Neither Present Time by Caren J. Werlinger

Author:Caren J. Werlinger
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: romance, Fiction, lesbian, Contemporary
ISBN: 9780988650169
Publisher: Corgyn Publishing, LLC
Published: 2013-08-28T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

If Beryl and Ridley had any concerns about Cory’s energy level, they were dispelled by mid-morning on Saturday. They had already begun a huge loop from the Vietnam Memorial to the World War II, with plans to continue on to the Korean and then to the Lincoln.

“Good thing I thought to pack snacks,” Beryl said to Aggie, retrieving her backpack strung to Ridley’s wheelchair as they completed a tour of the World War II Memorial.

The two of them went outside the circle of granite columns and located a shaded bench while Cory and Ridley lingered inside despite the continued August heat.

“You were right,” Beryl said as she handed Aggie a bottle of water. “Your aunt has more energy than I do.”

Aggie smiled. “She is amazing.” She took a long drink. “Thanks for thinking of this,” she said, raising the bottle. She glanced over at Beryl. “Are you okay?”

Beryl met her eyes for a second, and saw that there was no point in pretending she didn’t know what Aggie was referring to. She gave a small shrug. “It’s getting better. I just didn’t expect to run into her like that.”

They sat in silence for a few seconds. “Her idea?” Aggie asked. “She discovered a new love and just had to see where it would go?”

Beryl heard the bitterness in Aggie’s voice. “Uh, no,” she said. “My idea – when I found out the truth about her and the woman we saw her with last night.”

“Oh. I’m sorry,” Aggie said. “That stinks.”

Beryl gave a half-laugh. “Yes, it really stinks.” She took a drink, and said, “It had actually been going on for quite a while. I just didn’t want to see it.” She could see Cory talking to Ridley as they pointed to something inside the memorial. “Ridley’s been a life saver for me. He let me move in with him. Let me sulk. Made me eat.” She smiled. “I’m not sure what I would have done without him.”

She turned to Aggie. “What about you?”

“It shows?” Aggie said sheepishly. “It’s been three years for me. My ex met her soul-mate after we’d been together for five years. And that was that.”

Beryl could see the hurt still etched on her features even after all this time. “Did you have a clue?”

“No,” said Aggie and she was mortified to feel sudden tears spring to her eyes. “We were happy. We were good together. I… I think that’s been the hardest part. It’s bad enough to break up when you know things are starting to go sour between you.” She blinked hard. “How do you ever trust someone else again when you didn’t see it coming the last time?”

Beryl didn’t know what to say, but Cory and Ridley came to find them at that point. They also accepted bottles of water and some granola bars that Beryl had packed.

“What a beautiful memorial,” Cory said, pressing her hand to her heart. “And the Vietnam. There just aren’t words.”

“I know,” Ridley said. “No matter how many times I go, I’m in awe.

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