Chapter Eight

The last place Clancy wanted to be on Monday morning was on a hill with Hayley, but that's where she found herself. The younger woman had fallen behind on rock detail, and Ramon suggested that Clancy could take a full wheelbarrow down the hill much easier than Hayley could. So they worked together, with Hayley on her knees, picking up rocks as quickly as she could, handing the bigger ones to Clancy, and tossing the small ones right into the wheelbarrow. When the barrow was full, Clancy would muscle it down the hill, take it out to the dumpster, walk it up the ramp they'd built, and turn it onto its side, flinching when the harsh clatter hit her ears. By the time she got back, Hayley had a mound ready for her, and she bent over and tossed them all in.

It wasn't particularly hard work, especially for Hayley. She was able to carry on a mostly one-sided conversation while she collected the omnipresent rocks. "Did you have a good weekend?" she asked.

"Uh-huh."

"Do anything exciting?"

A dozen shocking responses went through Clancy's head, but she decided to stick with, "No."

"Me either. I was doing some thinking about stuff we've talked about, though. Like being in relationships."

"Hmm?"

"You know. You told me that you liked being in relationships. I was thinking about that, and I decided you might be right."

Clancy didn't say a word. She just looked at the girl, trying to figure out where she was going.

"I was talking to Kerry, she's my friend you saw on Friday night. She's in love with a guy at Cal, and when we talked about it it started to make sense … you know … like how it just happens … even when you weren't planning on it."

"Uh-huh," Clancy said, not liking where she could sense they were headed.

"If you meet someone who you're really, really attracted to, why wouldn't you want to stick with them? I mean, it's seems kinda stupid to meet someone you like and then leave them. Doesn't it?"

Clancy was more than a little dismayed to note Hayley's intentional omission of the pronouns he or him. She'd heard enough young women try to get through a story by only using they or them to have it catch her attention. "Yeah. That does seem kinda stupid. Of course, the hard part is finding someone you like, and having them like you as much. That can take quite a few tries. I'm still looking."

"Well, maybe you've been looking in the wrong places." Hayley looked up and gave her a dazzling smile, so much like Abby's that the landscaper nearly fell to her knees and kissed her. But the Graham woman she wanted was in the house, and Clancy was condemned to the hell of being polite to a rough copy of the original masterpiece.

That night, Abby called Clancy not long after the landscaper returned home for the night. "Hi," she said. "Was today as hard for you as it was for me?"

"I don't know," Clancy said. "But it was hard. I wanted to grab you and go someplace quiet. Where we could talk this through and decide what to do next."

"God, I'd love that," Abby said. "The clock barely seemed to move today."

"So … what's going through your mind?"

"I think … no, I know, that I need some time. I have to think about all of the ramifications of letting myself fall for you. And I need to be with you to think some of this through."

"How about this weekend? We can still go look at rocks and talk while we're there."

Abby wasn't feeling very light-hearted, but she let out a laugh. "Being with you … alone … in a motel would seal the deal. I can hardly stop myself from going up on the hill and kissing you until you're crosseyed."

"That's a good instinct," Clancy said. "Instincts are good."

There was a pause, then Abby said, "I want to give in, but I can't. At least not yet. I can't act like this doesn't affect my family, Clancy. It does."

"I know that," the younger woman said. "And I'll try not to pressure you. Just … just remember that you deserve to be happy, too."

"I'll try," Abby said. "I'm used to putting my needs last, but I can't do that forever. My kids are almost grown now."

"They're grown," Clancy said. "As soon as Hayley's eighteen she could get married or join the navy."

"According to her, she'd probably prefer the navy," Abby said, chuckling. "She swears she's not interested in a lasting relationship."

Clancy knew there'd been a change in that view, but she didn't mention it. She wasn't going to serve as the go-between for mother and daughter - especially when her messages might serve to ruin her chances with Abby.

The women agreed not to see each other during the week, both sure that they were sending enough vibes out to alert the neighbors as to how attracted they were to one another. On Wednesday, Hayley went into the house for lunch and asked her mother if she could invite Clancy for dinner. Abby's stomach clenched, but she felt like she had to agree. Later, Hayley went up to her boss and proposed the idea. "Mom's making steak enchiladas for dinner tonight. Wanna stay?"

Luckily, Clancy didn't have to invent an excuse. "Oh, thanks, but I can't. I'm going bowling with some friends."

"Bowling?"

"Yeah. We go to a place in Chatsworth."

Hayley made a face that she immediately tried to hide. "That sounds like fun. Maybe I'll tell my friends about it. We like to do different kinds of things."

"Oh, that won't work," Clancy said, relieved. "It's all leagues. You have to be on a team to get a lane."

Not one to give up easily, Hayley said, "Well, maybe we'll come and watch you. We could have a few drinks. It'd be fun."

"You're not old enough to drink!"

Hayley laughed. "Do you honestly think there's a person in the San Gabriel Valley who doesn't have a good fake I.D.?"

"Oh. Right." Clancy thought for a minute, then said, "There's a very big fine for a bar owner letting under-aged people in. The owner's a friend of mine, Hayley. I'd have to tell him if I saw you there."

She looked absolutely indignant. "You'd tell?"

"Yeah, I would. It's just a fun night out for you guys, but he could lose his business. You have to think about how the things you do affect other people, you know. That's part of being mature."

"Yeah, right," the girl said. "You're my boss at work, but not in my personal life." She turned and walked over to Ramon, ready for her next task.

Hayley was cool to Clancy the rest of the day, and she hadn't thawed out by Thursday morning. The landscaper hoped that the incipient crush had gone the way of most fleeting attractions, but Hayley was friendly again by Thursday afternoon.

That night, Abby called Clancy, and the pair talked for a long time - just as they had every night that week. "The thought of being alone with you this weekend is driving me crazy," Abby said. "Hayley's gonna wonder why we can't go up and back in a day, but we've got to stay over."

Clancy thought for a minute, then said, "You're the one who suggested we stay overnight. And that was before we even kissed."

"Shouldn't take a lot of thought to figure that one out," Abby said, laughing. "I wanted to be with you for a longer time."

"Why, Mrs. Graham! You are always a surprise!"

"The first day you showed up at my door, I remember walking behind you and thinking what a nice ass you had. I think I had a crush on you the first time I looked into those grey eyes."

"Come on, Saturday," Clancy said, trying not to sound like she was begging. "We need to be alone. And to kiss."

"I … I don't think I can do much more than that," Abby said. "I hope you can -"

"Kissing you is enough to satisfy any woman," Clancy interrupted. "Honestly, just being with you is enough."

Abby closed her eyes and let her conscience have a voice. Every difficult lesson she'd ever learned flashed through her head. She knew without a doubt that she should put a stop to this right now. But she couldn't. She needed this so much that she couldn't turn back, even though she knew this would be hard for her kids and her parents and her friends. She knew that Hayley would be particularly hurt - given her crush on Clancy. But for once in her adult life she thought of herself first. Taking in a cleansing breath, she said, "I'll be at your house on Saturday morning at around 8:00."

"I can't wait," Clancy said.

Laughing a little, Abby said, "Don't for get to bring your lips."

The work week was finished, and Clancy was paying Hayley on Friday night when the younger woman asked, "Have any plans for tonight?"

"Yeah. To get a good night's sleep before we drive up to Merced tomorrow."

"Can I go with you? I want to make sure the rocks are right, too, you know."

"Ahh … no, you can't. We're taking your mom's car. Only two seats."

An annoyed expression settled on Hayley's face. "Why couldn't she buy an SUV like everybody else?"

"Most girls would be happy to drive a Lexus coupe. Count your blessings. When I was your age, I had to drive my mother's floral delivery van."

"Yeah, but you could make out in the back, couldn't you?"

Hayley had her on that one, and Clancy spent a moment thinking about her first lover and how they'd roll around in the back of the van, then have to brush the dirt and flower petals off each other before they went home. "I never kiss and tell," Clancy said.

"Good. I like that about you. You know … I was thinking that we could go get something to eat. Even you have to eat dinner."

"No, I'm good. I've got something at home."

Hayley looked at her for a minute, then finally locked eyes with her and said, "This isn't about food. I'm asking you out."

Clancy's eyes widened. Damn, why weren't girls this forward when I was seventeen! But she wasn't interested in this particular girl, and she had to think of a way to tell her without upsetting her. "Uhm … that's not a good idea, Hayley. I'm working for your mom, and I'm sure she wouldn't like it if she thought I was hitting on you."

"I'd tell her the truth." She gave Clancy that sexy smile and added, "I'm hitting on you."

"Ahh … yeah, I guess you are. But she still wouldn't like it."

"My mom's cool about things like this. She has lesbian friends. She won't flip."

"Hayley, I can't go out with a client's daughter. It's not right."

The younger woman was starting to get perturbed and Clancy could see her blue eyes darken. "Is that really the reason?"

"Yeah. It is."

"Fine. I'll ask my mom if she'd mind." She was clearly calling Clancy's bluff, and the blonde cursed herself for having told such a flimsy lie.

"I uhm … I don't date women who have to ask their moms if they can go out," she finally said. "You're a great girl, Hayley, and if I'd known you when I was your age … I would have been in heaven. But I'm almost thirty years old. We're at different places in our lives."

"I'm not asking to marry you, Clancy," she said, obviously angry and embarrassed. "I'm asking you to go out to dinner."

Clancy wouldn't yield. "No, I can't. It doesn't make sense to have a date if I don't see this going anywhere. And I don't." The girl closed her eyes for a moment, and Clancy knew she was on the verge of tears. "Look, Hayley, I think it's great that you had the nerve to ask me. I really do. But you'd be happier with someone your own age. I swear you would."

"I don't like people my own age," she said, her voice husky. "I like older … people. That's why I've never gone out with anyone for long. They're too immature."

"Hayley, there have to be older people at Santa Cruz. Look for a grad student, or a teaching assistant or something."

"I don't need dating advice," she said coldly. "I asked you out. You turned me down. End of story." She turned and walked towards the house, and by the time she got there, Clancy could see her shoulders shaking.

Abby showed up at 8:00 on the dot the next morning, and it was clear that she didn't know what had happened between her daughter and the landscaper the day before.

When they reached the carport, Clancy asked, "Want me to drive?"

"No offense, but your truck is a little harsh for this long a ride. I appreciate the offer, though."

"Hey, not a problem. I'd much rather ride in yours."

"Would you mind driving my car?"

"No, not at all. I'd love to. My truck might be jealous, though. She hates to see me with other women."

"I'm parked on the street," Abby said, smiling at her friend. "She'll never know."

They took off after stopping for coffee and muffins. About fifty miles outside of L.A., Clancy bit the bullet. "I take it that you haven't talked to Hayley."

"When? Today?"

"Or last night?"

"No, I didn't. She went out, called me at midnight and said that she was staying at her friend Gretchen's house. For all I know she might have made that up, but I can't police her too carefully now that she's in college." She looked at Clancy quizzically and asked, "Why?"

"Because she and I had a fight."

"A fight?"

"Well, not really a fight," Clancy said. "She asked me out last night, and was pretty upset when I turned her down."

"Oh, shit." Abby leaned her head back and stared up at the roof. "I can't believe she did that!"

"I couldn't either. I thought I'd driven her crazy - always treating her like she was a kid. But she didn't let that stop her."

Abby sighed heavily. "Well, you are unbelievably attractive. I can't blame her."

"Thanks," Clancy said, smirking. "But I'd rather only you were attracted to me."

"I … I need a little while to process this," Abby said. "Do you mind?"

"No. Why don't you recline your seat and take it easy. I know where I'm going, so feel free to relax." Abby nodded slightly, then tilted her seat back a little and stared out the window, lost in her thoughts.

When they reached the quaint little motor court, they went in together, and Clancy had to clear her throat to find her voice - since it hadn't been used for over three hours.

When they approached the desk, the proprietor looked up and asked, "Help you?"

"Yeah. I made reservations earlier in the week. O'Connor."

"Oh, yes. Here we are. Two rooms, right?"

Sparing a quick glance at Abby, who was staring straight ahead, Clancy shrugged and said, "Uhm … right." After the tense, silent trip she had no idea if Abby wanted to share a room with her or not, so she decided not to press the issue. You should have cleared this up before you got inside, you dope! She extracted her wallet from her jeans and pushed her credit card towards the woman, not stopping when Abby tried to interrupt. "You provided the car. I'll get the rooms," she said. Looking at the desk clerk, she asked, "Where's the best place in town to have dinner?"

"How fancy do you want to get?" the woman asked.

"Very," Clancy said.

"That'd be the Hitching Post," she said. "Take the main road north about three miles. You can't miss it."

"Thanks," Clancy said when the woman handed over the keys.

When they walked back into the bright sun, Abby said, "I didn't bring much to wear to a fancy restaurant."

Clancy was relieved just to hear her voice again. "Up here, fancy means the bar is in a separate room from the restaurant. You look fantastic just the way you are."

Abby looked away, Clancy's intense gaze making her feel a little uncomfortable, then nodded her head. "Thanks." She gave the younger woman a smile - her first of the day - and said, "You look nice today. I'm sorry I didn't comment earlier."

The architect was wearing a very bright, print camp shirt in shades of orange and yellow. Faded, form fitting jeans and black Birkenstock sandals finished off her outfit, and Abby found that the style suited her friend perfectly.

"Well, now you've seen almost my entire wardrobe," she said. "I keep telling myself that I've got to buy a few nice things - but I never get around to it."

"I like your little uniform," Abby smiled, then remembered the teasing that Hayley always gave her about her uniform fetish and her smile faded. "Let me freshen up and then we can go have dinner, okay?"

Clancy nodded and handed her a key to one of the bungalows. Each room was a stand-alone unit with a bath and a bedroom, and Clancy was pleased to find that they were neat, clean, and relatively updated. There was a big television in the room, and a queen-sized bed, and she looked at it briefly, hoping against hope that Abby would share the bed with her.

During dinner they steered clear of any upsetting topics and focused on the landscaping plans. Clancy had been tweaking them with every spare moment she had, and she excitedly regaled Abby with every new bit of minutia she could recall.

Abby picked up the check after a brief argument, then they headed back to the motel. The night was cool and dry, and a soft breeze whistled through the massive pine trees that the cabins were nestled into. "Wanna stay outside and enjoy the evening?" Clancy asked.

Abby nodded, and sat in the rough-hewn swing that graced the porch of her cabin. It was the only seating available, so Clancy squeezed in next to her, their thighs touching all along their length. Thankfully, Abby didn't move her leg, and Clancy was slightly heartened.

"Wanna talk about it?" Clancy finally screwed up the courage to ask.

Abby shook her head gently and said, "Not really. I'm not the kind of woman who can process my feelings quickly. I need to let things percolate for a while." She looked at Clancy and added, "Give me time, okay?"

"Of course." She wanted to touch her so badly she could taste it, but Clancy kept her hands firmly atop her own knees. "I don't want to rush you, Abby. I know this has been a very, very emotional time for you. I'll do my best to back off."

Looking at her curiously, Abby asked, "Would you like to talk? Just because I need some time to reflect doesn't mean that you do, too."

"Uhm … I don't have a lot to say," she said. Summoning all of the affection she could muster into her gaze she said, "All I want is to make sure that you know how much I care for you. My feelings for you run very, very deep, Abby, and I very much want a chance to work this out."

A long, delicate hand reached out and landed on Clancy's thigh. Abby's voice was soft, and held a heavy note of curiosity. "Is that true?"

"Is what true? That I have feelings for you, or that I want the opportunity to build a relationship?"

"Uhm … either, I guess," she said. "We've kissed a lot, but I'm not sure I know where you think this is going."

"What? I thought I'd made it clear that I want to have a relationship with you."

"Well, you have, but I get mixed signals. When you opened the door this morning, you didn't even hug me. And when we got here, I thought you'd at least ask me if I wanted to share a room. It … made me feel like you didn't want to be too close."

Clancy slid off the swing and got to her knees, grasping for Abby's hands. "I was upset about what had happened with Hayley," she admitted. "I guess I felt guilty hugging you or kissing you before I told you the truth. I thought … I thought that Hayley's asking me out might make you change your mind."

"It should," she said, looking over Clancy's head to stare into the pines. "My children have always … always come first." She looked down and met Clancy's eyes. "I know that this is going to have serious - maybe even disastrous repercussions for my family." The smallest of smiles touched her lips, and she reached out and stroked Clancy's cheek. "But I want you so badly." She closed and eyes and shivered, her head shaking slowly. "I've never been this torn about anything in my life."

"We can work it out," Clancy insisted. "We'll be very, very discrete."

With a sad, resigned expression, Abby said, "We can't be discrete for long. I can't juggle lies to my kids, my parents, my friends, my neighbors. This will come out, and it will probably come out soon. That's why I have to know that you're serious about this." She put her hands on Clancy's shoulders and said, "I'm begging you. Level with me. I have to know how you feel about me."

Closing her eyes, Clancy planted soft kisses all over Abby's hands. "I know it's early, but I think you're the one. The one," she reiterated. "I'm falling in love with you, Abby."

"You want to be in a committed, exclusive relationship with me?"

Giving her a very puzzled look, Clancy said, "Yes, of course!"

"I don't mean to doubt you," Abby said. "But the note from Michael really threw me."

"Abby, I am totally, thoroughly, single. I have no interest in any woman in the world - except you. I'm very traditional in the way I approach a relationship - even though I'm fairly adventurous when I'm in one. I'd love to show you exactly how adventurous I can be," she added, leaning forward just enough to be able to detect a hint of Abby's perfume.

Abby closed the distance between them and placed a delicate kiss on Clancy's warm lips. "Will you sleep with me tonight?" She waited for a second and added, "I'm not ready for sex, but I'd love to hold you. Is that okay?"

"Of course. You can hold me tonight, tomorrow … as many nights as you'll have me," Clancy replied, her voice catching a little.

Abby got up and extended a hand, and Clancy gladly took it. "Let's take this one day at a time, okay?"

"That works too." Clancy smiled broadly at her and took her hand to lead her into the cabin.

Clancy stood just inside the door of the small room, looking around awkwardly while she tried to decide what to do. Abby looked more than a little nervous, too, and she gave Clancy a tentative smile and inclined her head towards the bath. "I'll just brush my teeth …"

"Oh! Uhm … maybe I'll go do the same. Be right back." This is too weird, she thought, leaning against the door of her room. We act like we're total strangers. She brushed, and flossed, and brushed again, mumbling to herself the whole time. Deciding that she was feeling a little grungy from the drive, Clancy took a quick shower, giving herself a good talking to while she scrubbed herself. The only way to make Abby feel comfortable is to tell her how you're feeling - and encourage her to do the same when she's able. Just be honest with her.

Freshly scrubbed and feeling a little better, Clancy put on some never-worn flannel pajamas that she'd found at the bottom of her dresser.

She'd been gone longer than she'd planned, and Abby was already in bed when she entered. The older woman gave her a relieved glance and said, "I thought you might have changed your mind."

Clancy quickly crossed the room and perched on the edge of the bed. Reaching out, she ran her hand down Abby's face, lingering over her features with her thumb. "What's up? You act as though you're expecting me to be a real asshole, and you know me better than that."

The older woman leaned into her touch and said, "I don't know. This whole thing has me so mixed up. I don't feel like I can trust my instincts right now. I honestly feel like I'm in a fog."

Her thumb kept stroking, and Clancy lowered her voice and softened it. "Anything I can do to help? Wanna talk about it?"

Abby shook her head, once again avoiding Clancy's gaze. "Too much. I just need to sleep."

When she stood, Abby's eyes followed her. Clancy walked around to the other side of the bed and tossed the covers back. As she slid in, she smiled and said, "I know how to distract you, and relax you, and make you sleep like a baby."

Abby's eyes widened in surprise, and she struggled with the feelings that washed over her. She was frankly amazed that Clancy would make a sexual overture at this point, but she didn't know how to turn her down politely. But Clancy surprised her completely when she sat up against the headboard and pulled Abby's head onto her lap. "Don't think about a thing," she murmured. "Just feel my touch."

Abby's body felt a little stiff and unyielding and Clancy gently soothed, "Come on now, relax for me. Concentrate on your breathing … that's it … that's the way." She smiled down at the taller woman as she felt her muscles start to relax and her body mold itself along her length. Abby's arm draped across the younger woman's thighs, and her hand tangled in the generous folds of her pajamas.

Clancy gazed down when she heard Abby's soft voice murmur, "Perfect. Just perfect. This was exactly what I needed."

Giving her hair an affectionate ruffle, Clancy said, "I'll do my best to always give you what you need, Abby. I promise that."

The last conscious thought to float through the older woman's mind was, I believe her. I really believe her.

On the way back to Los Angeles, Clancy commented, "I'm not sure if this was the best day to look at boulders. Every one was beautiful … perfect and smooth. Just like your skin."

Abby's hand playfully covered her mouth as she chided her, "You're going to have to behave when we get back home, you know. You may as well get into practice right now."

Clancy nodded, her eyes still dancing. "I'll be good. I'm just so completely happy, Abby. Everything seems perfect today."

Abby was driving, but she diverted her attention long enough to grasp Clancy's hand and give it a gentle kiss. "It seems perfect to me, too. My whole body feels renewed." She sighed deeply and said, "Taking a young lover seems to be the key to the fountain of youth."

"It's not about age," Clancy maintained. "It's about chemistry and connection. And I feel very connected to you, Abby. I'm very, very happy."

"Me, too." Abby smiled. She placed Clancy's hand on her thigh and the pair lapsed into a comfortable silence, both of them ruminating about the events of the weekend.

While she was mostly jubilant about their connection, Abby's stomach began to tighten the closer they got to L.A. Clancy noticed the change in her affect and finally mentioned it. "You seem pretty tense. Worried about going home?"

"Yes. Very."

Clancy was quickly learning that Abby became almost monosyllabic when she was worried about something, but she wasn't willing to let this issue slide. "We should talk about it. We need to make a decision about how we're going to play this."

"We can't let Hayley know … no matter what," she said, her face a mask of worry.

"Okay … we can do that," Clancy soothed. "I hope you mean that we can't tell her right now …"

"Yes. Oh, yes! Of course that's what I mean. She'll get over her hurt feelings soon. And she'll be going to Maine in a month - then right to school from there."

Clancy felt a little sick to her stomach at the thought of waiting for a month, but she nodded. "I don't need to tell another soul. We'll keep this between us until you're ready to go public."

"No, no that's not necessary," Abby insisted. "I know you're close to your parents, Clancy; they'll pick up on this. So will Michael. I don't want you to lie to them."

"If it comes up, I'll be honest," she agreed. "But I'm not going to go out of my way to tell people until you're ready."

Abby gave her a relieved glance and blew her a kiss. "I should have known you'd be understanding about this. I don't know why I was worried about talking to you about it."

" 'Cause it's all new to you. You're not used to having to hide a part of your life." She gripped her thigh with gentle pressure and said, "We'll work this out, Abby. I promise."

"I trust you," she whispered.

As they drew near L.A., Abby said, "I wonder how surprised people will be about this? I can't help thinking that someone hasn't picked up on the connection that's been building between us."

Running her hand up and down Abby's thigh, Clancy asked gently, "Do you honestly think you've had a crush on me for a while?"

"I don't remember the last time I sat around in my pajamas playing 'eat the strawberries from my fingers' with any of my other contractors," she said thoughtfully, adding a wry glance at Clancy.

"You know I meant before last Friday night," Clancy said, giving her a pinch.

"I didn't recognize it at first, but in retrospect I've been sexually attracted to you for a while - I just forced the conscious thoughts down."

"Tell me how you've been feeling," Clancy said. "Don't be afraid."

"I'm not afraid … exactly," Abby said, smiling again. "But this isn't what I do best." She took in a breath and squared her shoulders, then spent a moment composing her thoughts. "I've been feeling very close to you for weeks now. But I didn't read it right. It wasn't something that I expected, so I didn't know how to classify my feelings."

"What have they been?" Clancy persisted.

"Mmm … at first, I thought I was feeling maternal towards you," Abby said. "But that didn't last very long. You didn't give off any 'daughter' feelings towards me, so my maternal feelings died pretty quickly. I guess I just thought we were becoming friends," she said.

"Uh-huh," Clancy said, her hand stroking lightly across Abby's thigh. "Then what?"

Frowning slightly, the older woman asked, "You're not going to let me get away with avoiding the question, are you?"

"You don't have to answer," Clancy said, "but no, I'm not going to let you sidestep it."

"You're as bad as Will," Abby said, her mouth creasing into a grin. "I could never hide my feelings from him - much as I tried." Clancy just smiled at her, waiting her out. "Okay, I've had a few uhm … fantasies … about you. I uhm … had a particularly satisfying one the night we went dancing. But I assumed that I was just reacting to what I could feel - from you," she said, coloring pink.

"Arghh!" Clancy dropped her head into her hands, finally peeking out from between two fingers. "You knew?"

"Ahh … yeah. I've known for a while. I think I've known since the first time we went swimming together."

"You saw me checking you out, didn't you?" Clancy asked, her head dropping back against the seat.

"Uhm … yeah. But it was fine with me, Clancy, really," she said earnestly. "I was … complimented."

"Complimented?" the younger woman asked. "Not freaked out?"

"Why would it freak me out to have such an attractive, engaging person find me attractive?" Abby asked, her expression one of puzzlement. "No one had given me that kind of attention in a long while. It was great for my ego."

Looking at Abby for a few moments, Clancy finally said, "Damn, but you're evolved. Most women would have thrown me out and locked the door."

"Well, now, wouldn't that have been stupid?" Abby asked, chuckling softly. "We've had some wickedly wonderful kisses the last few days, and I never would have known that pleasure if I'd been offended."

"You don't think you would have been receptive to another woman?" Clancy asked, still baffled by Abby's easygoing attitude about sexual orientation.

"I haven't been up until now," Abby said, shrugging her shoulders. "I think you're just incredibly special." She placed her hand on Clancy's leg and said, "I mean that sincerely."

"I feel the same," Clancy said. "I'm eternally grateful that you gave me a clear signal that you were interested. I never would have made the first move."

"Never?"

"No, never. I wouldn't put someone I cared for in that position," she explained. "I wanted your friendship more than that."

"It would be wonderful if we could keep the friendship … and the other, wouldn't it?"

"That's my goal, Abby. And I'm a very persistent woman when I have a goal."

They were blocks from Abby's street when she took a turn and headed for the Rose Bowl. Clancy looked at her quizzically, but the older woman just stared straight ahead until she reached the parking lots. She guided the car to the farthest section, turned off the engine, and turned to Clancy. "I need to kiss you again."

Clancy smiled warmly and melted into her arms. They savored each other for a long while, kissing and touching gently until the sun set. "That wasn't nearly enough," Abby breathed into Clancy's ear, sending shivers up her spine. "I'd love to have my hands all over you right now. The thought of your body makes my mouth water."

"I need to either go home, or get out and make love to you on the asphalt," Clancy moaned. "I'm so turned on I could scream."

"Do you want me to …?" Abby asked hesitantly, running a fingernail up the seam of Clancy's jeans.

Shaking roughly, astounded by Abby's boldness, the younger woman declined. "No. I mean, yes, I want you to - desperately - but no, I don't want to do it here. I want it to be special, Abby. I can wait … I've waited thirty years for you." She grinned at her shyly, and Abby felt her heart clench with emotion for the beautiful young architect.

"Every time will be special," Abby vowed. "How could it not be with a special woman like you?"

"Do you have plans for tonight?"

"Yes. I have dinner plans. Uhm … I don't quite know where to go from here. I … I'm really not good at this."

"No problem," the landscaper said, smiling warmly. "Just drop me off at home, and I'll see you tomorrow morning. We've got a big day planned."

"Thanks for being so understanding," the older woman said.

"Hey, I'm a woman who makes long-term plans. I can be very, very patient."

Michael came home at around 8:00 and Clancy struggled out of bed to greet him. "Hey, buddy," she said wanly.

He took a long look at her and said, "You look wiped. You feeling okay?"

"Yeah." She yawned noisily and said, "I was already in bed, but I thought I'd better get up and share a little something with you." She looked uncharacteristically ungainly as she stood there in her tank top and baggy pajama bottoms, and he walked over to her and offered a hug.

"Are you sure you're all right? You look funny."

"I'm fine," she insisted, patting him on the waist. "I'm actually totally great, but worried sick."

"Odd combo," he said slowly. "Wanna explain?" Since they were close to her room, they walked inside and soon both were sprawled across the futon.

"I uhm … Abby and I … we …"

"You didn't!" he cried, slapping her on the rump.

"Oh, I did." She sighed and rolled fully onto her back. "It was blissful."

"So … she figured out the lesbian sex part, huh?" His eyes were dancing with interest.

"We didn't have sex, Mikey. We kissed … for hours." She looked like she was about to swoon from the memory, but Michael fractured her reverie.

"I do not, and I never will understand women!"

"We like to kiss," Clancy said. "If you guys would just play along and act like you liked it too, you'd get a lot further."

"Well, given that you've told me you're a kiss-a-holic, that explains the totally great part," he decided. "Now where does the worried sick part come in?"

"There are a few … problems," she said. "Her daughter has a crush on me, and I've been trying to convince her I'm not interested."

"Well, well, well. Aren't we the hot commodity? Any other girls in the family you can hook?"

"Not funny, Michael. I really care about Abby, and I want this to work."

"Sounds like a strange family," Michael said. "Actually it sounds like a great porn movie. A lesbian mom and daughter combo would be a big seller!"

"Do you want to be serious about this, or make fun of me?"

"I'm sorry, Clance." He put his hand on the small of her back and rubbed it gently. "This is just pretty wild stuff for you. You're not very often in the middle of a lesbian soap-opera."

"And I don't wanna be now! I really care for Abby, but I'm afraid Hayley will screw things up!"

"I assume Abby knows her daughter's gay, right?"

"No." Clancy shook her head slowly. "Neither of them has ever been with a woman."

Michael sat and stared at his friend for a moment. "You convinced two straight women to turn? That's not fair! There aren't gonna be any straight women left in Pasadena!"

"I didn't turn anyone into anything! I don't know if Hayley's serious or not. She might just be trying to be adventurous. You know how kids are."

"I never tried to be gay - just for the fun of it," Michael said. "Doesn't seem like much fun to me at all."

"It's different for girls," Clancy said, giving him a scowl. "They're more flexible about sex."

"Now that's good news," he said, giving her a winning grin.

"None of this is good news," she said glumly. "Except the fact that Abby kissed me."

"That is good news, babe. Do you really think she'll be too upset about the kid to do anything else?"

"I have no idea! We didn't resolve anything, Mikey! Hell, we barely talked at all! We spent most of the weekend kissing, but I'm not sure whether she thinks we have even a remote chance of having a lasting relationship. I'd marry her tomorrow, but she might not be able to continue with this. I'm totally freaked!"

"Oh, poor baby," he sighed. He scooted closer and started to massage her head and shoulders, making her purr as some of the tension started to leave her body. "I've known you for sixteen years now, and I've never heard you come close to saying that you wanted to marry someone. Are you sure about this … about her, Clancy?"

"Yes," she sighed. "She's the one, Michael. She's the first woman I've ever felt like this about - and if I can't have her I don't know what I'll do."

"Shh …" he soothed. "Don't worry about all of the bad things that could happen, Clance. Think about the good things. Even if it doesn't work out, why not have a little time where you believe that it will?"

"You're right," she nodded. "I'll lie here and remember how it felt to hold her. That might calm me down enough to let me sleep."

"This can work out," he promised, kissing her head. "If she's the woman you believe she is, I'm sure she's not jerking you around."

"She'd never do that," Clancy said. "She's concerned about Hayley. Well, I guess that's the main thing she's concerned about. She's one of those people who doesn't like to talk about what's on her mind."

"Danger! Danger!" Michael cried, laughing. "This will never work out! You can't stop talking about what's on your mind!"

"I know, I know. But maybe it's best not to have both of us be chatterboxes. Having two people who talk about their feelings constantly could be totally obnoxious."

"Well, you certainly yak enough for any two women, so I guess it can all equalize," he teased. "Now get some sleep, and take a night off from worrying, okay?"

"Okay. I love you, Michael."

"I love you too, Clance. Sleep tight and dream about a happy future."

Clancy was lying in bed, dreaming of the pleasure of being in Abby's arms, when the phone rang. She reached for it, and sighed softly when she heard her voice. "I miss you," Abby whispered.

"Oh, I miss you, too," Clancy drawled sexily. "Wanna come over and warm my bed?"

"I'd give anything," Abby said wistfully. "But since I can't do that, I wanted to call and say good night."

"G'night," Clancy said. "I wish I could kiss you good night, but that'll have to wait. But in my dreams, I'm holding you in my arms and kissing you so tenderly. It makes me feel warm all over to even think about."

"If it's real, it'll feel just as good - or better, if we wait."

"It's real," Clancy said softly. "It's definitely real."