I entered the house and called out "Hello?! I'm here!" I set my bag on the floor by the door, bending to pet the kitty squad that greeted me in lieu of my friend's absence, I said "Hi Broley."
He meowed his greeting, rather pleased with himself at being first to get attention, and twisted himself between my legs while the others jostled for prime petting position.
I hadn't seen a car in the driveway so I parked on the street, and was glad of it when my knock went unanswered. I knew I was welcome to enter so I did, but it was clear that I was alone in the house. Deciding to get a drink of water I headed into the kitchen just as the sound of approaching footsteps made me glance sideways.
A soft breeze whispered through the curtains fluttering them open just enough for me to see the top of her head walking by, and up the driveway. A second later I heard those dainty steps on the stairs.
Then the sound of a door opening and closing made me look up and smile; Lisa's voice rang out "Sorry! Hi honey how are you?" We headed straight toward one another, all smiles, for a big hug. It had been far too long since we'd hung out so our hug quickly turned into a long, tight squeeze.
Ever since Lisa moved to a small town nearby our friendship had been tested by the distance, but not found to be lacking. Still, I think she'd have to admit we don't see each other nearly as much as we used to. Or as much as we'd like to. In fact, we often remark on how much we miss one another.
She and her husband had longed to be home owners. They worked so hard to save their down payment only to find the prices in my city out of their reach so they moved thirty minutes away, back to where she grew up, but promised to keep in touch. This being their first house it needed a lot of work, but it also held a lot of promise for what they wanted in a home.
"So tell me. What household project is in the bag?" I asked pulling back, but not letting go as I nodded toward the large, clearly marked hardware store bag Lisa had deposited on the floor. Removing one arm while leaving the other around my waist, she dropped her keys on the nearby counter, turned to look at it.
"Oh it's the closet project. I finally get a nice big closet, but it's this big open space without any organization, and I can't put anything in it." Lisa replied rolling her eyes. "It's so good to have you here." Lisa's smile lit up her whole face as she looked at me.
Deciding she needed a drink, she slowly relinquished her hold on me, grazing my back side ever so slightly. It didn't occur to me at the time to be anything other than an accident.
She walked over to the sink, turned on the water filter with one hand while fishing a glass out of the cupboard with the other. "Want some? It's warm out today." She spun around and grabbed some ice trays from the freezer throwing one into the sink, empty, and cracking out ice from the second emptying it too.
"Yes, I was actually on my way in for one when you arrived." I took the few steps over to the sink, and accepted the ice cold water Lisa was now holding out for me. I drank it down fairly quick, thanked her for it, and set my glass on the counter. "Need any help?" I asked her
"With the closet? Sure I do, but you're wearing my favorite sundress. Not sure that's the right attire for manual labor." She ended her statement with a small chuckle as she looked me up and down.
"No, it's not a problem; really, if you want help I'll do it. I'm so happy to see what you've done with the place and hang out. I really needed to get away." I gave her a brief, weak smile, and then returned my gaze to the hardware bag.
"Ok. What gives?" Lisa asked, yet it was more of a statement than a question. She can always tell when there is more. And she always listens without judgment. It's one of the many things I appreciate about her.
I look into her brilliantly light blue eyes, and she met my green eyes with a knowing look, telling me she wouldn't drop it, so I should just spill it. "I miss him. A lot." I confessed. I start to tear up.
"Oh honey, I'm so sorry, I know it's been rough. You said you might have to let him go though, right?" Lisa tried to be understanding while injecting a note of common sense into the situation.
"Yes, but that doesn't change the fact that I never wanted to." To say that I missed my lover was the biggest understatement ever. Yet, I didn't want to spend my time with Lisa complaining about a decision I had made, and now was having a hard time living with. I was in a wrecked marriage devoid of trust and commonality.
It seemed I couldn't get out of it, and honestly had no clue if I ever would. It was unfair to both of us to continue any kind of contact. We never really could have all of one another. It was killing me.
Reaching for my hand she pulled me in for another tight squeeze, then let go but pulled me toward the stairs with her hands grasping both of mine, "Let's go and I'll show you what I want to do with the closet. Then you can decide if it's a challenge worthy of your time. Ok?"
It sounded like a good plan, and I really didn't care what we did together as long as I got to be here with her. Lisa is so fun, and an all-around beautiful person. Once, when I was very drunk during a girls' night out, I confessed that I thought she was beautiful, and it was too bad I wasn't a lesbian. She laughed and reminded me that both of us were married, but never rubbed it in or brought it up once we were all sober again. Ever. I was glad of it.
"I'm game. It'll keep my mind busy." And I followed her up the stairs to the master bedroom.
The closet was an L shape, but the entry was short, and you had to duck your head while also moving it a little to the left in order to go around the corner into the much larger and longer part of the L.
Lisa pushed the light switch as she entered. A soft glow lit what looked like a small room to me verses a closet. "Wow. It looks so much smaller from the outside."
