The Odd Couple (Second Edition) by Q. Kelly

Author:Q. Kelly [Kelly, Q.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, lesbian, romance, drama, Trauma, Single Mother, Mystery, Teacher, Novella
ISBN: 9781466306431
Publisher: Ride the Rainbow Books
Published: 2011-10-03T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter

Ten

CHARLENE SPENT THE next two weeks staying busy. She bought a couple of medium-sized rugs for her living room, one orange and one blue. She visited used-car dealerships in search of what proved to be an ever-elusive bargain. She hiked the trails at the Peaks of Otter. She started the training classes necessary for her to take over as manager at The Log Cabin. She did not visit JP's grave. And she waited for Morrisey to call.

Morrisey did not phone. Charlene tried to remain upbeat. It was easier said than done, but Charlene plugged on. Even if she never saw Morrisey and Gareth again, she would be forever grateful to them. They had shown her that a rich world awaited her. They had made her feel again. She was young—forty-one years old—and it was time to start living again, to start contributing again. Charlene liked kissing. Loved kissing. She could not believe she had not kissed a woman, until Morrisey, since before JP killed himself. Yep, definitely time to start living again.

One night, Charlene was helping Jeremy, the busboy, wipe off tables because there was nothing else for her to do. The time was 9 p.m. and one of Charlene's sporadic night shifts. The Log Cabin was empty.

"Water slide?" Jeremy suggested. "Charge $3 and a candy bar per trip."

Charlene laughed. They were joking about what she and Miriam could put in when they became co-managers. "A water slide would attract kids, and we don't need more here."

"True. How about—"

The door chimed. Charlene straightened and readied her Log Cabin smile.

Jeremy smirked. "Shit, what we need more of is that chick."

Charlene turned, and there was Morrisey. Great. Effing great. Charlene was sweaty, weary and not smelling so great after eight tough hours on her feet.

"Excuse me," Charlene murmured to Jeremy, and went over to meet Morrisey. "Hey, you."

"Hey." Morrisey stuck her hands into her jean pockets.

"Hey."

"I was just driving by and saw your car. Thought I'd say hello."

"I'm glad. It's good to see you," Charlene said.

"Really?"

"Yes. How have you been?"

Morrisey surveyed the restaurant and smiled at a decorative sign that read HONK FOR GEESE. "I've been all right. Gareth, too. I just wanted to say that lunch was fun the other week. Want to come over again sometime, maybe Sunday evening, and bake cookies with Gareth and me?"

Charlene wanted to pump her fists and jump around the room. She settled for a grin and calmly said, "That sounds great. Oh, hey. Can I get you anything? Soda, a slice of pie, some coffee? My treat."

"Thanks, but I need to get going." They chatted briefly about Sunday and decided to start at 7 p.m.

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