We made love until almost midnight, with as many giggles and squeals than sighs and moans. It was fun, and it made me feel young and sexy. But nothing we did felt as amazing when she folded me into her arms under the covers, pressing her gentle kisses to my forehead.
I was just relaxing towards sleep when I felt her energy change. I opened my eyes and looked into hers. “What is it, sweetheart?”
“Just, um, can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Was I, um, do I get too pushy? With you, like, making you, um, do things?”
“What do you mean?”
She rolled onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. “I’ve had girlfriends who’ve told me I get pushy and demanding in bed, sometimes.”
I rolled towards her. “I don’t mind.” I ran a finger down between her breasts. “I like it, most of the time. All the time, really. I don’t want to start calling you mistress, or having you tie me up or anything, but that surrender, I love that.”
“Okay. Just tell me if I go too far.”
“I promise, but I doubt you will.”
She turned back towards me, her mischievous smile back. “So, no handcuffs or anything?”
I shook my head. “Bill and I tried that once, when we were trying to spice things up, but I hated it. I liked giving up control, though, that feels good. Especially when you know the person you’re with loves you.”
“With all my heart.” Her voice wavered with emotion, and our lips met. She pulled me close and I resumed nodding off. But as I did I could feel how different this was than what I’d had before. Bill and I had never been equals. I’d been stunned he’d wanted to date me, or marry me. I’d never felt worthy, even when I’d been young and beautiful, by the world’s standards at least.
Now, here, I wasn’t what my younger self would have called young or beautiful. But I was loved and desired. And what Sandy and I had was an equal partnership. I’d always felt that I needed others more than they needed me. But this wasn’t like that. Sandy needed me, and loved me, and maybe this really could last a lifetime.
***
The sizzle of bacon could be heard if you stood close to the oven. The smell, on the other hand, was filling the whole house. I’d heard movement from all three of my kids, so this would likely bring them down quickly.
I hadn’t forgotten what I’d left on Paige’s bed, and I admit I kept glancing towards the stairs to see if she was coming down.
“Relax, she’ll be fine.”
I looked over at Sandy, who was sitting at the kitchen table reading. She just read my mind, no big deal. I stirred the eggs for a moment longer before I heard movement from upstairs, and my daughter made her appearance.
“Good morning, Sweetheart.”
She just smiled and walked up to me, giving me a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, Mom.”
“You’re welcome, Honey. Love you.”
“Love you too.” She turned away. “Morning, Coach.”
“Good morning, Paige.”
“Are you coming to church with us?”
“I think so, as long as I’d be welcome.”
I went back to the eggs as they talked. I’m not sure what exactly our pastor felt about same sex relationships, as he never spoke about them from the pulpit. But it was in the church bylaws that marriage was between a man and a woman, and there weren’t any open same sex couples as members of which I was aware. We’d talked about it, and Sandy was going to come today, but we’d refrain from any PDA’s until we were more sure of things. But if we couldn’t be ourselves eventually, we’d leave. I would leave.
The day itself went well. Penny Hobson was eager to say hello again, probably feeling more than a little important because she knew (sort of) the new visitor, and everyone I introduced her to was very kind. But I wondered what the difference would have been if we’d been holding hands. I realized about five minutes in that anything less than that would be intolerable to me long term. I had introduced her to the pastor, who was friendly as always. As I walked away I decided to call him this week to talk and try to nail him down on our church’s position.
Sandy and Will were locked into a friendly debate over something the pastor had said during his sermon. I was just enjoying the fact that they were talking civilly. The best way to earn Will’s respect was to argue with him, and I was ecstatic to see them getting along. I was lost in ‘what’s going to be for lunch’ world as I pulled into the driveway, so much so that I didn’t notice the four door sedan sitting in front of my house.
I’d just finished shooing everyone upstairs to change out of their church clothes when the doorbell rang. I finished tying on my apron, shrugging at Sandy’s questioning look as I headed toward the door.
Two men were standing on my porch, both in pressed, professional suits. I pulled open the door. “Can I help you?”
“Melanie Pierson?”
“Yes?”
He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a leather bi-fold badge holder, which he flipped open. “I’m Detective McMillan, this is Detective Miller, Raleigh Police Department. I’m afraid I need to talk to your daughter. Is she home?”
My mouth dropped open in disbelief, a cold wash of anger and panic flooding through me. The second detective misread my expression, holding up his hand in what he probably thought was a reassuring manner. “Don’t worry, Paige isn’t in any kind of trouble.”
“Yes, I know. No one is any kind of trouble, because no one did anything wrong. God!” I huffed out, stepping aside and allowing them into my foyer, holding my hand out toward the sitting room.
“Melanie? Is everything okay? Hi.” Sandy’d stepped into the room, and was now staring down the two men with her hardest coaching gaze.
“Detectives, you should know Sandra Dalton.” I stepped to her side, taking Sandy’s hand. “My girlfriend.”
It was obvious by their expressions that they did know her, or at least they recognized the name, and that they were more than a little surprised to see her.
“Mom?”
I didn’t turn towards my younger son’s voice, coming from the top of the stairs. “Charlie, will you ask your sister to come down as soon as she can? Please?”
“Yeah, sure.” He turned away, shouting Paige’s name, and I kept my eyes on the two officers. “Sweetheart, these are Detectives McMillan and Miller. They’re here to ask Paige about those stupid pictures.”
“So you’ve seen them?”
“I have. We all have. There’s nothing remotely incriminating about them. Have you seen them?” I put a little dose of condescension in my voice, trying to imply that if they had, they wouldn’t even be here.
“Ma’am, you understand that there’s been an allegation of sexual abuse against a student? Not just a student, but your daughter? We have to investigate.”
I forced my annoyance down. “You’re right, of course. But I hope this is the end of it.”
Almost on cue Paige entered, having changed out of her conservative dress from service into a casual pair of jeans and a scoop neck tee. “Mom? What’s, um what’s going on?” Her voice was unsure as her eyes fell across the two men in our sitting room.
“These two gentlemen are detectives, who want to talk to you about your torrid affair with Coach Dalton.” I didn’t fully keep the disdain out of my voice, which the two officers obviously did not appreciate. Or deserve really, they were just doing their job, and an important one at that. But at the moment my anger at the whole situation was too hard to overcome.
“Sweetheart,” Sandy squeezed my hand, “we have to take this seriously. I’ll go start lunch.” She turned and headed into the kitchen as Paige stepped hesitantly into the room.
McMillan looked at me. “Ma’am, I’m concerned we might not get reliable information with, um…” He indicated in the direction Sandy had just left.
Miller stepped forward, speaking softly. “Mrs. Pierson, we find that people are not forthcoming when their abusers are in close proximity.”
I lowered my voice as well. “Why don’t you just ask your questions, and then decide if Paige is hiding or scared or anything.”
He nodded, turning to Paige, who was still standing quietly to the side. “Miss Pierson, do you want to sit down?” He motioned toward the couch and Paige sat. I took the spot next to her as the detectives claimed spots across from us.
McMillan held his hands up. “Now Paige, we want you to know you aren’t in any trouble.”
“I’m aware.”
“So, can you tell us about the first time Coach Dalton made sexual advances towards you?”
I opened my mouth to protest, but Paige put her hand on my knee to stop me. “Mom, I got this.” She turned to McMillan, speaking confidently and with just a touch of sass. “No, because it’s never happened.”
“Paige, we know that’s not true.” He held his huge phone, the picture of Sandy and Paige hugging in the car displayed.
Paige made an incredulous face. “That wasn’t a sexual advance. That’s a hug. Have you had sex with every person you’ve ever hugged?” The detective’s face flashed with annoyance, maybe even anger, and it was my turn to play peacemaker.
“Paige.”
“Sorry, Mom. Look, Mom had told me Coach Dalton was going to drive me home after practice. On the way we talked about stuff.”
Miller looked up from his notes. “What stuff?”
“I knew they were dating, her and my Mom, and I told her that I’d never seen my mom so happy. She got real emotional after that, like happy. Seriously, she only has eyes for my mom.”
“And that’s all that happened?”