Plethora by Kelli Jae Baeli

Author:Kelli Jae Baeli [Baeli, Kelli Jae]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Lesbian Literati Press
Published: 2013-06-29T04:00:00+00:00

28

Ports of Call

“How's..." Brenna indicated Tilly's abdomen. "How is the little one coming along?"

Tilly patted her stomach. "He's a growin', this 'un. It don't show much. He's a little bitty thang. Like his pappy, if I recall right."

Brenna rolled her eyes and spun on her heel toward the screen door. "There's about three more cups of coffee left. Any takers?"

Tilly nodded. "That'd be right nice, Miss Brenna."

Celia nodded, her eyes locked on Tilly as she sat comfortably astride the chestnut.

Brenna disappeared into the house and Tilly slid down and came over to the porch railing, letting Sassafras's rein drop to the ground. She leaned on the rail and studied Celia who found it difficult to meet her eyes. She fondled the links of chain at one side of the porch swing and seemed to be counting them with her fingers like a blind person.

"You got a feller?" Tilly asked softly.

Celia looked over at her. "No...I'm...no."

"Purty gal like you should have a feller." She moved around to the steps and came onto the porch, leaning against the railing, re-rolling the sleeves of her brown flannel shirt.

"I'm too busy," she explained feebly.

"Busy," Tilly repeated dully.

The screen door came open, and Brenna carried the three mugs over, handing one to Tilly and offering the other to Celia. Celia took a quick first sip, burned her tongue and a splash of coffee dribbled down the front of her shirt. She cursed quietly and wiped it away.

"You're supposed to blow on it," Brenna offered dryly. Celia made a face at her and pulled her button-down shirt away from her skin. "So," Brenna began, the cool October breeze fingering through her hair. "Would you like to help me fix the end of the porch?"

Celia shrugged. "Sure."

"You know, I really could use your help around here this week. I want to repair the chicken coop and paint the living room. You could stay in the guest room and get out of that apartment for a while."

"What if M—" Celia censored herself, glancing at Tilly. "—Mom tries to reach me? You know she's not in good health."

Brenna knew it was Marley's call she was really concerned about missing, but she couldn't resist the opportunity to play dumb and make Celia squirm.

"That's not a problem. We could call her and give her our number."

Celia cleared her throat, glancing at Tilly again, and took a cautious sip, wincing at the slight discomfort of the hot coffee on her raw tongue. "I'll think about it." Celia noticed that Tilly had a cute butt, but stopped herself from pursuing the thought.

Tilly sipped her coffee quietly, the lower half of her right leg resting flat atop the railing, seemingly preoccupied with Sassafras' search for grass. He settled for a brown clump near the porch. She took a last swallow and handed her cup to Brenna. "Thanks fer the coffee, Miss Brenna. I got to ride inta town. See ya'll later." She hopped down the steps and picked up the loose rein, swinging easily onto the chestnut's back.

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