We've arrived at the end! This is part six of six, if you're just joining us you should read other parts first. All characters in explicit scenes are over eighteen. Here we go!
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The rest of the week passed slowly. I could tell that Paige was doing her best to focus on the upcoming game. The story on the news wasn't going to just disappear, so on Wednesday we met with the school's lawyers, and with their help Paige released a statement to the media describing Sandy as a family friend, and that there had never been an inappropriate relationship between them. Being eighteen, Paige didn't need my approval, but I was glad she wanted it all the same. We also sent a copy to Bill, but we didn't wait for his okay, not that he had any problem with it.
I did have to deal with an enraged phone call on Thursday from my mother once Paige's name got printed in the paper. How dare I drag our family name through the mud before my brother's campaign and all that. I let her go on for a few minutes before cutting her off.
"I told you before. I wouldn't hang a perfect stranger out to dry over a lie, let alone the woman I love. All we did was tell the truth."
That made Mom splutter in the most satisfying way.
"And don't bother threatening me with Bill, he knows Sandy and I are dating. And he's not going to do anything. He's even happy for me." Okay, well, he hadn't actually said that, but he hadn't said he wasn't, so it might not be a lie.
I got off the phone as quick as I could, as I was in no mood to coddle anyone's homophobia, especially not my mother's. Not with what Kaylin and Dani were going through. They had virtually no power, no say in what was happening to them. That wasn't true with me. I was a woman grown, with children of my own. Sure, I had responsibilities, ones I wouldn't trade for anything, but no one got to decide for me who I loved.
I was just changed for bed, thinking about Facetiming Sandy when there was a soft knock on my bedroom door.
"Come in!"
Paige pushed open the door and slipped inside, closing it behind her.
"Hi, Mom."
She came over and sat on the bed with me. "Hi, Sweetheart. What's up? Any news on Kaylin?"
Paige looked down, wringing her hands and fiddling with the drawstring of her sleep pants. "No. She still won't talk to any of us. I'm really scared for her, Mom. When we try, she just runs away. She looks so sad and scared. I'm worried about her."
"I know, Honey. But if she won't talk to you there isn't much we can do." Paige nodded, and I cocked my head in sympathy. "Just let her know you're there, that you're all there for her."
"We will. We'll try, at least." I could see there was something else on her mind, but long experience told me trying to get it out of her wouldn't accomplish anything. I had to let her get there herself.
"Um, so, you know the picture of Coach and me hugging?"
I chuckled. "Yes, I'm familiar with it."
"Did she tell you what we talked about?"
I shook my head. "Only that it was private." I leaned forward and put my hand on her foot, giving it a little shake. "Trust me, I know there are things that you won't talk about with your mother. Even though you
can
tell me anything."
"I know." She bit her lower lip. "So, the thing we were talking about, I was thinking about asking someone to the Homecoming dance." She blushed and looked away. "Obviously I didn't. I kinda chickened out, but still."
"What's their name?" You all probably have an inkling where this was going, and I did, too, so I made sure to go gender neutral in my question.
"Brandy. Her name is Brandy." I was surprised by how strong her voice was. If I'd have been admitting this to someone at her age I would have been lucky to whisper it out.
To be honest, I wasn't sure how to feel. I remembered all the fear and shame that had come with not being straight when I'd been her age. And if she were gay, she'd face things, things I'd been so scared of I'd hid from them like they were the Grim Reaper.
But the one thing she wouldn't face was a disapproving mother. I let a smile steal over my face. "What's she like?"
Her nervousness vanished, and a grin I'd never seen before spread like sunshine across her face. "She's in my AP Bio class. She's really smart, and she wears glasses, which are so cute. She has long brown hair and blue eyes. She's really shy though."
"Do you have any idea if she'd be interested?"
"If she's gay? I don't know for sure, but she gets real nervous when I talk to her, and I've caught her looking at me, and she blushes when I smile at her."
I giggled at the excited tone in her voice. "That does sound promising. Just don't push her. But there's nothing wrong with holding out a hand." I paused for a second. "Why were you scared to tell me? You know I'll support you in anything."
"Because I wasn't sure. I mean, I do like boys, too, but the ones at school are so immature. At least, the good looking ones are."
"Yeah, that can go with the territory. Most of them will grow up, at least a little. Someday."
Paige laughed. "Well, I don't feel like waiting. I like the way Brandy is now."
We giggled together for a moment, and I felt incredibly close to my daughter. My phone chimed, and Sandy's smiling face filled the screen. I turned it towards myself and accepted the call.
"Hi, Sweetheart."
"Hey, Baby." The purr in her voice sent a tingle through me, and I wagged a finger at her.
"Careful, we're not alone." I flipped the screen and pointed it at Paige.
"Hi, Coach."
"Hey, how are you?"
