A friend came over for lunch the other day as I was painting the den and as I hate painting with as much passion as I hate my ex husband I was only too willing to down the paintbrush and make some lunch. I have an abiding respect for Caroline Mullins. She's the only member of my ex husband's congregation to stay in contact with me. The rest of those 'so-called' Christians have all decided that hating the fag is more biblical than loving your neighbor. We got to talking about our kids, our jobs and the new love in my life, Special Agent Elizabeth Kelley. Apparently my coming out has scandalized the church and my ex husband has been forced to step down as pastor, he's gathered a bunch of misogynists around him as he ramps up the anti-gay rhetoric to fever pitch, goaded on no doubt by his new followers.
He left a fragmented church behind him, half of whom think he was set up and the other half are glad he's gone but there is no forgiveness in their hearts for yours truly. I may be the scorned woman but I'm also a gay woman and according to their twisted logic, even being seen in my company is a crime against God. I did my best to comfort her and when she left I called Elizabeth and let it all out, the whole stinking mess. She listened carefully without interruption, one of her many talents.
"Why don't you write the story of how we got together? I know you've got your novel to work on but it might be a pleasant interlude and give you some fresh ideas."
So here I am, sitting with a head full of memories and my laptop. I remember vividly the moment I first laid eyes on Elizabeth. It was in the foyer of a hotel in Milwaukee. I'd been staying there for the last three days whilst attending a writer's conference nearby but checked out that Sunday morning intending to go straight from the venue to the airport. However, Mother Nature had other ideas. The blizzard that had been sweeping south hit Milwaukee about noon. The weather channel had predicted it would probably swing past the city and head further east but they got it wrong and I got stranded.
I was still officially married then, although I'd declared my intention to divorce him before I flew out of Phoenix three days previously but Daniel was having a hard time coping with the fact that his 'ever loving' wife had decided to leave him. Didn't I have any idea what he was going through?
"And what about the kids?"
I grimaced as I made my way to the front desk with an ear piece plugged in and the cell in my hand, I must have looked a sight with my hair covered in a thick woolen hat and my petite figure hidden beneath a thick overcoat and scarf. My face was red and my voice was raised an octave or two as I cut him off.
"So, now you're thinking about the kids," I snapped, "about time, we have three children, Toni, Ashley and David. Do you want me to tell you their birthdays?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means, asshole that while you were running around saving the world and screwing that little slut, your faithful wife was raising three children and telling them that their daddy loved them even if he couldn't be with them. But seeing as we're talking about the children, you can look after David and Ashley for another night, this blizzard has shut down the airport."
"No problem, I'm praying for you."
"Bite me," I ended the call and looked at the receptionist, "sorry, honey I'm not talking to you," I pocketed the cell. "Um, is it possible to book a room again, just for tonight? I was here for three days but checked out this morning."
The woman's face registered tired resignation.
"I'm really sorry, madam," the woman shot me a sympathetic look, "I'm afraid we're all booked but if you hang around the lobby you'll find some people cancel at the last moment. So many flights have been canceled we're bound to have a vacant room soon. We just had one cancellation twenty minutes ago but it was snapped up straight away."
A tall brunette in a trouser suit was propped on the counter next to me, she'd been talking to the receptionist when I approached. She too looked sympathetic.
"Where's home?"
"Phoenix, Arizona," I replied and took a step back.
"No way," the woman smiled, "I'm from Phoenix," she parted her jacket to reveal the FBI badge tucked into the waistband of her trousers.
I stared at the badge and then looked up at her as every cliché F.B.I line popped into my head. She was half a head taller and built for speed, even though she too was rugged up against the cold. I eyed the badge again and managed a tight smile.
"Okay," I replied.
"Look, I've got a spare double bed," she nodded at the receptionist, "you can grab that bed if you like, it's only going to waste."
Now that was unexpected. I stared at her and then the receptionist but she wasn't saying anything and eventually I sighed and looked up at her.
"Hey, thanks but I really can't, it's not fair."
"It's cool," she nodded at my suitcase, "look it's blowing a gale out there, you can either take this woman's advice and just sit over there and wait for a canceled room or you can grab that case and come on up. I ain't going to bite you."
"And this is all legal?" I glanced at the receptionist and she nodded.
"Sure thing, we can't ask guests to share rooms but if she's willing to share her room there's no extra charge."
That took the wind out of my sails but I could sense the woman was losing interest or perhaps she just picked up on my nervousness.
"Okay," I replied, "as long as we're not getting anyone into trouble," I paused, "don't you guys travel in pairs?"
"We do, my partner is in another room but if you like I'll introduce you to him. I'm Special Agent Kelley but you can call me Elizabeth seeing as we'll be sharing a room."
"Gail," I replied.
"Shall we?" Elizabeth gestured.
"And you're sure this isn't breaking federal regulations?" I asked as we stood in front of the elevators a minute or two later.
"Oh, it's probably not best practice but not against the law, so what's your second name?"
"Lovett, for now."
"For now," Elizabeth glanced at me as the elevator pinged.
"I'm getting divorced but I haven't filled out the paperwork yet," I turned to the doors as they hissed open. Two couples and a few other people filed out, they looked tired and worn out.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Elizabeth waved me forward a few moments later, "divorce is always a shitty thing."
"Yeah," I stepped forward, "but in my case it's probably a good thing, maybe now I can actually move forward."
Elizabeth pushed a button and then propped against the railing, the doors closed and then opened a moment later to admit a young couple. Judging by their body language they were either newly weds or very much in love. Nothing much was said until they reached the third floor and Elizabeth waved me forward again, and just as the doors closed the couple started kissing each other.
"At least someone's getting it," I sighed.
"This way," Elizabeth gestured, "I'll introduce you to my colleague first."
Agent Tom Barnes looked very young, I thought he was in his mid twenties. He was obviously her subordinate because he stood quickly when we entered the room.
"Hey," his eyes shifted to the laptop, "I was just catching up on the bulletin."
"Why?" Elizabeth smiled, "ain't nothing happening tonight, go back to Minecraft. Um, this is Gail, and this fine specimen is Agent Barnes, Gail will be staying in my room while this storm blows over. I'm not sure what your dinner plans are but you're a free man."
"I was just going to order room service."
