She was sitting on a rock formation, looking out to sea. Her profile was exquisite. I wasn’t sure whether or not to approach her. I was nervous, but I didn’t know why. She was as stunning as I remembered with the wind blowing her hair back of her face.
I took a deep breath, ambled over, and sat down beside her. She hadn’t heard me approach and gasped, not knowing who I was at first. It took a few seconds to register and then I saw her face flush as recognition hit home.
“Oh, my God. Natalie,” she said excitedly. “What are you doing here? I can’t believe it’s you. Where did you come from?”
“Actually, I was out walking and because it was so peaceful here, I lay down to enjoy the sun and fell asleep.”
“It’s so great to see you,” she said, giving me a hug. “What have you been up to? Are you married?”
“No. I hope you don’t mind, but I overheard you talking to Paul. Are you okay?”
It was as though all my Christmas’s had come at once. I was excited, my emotions all over the place, I was hoping Paul would be out of the picture soon and perhaps I’d be in.
“Yes. I should have known by the way we were at school that I’m a lesbian. I tried to fight the urge, but I just can’t anymore.”
“Me too!” I laughed. “I’ve only just come to realize it. Why we think we have to fight the urge is ridiculous. We are who we are and seeing you here now is just fantastic. We sure had some good times, didn’t we?”
“Yes, we did. I’ve missed you, missed seeing all my old friends,” she said, eying me as a blush flushed her cheeks.
“How stupid of us, to try and be something we’re not.”
“I know. I’ve been so miserable and poor Paul, he loves me so much, but I just don’t feel the same way. He thinks there is something wrong with me, that I can’t possibly be a lesbian, what is wrong with people?”
“I hear you. I met some older women in a bar one night. Most of them had been married and had children and didn’t come out until they were much older. It’s ridiculous but hopefully now that society is more accepting, we can be who we are without being judged.”
“Well said. I wish I’d never married Paul, but my parents kept insisting he was a good catch and time was running out, that he might meet someone else, so I felt obligated to them to marry him and now he’s crushed.”
“Have you told your parents yet?”
“No, they think we’re just adjusting to each other. They can be so thick sometimes and I think Paul, like most men, can’t believe I wouldn’t be attracted to him. He is a really nice guy though.”
“He’ll come to accept it. He has no choice.”
“I hope so.”
“It’s so great to see you again.”
“And you. I’ve missed being with a woman, it was something which was lacking in our relationship. Every time we made love, I pictured a woman in bed with me and to tell you the truth most of the time I fantasized about you.”
“Really? I’m flattered.”
I felt something I’d never felt before. It was like a kick in the stomach. Staring at her I wondered if she’d be interested in picking up where we left off. I didn’t want to seem too forward, especially with what had just happened between her and Paul, but I really wanted to spend time with her.
We chatted for a while about the old days, laughing about old friends and some of the antics we got up to. It felt like a lifetime ago, yet it was so easy to talk with her, to bring up things from the past and not worry about saying the wrong thing. I was so comfortable and not at all self-conscious with her. It was wonderful. I plucked up the courage and asked if I could take her out to dinner.
“Okay,” she said, smiling. “I’ll give you my number.”
“Great. I’m so glad we bumped into each other, I just can’t believe it,” I said, standing.
She stood too and we went to embrace, but as we did, she stumbled and fell into my arms. I helped her regain her balance, accidentally touching her breast, and as she looked up, I found myself kissing her mouth.
“Oh, Bridget, I’m sorry. It’s probably too soon for you,” I mumbled apologetically.
“That’s okay, Natalie, I wanted you to,” she said shyly.