Never Let Me Go Read online

  “We’ve been together all day,” Mary said giggling.

  “Yes, but I had to pretend that you meant nothing to me.” Katherine kissed her again.

  “I love the flowers, but more so, I love your note.” Mary tapped Katherine’s chest. “You told me you weren’t a romantic.”

  “I wasn’t until you came into my life.”

  “Keep that up and I may just make you marry me.”

  Katherine looked Mary in the eye. “I would marry you today if we could. Please know that, Mary.”

  “I do. What do I say if Thomas happens to see my roses?”

  “What would Thomas be doing in your room?” Katherine asked leading Mary into her room.

  “I don’t know, but suppose he shows up?”

  “Tell him your girlfriend sent them to you.”

  “It’s not a lie.” Mary worried that he might ask who the girlfriend was. She was a terrible liar and Thomas would know immediately.

  Katherine was now leading Mary over to the bed. “We’ve got at least three hours before the cocktail party. Do you think we can find something to keep ourselves busy?”

  “Three hours isn’t enough for what I plan on doing to you,” Mary said as she flopped back onto the bed.

  “I like the way you think, woman.”

  *

  “The phones ringing in my room,” Mary said sitting up.

  “You know that has to be Thomas. He’ll be calling here next. Just relax.” Sure enough, Katherine’s phone rang. “Hello.”

  “Hi, Kate. Have you seen Mary today?” Thomas asked quickly.

  “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for asking.” Katherine rolled her eyes at Mary.

  “Sorry, Kate. I was just worried about Mary.”

  “Mary and I flew in together. Of course, I saw her.”

  “No one answered in her room.”

  “She probably is in the shower or tub. Would you leave the poor woman alone to get dressed?”

  “Oh, yeah. You probably are right. I guess I’ll see you downstairs later.”

  “Goodbye, Thomas.” Katherine hung up the phone and turned on her side. “He is so protective of you.” She kissed Mary’s nose.

  “I should be getting ready,” she said pulling away from Katherine. If they started kissing again they would never make it to the cocktail party. “See you in forty minutes.” Mary picked up her clothes and walked through the door to her room. She turned to look at Katherine who was still lying there watching her. “You better get up, Kate.”

  “I will. I just didn’t want to miss the show,” she said pointing at a naked Mary holding her clothes.

  “You are insatiable,” she said laughing before she disappeared.

  “You make me that way,” Katherine shouted as she got out of the bed.

  Katherine was still playing with her hair when Mary walked through the door. She looked at her in the reflection of the mirror. “You look wonderful, honey.”

  “Thanks. You don’t look half bad yourself,” she said with a wink.

  They both had on cocktail dresses that came to just above the knee. Katherine’s was very conservative whereas Mary’s neck was in a V that ended between her breasts. “I’m going to have a hard time keeping my eyes off your chest.”

  “Well, try hard because we don’t need you gawking in front of everyone.”

  “I’ll try,” Katherine whispered in Mary’s ear before she kissed her softly. “But it’s going to be very hard.”

  The two women walked into the cocktail party together. Thomas immediately approached them. “Ladies. You both look beautiful.” Thomas’ eyes went to Mary’s cleavage. “Beautiful,” he said again. As someone called his name he turned.

  “See I’m not the only one who is going to have a hard time with your scrumptious breasts,” Katherine whispered in Mary’s ear.

  “Let’s get a drink,” Mary said already walking toward the bar. She had just taken one sip when Thomas pulled her away from Katherine.

  “Senator Stevens would like to stop in and see me the next time he is in DC. Senator, this is my assistant Mary Rogers. She’ll call your office to set up the appointment.” Mary pulled out her pad from her purse and wrote down the information.

  “Thomas, let the poor girl enjoy herself,” a voice said from behind them.

  When they turned, Helen Clayton was standing behind them. “Mrs. Clayton, it’s so good to see you again. Thank you for getting me involved in this great cause.”

  “I thank you for everything you have done for the children.” Helen looked at Mary. “Helen Clayton,” she said extending her hand to Mary.

  “Mary Rogers.” She took her hand. “It is such a pleasure meeting you.”

  “Where is Congresswoman Willow?” Helen now asked.

  “Right here, Mrs. Clayton.” Katherine shook the woman’s hand.

  “Please, all of you call me Helen.” She now looked at the three of them and could tell instantly that they were all good friends. “Looks like I picked the right team for this project,” she said with a knowing smile.

  “Bob should be here tomorrow for the dinner. He’d like to speak with both of you if you can find the time.”

  “Whenever he likes, Helen,” Thomas said smiling. “We will make ourselves available. Right, Kate?”

  “Of course,” Katherine answered.

  “I guess I should be mingling.” Helen walked away from them.

  “Wow. I can’t believe I’ve met the next First Lady,” Mary said smiling. “She’s so nice.”

  “Tom, what do you think Robert Clayton wants to talk to us about?” Katherine asked.

  “It’s probably just to be on some committee,” he said with a shrug.

  “I’m starving,” Mary said to Katherine.

  “Then we shall feed you. There’s some food over there. Tom, go mingle.” Katherine pushed Thomas off in a different direction. “You look so beautiful and no one would know that you don’t do this every day.”

  “I think you might be a little bit prejudiced,” Mary said giggling. Their eyes drifted together and Katherine’s hand went to Mary’s back while she continued to guide her to the table of food.

  After two hours, they watched Helen Clayton leave the party. “Can we leave now that the hostess has left?” Mary asked aching to take her heels off.

  “Sure.” Katherine looked around for Thomas. He approached them. “We’re going to get out of here.”

  “Are you sure?” Thomas asked looking at Mary.

  “Yes. My feet are killing me from standing.”

  “Do you want to meet later for a bite to eat?”

  “Thank you, Thomas, but I am just going to crawl into bed for the night.” With Katherine that is. “If you need anything tomorrow, just let me know,” Mary said with a quick hug.

  “You want to go for something to eat, Kate?”

  “No thanks, Tom. Mary has the right idea about crawling into bed.” It took all her strength not to smile as the words left her mouth.

  “You two are like old ladies.”

  “I’m sure there are plenty of women or men that you can play with, Tom,” Katherine said touching Thomas’ shoulder. “Go play,” she said pushing him toward the people that were left.

  Katherine and Mary walked to the elevator. “Persistent, bugger. Isn’t he?” Katherine asked laughing. Mary nodded and took Katherine’s hand in the elevator. Mary was now gazing into Katherine’s eyes. “Hold that thought, honey. There may be cameras in the car.” Mary dropped Katherine’s hand as the door opened. “Your place or mine?”

  “Mine,” Mary answered. “We don’t want the maid to see that my bed wasn’t used.”

  “Good point. I’ll see you in a few minutes.” They went into their respective rooms. Katherine hung up her dress and heard the shower running in Mary’s room. She quickly stripped and followed the sound. “May I come in?” she asked at the shower door. Mary opened the door and held out her arms.

  The water began to cool down before they f
inished loving each other.

  Mary’s phone rang at ten o’clock. “Hello,” she said answering the phone.

  “Hi, Mary. Do you want to have breakfast with me?” Thomas asked.

  “Did you call Katherine too?” Mary asked looking over at her lover who was still sleeping.

  “No. I called you first.”

  “I’ll call Katherine and meet you downstairs in an hour.”

  “Okay. See you then,” he said before hanging up.

  Mary kissed the back of Katherine’s neck. She groaned and turned over. “We’ve been summoned to breakfast.”

  “Thomas?”

  “Yes. I told him we’d meet him downstairs in an hour.”

  “Why didn’t you tell him no?” Katherine asked closing her eyes again.

  “Would you rather him come up here and find us together?” Mary asked poking Katherine in the side.

  “Good point.” Katherine yawned. “I’m coming back here after breakfast.” Her hand slid down Mary’s chest.

  “We both need to get some sleep. If we’re together, that will never happen.”

  “Suppose I promise to be good?”

  “You are good and that’s what I’m afraid of.” Mary climbed out of bed and picked up her clothes from the night before.

  “You are no fun,” Katherine said sliding out of the bed.

  Mary cupped Katherine’s face. “We will talk about this later.” Katherine grinned. “I said we would talk about it,” Mary said shaking her head. “Go get ready.”

  Thomas was waiting for them in the café. “For two women who went to bed early, you look terrible.”

  “Gee, thanks, Tom,” Katherine said taking her seat.

  Thomas eyed them suspiciously. “There was a party downstairs from our rooms. I don’t know about Kate, but I had a hard time getting to sleep.”

  “Me too,” she said looking at the menu without meeting Mary’s eyes. She knew if she did, she would burst out laughing.

  Thomas luckily changed the subject. “I’m still wondering what Clayton wants to talk to us about.”

  “Relax, Tom. He can’t fire you once he becomes President,” Katherine said patting Thomas’ hand.

  “Mary, would you like to see the sights while we are here?” Thomas asked leaning on the table.

  “I’m tired, Thomas. If I don’t get some sleep, I’ll never make it through the dinner tonight.”

  “I suppose you are going to sleep too?” Thomas asked looking at Katherine who just nodded. “What’s going on with you two?”

  “What do you mean?” Katherine asked, feigning innocence.

  Thomas mumbled something that neither woman caught. He signed the bill with his room number and left the table.

  “We are going to have to tell him soon, Kate.”

  “I know.” They got up from the table and walked toward the elevators. “Would you rather I tell him alone?”

  “No. When we tell him, we should do it together.” As the elevator brought them up to their floor Katherine was looking at Mary. “Honey, we need to get some sleep.”

  “I know.”

  Inside their respective rooms, both women changed into sleepwear. Mary slipped under the newly made up bed, but felt someone standing there. “Are you really going to make me sleep alone?” Katherine asked standing there with a sad look on her face.

  “Do you promise to be good?” Mary asked giggling.

  “I’m always good.”

  Mary lifted the covers so Katherine could slip into the bed. “I know you are good, but keep your hands to yourself.” Katherine snuggled against Mary’s front. “I left a wakeup call for three hours.”

  *

  The women were dressed and headed down to the ballroom where the dinner would take place. Katherine and Mary both had on conservative dresses on as they found their table. Thomas was already seated when they arrived. “Hey, you two.”

  “Thomas,” Mary said taking her seat next to him. Thomas now began to introduce the rest of the people at the table. Mary was stunned at the ease Katherine had with these strangers. She had them all laughing, but at the same time she was priming them for large donations to the evening’s cause. By the time dessert was delivered, the newly-elected President appeared at their table.

  “Katherine, I’d like to speak with you if you have a few minutes,” he said after introductions.

  “Of course.” Katherine glanced at Mary before getting up and following him to an area off the ballroom. Mrs. Clayton was waiting inside the room when they arrived. “Mrs. Clayton,” she said shaking her hand.

  “Hello, Katherine. Please have a seat.”

  “The reason I wanted to talk to you was about a cabinet position,” Robert Clayton said smiling. “I’d like you to be Secretary of Agriculture.” Katherine sat quietly listening to his proposal. “We believe you would do a wonderful job.”

  “I’m very flattered that you’ve asked me.”

  “Don’t say no,” Helen Clayton began. She turned to her husband. “Honey, why don’t you go speak with Thomas and I’ll finish with Katherine.” He nodded and left the room. “My husband and I believe you really will do a great job.”

  “Thank you, but I should tell you…” Katherine swallowed trying to get the words out.

  “You want to tell me that you’re gay,” Mrs. Clayton stated to Katherine’s surprise. “It doesn’t matter to Bob and myself. This is an appointed position so you are better off than someone finding out and you lose your reelection.”

  “But won’t this cause a problem for both of you?” Katherine finally asked.

  “What problem? Bob and I believe in equality for everyone. Not just straight people.”

  “Thank you, but I would like to take the night to think about it.”

  “I understand. You want to discuss it with your partner first.” Katherine nodded. “She is a very lovely woman.”

  “Who?” Katherine asked with a deep swallow.

  “Mary. I can see the love you two have for each other. When you thought no one was looking, both your eyes give you away. You won’t be able to keep this secret too long.”

  “You’re right.”

  “I think you should tell Thomas very soon.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He looks at Mary the same way you do. Does he know she is a lesbian?”

  “Yes. They’ve been friends since the third grade,” Katherine explained.

  “Well, obviously it hasn’t sank in with him. You should tell him before he finds out on his own.”

  “Mary and I were just discussing that earlier today.”

  “Good.” Mrs. Clayton stood up. “Go talk to your gal and let us know tomorrow.” She handed Katherine a business card.

  “Thank you for the opportunity, Mrs. Clayton. I really do appreciate it.”

  When Katherine came back to the table, Mary was surrounded by several men. Their intentions were obvious as they each tried to get Mary’s attention.

  “Pardon me, gentlemen, but Ms. Rogers has been summoned by her employer,” Katherine explained.

  Mary stood up. “Good night. It was nice to meet you all.”

  Katherine led Mary off to the lobby. “Can’t leave you alone for ten minutes, can I?” she asked laughing.

  “The moment you and Thomas left, I was surrounded. I kept trying to get rid of them, but they wouldn’t take the hint,” Mary explained.

  Katherine leaned closer. “I don’t blame them. They wanted to know the most beautiful woman in the room.”

  “That’s only because you had left the room,” Mary said inside the elevator. “So what did the President want?”

  “I’ll tell you upstairs.” They walked into Mary’s room and Katherine went to the telephone. “Thomas Kelly’s room, please.” Katherine listened the phone ring. “Tom, come up to Room 560 when you get this message.”

  “What’s going on?” Mary asked wondering why Katherine would invite Thomas to her room.

  “The President a
sked me to be the Secretary of Agriculture. I’m sure he is offering Tom a similar position.”

  “That’s wonderful, Kate.” Mary put her arm around her. “I’m so happy for you.”

  “I didn’t accept.”

  “You didn’t?”

  “No, Mrs. Clayton knew I wanted to discuss it with you first.”

  “Me?” Mary asked pointing at herself. “Why would she say that?”

  “Because she knows we’re lovers.” Mary’s eyes opened wide. “We’re not as good at hiding our feelings as we thought we were.” Mary sat down on the bed. “She could also see that Thomas is in love with you.” Mary began to rub her temples. “That’s why I asked him up here. We have to tell him.”

  “I agree, but…”

  Katherine sat down next to Mary and wrapped her arm around her. “It will be okay. I know this is going to break his heart, but we have to tell him before he finds out from someone else.” She smiled and kissed Mary’s mouth gently. “Who knew we’d have the same taste in women?” This at least got Mary to laugh.

  The phone rang and Katherine picked up the phone. “Hello.”

  “Kate? What are you doing in Mary’s room?”

  “I’m waiting for you to come up. Did you go to your room yet?”

  “No. I just left the President.”

  “Come up to Room 560.” Katherine put the phone down. “He is on his way.” When Katherine turned around, Mary was remaking the bed and straightening up the room. “Relax, Mary.”

  “I can’t. I’m so nervous.”

  Katherine went over to the mini bar and pulled out a couple of bottles. “Here take a drink,” she said handing her the glass.

  “I hate hard liquor,” she said, but took the glass and took a drink. The knock on the door brought fear to Mary’s face.

  “Hi, Tom. Please come in.”

  Thomas came into the room with his shoulders up. He was feeling proud and happy. “You are looking at the new Secretary of Labor. What are you?” he asked Katherine.

  “I’ve been offered the Secretary of Agriculture.”

  “What do you mean offered? Didn’t you accept?” Thomas said not understanding.

  Katherine handed him a glass of scotch. “I told him I’d like to think about it.”

  “What’s to think about?” Thomas looked from Katherine to Mary who had taken a seat on the edge of the bed.