Weeks rolled by as Jamie felt she and Dave slipping further and further apart. Partly because of the intense feelings she had for Katherine, Taylor and the other women they introduced her to. But also the more frequent and long hours Dave began spending at the office. Even nights Jamie stayed home at the apartment, Dave usually called to say he was working on a case or had to do research for a trial and would be late, 'don't wait up.'
There were also the mysterious phone calls to Dave's phone. When Dave and Jamie did find moments to spend together, sometimes Dave's cell would chime. He might look at it nonchalantly before setting it back down or slipping it back in its case. However, he rarely took the call. Something he never did before. He almost always, unless he was in a professional setting or mixed company, took the phone call. But not these.
Jamie had noticed on the occasion it went off and Dave was not around it seemed to come from the same number. As a matter of fact his call history had many calls from this particular number. Jamie knew - there was someone else. A woman always knows.
She had become accustomed to his sneaking into the bed late at night, careful not to wake her. But she was always awake. His breath with a slight hint of beer or bourbon, his drink of choice. But more revealing was the faint scent of perfume on his body. Again, a woman always knows.
It was on a Saturday as the two watched television together, one of the few things they seemed to find time to do, the cell phone rang out. Dave acted uninterested until Jamie cut in, "Go ahead, answer her. I know Dave. I've known for some time."
"What are you talking about?" he looked over indignantly.
"The woman on the other end of the phone. I know about her. I don't want to live this lie anymore. We both mean too much to each other," Jamie began. "I know you're with her when you say you're working late. I can smell her on you when you come home. I know," she said back, her voice slightly faltering.
Jamie's eyes started to tear knowing it was coming to this. Almost like the final chapter in a great book only this one would have no happy ending, no sequel.
Dave sunk his head, "Jamie, it's not what you think. It's not like that at all. We just sort of got caught up in something," he tried to explain.
"Don't," Jamie stopped him. "I need to be honest with you." Tears rolled down her cheeks. But rather sadness, it was almost as if a giant weight were being lifted from her chest.
"I love you. I will always love you. You are the only man I will ever really love. There's no doubt about that," she began. Dave started to speak but she stopped him, "No, let me finish. I will never love another man like I love you. You will always be my best friend. But Dave, I need more than that. I need more than you can possibly give me and its not fair."
Dave couldn't help it and blurted out, "So you want to get married? Is that it? Okay, I'll do it. We can do it," he rambled.
"No sweetheart," Jamie stopped him. "Listen to you. You don't want to get married and neither do I. Dave, I've found out something about myself. Something I think was always there, I just didn't know. I'm attracted to women."
Dave just stared at her. He didn't know what to say back and Jamie let the realization of what she said sink in before she started again.
"Dave, I know I am a lesbian. I suppose I always was but just didn't know. But I know now. I love women, just like you love women. I love their companionship but much more, I like their touch, their feel...actually its something we both have in common."
Dave still seemed to be grasping at what she was revealing but for the first time in weeks Jamie felt refreshed, relieved, weeks of guilt washed away. "There's no one special in my life right now. No specific woman that has my heart and I don't want there to be. I don't want another person to be the reason we split up... but in time, I know there will be. So I want to end it while we still love each other, respect each other. I don't want any more of these lies we have both been living out. Sneaking behind each other's back," Jamie explained.
"So, you're... we're breaking up," he grasped.
"Yes. Yes, that's what we need to do. You have your whole other life. Your new career and apparently someone else who wants to share it with you," Jamie smiled as she reached out setting her small hand on his.
"I want you to go to her. Go now and I'm going to pack a few things," she explained.
"You're really leaving?" Dave asked as his voice cracked
"Yes baby," Jamie acknowledged. I'm going to pack a few things and stay with friends. I'll be back this week while you're at work and pick up most of my belongings. This furniture, the stuff we bought together... you keep it. I want you to have it. I'll just take a few things I have to have."
Jamie leaned in and kissed Dave lightly on the lips. Pulling back she realized it was different. It had been for awhile. She knew that now and she knew she was making the right decision for them both.
Dave got up, reached for his keys off the counter and walked out the door. He didn't look back. Jamie was glad he didn't. She may have cried again if he had. But deep down, she knew this was best.
Jamie called Kat and asked could she come over. Kat said, sure but to grab a suit as they planned to spend the day out by the pool. Little did Kat know Jamie had news to share.
When Taylor answered the door, Jamie saw that both women already sported their skimpy bikinis ready for an afternoon of sun and fun. Jamie walked straight up to Kat. Kat could tell Jamie had been crying and was just about to ask what the matter was when Jamie slipped the silver necklace off from around her neck. Instantly Kat and Taylor knew there was a decision, this was it.
Jamie handed the heavy choker to Kat who took it in her hand and then Jamie wrapped her arms tightly around Kat and kissed her. Her tongue pushed past Kat's soft lips, exploring her warm mouth Her lips sliding on Kat's as Jamie's hands dropped down to Kat's ass, rubbing it in her hands.
Breaking the kiss, Jamie stared into Kat's eyes, "I told him. I told Dave he's the only man in my life, the last man in my life... but I know now what I am. What you and Taylor helped me realize."
"And what's that," Kat asked.
"I'm a lesbian. It's what I am and what I will always be," Jamie smiled back. Taylor felt a warm rush as she joined the two women and they all hugged, wrapping their arms around each other in the middle of the room.
