"Jacqueline Melissa Roberts!" my mom yelled. "You have about 5 seconds to get your ass to this table, or you're in BIG trouble!"
I slithered through the labyrinth of chairs, presents, boxes, and miscellaneous debris in the living room and made my way to the table. "I'm in college now, Mom," I told her. "If you want me to keep visiting you on holidays, maybe you shouldn't yell at me."
I was of course kidding. Mom was just upset that no one else had shown up for Thanksgiving and taking it out on me. 4 aunts and 5 cousins were supposed to be here, but a massive ice storm had blocked all roads. Thus, Mom and I were alone for turkey day.
"Sorry, honey," Mom said. "I just don't want all this food to go to waste."
"With me here until Sunday?" I giggled. "You know by the time I leave you won't have a leftover in the house. I love your cooking."
Mom smiled at me. "I know, Jackie," she replied. "I'm glad you made it before the storm hit. By the way, have you found any cute boys in college? I know you didn't date at all in high school."
"Actually, I was going to talk to you about that subject, but didn't know how to begin," I said. "Mom, I'm not interested in boys. I never have been. I like girls. I've finally realized it."
Mom took it in stride. I think, subconsciously, she knew the truth all along. "Well then," she said, "have you met any pretty girls in college?"
"Lots," I said, "but the problem is that I don't know if they feel about me like I might feel about them. I did hear some exciting news, though. My friend Alexandra, the one who had to move freshman year of high school because her parents got divorced, is transferring in starting in the spring. It'll be nice to see a familiar face, and she even said I could move out of the dorms and share her apartment. She said she needed a way to split the rent because she can't afford it solo, and thought of me. I'm looking forward to seeing her again. It's been too long."
"That's wonderful, dear," Mom said. "I hope you two still are as good of friends now as you used to be."
[2 months later]
"I'm glad we're back together," Alexandra said. "You and I always got along so well. Jackie, I've missed you so much these past 4 years."
"Alex, I missed you too," I said. "You were always there for me when I just needed an ear. Not to mention that you were a fun person to be around, always."
"Thank you, Jackie," she responded. "How's your social life been? I've had my share of dates, but a good woman is hard to find these days."
My jaw dropped about 6 inches as I sat with a goofy look on my face. "I always thought you were that type, but I never really knew," I told her. "Anyway, I didn't have a whole lot of social life. I'm hoping college helps that."
I was in a very awkward position. I'd had feelings for Alex since before she moved away. Now I knew she was also lesbian. The question was, did she have feelings for me? And how would I probe without spoiling our long-term friendship?
"Maybe you've overlooked what's before your very nose," I said softly. "Sometimes the things we want are closer than we realize."
Alex seemed to look at me appraisingly. "I had a decent social life in high school," she said quietly. "The problem is that just making conquests got to be boring. If there are no feelings, it lacks something essential."
I got up from my chair and sat on the sofa next to her. "Tell me about your conquests," I said. "How do you seduce another woman?"
"Slowly," Alexandra replied. "The key is to be gentle at first, not push too hard right away. You don't want to scare them off."
I slid a little closer to her. Now our legs were just touching. "I never had the courage to try," I said. "If I had a female friend, I was so worried I'd lose the friendship that I just couldn't bring myself to make even the slightest move."
"Jackie," responded Alex, "you never mentioned that you were..."