Songs without Words by Robbi McCoy

Author:Robbi McCoy [McCoy, Robbi]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 2011-06-09T17:48:33+00:00

Chapter 17

SUMMER, TWO YEARS AGO (JULY)

The summer of Chelsea, with its long, languid nights of lovemaking, proceeded happily through June and into July. When the time came in late July to travel east, Harper went reluctantly. She and Chelsea hadn’t been apart for more than a day up until then, and she was still drowning in the ecstasy of this woman’s company.

“I’ll be here when you get back,” Chelsea told her, urging her to go. “I’ll just want you more.”

“I’ll only stay nine days,” Harper promised.

Those nine days passed by rapidly with frequent phone calls from Massachusetts to California and from California to Massachusetts. Harper, thoroughly preoccupied with her newfound joy, told her brother all about Chelsea on the day of her arrival. She was relieved to have a confidante. Danny, she knew, wouldn’t be alarmed or judgmental. He was momentarily surprised, but that soon gave way to the anticipated interest and support. Harper wasn’t able to hide her overwhelming happiness from the rest of her family, although she tried, making her phone calls away from the house or late at night when everyone was asleep. Since Chelsea was three hours behind, this was ideal. But her mother was watching her, it seemed, growing more and more suspicious, because mothers can sense the moods of their cubs without being told. And it probably didn’t look all that nonchalant the times Harper’s cell phone rang and she bolted from the room like a spaceship going into hyper drive.

Alice waited until the third day to ask, “Who is it that you’re so preoccupied with, Harper?”

“A friend,” she said evasively.

Her mother eyed her in a way that made Harper feel small and vulnerable, as if she were five and being asked, “Who spilled milk all over the dog?”

“Girl friend,” Harper said shyly. Although she had correctly predicted Danny’s response to her love for a woman, she wasn’t sure how her parents would take it, despite their political support for gay rights.

“I see,” Alice replied, looking steadily at Harper. “Someone special?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Does she have a name?”

“Chelsea.” Harper slid the photo she’d been carrying out of her cell phone case and handed it to her mother.

Alice looked at the photo carefully for a moment, then handed it back. “She’s darling,” she said cheerfully. “A darling girl! Thank you, Harper, for sharing this with me.” Alice reached for Harper, giving her a warm hug. She then turned toward the oven where she was baking lasagna and appeared to be finished with the subject.

Harper was perplexed. Maybe her mother hadn’t understood.

“Mom,” she asked, “is that it? You don’t have any questions? You aren’t going to ask what happened to Eliot or why I’m dating a girl?”

Alice turned back to face her, looking puzzled. “I assume it’s because you like her. And what do you mean about Eliot? Has something happened to Eliot?”

“I broke up with him, of course. This is a big deal, Mom. I’ve changed, you see? Dumped the old boyfriend. Dating a girl.” She gestured vaguely. “Something sort of different going on here.

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