Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    The Wedding That Didn't Happen, Finding Love After 27 Years
    The Wedding That Didn't Happen, Finding Love After 27 Years
    The Wedding That Didn't Happen, Finding Love After 27 Years
    Ebook584 pages9 hours

    The Wedding That Didn't Happen, Finding Love After 27 Years

    By B.L Wilson

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Cassandra Johnson and Ramona Wright lived together as college roommates and lovers until Ramona grew nervous about her sexual orientation and deserted Cassandra for a life of loving men.

    Flash forward twenty-seven years...

    Ramona’s daughter announces that she has met the man of her dreams and his mother is none other than Dr. Cassandra Johnson. Cassandra offers the use of her estate home to hold the wedding, but Ramona has another problem...she has Stage Two breast cancer and is seeking Cassandra’s help.

    Other issues arise as the wedding plans get pushed aside, including Ramona’s and Cassandra’s rethinking of their life choices. Will love win out in the end, or will lives be irrevocably ruined in The Wedding That Didn’t Happen?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherB.L Wilson
    Release dateMar 2, 2017
    ISBN9781370630875
    The Wedding That Didn't Happen, Finding Love After 27 Years
    Author

    B.L Wilson

    B.L. has always been in love with books and the words in them. She never thought she could create something with the words she knew. When she read ‘To Kill A Mocking Bird,’ she realized everyday experiences could be written about in a powerful, memorable way. She wasn’t quite sure what to do with that knowledge so she kept on reading.Walter Mosley’s short stories about Easy Rawlins and his friends encouraged BL to start writing in earnest. She felt she had a story to tell...maybe several of them. She’d always kept a diary of some sort, scraps of paper, pocketsize, notepads, blank backs of agency forms, or in the margins of books. It was her habit to make these little notes to herself. She thought someday she’d make them into a book.She wrote a workplace memoir based on the people she met during her 20 years as a property manager of city-owned buildings. Writing the memoir, led her to consider writing books that were not job-related. Once again, she did...producing romance novels with African American lesbians as main characters. She wrote the novels because she couldn’t find stories that matched who she wanted to read about ...over forty, African American and female.

    Read more from B.L Wilson

    Related authors

    Related to The Wedding That Didn't Happen, Finding Love After 27 Years

    Related ebooks

    Lesbian Fiction For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Screen Queens

      Apr 6, 2021

      Screen Queens
      3 min read

    • Article

      A Love Letter To My Queer Female Friends

      Apr 25, 2021

      I’m a sociable person. I have huge amounts of love for the people in my life; the ones I’ve known forever, the ones I’ve met this year, the ones I turn to for advice, the ones who lead me astray. The list goes on. Before corona (BC), it wasn’t unusua

      4 min read

    • Article

      Women Of The Year

      Apr 6, 2021

      Women Of The Year
      23 min read

    • Article

      Stop Telling “Straight” Girls Not To Kiss Each Other

      Oct 28, 2022

      Picture this: you’ve just taken a bite out of the most delicious apple, one that you’ve admired for quite some time, just for someone to slap it out of your hand and tell you that you can’t eat it. “What the hell are you doing? You’re supposed to lik

      2 min read

    • Article

      Dating Over

      Oct 29, 2021

      Dating Over
      3 min read

    • Article

      My Secret Sex Diary

      Feb 25, 2022

      My Secret Sex Diary
      2 min read

    • Article

      DON WE NOW OUR Gay APPAREL

      Nov 19, 2020

      DON WE NOW OUR Gay APPAREL
      9 min read

    • Article

      Don’t Mess With Texas.

      Jul 17, 2018

      One of the longest running LGBT film festivals has changed names for its 31st birthday. The Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival is now officially the All Genders, Lifestyles, and Identities Film Festival. Festival director Jim Brunzell s

      1 min read

    • Article

      Generation Q With The T?

      Feb 21, 2020

      I loved The L Word so much. From 2004 to 2009 the gloriously soapy drama followed the lives of a group of aspirational gay and bi women living in LA. To see queer women doing anything on television was ground breaking in itself, but over those six se

      5 min read

    • Article

      Your Shout

      Feb 21, 2020

      Hi, my name is Claire, and in 2005 I met my wife through your magazine. We have been together 16 years and married for six years. My wife lives on the Isle of Man and I moved from Spalding in Lincolnshire in 2007 to be with her. I just wanted to say

      2 min read

    • Article

      Out On The Court

      Sep 11, 2018

      Out On The Court
      3 min read

    • Article

      The B Word

      Jan 27, 2023

      The B Word
      3 min read

    • Article

      The Rise Of Rosanny

      Oct 1, 2021

      The Rise Of Rosanny
      8 min read

    • Article

      ‘I’ve Made a Huge Mistake’

      Aug 18, 2022

      Cat Cattinson, 31 Stomping around the house in my dad’s boots, I pulled at my mum’s trouser leg. ‘Can I be a boy when I grow up?’ I asked. It was 1996 and, aged 5, I didn’t feel like other girls I knew. I liked to dress up in my dad’s clothes, preten

      4 min read

    • Article

      2020 “I Do Not Recommen” The Year That Changed Everything

      Nov 19, 2020

      It was an extraordinary year by all accounts. By late March of 2020, memes and sentiments flooded social media. It was the year folks wanted to forget or jump past to 2021 for a fresh start as health and economic concerns bore down. Through the pande

      14 min read

    • Article

      Lez Get Visible

      Apr 20, 2020

      Lez Get Visible
      7 min read

    • Article

      Putting The “Ick” In Sapphic

      Mar 25, 2022

      Scroll through Twitter or TikTok, and you’ll see people talking about what gives them the “ick”: a gut feeling of disgust that turns you off potential dates. It’s the complete opposite of that delicious spark you get when you’re really into someone –

      3 min read

    • Article

      Six Dart Out

      Sep 10, 2023

      Marc figured the girl was a vegan. Her puke had overflowed the sink and run onto the floor—tomatoes and rice marinated in microbrew lager. He’d told Vegan Girl to slow down, but her friends had won the turning-21-peer-pressure battle. Admittedly, Mar

      9 min read

    • Article

      Just Friends

      Nov 2, 2020

      What about Seb?” Cressida Wright’s best friend Lauren lowered her sunglasses as she posed the question, taking a pointed look across the sun loungers and out towards the pool where Sebastian Brown swam. Lauren and Cressida had been talking about Cres

      5 min read

    • Article

      Candid Candace

      Sep 8, 2019

      Candid Candace
      7 min read

    • Article

      Where the HEART IS

      Dec 20, 2022

      Where the HEART IS
      4 min read

    • Article

      Tikkun Olam

      Jun 10, 2022

      The lawyer’s phone call was one she’d been expecting—dreading really—for the past two years. What surprised her was that Deshaun wanted to see her again. Why? “I have no idea,” the public defender said. “You’re the only one he asked for.” Roz debated

      25 min read

    • Article

      Mrs. Robinson

      Dec 10, 2022

      “Do you think she will like me?” The question slipped from between my lips and hung suspended in the air. My gloved hands were in my lap, and I was wringing them. As the carriage conveyed us and we neared my new husband’s ancestral home, Ashby Hall,

      20 min read

    • Article

      La Bohème

      Mar 1, 2022

      ON A SATURDAY or Sunday afternoon in the cold early months of 1988, I sat alone at a table for two in a Greenwich Village diner, twenty-four years old, hopelessly young, my notebook open in front of me. At the table next to mine were three people, al

      13 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for The Wedding That Didn't Happen, Finding Love After 27 Years

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      The Wedding That Didn't Happen, Finding Love After 27 Years - B.L Wilson

      CHAPTER ONE

      Dr. Cassandra Johnson had her back turned away from the door. She was looking out the large picture window when she heard someone stride into her den. She continued to study the bright spring morning even after she heard the click of heels on her rug-covered oak floors. She liked the click, then the soft treading, then the click as Ramona Howard walked on the polished wood floors, then the large Persian rugs scattered throughout the den. It made a nice sound: hard click, then soft walking; hard and then soft. She didn’t look around when Ramona’s scent wafted into the room and played havoc with her memories. Strong vanilla mixed with coconut hung in the air, tickling her nose, but still she didn’t turn around to greet the intruder.

      Ramona stopped walking when she reached the large antique desk in the middle of the room. She ran a finger around the edge of the dark wood. The silky wood felt good against her fingertips and she kept stroking it as she studied the sturdy but stiff back of the woman she’d known so well. She cleared her throat twice, but Cassandra ignored her to study whatever was going on outside the large picture window. She cleared her throat louder and longer this time.

      I heard you the first time, Mona. Cassandra inhaled, getting a nostril full of old memories via the coconut and vanilla scent permeating the room and her mind. Mona smelled good, she thought but didn’t express aloud. This marriage can’t happen. She watched a young couple holding hands as they walked around the grounds together, oblivious to everything but each other. The young man, tall and sturdy looking, a milk-chocolate complexion with a short neat afro, tugged on his partner’s hand to stop their journey so he could kiss her deeply. His partner was shorter than he was. She was the color of nicely browned toast and had frizzy shoulder-length red-brown hair fixed in a bun that had come loose. Damp curly, crinkly strands framed her face.

      Damn you, Mona. How could you let this shit happen?

      Ramona sighed. First, of all, I wasn’t there when the ‘shit’ happened, as you so quaintly put it. Second, I didn’t know whom she was marrying. Until today, it never occurred to me to ask for a family pedigree. I mean ‘Johnson’ is a common name, Cassie. Why would I associate the boy’s last name with you? That wasn’t exactly true. Of course she’d looked up her baby girl’s intended in-laws on the internet. She’d recognized Cassandra immediately. She’d hoped the past would remain in the past. That old wounds had healed and they could move on to accept a bright future.

      What do you and your husband plan to do about this shit? You realize they can’t marry, don’t you?

      Ramona groaned, then rubbed her temples. You haven’t changed a bit. You still want what you want when you want it, Cassie. It doesn’t matter who you hurt.

      Cassandra spun around quickly and then strode over to the desk to confront her former roommate. She held up a finger inches away front Ramona’s face. Number One, my name is Cassandra. Stop calling me Cassie. You lost the right to call me anything but Cassandra twenty-seven years ago. She raised a second finger. Number Two, has it occurred to you if they marry, we’ll be in-laws? That means we’ll have to see each other on family occasions. That’s not a good idea, considering what we were once upon a time. I bet your husband doesn’t even know, does he? Number Three, a sturdy finger waved in front of her, if he ever found out, I’m sure he’d divorce you. Do you want that, Mona?

      Midnight dark eyes in a toffee complexion studied the shorter, cinnamon-colored woman with the laser olive eyes standing in front of her. God, those eyes could still see into her soul, Cassandra thought as she looked into the deep, luminous pools. She suddenly remembered what it felt like to be examined by those same eyes years ago. She always felt like a tiny bug wiggling under a microscope when Ramona looked at her as she was doing right now. The guilt she felt about not being good enough or not doing something right was a leftover from her childhood.

      Olive eyes grew darker, sharper, and narrower as Ramona’s anger built. She slapped at the hand waving three fingers in front of her. Stop it, Cassandra! Put your hand down. She sucked in a deep breath, then exhaled, pulling the expensive fitted suit jacket tight across her ample chest. You’re absolutely correct. I won’t call you Cassie again. I’m sorry it slipped out when I saw you. It won’t happen again. As to what my husband knows or doesn’t, that’s my business and I intend to handle it my way.

      Cassandra folded her arms across a sturdy, stubborn chest. Yeah, I can just imagine how you’ll tell him about me. ‘Eddie, this is the woman who forced me to do things I never wanted to do when I was a kid.’ Perhaps you’ll describe how you were away from home for the first time. You were finding yourself and decided to experiment with the wild side of your libido. It went too far for you to stop. Then you came to your senses and dumped your roommate like a sack of dirty diapers.

      Ramona’s eyes narrowed further as she studied the woman she hadn’t seen in twenty-seven years. The years had been kind to her. Except for the few curly strands of gray hair at her temples, Cassandra had kept the tall, sturdy build; the flat stomach, solid chest, and muscular hips she loved to stroke when they were naked in bed or in the shower. The casual blue jeans, T-shirt, and the gray sweater she wore today showed off her figure perfectly. You haven’t changed much. You’re still the wary, practical woman I knew in college, aren’t you, Cassandra?

      Arms still crossed over her chest, Cassandra shrugged. I don’t know what you mean by that, Mona.

      Ramona sighed, then began to play with the edges of the desk until she spotted what Cassandra was looking at when she walked into the room. She moved over to the two white-trimmed and outsized picture windows to watch her daughter and Cassandra’s son kiss each other deeply. They walked over to a handmade swing made of two strong-looking ropes knotted through a flat wooden seat and attached to the lower limb of an old elm.

      Daniel picked up Jessica in his arms, swung her around as she squealed, and then he set her gently down on the swing. He placed her hands on the two ropes attached to the swing and gave the swing a hard push. She giggled and cried out, Higher, Danny, push me higher.

      He laughed, then said, You have to pump your legs harder, Silly. That’s what makes the thing go higher.

      What I meant is look at them, Cassandra. They look so happy together. How can you expect me or my husband to break that up?

      Cassandra strode over to join Ramona at the window, watching the couple. Damn it, Mona! You knew, didn’t you?

      Ramona sighed, then rubbed her hands together for warmth as she watched her daughter laugh with her fiancé. She was about to tell a white lie or maybe it was a black one. Why were little lies white? Why couldn’t they be black? she wondered. When I first met Danny, he did remind me of someone familiar, but I couldn’t place his face. I thought he just had one of those generic faces. Until I saw you at the door behind your butler, I didn’t associate Danny with you. She turned to look at Cassandra. Who has butlers nowadays? Aren’t they expensive?

      Cassandra caught the hint of sarcasm in her voice and frowned. Humph, it’s my money. I can do with it what I want.

      Ramona looked around the room, noting the expensive rugs, the wall-to-ceiling built-in bookshelves, the huge picture windows with a panoramic view of the backyard, flowerbed, and acres of grounds. She pointed to a stately white wooden gazebo surrounded by evergreens and green grass but no flowers. That’s so lovely.

      Cassandra shrugged. I’m sure Jessie told you how they want the wedding here. I said I’d have to meet her side of the family first. At the time, I figured the mother of the bride should have a say in where her daughter got married. Now I think it’s a matter of whether your kid marries my kid.

      Ramona pointed to the couple laughing as Daniel pushed Jessica on the old swing. Look at them. They’re in love. Do you really think if you, I, or Eddie told them not to do it, they’d listen to us? She turned to study Cassandra’s annoyed face and then said softly, Don’t you remember what it was like, Cassie? How good loving somebody felt here? She patted her own chest over her heart, then rested a hand on it.

      Deciding not to look at Ramona, Cassandra shrugged again, continuing to watch the couple outside until she felt a tug on her chin, then fingertips stroked it.

      Look at me, Cassandra, please? Ramona asked softly. She studied the hurt look that flitted across Cassandra’s face for a moment before she covered it quickly with a stony mask of indifference.

      Cassandra stepped away from her tender touch. Just tell me if you agree with me on this thing, Ramona. Tell me you’ll speak with Eddie and you’ll both convince Jessica not to marry Daniel.

      Franklin cleared his throat as he stood at the door with a man behind him grinning broadly. He directed his attention to his mistress. Madam, Mr. Howard would like to invite you and Mrs. Howard to lunch at O’Leary’s Bar and Grille.

      Edward Howard elbowed Franklin out of the way to come into the room. Excuse me, Frankie, I’ll tell ‘em. Cassandra, Mona, I want to give the kid and his friends a bachelor party. I figure since you’re having the wedding here, Cassandra, the least I could do is give the kid a bachelor party. He looked his wife with a raised eyebrow. Okay, Sweetie, that’s all right, isn’t it? I mean, that’s what we agreed to do, right, Mona? He walked over to his wife and reached out to stroke her arm, then pulled her against his chest to kiss her. All right, Mona?

      After his kiss, which Mona tried to avoid by quickly turning her face away, she flushed dull burgundy, then tried to extricate herself from his tender embrace. Eddie, we made a deal, but not here in front of everyone, she hissed.

      Eddie pulled her close again, stroking her back, then her hips. He caught Cassandra’s eye and winked. What’s the matter? You don’t think dykes understand when a couple has the hots for each other? Cassandra, I bet you been with a woman you couldn’t keep your hands off, right?

      Cassandra sighed, then shoved her hands in her pockets. Yeah, more than a few times over the years, Ed. I’d imagine it must feel good when it’s still your wife after so many years of marriage.

      Eddie chuckled as he continued to stroke his wife’s hips. Ah, you do understand. I thought you might, Cassandra. You seem like a player to me.

      Ramona poked him hard in the small paunch he was developing, and he let her go. She turned to face away from her husband and her ex-roommate to straighten her clothes and then pat strands of relaxed hair back in place.

      Franklin cleared his throat as he stood at attention at the double-door archway of the den. He caught Cassandra’s attention. Will there be anything else, Madam?

      I like your Franklin, Cassandra. He’s a cool dude. Bet he costs a mint to keep in that outfit, Eddie remarked with a grin. Hey, Frankie, how about another Scotch, no rocks this time; just straight up.

      Franklin nodded slightly to acknowledge the guest’s request. Very good, Sir, I’ll have it ready for you in a minute. Madam, Mrs. Howard, what would you like to drink?

      Cassandra shook her head. Nothing for me, Franklin, thanks. Are the kids, er, Jessica and Danny having lunch with us?

      It’s a little early for me. Ramona turned around. Her feelings were under control. She studied her husband as he stood nearby and then her eyes traveled over to her former roommate. She thought how different they were. After she’d left college, left women, and left Cassandra, she met Edward Howard. He used to be so gentle with her, she thought she’d died and gone to heaven when they made love. God, how he’d changed so much over the years.

      Franklin bowed slightly. Would you like me to check with them, Madam?

      Hey, Frankie, don’t do that. It’ll spoil the surprise of the bachelor party. If he comes to lunch, we can’t talk, right, Cassandra? He wiggled an empty glass of half-melted ice cubes at the butler, then grinned. You just keep this filled. That’s all you gotta do for me long as I’m here. Is that all right with you, Cassandra?

      Cassandra eyed Eddie, suddenly realizing he was drunk or on his way to being sloshed. Yeah, sure, Eddie, anything you want to drink, you just ask Franklin. She turned to study Ramona for a moment. My home is your home, man. Just ask for it.

      Eddie walked over to one of the couches on either side of the large desk, then plopped down on it. He slapped the empty glass on a low coffee table, making the ice cubes tinkle against the hollow glass. He leaned back against the couch and closed his eyes. Whew, my head is spinning a bit. Cassandra, that’s some good Scotch you’ve got. Before we leave, you gotta give me the brand name. He opened dark twinkling eyes to study his wife, then he patted a seat next to him. Come here, Baby, come sit down next to your man. We don’t want Cassandra thinking her boy is marrying into a dysfunctional family, do we? Speaking of families, Cassandra, how does a dyke get pregnant and make a baby?

      Ramona strode over to her husband and slapped his face, then left without saying another word.

      Eddie rubbed the stubble on his reddening skin as he watched his wife march out of the room. Her hips wiggled as her muscles released, then clenched and released, continuing the process as she strode angrily from the room. Damn, she’s still got a great ass. Doesn’t she, Cassandra? he asked, watching Cassandra watch his wife’s backside disappear. Her tits ain’t too bad either! Bet you’d love to get a piece of that, wouldn’t you?

      Christ! Ed, show some manners and decency. That’s your wife you’re talking about, man! Like Eddie, Cassandra continued to watch Ramona until she was out of the room and the sound of her footsteps faded somewhere down the hallway.

      Oh, come on, Cassandra, haven’t you ever thought about breaking in a seriously straight woman? I believe you dykes call it ‘turning out’ one? I can’t satisfy the bitch anymore, so I figured you could. Eddie nervously laughed at his own joke, then ran a hand through his short brown Afro. He sighed, then looked at his broad brown hands. You have no idea what it’s like not to satisfy your wife in the bedroom. I tried dirty books, X-rated movies, cock rings, nipple clips, dildos, oral sex, no sex, too much sex, threesomes, her watching me with a partner. Nothing I did worked. God, we used to have so much fun before Jessie was born. He sighed, then sank back against the couch. Babies have a way of changing shit, don’t they?

      Cassandra put up a hand to stop his words as she drew closer to the couch. Ed, you shouldn’t be telling me all this personal stuff. I don’t want to know about it. Just save that discussion for your wife. Why don’t you go upstairs and apologize for embarrassing her? She sighed as she stood over him at the foot of the couch. In fact, let’s have lunch here today instead of going out.

      Eddie held up the empty glass. I can’t move a muscle till I get reinforcements.

      I think you’ve had enough to drink, Ed. Don’t you?

      Shit! You sound like the bitch I married. She’s always talking at me like I’m one of her kids. Telling me: Don’t do this. Don’t do that, Ed. Do it like this. No, stop and do it like that.

      Cassandra frowned at his words. Kids; did he say kids plural? Did they have more than one child? She thought, in fact, she’d swear Danny said Jessie was an only like he was. Okay, Ed. I’ll send Franklin in with the drinks, but you aren’t going anywhere until you sleep it off.

      Eyes gleaming, Eddie cackled and rubbed his hands together. I knew I could count on you.

      Cassandra groaned as she studied Ed Howard’s gleeful face, wondering how much he knew about her relationship with his wife. Mona seemed to think he knew nothing about them, but her own gut said something different. She ran a hand through short dreads, fluffing them, then smoothing them down. I’ll be back in a minute, Ed. When I see Franklin, I’ll send him in to you.

      Great.

      Cassandra strode out of the den to walk down the hallway, following the scent of vanilla and coconut, nearly bumping into Franklin and knocking over the drink on the small silver tray. Hey, I’m sorry. She righted the tray with two quick hands and then frowned at the words she was about to say. I don’t like the guy, Franklin. Add plenty of club soda in the next drink you give him. He likes liquor a little too much for me. She rubbed her chin. Damn it, I never thought she’d marry a man like him, Franklin.

      Franklin nodded, then studied her face. I understand. She called you ‘Cassie.’ I remember once you told me about a special woman who used that nickname a long time ago. It’s her, isn’t it? She’s the one you fell in love with twenty-seven years ago, isn’t she?

      Cassandra shrugged.

      Daniel doesn’t know who his future mother-in-law is, does he?

      No, he doesn’t know who she really is. I’d like to keep it that way. Anyway, it was all one-sided. Nothing really happened, Franklin, because the feeling wasn’t mutual. Cassandra sighed. Maybe the engagement will fall through or something. I mean, Danny doesn’t have the best record with women. He might do something to make Jessie angry enough to call off the wedding. She closed her eyes, then rubbed them with her palms. Do you think his woman, I mean, Jessie knows about her mother rooming with me?

      She’s too in love with our Daniel to notice much of anything. Franklin paused as he studied Cassandra’s face. But I think she knows her parents aren’t happy with each other. I suspect she may have guessed at one reason.

      So you think she knows her mother might be bisexual.

      I wouldn’t go so far as to say that, Cassie. It’s easy to see Mrs. Howard is unhappy. The reasons may take some digging. Have you thought what you might do about it?

      Cassandra frowned. Why is it my job to help her, Franklin?

      Franklin studied her face for a moment without speaking and then he spoke. Can you say with certainty you aren’t interested in helping a woman you once loved so deeply?

      No, I can’t, but it still doesn’t mean I should do it. Looking into Franklin’s determined face, Cassandra groaned. Okay, okay, you go check on the kids and Ed. I’ll check on Mom.

      Franklin smiled at her and slipped back into his role as her employee. Very good, Madam.

      Hey, Cassandra, where’s my drink? Did Franklin get lost or something? Eddie called out from the den. I’m feeling dry again.

      Franklin caught Cassandra’s eye, then pantomimed carrying the drink to Ed while pointing to the wide oak wood staircase with the cranberry runners. It’s coming, Ed. He’s finishing something for me. Franklin will be there in a minute, okay?

      Sure, sure, I just wanted to make sure he didn’t forget me. What about you, Cassandra? Come join me for a toast to our kids’ pending nuptials.

      Cassandra stepped back into the den, standing at the arched doorway without coming inside. I’m a bit tired, Ed. I believe I’ll take a nap. Make yourself at home. There are board games, an entertainment center, music, DVDs, and cable TV. You can access the internet in here too. If you like to read, you’re welcome to pull something from my personal library if you’d like.

      Eddie’s head popped up from the couch for a moment. You forgot to say how comfortable this couch is, Cassandra. I could have Franklin bring me a bottle, then I could sleep here all night.

      Cassandra shrugged. That wouldn’t be nice for your wife, Ed. I bet she’d miss your company.

      When you’ve been married as long as us, you need alone time, if you know what I mean. He stared at Cassandra for a moment, looking her up and down, then staring hard at her chest. You ever thought about men, Cassandra?

      Cassandra didn’t like where she thought he might take this conversation. He was drunk or on the way to getting there and he thought they were alone. Of course I have. I raised one and I’m friends with other men. In my practice, I compete with men all the time.

      Eddie laughed. That’s not what I meant, Cassandra, and I think you know it.

      Franklin appeared at the arched doorway, clearing his throat loudly and interrupting the awkward conversation between his employer and his employer’s potential in-law. Madam, I brought Mr. Howard’s drink. Will you be staying downstairs here in the den? Cassandra stepped aside to allow Franklin to enter the den and place the drink, coaster first, on the low table next to the couch. He removed a cell phone that was also on the serving tray and placed it near the drink. Ring me at 4357 if you need anything else, Mr. Howard, he said with a slight nod. The number automatically rings when you press zero, Sir.

      Thanks, Frankie, Eddie said, holding the drink up after he took a cooling sip. Tell your boss I love the taste of this Scotch. It’s so smooth, it goes down without a hitch.

      Cassandra took that moment to walk to the staircase and then climb twenty wide dark oak stairs to the second floor. She wondered what she’d find in one of the spare bedrooms.

      CHAPTER TWO

      Cassandra checked the three spare bedrooms in the west wing of her home first as she searched for the room Ed and Ramona Howard shared. She’d allowed Danny and Franklin to settle the couple in the bedroom of their choice when they arrived late last night. The shock of seeing an ex-roommate after twenty-seven years shoved her into a rapid tailspin. Then Danny settled Jessica into one of the bedrooms two doors away from his room. Franklin assisted the Howards by bringing their suitcases into one of the rooms, hanging their clothes neatly in the closets, and setting out their personal items in the dressers. Well, Ramona and Ed weren’t using the first room in the wing. They could be in the second or third bedroom.

      She rubbed tired eyes, thinking how much sleep she didn’t get. Over the last three nights, she camped out at South Western Hospital on call as the trauma surgery consult. What was it about the spring and summer months that brought out the crazy in people? She walked to the third room and it was empty as well. Okay, so Franklin put the Howards in the east wing where she was. She sighed as she strode down the hall and found the first door at the end of the hallway closed. Damn it, Franklin. This is too close. I don’t want to see her or him every time I need to tinkle or bathe. She cleared her throat and reached out to knock on the door.

      Hello? Mrs. Howard, are you in there? No answer, and so she tapped again. Hello, Mona, can I come in? There was still no answer. She frowned, then played with the knob, running her fingertips around it as she debated whether to go inside, invading a houseguest’s privacy without her permission.

      That was what invading meant, wasn’t it? It meant you didn’t have permission to enter a space. Was her knock on the door loud enough? Suppose Ramona was asleep or Ed had somehow snuck by her and they were doing it in there? Visiting new places sometimes revved up the old engine and restarted the pleasure machine. Her elderly patients often told her that. They claimed sex was what they missed most when their spouses or significant others died. Companionship and somebody to talk over the little things while sipping juice, eating cereal, and lingering over morning coffee was second on their list. Her fingertips rubbed the smooth surface of the crystal doorknobs she’d selected when she built the house. She loved the smooth feel of them against her hand every time she opened or closed a door. The door popped open.

      She could see the bed was unmade, the green and white striped sheets and bedcovers twisted and wrinkled from use. The pillows were piled on one side of the bed while the other side remained empty as if only one person slept on it. She spotted a plastic makeup case, deodorant and lotion, body oil, hair-conditioner on the counter of the waist-high six-drawer dressers. The wonderful, delicate glass perfume containers lined on the dresser drew her interest. She walked over to the dresser to examine them closely. She couldn’t resist picking one up and then spraying the scent into the air and inhaling it. Hey, that smells great. She grinned and sprayed another bottle into the air. Hmm, it smells nice, very nice. She put the bottles back in their place on the countertop, unaware that olive green eyes were quietly studying her from the doorway.

      I see you still like the same scents, Cassandra.

      Startled and embarrassed to be discovered playing with another woman’s personal items, Cassandra turned around, feeling a heated flush creep up her belly and end in her cheeks. She jammed her hands in her pockets, then shrugged broad shoulders as she frowned at Ramona. I couldn’t seem to resist touching something that didn’t belong to me anymore.

      Must you make everything about you or me and what did or didn’t happen twenty-seven years ago? Ramona’s body stiffened and her body language said keep messing with me and you won’t like what happens next.

      Yes, I must, because you won’t. I feel I owe you one.

      Take it out on me, Cassandra, and not our children. Let them be happy. They love each other. Give Daniel and Jessie your blessing and move on.

      Cassandra strode over to Ramona and stopped a foot away from her, staring at her with her arms crossed and anger flashing in her dark eyes. That’s incredibly easy for you to say since you did exactly that. You moved on. You left me as though I meant nothing to you. I didn’t leave you, Ramona. You left me. She turned around suddenly and walked over to the window to look out. Damn you for coming here and looking like you need a friend. Twenty-seven years and I still remember how it was with us, she muttered, leaning a forearm above the window frame as she looked down at the driveway.

      Ramona exhaled as she watched the woman, her ex-roommate from so long ago, fight the demons inside, verbalizing her feelings for a moment, then shutting down into stony silence. I always wondered how I would react if we ever saw each other again.

      Cassandra turned around to study her. Well, you’ll have an eternity to figure it out. If we let them marry, you, Ed, and I will be seeing each other on a regular basis. They’ll be inviting us for a house warming, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, birthday parties, the birth of their first child, and so on and so forth.

      Yes, I know that. Ramona read the hurt in Cassandra’s eyes and felt bad about it.

      And?

      And what?

      Christ! You know what I’m asking, so just answer how you plan to handle it. Are you going to tell Jessie and Danny or do I do it? Ed is up to you.

      Ramona studied the angry woman in front of her, then sighed. I thought we might wait for the appropriate time.

      Oh, and when would that be?

      When their children have children and being gay doesn’t matter. Of course, that’s when we should tell them, Ramona remarked, continuing to stare at Cassandra as she waited for her words to sink into Cassandra’s thick skull. One of her quiet smiles might be nice to see right now, she thought, smiling briefly.

      Cassandra noted the dimples that used to fascinate her with their depth appearing on Ramona’s cheeks for moment. Damn it! You think this is funny, don’t you? On top of everything, you’re laughing at me too.

      Ramona reached out to tilt Cassandra’s chin, but she backed away. Ramona dropped her hands to her sides, then smiled softly. Aw, come on. Don’t be mad. You have to admit you never thought you’d see me again in this life, did you?

      Christ, you haven’t changed. I bet you still like a good laugh at somebody’s expense.

      Sparkling eyes grew darker and Ramona shivered, then hugged herself. I haven’t had much to laugh about lately. That’s why I wanted this wedding to be wonderful for Jessie with a fairytale ending.

      Why?

      Ramona studied Cassandra’s annoyed face for a moment. Then she scanned the room, paying special attention to the door. Is there somewhere we can talk privately, Cassandra?

      Cassandra groaned, then ran a hand through short dreadlocks, not wanting to be alone with an ex-roommate, especially not this one.

      Hey, don’t worry. I’m housebroken and I promise not to bite you or make a mess on your gorgeous rugs. Ramona’s eyes darted around the room, then returned to Cassandra’s face. You always said you wanted a house like this. It looks like you got exactly what you dreamed of years ago.

      Did I? Is that all I said or is that all you heard, Ramona? Cassandra’s face wrinkled in disgust as she glared at Ramona. As I recall, you had selective hearing when we shared the same apartment, especially when it came to housecleaning.

      Humph, like you didn’t ignore me when I told you to do something. Anything you didn’t like, you weren’t doing. I remember how you hated going to those ‘meet and greet’ dinners with me.

      I might have liked them better if you’d told people who I was.

      Well, you were my roommate. What did you want me to say to them?

      Damn it! That’s what I mean. Cassandra looked at Ramona and frowned. How do you do that? She shoved her hands into her pockets. Is that something they teach you at the academy for principals?

      Is what something they taught me?

      Cassandra pressed into her tired eye sockets with her palms. Change the subject before I go crazy, okay?

      Ramona giggled. Some things never change, do they? You’re still impatient, huh? She smiled at Cassandra’s angry but predictable glare. All right, here’s a change in topic. While you were sleeping, I looked around the house, but all I saw were pictures of you and Danny. I’m surprised there aren’t pictures of a Mrs. Johnson. I can’t believe you don’t date. You weren’t shy about your prior sexual history when we were roommates. I can’t believe you’ve become a middle-aged monk. Where are the pictures of your woman or women?

      Cassandra shrugged. Jesus Christ, the woman was trying to get into her personal business already. It hadn’t been twenty-four hours and the witch was snooping through her stuff. Well, she’d just ignore the nosy little inquiry. You asked for privacy, so how about you follow me? I keep an office downstairs. She headed for the door and the wide oak staircase before she felt a cold hand tugging at her arm and stopping her journey.

      No, wait a minute, Cassandra. Is there a back way down there? I’d prefer it if nobody knew about this.

      Cassandra stopped, then turned around to face Ramona, covering the hand on her arm with a broad warm hand, then absently rubbing across her knuckles until warmth returned. Your hand feels cold. Are you cold? I can turn the heat up if you like or you can borrow a sweater.

      Ramona looked down at the large hand lying on top of her hand and smiled. Ah ha, at last.

      Cassandra frowned but kept her hand where it was. What? At last, what?

      You’re speaking to me, recognizing me as a fellow human being.

      Cassandra grunted but stubbornly refused to remove her hand. You always did say the oddest things. I never knew what would come out of your mouth next.

      But you always looked forward to finding out, didn’t you? Ramona watched Cassandra shrug just as she knew she would. Some things were so predictable; night following day; minutes turning into hours; and after dreary winter days always came wonderful spring mornings. Cassandra Johnson was one of them too.

      Okay, okay, you got me there. You fascinated me back then. You said and did things I’d never think of doing. Cassandra sighed. You still didn’t answer my question. Turn the heat up or borrow a sweater. These old houses don’t keep heat in their walls so well. It can get pretty drafty in here at night.

      Ramona pulled her hand away from Cassandra’s comforting grasp. I’m fine. Take me to your office. I need you to do something medical for me.

      Cassandra nodded. As I said before, follow me. But give me a minute to clean up, she remarked over a shoulder, then strode down the long hallway to the end of it, eating up the length in several rapid strides and leaving Ramona struggling to keep up. She took the stairs two at a time. At the bottom, she made a left, then strode ten steps to a white framed steel door painted to blend into the off-white walls.

      Except for the standout brass lock above the brass doorknob, Ramona would not have found the closed door that looked embedded into the wall on the first floor. She frowned, looking around the hallway as she tried to figure out where she was in Cassandra’s home. She’d need one of those you-are-here shopping mall maps with the bright orange arrows to find this office again. She sucked in a deep breath before she reached out to tap the closed door at the same time the door popped open, then exhaled. She stumbled over the door saddle. She almost fell into the office waiting area except for Cassandra’s quick thinking and her strong arms.

      Oops. I got you, Cassandra muttered. She dropped her hands quickly from Ramona’s waist once she regained her balance. She backed away to stretch her arms out wide to include seven comfortable-looking chairs in bright colors of green, yellow, red, and blue. This is my waiting room. Children’s paintings and drawings hung on three of the walls and behind the reception desk. Two large, colorful hand-sewn, quilt-like murals covered most of the third wall. One was a sci-fi fantasy landscape with plenty of spaceships and odd-looking green and purple people. The other mural was geometric shapes in muted colors of the rainbow. Follow me to my office, Cassandra invited, walking ahead, then stopping once she realized Ramona wasn’t following her. She backtracked to find her.

      Ramona frowned as she looked around the office. She picked up several magazines and comic books geared to children, looked at the titles, then returned them to their places on purple end tables and a bright orange and red magazine rack. I’d swear Danny said you practiced, ah, let me think a minute. He said something about trauma medicine, but this office looks like it was made for children.

      It was and I did practice pediatrics. Cassandra watched Ramona as she walked around the waiting area touching things, lingering to look at the murals, then sitting down in one of the chairs along one wall next to the door.

      Could we sit here and talk? Ramona sighed, then leaned back until her head touched the wall. She closed her eyes. I’ve been in too many different doctors’ offices lately. I don’t think I could do another one right now, even if the doctor in question was you.

      Cassandra frowned and then walked over to sit down next to her. She studied Ramona’s face, seeing dark circles under her eyes for the first time. She reached over to turn one of the hands in Ramona’s lap palms up to press into her wrist. Be quiet for a minute, okay? She glanced at her watch as she took Ramona’s pulse. It was rapid, but that didn’t mean anything. Stay here. I’ll be back in a minute, she ordered, rising from the chair to head into her office. When she came out of the office, she carried a bright lime green and florescent orange polka dot briefcase that resembled a clown’s small suitcase. She wore a deep purple stethoscope with royal blue tubes attached to fire engine red earpieces wrapped around her neck.

      Hearing footsteps drawing closer, Ramona opened her eyes. They widened when she spotted the vivid contrast between Cassandra’s serious demeanor and the clown-like attachments she’d added to her appearance. She snorted as soon Cassandra drew near. The snort turned into a giggle behind her hands. The giggle turned into a long, loud, full-fledged belly laugh until she thought she’d pee in her panties. Meanwhile, Cassandra rubbed the back of her neck and patiently waited until Ramona finished having fun at her expense once again. She moved closer to Ramona and then sat down next to her. Okay, so I did something that touched your funny bone. Perhaps you’ll tell me or maybe you won’t. Right now, I could give two cents about it. I want to listen to your heart and then your lungs. Is that okay with you?

      Ramona dug a tissue out of the pocket of her navy blue fitted suit and dabbed at her eyes. God, I haven’t had a doctor make me laugh in quite some time. Thank you. She eyed Cassandra as she loomed over her. Tell me what I need to do.

      Cassandra nodded as she noted the mandarin collar on Ramona’s navy jacket. She wondered if Ramona wore a teddy or a slip underneath it. Open your jacket so I can listen to your lungs and your heart. She sighed. This would be so much easier with you on my examining table in a proper gown.

      It would be easier for whom, Dr. Johnson? You or me? I’m voting for you, quite frankly, because it’d be hell for me right now.

      Cassandra raised her hands in surrender. Okay, okay, you win. Unbutton your jacket. Should I hide my eyes or assume you’re wearing a teddy under that outfit?

      Ramona groaned. Your bedside manner sucks, Doc. Of course I’m wearing something under this. She began unfastening the first two buttons and stopped to play with the third one, catching Cassandra’s eye and then winking. I mean, I think I’m wearing something under my jacket.

      Christ! So just stop at the third one, okay? Sit up straight. Then lean back against the chair for me. Cassandra watched her unbutton the third button to reveal a matching navy lacy teddy. Those are nice undergarments, she thought. Bet it’s difficult to find an exact match like that. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen matching silk undergarments on a patient. She assumed Ramona’s panties and bra probably matched the navy teddy. She leaned in and pressed the stethoscope against Ramona’s chest. Don’t talk. Just breathe nice and easy for me.

      Yes, Dr. Johnson. Ramona felt nervous about the exam. Or was it being so close to a woman she hadn’t seen in twenty-seven years? She decided small talk would make her feel less nervous. She inhaled deeply and the scent of freshly washed hair and baby lotion drifted into her nostrils. Did you ever think we could or would? I mean, you would be doing this for me?

      Cassandra sighed as she glanced into bright but tired hazel eyes. What am I doing for you, Ramona? She frowned as she pressed into the left side of Ramona’s chest again. Don’t talk. When you talk, I can’t hear through this thing. She counted heartbeats, a little fast but within the normal range. She removed the red earpieces and let the purple stethoscope hang from her neck. It’s a little fast but nothing to worry about. Let’s hear those lungs of yours.

      She placed the instrument against Ramona’s right chest and pressed firmly. Breathe for me. She listened to her lungs. Again; take nice deep breaths. Okay. She moved the stethoscope to the left chest. Again; take nice deep breaths. Good, that’s good. Lean forward toward me. Let’s hear them from the back. She moved the stethoscope from the left to the right quadrant across Ramona’s back. She sat back in the chair as she studied Ramona’s anxious face. You can button up now.

      No. I can’t. My friend Virginia advised me to just tell you. Ramona sighed as she returned Cassandra’s stare. She unfastened the remaining buttons and opened her jacket. I didn’t know how to begin. It’s easier to show you. Give me your hand for a minute. Cassandra frowned as she watched Ramona raise her left arm above her head, then take her hand and guide it to her left breast. She automatically began to manipulate the skin around her breast, feeling a lump under her fingertips. She used her other hand to hold the breast, then probe it again. Once again, she felt a lump.

      Do you feel it? Ramona asked, looking at Cassandra’s face for a sign of sympathy and not finding it.

      Yes, but you have dense breast tissue. You’re also wearing a couple of layers of clothing. It could be nothing more than folds in your clothes or it could be fatty tissues in your breast, fibroids, or any number of things. Cassandra looked at Ramona and watched her slowly shake her head. Okay, you said you’d been to see some doctors. How many and when? I’ll need names and dates so I can put in a call to them.

      It’s still there. I don’t think it’s moved or metastasized. I believe that’s what you medical people call it when it spreads.

      Cassandra nodded. Yes, that’s right. What are your doctors recommending? Tell me and I’ll have my colleagues check them out.

      Ramona sighed. Why would you do that for me?

      Cassandra rubbed her forehead, then stared into sad, dark eyes. For the same reason you came here. My patients tell me when they hurt, really hurt, they need a place to hide or to heal. I guess I’m that place for you. She sighed as she rubbed her chin. I’m not sure when you realized who my son was. My gut says you made some logical leaps about him and me after he had dinner with your family in Ohio. I’m on Google. I bet you are too. She cleared her throat before admitting something personal. I know you are because I googled you a couple of years ago when your school won an excellence award.

      Tired and worried about her future medical prognosis, Ramona didn’t hear the tidbit Cassandra offered. Where do we go from here?

      I don’t know. You tell me. What do you want done?

      Ramona exhaled. I want it out of me. I want to stop worrying if I’ll live to see my child marry. I want to see my grandbabies born. I want to live my life without a cloud of cancer and death hanging over me. I want somebody who will stand by me if they have to take my breasts.

      I’m sure Ed will do that for you. Cassandra studied Ramona’s face, noting her sad eyes.

      Ramona started re-buttoning her jacket, then stopped to look at Cassandra. I’m glad you’re that sure about Eddie’s motives because I’m not. I think the first chance he gets to run, he will. He just needs a good excuse. My diagnosis should do that for him. She sighed as she caught Cassandra’s eye. Has he asked you to sleep with him yet? She watched Cassandra flush, then avoid her eyes by looking down to play with her stethoscope. He was fascinated with the idea you’re gay and his wife is not. He’d love to see you sleep with me.

      Cassandra looked up to find Ramona studying her. She rubbed her neck with a nervous hand. If you know he did or will do all those things, why stay with him?

      You couldn’t give me a child. He could and did. Jessie is the love of my life.

      Cassandra decided to ignore Ramona’s deliberate provocation and hold back the curse words forming on her lips. Why relive past hurts with a woman she barely knew now? Hell, why even consider getting involved in her medical problems at all? Why volunteer to check out her doctors or their diagnosis? It wasn’t her business what happened to her son’s future mother-in-law, was it?

      Sure, she liked Jessie when Danny finally decided to bring her by the house. She seemed like she had a good head on her shoulders for a twenty-five-year-old schoolteacher. She was cute, a bit chubby with a round face, a full figure, and flashing green eyes set in warm brown skin. Jesus Christ, how could she miss that? Jessie reminded her of Ramona at twenty-five. Why didn’t she see that before today? She could have warned Danny away from the young woman. Made up some excuse about not liking Jessie and sent her packing. She wouldn’t be in this mess if she’d done it three months ago when he brought her by the house.

      When I looked around your home today, I didn’t see evidence of another woman. Do you have one of those lying around somewhere?

      You asked me that before.

      Ramona’s eyes narrowed. And you rudely ignored me!

      That’s because it’s none of your damned business! Cassandra blurted out, then sighed when she read the hurt look in Ramona’s eyes and realized she was being evil. Okay, okay, I’m sorry for snapping at you. My life in a nutshell: Danny kept me busy raising him. Between him and my day job, which turns into my night job at times, I don’t have time for much else. An image of Eva’s pretty face and then Tanya’s lush, rich chocolate body popped into her head. She smiled at where her thoughts were taking her. "But I go out when I

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1