Never Let Me Go Read online

  “I truly enjoyed myself today, Mary. Thank you for letting me experience it with you.” As they pulled up to Thomas’ apartment, Katherine put the car in park and turned to Mary. “Thank you again.”

  “I’m the one who should be thanking you for this special day.” Mary unbuckled her seat belt before she leaned across the center console and kissed Katherine’s cheek. Her finger now came out and wiped the lipstick that was now visible on Katherine’s cheek. “Good night.”

  “Good night, Mary.” Katherine waited until Mary was safely behind the closed door before pulling away. “Best day ever,” she said to the empty car with a wide smile.

  CHAPTER 9

  At five o’clock, Katherine walked into Mary’s office. “Hi. I’ve got your things in my car.”

  “Hello, Congresswoman Willow.” Her hand went to her head. “I completely forgot about that.”

  “Can I drive you home? I mean if you’re ready to leave.”

  “I am,” Mary said already out of her seat. “But only on one condition.”

  Katherine raised an eyebrow. “A condition?”

  “Yes. Let me make you dinner.”

  “You don’t have to do that, Mary,” Katherine tried insisting halfheartedly.

  “I know I don’t, but I want to. I promise not to poison you,” Mary said grinning at her friend.

  “Can I help?”

  Mary looked at Katherine’s beautiful suit. “I wouldn’t want to see you ruin that outfit.”

  “I’ve got workout clothes in my trunk.”

  “Then let’s get out of here.” Mary took Katherine’s arm until they stepped out into the hallway. “I’m sorry, Katherine. I keep touching you.”

  “Do you hear me complaining? That is just you, Mary.” Katherine smiled. “I don’t have a problem with affection.”

  “Affection?” Mary slapped Katherine’s arm.

  “Sure. I can’t help it if I’m so irresistible.”

  Mary laughed. “Ah huh. That’s what you are, Katherine.” She laughed all the way to the car. Her laughter was hiding the fact that she did find Katherine so irresistible. It was getting harder and harder to hide how she felt about this extraordinary woman standing beside her. She only wished she could find that in a partner. A woman who was her best friend and lover.

  Once in the apartment, Katherine went off to get changed. She hung her suit on a hanger and placed it near the front door so she wouldn’t forget it. She found Mary cutting up an onion and garlic when she entered the kitchen. “It smells good already. I love that smell,” Katherine said when the onions and garlic were added to the pan. “What are we having?”

  “Shrimp and pasta. If that’s okay?” she asked facing Katherine.

  “Yum. What can I do?”

  “You can peel those shrimp that are in the sink.” Mary pointed with her knife.

  Katherine looked at the large shrimp floating in water. She couldn’t believe she was going to have to touch those things. Katherine loved seafood, but she never handled anything like this.

  Mary looked at Katherine who just stood there looking at the shrimp. “Watch me.” Mary picked up a shrimp and began to peel the shell back. Then she pulled off the tail and placed the cleaned shrimp on the paper towel that was sitting to the right of sink. “Can you handle it?”

  “Yeah, I think so.” Katherine began to peel the shrimp.

  “Good job,” Mary said looking at the completed job. She now seasoned the shrimp and added them to the pan with the onions. The water was already boiling and Mary added the pasta.

  Katherine now watched as Mary took the shrimp out of the pan and placed them back on a plate. Now Mary added a splash of white wine to the pan. “I can’t wait to taste this dish.”

  “I hope you like it.”

  Katherine took the first bite and closed her eyes. “This is as good as any restaurant I’ve been to.”

  Mary watched as Katherine again inhaled her food. “It will taste better if you slow down.”

  “Says who?” Katherine cut the large shrimp on her plate and shoved a piece into her mouth. “I can’t believe how well these fresh string beans go with this dish.” Katherine shook her head. “I think I might even be able to make this.” She looked up at Mary. “With your help, of course.”

  “You must be a sight at state dinners.” Mary couldn’t help but tease Katherine.

  Katherine put her fork down. “I’ve never been to a state dinner.”

  “What about fundraisers?”

  “Yes, but I always eat before. This way I just pick at my food.”

  “Good idea,” Mary said laughing. She turned when she heard the key in the lock of the front door.

  “Hi, honey. I’m home,” Thomas said as he breezed into the apartment. He dropped his coat and suitcase near the front door and walked toward the kitchen. Thomas stopped as soon as he saw Katherine. “What are you doing here?”

  “What does it look like?” she asked pointing to her empty plate.

  “So you two are what?”

  “Friends, Thomas. Friends,” Katherine answered rolling her eyes.

  Mary watched her two friends as they stared each other down. “Thomas, would you like something to eat? There is enough left for a plate for you.” Mary was already standing.

  “Please.”

  Mary made his plate and when she turned around Thomas was still staring. “If it’s not warm enough, I’ll heat it up.”

  “It’s fine, Mary. Sit down and tell me how Katherine ended up here.”

  Mary told Thomas about their trip to Mount Vernon and the Lincoln Memorial. “Katherine returned my clothes that I had forgotten at her place and I offered to make dinner for us both.”

  “You had clothes at her place?” Thomas asked never taking his eyes off Katherine.

  Now Mary explained about the gym and falling asleep at Katherine’s apartment. She watched as the stern look on Thomas’ face eased into a relaxed smile. “You sound like you are a bad influence on Mary. Taking her to all the tourist spots.”

  “I wanted to go, Thomas. Katherine loves history as much as I do.”

  “Yeah, history,” he said with a smirk. “I didn’t know that’s what they were calling it these days.” Before Mary could ask him what the hell he was talking about, the phone rang. Thomas picked up the phone and listened, then said, “Hold on for a second.” He covered the receiver. “It’s your mother.”

  Mary made a face before taking the phone from him. “Excuse me for a few minutes.”

  The moment Mary was out of earshot, Thomas pounced, “What the hell are you doing?”

  “You told me that she wasn’t heartbroken about breaking up with that guy.” Katherine leaned closer. “You should have seen her Friday night. I thought she was going to pass out from exhaustion on the treadmill. I didn’t want her to be alone. So sue me.”

  “I’m sorry, Kate. Thank you for taking care of her. I didn’t realize the breakup hurt her.” Thomas looked at Katherine. “You didn’t tell her you were gay, did you?”

  “No. I’m not interested in trying to convert the straight girl, Thomas. We are just friends,” Katherine said trying to convince herself.

  “Good. Make sure it stays that way.”

  Mary was listening to her mother without really listening. “Mom, I’m not coming back to Virginia. I have a good job here.”

  “What about men? Are you seeing anyone?”

  “I was, but it didn’t work out.”

  “You are just too picky.”

  “Yes, Mother, I am.”

  “Are you coming back for Thanksgiving?”

  “I can’t. I don’t have the time.”

  “What about Christmas?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “Your father will be disappointed if you don’t come home for the holidays,” Sybil insisted.

  Mary doubted that statement very much. Her father barely noticed her when she was in the same room with him. “I’ll let you know. I’ve got to go. I ha
ve company here.” Mary walked back into the kitchen and found her two friends teasing each other. Whatever problem they had a minute ago was over. “How about dessert?” Mary asked walking toward the refrigerator.

  “What have you got?” Thomas asked. “By the way, Mary. That pasta was great.”

  “Thanks. We have fresh fruit and ice cream.”

  After dessert, Thomas stood up. “Thanks for dinner, Mary. Kate, it was good to see you. Let’s have lunch one day this week.”

  “So are you in town all week?” Katherine asked also standing.

  “All week. Good night, you two.”

  Mary and Katherine gathered the dishes and loaded the dishwasher. Then they walked toward the front door. “Thank you for such a delicious dinner, Mary.”

  “Anytime, Kate.” Mary’s hand went to Katherine’s cheek. “I’m sorry,” she said pulling her hand away.

  “Don’t be.” Katherine smiled with a wink. “I like it.”

  Mary pulled her into a hug. “Good night, Kate.”

  “Good night, Mary.”

  CHAPTER 10

  All week Mary waited for Katherine to pop into the office, but she never did. She felt like a school girl waiting for her crush to come and speak with her. Mary knew that Thomas had lunch with her twice this week, but he always walked over to her office. The moment Thomas left the office Friday afternoon, Mary picked up the phone. “Hi, Arlene. It’s Mary.”

  “Oh hey, Mary.”

  “Is Congresswoman Willow in?”

  “She just left Mary. Do you want me to see if I can catch her?”

  “No. That’s okay. Have a good weekend, Arlene.”

  “You too.”

  Mary grabbed her coat and purse and ran out of the office. She caught up to Katherine at the exit. “Kate,” she called and then looked around. “Katherine.”

  Katherine turned around and smiled. “Hi. Where are you running off to?”

  “Trying to catch you.”

  Katherine stepped through the door and stood off to the side to let the crowd of people leaving. “What can I do for you?”

  “Did I do something wrong?” Mary asked looking up into Katherine’s face.

  “No. Why would you ask that?” Katherine knew that she had avoided Mary all week, but she didn’t think that Mary wouldn’t notice or care.

  “I haven’t seen you all week.”

  “I’m sorry. It’s just been so busy all week.”

  “Were you going to call me later?” The look on Katherine’s face said it all. “That’s okay. I’m sorry that I bothered you.” Mary hurried for the steps and to her train.

  “Wait, Mary.” Mary stopped without turning around. “Can we go somewhere and talk?” Mary nodded and followed Katherine to a nearby bar. She took her coat off and ordered them both a glass of wine. “I admit I did avoid you all week. Thomas isn’t happy that we’re friends.”

  “Why?” Mary asked playing with her glass.

  “He doesn’t think us being friends is appropriate.” Mary looked up surprised.

  “But I don’t work for you.”

  “I know.”

  “There has to be more to this story. Please tell me.”

  “Thomas thinks that if we’re seen by other Congressmen, people will talk.”

  Carol didn’t seem to care, but then they never really went anywhere. “I understand. I wouldn’t want to hurt your career in any way, Katherine.” Mary picked up her glass from the table and finished the wine. She now dropped a few dollars onto the table and walked away.

  You are a goddamn chicken. Do you know that? Katherine paid the bill and went home.

  *

  The next month passed without Mary and Katherine having any contact. Mary spent most of her time being sad that she had lost a good friend. She tried to get herself out of the funk, but no matter what she did, she couldn’t. Friday night she had to admit to herself what was wrong. She liked Katherine Willow more than just a friend and that’s why she was so depressed. Even admitting that, she knew there was nothing she could do about it. Even if Katherine still wanted to be her friend, Mary knew it wouldn’t be enough. It would never be enough and maybe Katherine did her a favor. Then she wondered if Katherine knew that Mary cared about her and that was the real reason she ended their friendship. Mary changed her clothes and headed out the door.

  Mary walked into Roxie’s at seven thirty and walked over to the bar. She ordered her drink from the same bartender and looked around. As her eyes scanned the dining area her eyes came back to the bar and to the women sitting on the other end. Mary’s eyes were now blinking as she looked at the woman across the bar. She was talking with several women and suddenly turned as if she knew she was being watched. The woman’s eyes opened wide before she turned to her companions and excused herself.

  “Hello,” she said as she approached Mary.

  “Fancy meeting you here,” Mary said with a smirk.

  “I belong here. I want to know what you are doing here,” Katherine asked inches from Mary’s face.

  “I belong here too,” Mary said grinning at the obvious shock on Katherine’s face.

  “You do?” Mary nodded. “I guess we both were keeping one big secret from each other.” Katherine took the seat next to her. “I’m going to kill Thomas.”

  Mary laughed. “You’ll have to stand in line for that.” She turned to look at Katherine. “Why didn’t he tell me?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m sure I’m going to find out,” Katherine insisted.

  “Am I keeping you from your friends?” Mary asked looking across the bar.

  Katherine looked over at her friends who were watching the two women. “They will be fine without me. “Would you like to grab a table and talk?”

  “Yes.” Mary and Katherine stood up and walked out of the bar area. “I’m really shocked to see you here.”

  Katherine smiled. “You aren’t the only one. So the person you were dating was a woman?”

  “Dating is a stretch. It was a woman who was only interested in having sex with me, but nothing more. Unfortunately, I didn’t learn that quickly enough.”

  Katherine’s hand came out and laid on top of Mary’s hand. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault. I should have realized that she was living in the closet because of her job.” Mary looked up at Katherine. “I guess it is the same for you?”

  “I wasn’t always in the closet, but when I won the election for congresswoman, I went back into the closet.”

  “So you don’t date?”

  Katherine chuckled. “Date? No. I’ll be honest, I haven’t been with anyone in a very long time. I got tired of the one night stands and trying to keep my life from becoming headline news, but we all have needs.” Her eyes lowered and she ran her hand along the edge of the table.

  “And I showed up and spoiled your plans,” Mary said almost willing Katherine to look at her.

  Katherine shook her head from side to side. “I’m here because I’ve been thinking about this woman and I can’t get her out of my mind. She’s beautiful, funny and great company, but she’s straight.”

  “I’m sorry, Katherine,” Mary said showing her sympathy, but also disappointed to hear that Katherine was interested in someone else.

  “Imagine my surprise when I saw her sitting across the bar from me?” Katherine smirked looking at Mary.

  Mary touched her chest. “Me?”

  “Yes, you, Mary.” Her hand came back to Mary again. “I like you.”

  “I thought you didn’t want to be my friend because you knew,” she lowered her voice, “that I liked you.” Mary didn’t have the courage to tell Katherine that her feelings for her had been growing each time they spent time together.

  “I didn’t know you were gay, Mary. Thomas really didn’t think it was a good idea for us to spend time together.” Katherine looked at Mary. “Are you sure he doesn’t have feelings for you? It would explain why he didn’t want me around you.” Mary’s jaw droppe
d.

  “Why would he have encouraged me to come to this place? Mary finally asked.

  “Maybe he was just biding his time until you realized that he was the right one for you.”

  “Why do men always assume that gay women are just going through a phase and eventually we will come to our senses?” Mary asked shaking her head.

  “Because their egos can’t handle that we are perfectly fine without a man in our life.” Mary nodded at Katherine’s statement. “I’d like to date you, Mary. Is that something you would be interested in doing?”

  Before Mary could respond, she heard her name and looked up. “Sandy?”

  The woman moved closer. “It’s me, Mary.” They looked at each other as if there was no one else in the room.

  Mary slid out of the booth and took Sandy into her arms. “I can’t believe you are here. Please sit down.” Mary slid back into the booth and Sandy took the seat next to her. They kept looking at each other until Katherine cleared her throat. “Oh, I’m so sorry. “Sandy, this is Katherine. Sandy and I went to business school together.”

  Katherine eyed the woman as Sandy extended her hand. She knew instantly that these two had been more than classmates. “It’s nice to meet you, Sandy.”

  “You too.” Sandy’s attention again was drawn to Mary. “Are you living here?”

  “Yes for the last several months.”

  “I’m glad you finally made it here,” Sandy said touching Mary’s leg under the table.

  A group of women walked into the restaurant and walked over to the booth. “Hey, Sandy,” one woman said eyeing them. “Our table is ready.”

  Sandy pulled a piece of paper and pen from her purse. “Here is my number. Call me so we can get together to catch up.” She hugged Mary again and walked away with her friends.

  “Are you okay?” Katherine asked looking at Mary’s stunned face.

  “I haven’t seen her in ten years. I never thought I’d see her again.”

  “She an ex?” Katherine asked already knowing the answer.

  Mary nodded. “Yes, and my first love.”