This is the story of love lost, love explored, and love found in a place least expected. All is now revealed. Yes, this is the end of the story. Hope you enjoyed it. JPM
Chapter 30
Tammy blushed and let go of Linda's hand as Mr. and Mrs. Woo walked into the restaurant, waving as they headed for the table.
Linda immediately reached down and brought Tammy's hand back to the top of the table, squeezed gently, and continued holding on.
"How are you two this morning?"
Mr. Woo pulled out Mrs. Woo's chair while Linda answered, "Good, mom. We slept well."
Mr. Woo waved a waiter over and Linda finally released Tammy's hand to read the menu.
Tammy fidgeted and squirmed behind her menu.
What was she doing?
They'd awoke in almost the same position they'd fallen asleep in, Linda wrapped like a warm comforter against her back.
In the shower, she'd finally seen the full extent of Linda's wounds. Large bruises that were starting to turn green and yellow at the center. She washed them gently and kissed each one while listening to Linda's recount of her climb, passing out and coming to, to almost roll over the edge again.
She'd helped put the tight wrap back in place and pull up Linda's jeans. "It hurts too much. And maybe you can pull this top over my head."
She had. And Linda had looked at the cuts and bruises on her wrists, kissing each.
"Tammy," Linda whispered.
Popping out from behind the menu she looked at Linda, who nodded toward her mom, and said, "I'm sorry, Mrs. Woo, what did you say?"
Mrs. Woo smiled and said again, "Linda, say's you work in New York. Will you be able to relocate out here with your company?"
She looked from Mrs. Woo, to Mr. Woo, both of them smiling, waiting for an answer. Finally she glanced at Linda and saw she was laughing behind her menu.
"Oh! Right. That's an idea." She sounded like she couldn't imagine why Mrs. Woo would expect her to be moving to California.
Linda finally emerged and announced she was ready to order, her hand finding Tammy's again, pulling it back up on the table.
Mr. Woo waved the waiter over and he arrived just as Mrs. Woo said, "But long distance relationships are so difficult, dear. It would be such a waste of time," consulting her menu once more she turned to the waiter and ordered.
Linda had slid behind her menu once more and Tammy could feel a flush rush up her neck.
"And besides, life is entirely too short to spend it on airplanes, jetting back and forth," Mr. Woo added.
When Tammy squeezed Linda's hand, it wasn't soft and gentle. Putting a serious face on, Linda's menu came down and she said something in Japanese.
Mrs. Woo immediately commented on how good the coffee was and Mr. Woo concurred, both still smiling sheepishly.
They chatted through out lunch, Tammy talking about her job, Linda's parents asking about her family.
Linda walked ahead with her father after paying the bill and Mrs. Woo hooked her arm in Tammy's and leaned in as they walked, "I'm sorry, dear. We didn't mean to upset you. It's just that I haven't seen Linda so happy in a long time, in spite of everything that's been happening. And, well, we could all see it when she brought you to the house," pausing as they negotiated tables, she added, "Besides, as you seemed to have noticed, she's been sleeping with a redhead as long as I can recall."
When they finally caught up with Linda and her father, Linda was truly concerned and asked, "Tammy! Are you okay? Maybe you need to take one of your pills. You look so flushed."
"Right," Tammy stage whispered, "as if you wouldn't know."
"Oh!" Mr. Woo steered the conversation in another direction, "The Captain has invited us to stay for the ceremony this Saturday, guests of the ICB. Isn't that great?"
"Sure, dad," Linda suddenly wanted to be alone with Tammy and talk, "Then we should have dinner. Maybe tomorrow night. Would that be okay?"
"Sure. We'll call you two. We're going to rent a car today and take in the sights."
Goodbyes were said and in spite of the way things had gone Tammy lingered and decided again how much she enjoyed the Woo's company.
Linda had her arm around Tammy, her thumb hooked in the back of her jeans as they walked to the front of the hotel to get a cab. "I'm really sorry, Tammy. I had no idea."
Tammy leaned in and said, "Its okay. I mean, it just took me by surprise."
A cab appeared and Linda gave the destination, "Pier 39."
The sun was bright, colors brighter, and white fluffy clouds floated like a flock of sheep out over the ocean.
Tammy stood in wonder while Linda paid the cab and listened to a loud barking noise that seemed to come from the general direction of the water. Linda took her hand and pulled, explaining, "It's the sea lions. They come out and sun on wooden floats around the pier."
Negotiating families and street actors they finally found the source. Tammy just stared at the small wooden islands covered, edge to edge, with mounds of brown and black fur.
"It's amazing!"
"There's a bunch of shops here, too," Linda pulled and they wandered among the shops and restaurants.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, Red."
"Well, I mean," Tammy seemed a little lost so Linda offered a word, "Why?"
"Yeah. Why? Why a woman? Why me?"
They were at a corner stand that sold silver from Mexico. Taxco Jewelers, named after the small colonial town in Mexico where the Spanish set up one of their largest silver mining operations just after the conquest, had small spinning racks of .926 silver rings, bracelets, ear rings, and any other silver accessory you could want.
Stepping to one of the racks, Linda spun it idly, stopping to inspect a particular piece before continuing.
"Well, the question would be 'Why you'. It has nothing to do with men and women. It has to do with people," she pulled a small card off the rack and inspected the design, "Remember that fist night when I picked you up at the airport?"
"Right. You had me stuck in some little room like a Russian refugee."
"Yeah," Linda smiled, "Then I took you home and didn't talk to you?"
"I should have figured it out then. You're a bitch."
Linda was paying the clerk for something and finally pulled Tammy back into the sun. "Then in the kitchen you finally called my hand and stopped me. Made me explain."