Chapter Seven #2
Still clutching the wireless microphone, Kit clamped one around Sid’s waist and led an awkward waltz around a patch of dance floor.
Gradually more patrons joined them, gyrating and grasping each other until everybody bounced in unison.
Kit couldn’t tell if the crowd noticed she had missed the cue to sing again, but thankfully the band played another instrumental round and she signaled the guitarist that she was ready to resume.
“How… can I tell….”
Sid crooned along with her, and soon the entire club got in on the act with some singing different lyrics as a round.
It should have come out jumbled with all the people gathered, but Kit paid no mind.
One look into Sid’s eyes, their arms draped over each other’s shoulders and standing close, cured any misgivings.
Sid’s smile, her warmth, gave her comfort. They could stand together as partners amid all these women in this club, and she could do the same anywhere else.
As the final lyric faded with the band’s last chord, the club erupted with applause and cheers. Sid squeezed her tightly, her lips buzzing her ear. “Kit, I believe I do love you, too.”
Kit nodded at various congratulations and shook hands, all the while keeping her gaze locked with Sid’s. After a few thank yous she edged them to the circular booth where Annalise had become the filling in a blonde sandwich.
“You look cozy,” Kit told her as they approached.
With a head on each shoulder, hands smoothing over arms and thighs, Annalise attempted a shrug, but the goofy grin plastered on her face confirmed Kit’s perception. “You gals want this booth? We’re heading out of here in a few.”
Kit imagined she’d learn the result of Annalise’s outing via text or social media. She held Sid tighter to her. “Actually,” she said more to her than Annalise, “I was thinking we could bug out of here.”
Sid’s smile fell. “You don’t want to stay? The karaoke’s just hitting its stride now. I was going to suggest a duet.”
Kit pecked her on the lips. “If you don’t mind, I have another idea.”
~*~
This, Sid decided, beat lesbian bar karaoke up and down with a stick.
Their waitress, a bit thick around the middle, white apron over a blue uniform, sporting a dyed-orange beehive, arrived with two large plates.
“Triple berry pancakes,” she announced and set the short stack in front of Kit, “and a blueberry Belgian waffle.” Service with a smile, followed by, “Let me know if y’all need anything else. ”
She waited until the lady bustled out of earshot, then leaned to talk in Kit’s ear. “I still think she’s channeling Lucille Ball.”
“The outfit’s more Alice from Brady Bunch, though.” Kit pointed with her fork at fake Lucy’s white shoes and support hose. “Seriously, she’s been working here for years and her hair’s always been like that. Sue Briscoe’s lived here all her life, and she told me.”
Sid cut into her breakfast-for-dinner. The malted waffle had blueberries cooked inside, and warm compote brimming in most of the middle divots.
The crisp edge surrendered easily to her fork and she speared a triangular bite.
“This is delicious,” she said, and sipped her coffee.
She loved everything about Shakey’s Diner, a twenty-four-seven greasy spoon not far from the Den.
Framed black and white photos of long-gone movie idols graced the walls, and vintage neon logos illuminated the windows.
The reproduction Wurlitzer jukebox by the door played vinyl 45s, with not one song recorded after 1964.
It was like stepping back in time, eating here.
She enjoyed the company most. Kit had the inside of the bench they shared, and ate with her left hand. This allowed them to sit closer, each stroking the other’s thigh as they talked.
“I talked to Tish earlier, and she knows,” Kit was saying, “and she’s cool with it. I wonder if she might have suspected something and didn’t tell me.”
“She’s very perceptive. I think it would’ve been clear to her eventually.” Sid remained optimistic. She didn’t want to cool the vibe with talk of their afternoon spat.
“Of course, work time is for work. I doubt she’d like it much if she caught us in the walk-in cooler.” Kit nudged her, causing her to flick a droplet of blueberry syrup on the table.
“Hey!” Sid chided. “This is too good to spill everywhere.” She dabbed at the stain with a paper napkin and they resumed eating. After a beat, she walked her free fingers a few inches to the crease in Kit’s jeans. She rubbed her girlfriend’s crotch as they locked gazes.
“I’m going to call Mom and Dad tomorrow,” Kit said. “Like Trish, they might have figured it out, but it’s time I made it official.”
“I’ll be there with you, if you want.”
Kit nodded and ate a few bites in silence. “Believe it or not, they make everything fresh here,” she then said. “The blueberries come from Pungo. It’s all farm to table.”
“I make an awesome blueberry sauce, you know.” Sid noticed Kit’s lower lip shining with maple and raspberry and she nipped her quickly for a taste. “If you don’t mind getting a bit sticky, you might want to sample some.”
She smiled at Kit’s deep blush. No heads turned at the innuendo, but with a girl group crooning from the jukebox and the waitresses barking orders to the cook they had enough distractions.
She twined Kit’s free hand in hers and rested them on the table between their meals.
Kit made no move to hide their affection.
Not so bad, is it? They weren’t marching in a parade, or making out like horny teenagers, but being themselves.
Two women living their lives, enjoying each other’s company. If anybody here had a problem with it, they didn’t have to look.
“Wanna get some to-go boxes?” she asked.
Kit smiled at her and her pussy gave a squeeze.
She wanted to get Kit home. Forget the syrup, the whipped cream, the toys.
She craved a long night of slow lovemaking on her futon.
Tangled limbs, mating tongues, hands caressing skin without a thought to time or the world around them.
Kit’s eyes darted side to side, as though assessing their options. “You sure?” she asked. “I know you want to stay out tonight, and I’m totally fine with it. We could even go back to the Den, if you want, for a drink.”
“Kit, I’m happy with this. I love hanging out with you anywhere,” Sid said. “I like to believe we have many years of this to come. Communication is the key, and we have plenty of time ahead of us to work on it.”
“Yeah.” Kit didn’t look away with embarrassment. She met Sid’s lips in a brief, exploring kiss that lasted until a shadow caught the corner of her eye.
Fake Lucy hovered over them, thankfully not scowling. The older woman set the check face down by the syrup dispenser. That was when Sid spotted the rainbow flag button among the other flair lining the straps of her apron.
“Get a room, you two,” the waitress said with a wink, then sauntered back to the counter.
“Don’t worry, we will.” Kit dropped a twenty and a ten on the table.
They left the booth and the diner, still holding hands.
If you enjoyed this story, read on for a preview of THE PERFECT PAIRING, another steamy Sapphic romance by M.Z. Arthur!