Breakfast and Business
Lizzy said, "She is already dreading going to work. It is just too painful."
Cate said, "I understand, precious. Have you got money put back?"
Lizzy said, "I have quite a bit."
Cate said, "Do you love me enough to move in with me?"
Lizzy said, "You already know the answer to that one. It is my most ardent desire."
Cate said, "Why not go to work, and hand in your resignation?"
Lizzy began to tear up, and said, "I could do that," as she whimpered.
"I could tell them that I could aid in the transition, but no more travel. I've been with the company for quite a few years. I would imagine they might be a little forgiving of my resignation."
Cate said, "We could put your house on the market, if you are OK with that. My home is larger. Do you think we should consider buying our own home?"
Lizzy said, "Your home is HOME. It is big enough for both of us, and I like how close it is to many of our favorite haunts."
Cate said, "I could eliminate some of my stuff. I had been meaning to downsize. I have a double car garage, and we could park your things there, until we get you settled in."
Lizzy began to cry again, and said, "A dream come true."
The food was served, and they ate quietly. They were both keenly aware of the bigness of this decision. After they finished eating, Cate paid the bill, and they walked slowly to the park.
Cate swung Lizzy again. They said nothing.
Cate broke the silence.
She said, "Maybe you should go home tonight, and carefully decide, if this is this is what you want."
Lizzy said, "That is a good idea. I will go home tonight, and mull it over."
Cate said, "I don't want you to be pressured into making a decision. If you decide to go back to work and stay on a little longer, I won't be upset. I want you to be certain you want to spend the rest of your life with me."
Lizzy said, "I think my decision is made. I love you clearly, and I want to live with you for the rest of our lives."
They got quiet again. They walked home slowly without conversation.
When they arrived, Lizzy announced, "She would be going home. She embraced Cate, and whispered, I love you, dearest."
Cate kissed her, and said "I love you too, precious."
Lizzy departed.
Cates Hell
Cate tried to busy herself with laundry and cleaning. She stripped the bed, and noticed a couple of shit stains. She smiled to herself. Laundry was larger than usual, because Lizzy had been here. She filled the dishwasher, and hit the process button. She straightened the living room.
She sat on the couch, and wept.
She said aloud, "Screw this!"
She went into the kitchen blubbering. She poured a stiff drink, and returned to the living room. She turned the television on, and watched absentmindedly. She continued to cry on and off for the reminder of the evening.
Not much sleep to this night, either.
Lizzys Hell
While at Lizzys house, she too was upset. Every time she thought about leaving Cate, she wept loudly. She tried to busy herself around her home. Her home?
"My place is with her, dearest."
She poured a drink, and turned her television on. She watched without seeing anything.
She noticed something Cate had left behind. Maybe she forgot it. She picked it up. A pair of shorts. She covered her face them. She inhaled Cates scent. She began to bawl. She curled up on the couch with Cates shorts held tightly in her face. She began to cry again. She dozed off to sleep briefly.
She awoke. She had to get out for some fresh air. She went for a walk. She walked to all of the familiar places they had been. While at the park, she smiled thinking of Cate swinging her. She spent a considerable amount time wandering aimlessly around the park. She walked on to the their favorite cafe. She walked farther, and walked by their favorite restaurant. She daydreamed, while walking.
She thought to herself, you had better wake up, or you will be run over. She was reminded of the conversation about untimely death.
She smiled and said, "No way. My life has improved by a thousand percent. I'm not dying now."
She began to think about how she would resign. She did not want to leave her company twisting in the wind, but she just was not going to leave Cate again -- ever.
She considered briefly what she was going to do with the house. Her house had largely been a hotel room on the weekend. She thought she was going to downsize. What about all of the other things she had that would be redundant at Cates. All of this was background noise. She was clear on what her goal was.
She slept fitfully that night. Not much sleep, but lots of tossing and turning.
Monday Morning
Lizzy looked like shit. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she had bags under her eyes. Her mind was made up. She got dressed for work.
She tried to stay focused, while driving. She arrived at work on time. She had a knot in her gut. She sought her boss out. He normally arrived half an hour before anyone else.
She knocked on his door. He looked up, and smiled. "Come in Lizzy, have a seat."
Lizzy sat down, and said Phil, "I have met someone I love. Travel on this job has always been brutal. I lost one marriage indirectly over it, and I won't be losing another. I'm handing my resignation in."
She handed the resignation letter to Phil. He was shocked.
He said, "Wow, I didn't see this coming, Lizzy."
Lizzy apologized and said, "I can stick around, and make the transition smooth. I just won't travel anymore."
Phil said, "You are an extremely valuable person to the company. He said, how many years has it been?"
She said, "Twelve."
He asked, "Your mind is made up?"
She said, "Yes", without any emotion.
He said, "What if I could eliminate all travel from your job responsibilities?"
She said, "I would gladly stay. I would feel a little guilty, since most of the staff hates the travel."
"You are our most senior staff member. I would have a hard time believing anyone could be angry. You know you would be taking a substantial pay cut?"
She said, "I am completely indifferent to the money."
He said, "This is not a decision I can make on my own. I'll talk to the powers that be, and see if I can keep you."
Lizzy tried hard not to cry.
She said, "She would be grateful, but if they won't have it, I'll have to leave."
Phil said, "You must feel strongly about this person, I assume you are going to marry?"
She said, "We've been friends for about ten years, recently love blossomed. I have never been so certain of anything in my life. Yes, I will be getting married at some point."
He repeated, "Let me see what I can do."
She asked, "Could she have the rest of the day off? She has something's that need to be addressed."
He said, "Sure, go ahead. If I can come up with something today, I will call you, OK?"
She stood up, and hugged Phil.
"I appreciate this extra consideration. We've always worked together well. I look forward to hearing from you -- one way or the other. Thanks again."
She walked slowly out of the office fully expecting she had just lost her job. She hadn't expected the possibility that the company would move her into different responsibilities. She was touched, but not terribly optimistic. This company lived and died based on travel. It was a nationwide business."
She went home, and slipped into some shorts and a tank top. She didn't feel rushed to make a decision on the house. She felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders.
She noticed the light flashing on her phone. She was quivering when she picked it up. It was Cate.
