Debbie quickly turned around. “Why not?”
Her shock startled Lisa. She had convinced herself Debbie wouldn’t care that much. “Well… It’s a long commute, and—”
“Oh, Leesy, I never thought about that. You’re right it will be a longer commute, but you can ride the train. The station is only two blocks away.”
“That’s not the only reason.” Lisa looked down at her hands. “Debbie, I don’t feel comfortable sleeping with you with Ric around.” She smiled. “Lucky you, living with that gorgeous man.” Dishonest again, she chided herself. But she couldn’t help it. She hated conflict.
The moment lightened, and Debbie walked to her.
“Lisa! You think he’s that attractive? I just don’t see it.” A small section of reddish blonde hair fell out of Lisa’s hairclip and slowly trailed to her eyebrow. Debbie took the hairclip and hair and re-clipped the section.
“Really? I have to admire his devotion to Gini because that man could have any woman he wanted.”
“Exactly, that’s why I didn’t care for him at first. But he has flaws, just like the rest of us mere humans.” She made a funny face and slid her hand down Lisa’s face. “If you feel uncomfortable at first, you can sleep in one of the back two bedrooms.”
Lisa tried to think of every excuse so she wouldn’t have to tell Debbie… But she had to; it was time.
“Debs, I’m back with Lenny,” Lisa blurted out.
Debbie stepped back. “Lenny? You and Lenny?”
“I’m sorry, Debbie, I should have told you. We have been seeing each other since February and seriously lately since he’s been in town working on the new eye center at the hospital. Well… I’m sorry.”
Debbie walked back to the kitchen, controlling her emotions, as had become second nature when it came to Lisa. “Has he moved in?”
“No, Debbie, I would never do that without asking you first; it’s your house, too. I’m sorry, I should have told you. I love you, Debs… but I love… I enjoy being with him.”
Lisa was on the outside of the kitchen high-bar, Debbie in the kitchen, slowly turning a glass over and over in her hand. I thought this time it was forever.
“Deb, you were so busy with Gini, not that you shouldn’t have been putting all your attention to her; after all, that was your job. But I got really lonely without you, and, well, he was there.”
Debbie had been looking forward so much to being with Lisa in private, just the two of them. Gini was fascinating, but she had missed their intimate time together. It had been something to dream of when she had felt drained by responsibility.
“I guess I didn’t realize I was neglecting you,” Debbie said slowly, putting the glass in the cupboard. “You were such a great help with Gini. I don’t think I could have done the unit therapy without you. I figured we’d continue with our lives here, the three of us, you, me, and Gini.” She blinked back tears.
Lisa put her head down on the counter and started crying hard. “I always mess things up.”
No time for my tears, Debbie thought. She walked around the bar and pulled Lisa into her arms. “Shh, shh.”
“Can we still be friends?” Lisa asked.
“No matter what, we will always be friends. I love you, Lisa, and I want you to be happy.”
Debbie pulled back and put her hand on the side of Lisa’s face, then kissed her sexually on the lips. This is Lisa, my sweetheart, my lover. There wasn’t the same passion in the return kiss. It was a kiss that said “I like you, I care about you, please let me go.” Debbie felt a moment of anger—no, I won’t!—that quickly receded. This was Lisa. She’d known what she was getting into.
Lisa put her hand on top of Debbie’s, and pulled back, still sobbing. “I’ve got to go.”
“Okay, see you at the hospital tomorrow?” Debbie was proud of how steady her voice was.
“Yes. I’m sorry, I just don’t know who I am sometimes.”
Lisa started to the door, looking beaten.
“Leesy, if you want to live with Lenny, it’s okay.”
Lisa turned and went into a full cry again. “Thank you.”
Debbie watched her leave and then went to the couch, buried her face and her hands, and wept. Lisa was the only serious lover she had ever had. They had lived so happily for over two years, but deep down she always knew Lisa preferred men. She’d held out hope that Lisa would someday feel the same about her as Debbie did about Lisa. The word neglect kept popping into her head. She had so loudly shouted out that word at Franco, not realizing she was doing the same to Lisa. She cried harder.
Maybe it wouldn’t have made any difference though. Maybe she would always have gone back to a man.
She put her head back on the cushion and wiped her eyes. There was no time for tears. Her personal life didn’t matter now; all her time had to be focused on Gini. She depended on Debbie to guide her. Debbie had an important journey ahead of her, and she needed to be happy about getting started with her new life.
The next step for Gini was to ride in the car. She enjoyed being outside, and they thought she was ready for a trip to the condo. Debbie would drive, and Robert would sit in the back seat with Gini.
“Baby, today we’re going for a ride in a car to our new home. Do you remember what a car is?”
“No… uff… caah.”
“You’ll know when we get in.”
Debbie took her hand, and Robert carried a small bag Debbie had prepared. They walked through the sitting area and across the bridge to the parking garage. Debbie’s car was parked about four cars from the door.
