Thanks to SoCalOvid for his patience with my writing, and his willingness to work with me.
Readers:
If you haven't already done so, please read the previous two chapters first.
This story requires you to have the willingness to accept an odd and unusual relationship. It calls for an open mind, and an unlocked heart.
Diamonds In the Rough Ch. 3
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'What's going on; and why am I beginning to feel happy again?'
Sam asked herself, watching Lynn play with Major.
It didn't make any sense to the young woman. Major would have normally had a stranger on the ground by now with his playfulness. Not so with Lynn. Major behaved just as he would with Sam. While his improved behavior made her happy, it also perplexed her. Major, was a one-woman dog — her dog. Why would he relate to Lynn like he did to her?
Sam was also mystified by how contented she felt with Lynn around. She couldn't put her finger on it. In the background she heard a noise; someone was calling her.
"Sam? Sam, you okay?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry Lynn. I guess I zoned out wondering why Major doesn't have you on the floor." Sam was very curious what her dog was thinking when he looked at Lynn.
"You mean he really does knock people down?" Lynn's eyes opened wide looking at the big dog with awe.
"Oh yeah, he does." The black sheepdog looked at Sam, then back to Lynn. "For some reason Major doesn't want to use you as a chew toy. I can only guess it's because he is scared to hurt you, or he doesn't know what to make of you."
She giggled when Lynn began turning red.
"Major; pay no attention to her, you are the perfect gentlemen," Lynn replied holding the canine's head with both hands gazing into the chestnut eyes. Silently he pondered a more important subject,
'It's time to find out why you are upset my dear woman.'
Lynn looked up at his new friend, "Fair enough Sam, is that all I am? A chew toy? Is this how you always treat guests in your home?" Lynn stared at her feigning an anger he really didn't feel.
"What? Lynn, I was just kidding; can't you take a joke? I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt your feelings," Sam was taken aback by Lynn's seemingly harsh comment.
Lynn straightened up and tousled his shoulder length hair. He looked up at her and with touching concern he smiled at her saying, "I know; care to tell me what's bothering you?"
Sam took a deep breath; she didn't want to discuss last night's debacle.
"That's really none of your business Lynn," Sam bored into his blue eyes, with a 'don't go there' look.
Lynn unexpectedly took up the challenge, "Don't play the 'none of my business card' with me Sam." Lynn surprised at his tone gave it right back. "We've shared a lot with each other already. I want to be your friend, and friends help friends. You're a good person. I know it, and your dog knows it too," Lynn pointed over at Major.
"We know too much about each other to be shy at this point. So quit being a proud butch, and share your troubles with your friends; let us help." Lynn sat down on the sofa looking at Sam with a doting expression. Almost immediately Major jumped into his lap, getting as much of his body onto Lynn as possible.
Lynn began to fuss; Major was getting hair all over his outfit!
"OMG! My lint roller is going have to work overtime when I get home. Look at all this dog hair I'm getting on my beautiful pants, and shirt." Rolling his eyes he brushed the shirt for emphasis, "Sam what are you going to do with this...this...animal," patting the big dog on the head, looking up at Sam with the most pitiful expression on his face that he could muster.
Sam laughed hard seeing all of Major's seventy five pounds curled up on Lynn's tiny lap; she howled louder listening to Lynn whine about his clothes. Then with the timing of the perfect straight man, Major let his long tongue drop down the side of his mouth. He looked up at his mistress, cocking his head he gave her that, "Who me?" look. Sam staggered back grabbing a chair from the dining room. She sat down holding her stomach, she was laughing so hard.
Sam looked at the sight on the sofa and wiped her tearing eyes. "Okay you win. I can't keep anything from you two...mennn," a fake look of exasperation crossed her face. "Thanks for the butch comment too; I want you to know I'm a 'soft butch'," she said as she coyly batted her brown eyes at him, "and don't you forget it, my little femme' friend."
Lynn giggling at her comment, thought how much he liked this 'soft' butch. Lynn had felt guilty for leaving the bar so abruptly, especially after she provided him with some much need solace. Sam, despite her own lover's recent raw betrayal, was still strong enough to help him, a stranger, dealing with his pain. At that moment Lynn knew he would move on and find happiness again. Overwhelmed with emotion, he had to leave quickly. A few hours later he regretted his cowardly decision. He was glad he bumped into her at the mall and was able to reconnect with her.
''Femme'! I'll show you femme','
he thought with glee.
Lynn, in his best girlish voice; "You got it 'butchy', I am woman, hear me roar. So my dear;
'Sil vous plaît, dites-moi ce qui sest passé hier soir? Je veux aider.'"
Lynn saw Sam's confused face and smiled. He gazed deep into her brown eyes and with heartfelt sincerity as well as a touch of humor, he calmly answered her puzzled look: "Oh sorry, my Française is poor...Sam, please tell me what happened last night? I want to help."
Her resolve not to share her problems had gone with Lynn's genuine desire to help. Sam took a deep breath beginning her tale.
"I had a date last night. I met Claudia at the mall after you left the other day. We walked around the mall a little. I liked her looks, so I asked her if she was busy Friday night. She said no, so I asked her if she would like to go with me to the ball game.
"I should have known better when Claudia replied, 'you don't have to do that, why don't you just come over to my place so we can get to know each other better?' I told her I had already purchased tickets, and didn't want them to go to waste. Claudia shrugged her shoulders, and gave me her address and phone number.
"I picked her up, hoping to have a fun time with her at the game. Claudia spent more time looking at me than at the game. I tried talking with her, but she just seemed bored. Afterwards, I drove her back to her apartment. I was disappointed; she was so pretty but there didn't seem like there was much of a connection between us. I started to say goodnight when Claudia surprised me by asking if I would like a nightcap.
"In my naïve little mind, I thought she wanted to get to know me better in a quieter setting. I accepted her offer, and we went up to her apartment. Once in her living room, Claudia motioned me over to her couch. She asked if I wanted a drink; I said water was fine. She walked with a pronounced wiggle into the kitchen, clearly for my benefit. I began feeling very uneasy about this.
