Author's note: This is the second part of a very long story.
The characters (Jade and Terry) from my other story, 'Hidden Desires,' will appear here but reading their story is not necessary to understand their role in this one.
My sincere thanks and heartfelt gratitude to all who have voted, emailed and commented on my story. Your support makes writing worth it.
I hope Finding Love will continue be enjoyed. Comments and votes will be appreciated.
Chapter 9
Ari awoke in a panic as she realized she was alone in bed. Feeling around blindly, her hands brushed the piece of paper on the empty side of the bed. Her eyes shot open and were blinded by the rising sunlight that seeped through the curtains. Blinking her eyes to adjust to the light, she scanned the note.
Baby,
Gone to the gym. Will be back by seven.
Love, Kate.
Ari smiled as she read and reread the 'Love Kate' part of the note. Ari felt all warm and tingly inside. She wondered if what she was feeling was love.
She glanced at the bedside clock and saw it was almost seven already. She scooted out of bed and did a quick run in the bathroom before going to the kitchen. She would have breakfast ready by the time Kate got back.
Kate was going through her usual hour long workout but her mind kept going back to the petite beauty she had left in her bed. She really didn't want to leave the warmth of that cute little body but her exercise was her religion; she was devoted.
She caught a cab back to her apartment and smelled the heavenly scent of food as she entered the door. She watched with some amusement as Ari was dancing around the kitchen in a t-shirt and panties.
Kate leaned against the door frame and smiled at her young companion's antics as she rolled her hips and shook her ass. Kate remembered fondly when she was able to hear music and dance like that. Ari suddenly spun around and, seeing Kate, she paused, looking embarrassed.
"Morning," Ari signed and blushed as she switched off her phone's music player. Kate thought she looked so adorable.
"Morning. It seems yours is really good."
"I'm really sorry, I didn't mean..." Ari began but Kate held her hands.
"What are you apologizing for?" Kate asked, confused.
"The music...my dancing...I didn't mean for you to see it. I..." Ari signed frantically. Kate held her hands once again and pulled the girl into a soft, sexy kiss.
"Hey listen, before my accident I used to dance too you know. I still remember what music sounds like, so don't worry about how I'm going to react just because you can enjoy it," Kate said simply. Ari's eyes widened.
"Accident?" Ari left it hanging. Kate realized that for all the time she and Ari had spent working together, Ari really didn't know much about Kate's past. Kate intended to fix that.
She guided Ari to a kitchen chair and had her sit. Kate grabbed two cups, poured coffee, and sat down. She smiled and began to give Ari a rundown about her life.
"I was a beautiful child according to my mother," Kate started with a small smile. "I was the only girl of three kids. I'm the middle child. Our family is close since we are all that there is. No uncles, aunts or cousins to speak of. I realized when I was about fourteen that I was a lesbian. The girls I ran track with were beautiful and I fantasized about them often.
"My parents weren't too happy but they didn't ostracize me. I'm thankful for that; I might not have survived my accident otherwise." Kate paused and sipped her coffee. Ari's was forgotten, absorbed as she was in what was being said.
"I was seventeen when we went on vacation in the Caribbean. I learned to scuba dive there and fell in love with it. So much so that I applied only to colleges on the coast so I could be near the water. I was certified and got a part time job as an instructor.
"When I was twenty, I got an offer to go out on this huge yacht to instruct some rich kids on how to dive in the deep. They all had experience in diving before and it was a grand opportunity so I accepted.
"We were under only a few minutes when the two boys, no older than me, were trying to outdo each other by seeing who could go deeper. It was dangerous, so I went after them.
"When I reached them and signaled for them to go back up, they didn't want to listen. We ended up deeper and deeper until they started having problems." Kate paused again. The memories were hard for her and she had not spoken of them for some time.
Ari saw the sadness in Kate's face. She was unsure how to give comfort so she did what came natural. She took Kate's hand in hers, raised it to her lips and kissed Kate's knuckles. It was just what Kate needed. She smiled at Ari and continued.
"The lower you go the more pressure builds up in your body. They were starting to feel the effects and began to panic. I got a hold of one and managed to get him calmed enough to ascend slowly. That was the most important thing; otherwise the pressure could or would kill you. The second one was not as cooperative. He was kicking and thrashing wildly. He pulled and scratched at me as I tried to guide him up slowly.
"Somehow he got my weight belt off and, with his wild movements, clocked me in the head. I let him go and was so out of it that I just shot to the surface. It was a huge mistake on my part because we were deeper than I realized.
"I was unconscious when I hit the surface. They rushed me to a hospital where I spent four days. The pressure blew out both my ear drums beyond repair. It took me almost a year to come to terms with what happened. My family helped a lot, a few friends too. In the end I accepted what my new life was and I finished college. I was always good with words so I majored in English, writing and literature. Editing suited me perfectly so that's what I did.
"I've had a good life thus far as an editor. The pay isn't too bad and I love helping people attain their dream of publishing their stories," Kate continued, her smile a genuine one. Ari was in awe of how Kate survived and made the best of her circumstances. She was truly an amazing woman.
"So anyway, I smelled something really delicious when I came in. What were you making?" Kate asked.
"Oh, I made omelets," Ari answered.
"Well, shall we eat before it gets too cold and we end up late? It is Monday after all; I have work and you have school."
