked on the open door.

  “Come in,” Michelle called from the bed near the window.

  “How are you feeling?” Sydney asked looking at her chart so she wouldn’t have to meet Michelle’s eyes.

  “Not too bad. I couldn’t talk the Doctor into a walking cast though.”

  Sydney chuckled. “By you asking, he knew you would be running around and your leg would never heal.” She walked over to the bed and pointed her light into Michelle’s eyes. “How’s the headache?”

  “It’s fine.”

  “I can’t give you anything because of the concussion.”

  “That’s okay. I can deal with it?”

  “Does your leg hurt?”

  Michelle shrugged. “I’ll live.”

  “You’re lucky the person was driving a golf cart and not a car.” Sydney chuckled.

  “Yeah, when I get my hands on that kid, I’m going to choke him.”

  “It was good to see you again, Michelle.” Sydney stood at the open door. “By the way, you have a beautiful daughter.”

  Michelle nodded with a smile. “She’s a great kid too. I couldn’t have been luckier. How about you? Did you marry?”

  “No. Even though with the laws today I can finally get married, but no.”

  “You’re still gay?”

  Sydney moved closer. “Yes, Michelle. I’m still gay. I can’t change what I am.” She put Michelle’s chart back and walked toward the door again. “Take care of yourself and try to stay out of my ER.”

  She left without another word.

  CHAPTER SIX

  It was after midnight when Sydney went over to the nurse’s station near Michelle’s room. “How is Michelle Richards doing?”

  “No changes. Are you worried something is wrong?”

  “No.” Sydney mumbled. “Not at all.”

  “Then why don’t you go home and get some rest?”

  “I took a nap earlier. I guess I’ll just go crash here for the night.”

  “We’ll call you Doctor if there are any changes.”

  “Good night.” Sydney walked away, but she stopped in the doorway to Michelle’s room. A small light was on over the bed and she watched as Michelle’s even breathing filled the silence.

  Early the next morning, Sydney walked into Michelle’s room. “How are you feeling?” She asked checking Michelle’s eyes with her light.

  “I’m fine. Can I go home?” Michelle asked touching Sydney’s arm.

  Sydney looked down meeting the blue eyes staring up at her. “I’ll get your discharge papers ready.” She walked toward the doorway.

  “Did you even leave the hospital last night?” Michelle asked before she could leave the room.

  “No. I stayed here last night.”

  “Did you have a critical patient?”

  “No. Sometimes it’s just easier to stay here than go home.”

  “You weren’t worried about me, were you?” Michelle asked with a grin.

  Sydney didn’t turn around. “You were stable. Do you want someone to call your daughter to pick you up?”

  “Grace is in school right now. I’ll take a cab home.” Michelle looked around the room. “Did anyone drop off my purse yesterday?”

  “Not that I’m aware. I’ll check at the nurse’s station.” Sydney left the room. “Did anyone drop off Ms. Richards’ purse?”

  “No, Sydney.” Her friend Kelly said. “Does she want us to call her daughter?”

  “No. She said she’s in school.”

  “We can call her a cab, but does she have a w
ay to get into her house?”

  “I don’t know.” Sydney walked back toward the room. “Michelle, do you have a way to get into your apartment if I give you money for a cab?”

  Michelle slouched down on the bed. “No. I’ll have to go to the studio first and then go home. I can pay for the cab after I get my purse.”

  “You get dressed and I’ll get your papers ready. Then I’ll drive you.” Sydney offered.

  “I can’t ask you to do that Sydney.”

  “You didn’t ask me. I volunteered.” Sydney went to get her papers ready.

  Michelle put on her ripped clothes and waited for Sydney. The nurse brought it her discharge papers to sign. “Doctor Legend said she’ll meet you outside at the main entrance.”

  Michelle got into the wheelchair as someone took her downstairs. As the chair was wheeled outside, Sydney stepped out of her car. “Thanks, Stacy,” she said to the nurse who brought her down. Sydney helped Michelle out of the chair and into her car. She couldn’t help notice that Michelle checked her out as she walked toward her. Sydney was wearing a pair of jeans and a button down blue shirt. Her boots finished off her casual outfit.

  Michelle used the crutches to get to the car, but getting in was another thing.

  “Let me hold those for you,” Sydney said as Michelle tried to get her leg with the cast into the car. “Wait, let me do it.” Sydney lifted her leg as Michelle sat and put it in the car. Then she brought her other leg into the car. “Better?”

  “Thanks, Syd.”

  Michelle smiled as she walked around the car and put the crutches in the back seat. “So Hope Film?”

  “Please. Sydney, my car is still in the lot. You can just drop me off and I can drive home myself.”

  “As one of your Doctors, I don’t think that is a good idea.”

  “But it’s my left leg. I can drive with the right one.” Michelle insisted.

  Sydney ignored her and drove to the studio. As they got to the gate, Michelle leaned over practically lying in Sydney’s lap. “Hi, Jeff. I came to pick something up.”

  “How are you feeling, Michelle?” He asked concerned.

  “I’m okay, Jeff.”

  “Go right in.”

  “I’m surprised no one brought your things over,” Sydney said glancing at Michelle.

  “I haven’t been working here long, Sydney.” Michelle gave her directions to the wardrobe department. Once they got there, she opened the car door.

  “Wait, Michelle.” Sydney got out of the car and brought the crutches around to her side. Then she helped lift Michelle out of the car. “Okay, lead the way.”

  Michelle walked into office. “Michelle,” Sara called and ran to her. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m doing okay. It’s just a little awkward right now,” Michelle said lifting the crutches.

  “They want to see you in the office about some paperwork.” Sara added.

  “I need to get my purse.” Michelle went back toward the lockers and collected her things.”

  “Trudy is expecting you,” Sara said when Michelle returned. Then she turned toward Sydney. “Hello.”

  “Sara, this is Doctor Sydney Legend.”

  “Wow. You have a Doctor that chauffer’s you around?”

  “Sydney is an old friend from college,” Michelle said leaving the room. “Sydney, please. I don’t want to tie up your day with all this. Just leave me and I’ll get home on my own.” Michelle was walking toward her car.

  Before she could get too far, Sydney grabbed her arm. “I’m not leaving you alone.” She led her back to the car. “Where to now?”

  “Turn around and make a right at the end of this building.” Michelle continued to look out the window. When Michelle pulled up to the building, she opened the car door and grabbed her crutches. “I’ll be out as soon as I can.” Sydney began to open her car door. “Please, Sydney. Wait here for me.”

  Michelle was led into Trudy’s office. “Michelle, how are you?”

  “I’m okay, Trudy.” Michelle took a seat. “Sara said you have some papers for me to sign.”

  “Yes. We want you to know that your job is safe. We want you to take all the time you need to recover. Of course, with pay.” Trudy leaned forward. “We also want to give you a ten thousand bonus.”

  “Is that so I won’t sue?” Trudy didn’t acknowledge her question. “I had no intention of suing. I’d like to kick that kid’s ass that hit me.”

  “He has already been fired, Michelle.” Trudy brought over the paper.

  Michelle looked through the papers in front of her. What she was signing was that she would accept payment in the amount of ten thousand dollars and not hold Hope Film Studio responsible for the accident. It did state that she could take the time needed to recover with pay and she would not be fired from her position. Michelle reluctantly signed and got up.

  “Michelle, don’t rush back. We don’t want to see you get hurt again.”

  Michelle left the room knowing she was going to take the time to find another job. As she came out of the building, Sydney was standing by the car door. She opened the door as Michelle approached and held the crutches as she got inside.

  Sydney headed toward the exit. As she left the studio, she asked. “Left or right?”

  “Sorry. Right.”

  “Are you okay, Michelle?”

  “I feel like I was run over again.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Sydney asked softly.

  “After I get home.”

  They got to the apartment and then Michelle remembered the stairs. The two women walked toward the stairs and Michelle stared up. Sydney was chuckling behind her.

  “You forgot about these, right?”

  “Yeah, I did. If I go slowly, I’m sure I can do it.”

  Sydney came around her and lifted Michelle into her arms. “Hold on,” she said as she began to climb the steps.

  “You’re going to hurt yourself.” Michelle said into her ear.

  As they reached the landing she put Michelle down. “Piece of cake,” she said with a wink.

  Once in the apartment, Michelle went to the refrigerator and handed Sydney a bottle of water. “I can’t believe you did that.”

  “If you recall, I used to pick you up all the time.”

  “Yeah, but that was from one bed to another,” she said smiling as she remembered those days.

  “You’re still light as a feather,” Sydney said smiling. She took a seat at the snack bar. “Do you want to talk about it?” Sydney stood up quickly. “Wait. Let’s get you comfortable on the couch first.”

  “Can I get out of these clothes first?” Michelle asked pointing at the torn clothing.

  Sydney nodded. “Go ahead.”

  Michelle went into the bedroom and came out wearing a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. “That’s better,” she said as she walked back to the couch. Once she laid down, Sydney put a pillow under her leg. “They had me sign a paper that I wouldn’t sue the studio for the accident.”

  “You signed it without showing it to your lawyer?” Sydney asked leaning toward her.

  “I didn’t have much of a choice. They promised my job would be there when I returned and to take the time I needed with pay and gave me a ten thousand dollar check.”

  “What are you going to do?” Sydney asked sitting back in her chair.

  “As soon as I’m recuperated, I’m going to look for a job at another studio.”

  “I have some friends over at Willow Studio in Burbank. It’s not a large studio, but they do well. It’s owned by a group of women.” She touched Michelle’s arm. “When you’re ready, I’ll give Wilma a call for you.”

  A tear fell onto Michelle’s cheek.

  “Are you in pain, Michelle?” Sydney asked concerned.

  “No. I hurt you all those years ago and you’re still being kind to me.”

  Sydney sat on the floor next to Michelle. “Michelle, I understand why you left me. I wish it could have been diffe
rent, but I understand.”

  “Are you happy, Syd?”

  “Uh, yeah. I guess so,” she said with a shrug.

  “Do you have anyone in your life?”

  Sydney lowered her head. “There’s been lots of women in my life, but not somebody like you. I wasn’t willing to settle for less when I once had the best,” she said with a grin as she stood up. “Can I get you anything before I leave?”

  “I’m fine, Sydney. Thank you for everything,” Michelle said taking Sydney’s hand. “Don’t be a stranger now that you know I’m here.”

  Sydney nodded before opening the door. “Tell Grace I said hello. Good bye, Michelle.”

  “See you, Syd.” Michelle sat there wondering if she would ever see Sydney again.

  Michelle called Grace at three o’clock. “Hi, honey. I’m home already.”

  “You are? How did you get home?” Grace asked walking toward her car.

  “Sydney brought me home.”

  “Wow, mom. A Doctor who gives my mother personal treatment. What did you do, mom?” Grace asked with a laugh.

  “Nothing.”

  “I know there’s more to this story.” Grace laughed again. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

  Grace came in ten minutes later shaking her finger at her mother. “So tell me about the Doc bringing you home.”

  “I wanted to take a cab, but then I didn’t have the house keys because my purse was at work.” Michelle took a breath. “I still wanted to take the cab, but Sydney wouldn’t let me.”

  “She wouldn’t let you,” Grace said with a snicker. “Mom, you know the Doc is a lesbian?”

  Michelle’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “What did Syd tell you?”

  Grace rolled her eyes. “Mom, I’m not a child. I had her pegged a few minutes after we met.”

  “How did you know?”

  “I know a lot of lesbians.”

  “You do?” Michelle couldn’t bring herself to ask if her daughter was a lesbian.

  “Yes, mother. I’ve gone to school with lesbians in New York and out here too.” Grace moved closer to her mother. “Soo, does she like you like that? Is that why you two didn’t remain friends after college?” Grace began to giggle. “Does Doctor Sydney Legend want my mother?”