Femme Tales Page 10

  Nan patted their joined hands. “It’s only a matter of time.”

  Nan shifted her attention to Melanie who she had been ignoring since she walked into the room. “Now, Miss Melanie, it was my understanding that you and Serena ended your relationship before she left Georgia because you didn’t agree with her coming to New York, so I’m a bit confused as to why you’re here.”

  Chayse gently eased her hand from Serena’s as she prepared to leave. “Nan, I should probably head out.”

  “Honey, you stay right there. You have just as much right to be here as anyone else.”

  Melanie sighed in frustration. “Mrs. Warren, it was Serena who decided to break it off. I still care about her very much.”

  Chayse didn’t miss the side glance Melanie gave her at her declaration of feelings for Serena.

  “Nan, I really do have to go. We’re delivering lunches to the homeless shelter today, and I need to get back to the restaurant to help prepare the food,” Chayse said.

  “All right. We’ll still see you on Saturday?”

  Chayse smiled. “Bright and early.”

  “Good. I’ll walk you out,” Nan said.

  Chayse nodded and took one last look at Serena. In what had become a habit, she grasped Serena’s hand, leaned down, whispered in her ear, “Wake up, Sleeping Beauty,” and then placed a soft kiss on her temple, ignoring Melanie’s angry glare.

  “I didn’t catch your name,” Melanie said to Chayse as she was following Nan toward the door.

  “If you had asked nicely I might have given it,” she said before walking out of the room.

  * * *

  Serena sat watching as the clouds dissipated and the sun shone once again over her little field of paradise. The sweet smell of the lone rose bush amongst the wildflowers and the warmth of the sunshine made her drowsy. As she lay down to rest, she noticed the strangest thing happening in the palm of her left hand, the very hand she had felt the tender grip of someone’s touch just moments ago. It began to tingle, and a beautiful rose tattoo wove its way into the delicate skin of her palm. Once the tattoo was complete, she held her hand over her heart and felt such tenderness it brought a tear to her eye. Just before she drifted off to sleep, she heard the voice that had become her lifeline in this strange world of unconsciousness whisper, as clear as if the person stood right beside her. “Wake up, Sleeping Beauty.”

  * * *

  Later that evening, Chayse sat in her office wondering about her fascination with Serena. How could she possibly have such intense feelings for a woman she had only spoken with a few times? Well, at least while she was conscious.

  Trying to fight the pull Serena seemed to have on her was liking denying herself air to breathe. Her priorities had changed since she began to visit Serena almost daily. One change in particular caught Chayse completely off guard. She had reached her goal with the success of her restaurant and was exactly where she wanted to be in her life, yet since Serena entered her world Chayse found herself wishing she had someone to share her success with, to come home to, to be able to wake up on a Sunday morning and prepare breakfast in bed for two rather than brunch for two hundred, or to simply share a conversation about how their day went. A knock on her office door interrupted her thoughts.

  “Come in,” she said.

  It was her hostess, Raquel “Hey, boss lady, are you going to hide in here all night? Customers are asking about you.”

  “I’m not feeling too sociable. I think I’m gonna take off for the night,” Chayse said.

  “Is there anything I can do for you?” Raquel asked in concern.

  “No, I think I’m just burned out and need a break. I’ll be fine by tomorrow,” she said reassuringly.

  “All right. Call me if you need anything,” Raquel said before leaving the office.

  Chayse stopped in the kitchen to check on her staff, then headed out through the back entrance of the restaurant to avoid running into anyone. She didn’t feel like sitting in her apartment moping so decided to go for a walk. Before she knew it, she was standing outside the hospital debating whether to go up or not. Visiting hours were almost over, and she was sure Serena’s family was probably still with her. She turned to leave.

  “Chayse? Is that you?”

  She turned back to find Serena’s mother heading toward her. “Hi, Mrs. Frazier.”

  “What are you doing here so late?” Colleen Frazier asked as she gave Chayse a warm hug in greeting.

  “I was out for a walk and ended up here,” Chayse answered.

  Colleen smiled knowingly. “You really care about my daughter.”

  “I guess more than I anticipated.”

  “Why don’t we chat,” Colleen suggested.

  Chayse nodded, following her to the same bench where she had first met Serena’s grandmother. She had spent some time with Serena’s family when they came by the restaurant to meet her, but other than Nan she had never spent any one-on-one time with any of them. Their next gathering was planned for that Saturday morning at the restaurant when she and Nan were going to make breakfast for everyone.

  “Being our firstborn and only girl, Serena and I were very close while she was growing up,” Colleen said. “Then, her last year of high school, she told me about a crush she had on one of her female friends and I didn’t handle it very well. I told her it was nothing, just a phase, and that she just hadn’t met the right boy yet. I could see I’d hurt her saying that, but I didn’t know what else to say.” Her voice was filled with regret.

  Chayse winced. She had heard that same response so many times from well-meaning family and friends when she came out, she completely understood how Serena must have felt hearing her mother say it.

  Colleen’s smile was sad. “From your reaction I guess you’ve heard that one before.”

  “Yes, and still do once in a while,” Chayse said.

  Colleen nodded in understanding. “Our relationship wasn’t the same for a long time after that. It only got worse when she came out after her college graduation. I refused to believe my little girl was gay because that meant we would never share all the mother-daughter life experiences that most mothers look forward to, like planning her wedding and guiding her through her first pregnancy and motherhood. Instead of giving her the love and understanding she needed and deserved, I’d pushed Serena away for purely selfish reasons.

  “After she told us, she and I barely spoke to each other for over a year. She even moved out to live with her grandmother to be able to live openly without having to see the disappointment in my eyes whenever she went on a date or brought a friend home. Regrettably, it took Serena getting sick for me to realize how stupid and selfish I was being.” Unshed tears shimmered in Colleen’s eyes, and Chayse instinctively reached for her hand in comfort. Colleen gave Chayse’s hand a gentle squeeze in appreciation.

  “She went to see her doctor about abdominal bloating and pain and, after several tests, was diagnosed with invasive epithelial ovarian cancer. She was already in Stage 2 when they caught it, but it was treatable. Unfortunately, the treatment required her having a hysterectomy as well as months of chemotherapy. Although she refused my request to move back home so that I could take care of her, I was still with her every day and by her side for every chemo treatment. To see her go through what she went through without a complaint or show of fear made me so proud. My daughter is a strong, beautiful person, and most of all, a fighter. She lives life with so much joy and love, and I wouldn’t have her be any other way,” Colleen said, a sense of pride in her voice.

  “Whoever she decides to settle down with will be blessed to have her and all the love she has to give, and if she deems them worthy of that love, then I’ll accept them as well as long as they prove their worth by loving my daughter just as deeply as she will love them,” she added, meeting Chayse’s gaze with open honesty.

  “Your daughter is a very blessed woman to have you for a mother,” Chayse said.

  “No, I’m the blessed one, Chayse.
Now,” Colleen said, releasing Chayse’s hand with another quick squeeze. “My ride is here and you should get up there before visiting hours are over.”

  They stood together and embraced once more before Colleen walked over to a waiting car.

  “Hey, Chayse!” Serena’s father cheerfully greeted from the car.

  “Hey, Mr. Frazier!” Chayse waved once more to the two before the car pulled away from the curb.

  Chayse made it up to Serena’s room with twenty minutes left before visiting hours were over. She planned to stay just a few minutes, long enough to look in on Serena and say good night. She walked into the room and was about to take her usual position next to the bed when she noticed a few changes.

  “Your mom’s been busy,” she said as she ran a finger along a soft curl in Serena’s hair.

  Chayse grasped Serena’s hand, placing a soft kiss on her knuckles above the splash of deep plum color on her nails that matched the soft pink floral nightgown she now wore.

  Chayse smiled. “Now you really do look like Sleeping Beauty,” she said as she bent to place her lips near Serena’s ear…

  * * *

  When Serena felt the warmth of the bright sunlight spilling over her and was enveloped by the strong scent of her rosebush carried on the breeze, she knew it was time. She closed her eyes, lifted her face toward the sunshine, and listened, patiently waiting for the voice that would carry her from her little field…

  * * *

  “Wake up, Sleeping Beauty,” Chayse whispered. “There’s so much I’d rather say to you while you’re awake.”

  Chayse placed a soft kiss along Serena’s cheek, inhaling the fresh clean scent of the soap Colleen must have used on her. She shifted so that she could see Serena’s face.

  “Please wake up, Serena.” Chayse placed her lips on Serena’s in a gentle kiss.

  The tender moment turned to shock as Chayse felt Serena’s hand flex within her own at the same time as Serena’s lips opened and a subtle moan escaped. Chayse eased away from Serena just as her eyes slowly began to flutter open.

  “Serena?” Chayse said hesitantly as Serena’s gaze began to focus on her.

  Since her right hand was still within Serena’s soft grasp, Chayse subtly pushed the call button with her left so as not to make any sudden movement that would make Serena finally waking up seem like a dream. The nurse was there immediately.

  “I see someone has finally decided to wake up,” she walked over to the bed and gazed down at Serena.

  Serena looked from Chayse to the nurse then back to Chayse and began to speak but winced in pain instead.

  “Don’t try to talk. Your voice hasn’t been used in a while. Let her sip some water.” The nurse handed Chayse a cup with a straw. “I’ll get the doctor.” She smiled reassuringly.

  Serena sipped the water Chayse offered. As her gaze became clear and focused she looked around the room then settled her eyes on Chayse. Since Chayse was the only person in the room when she woke up, Serena knew that she had to be the one who had been talking to her all this time. She tried clearing her throat and talking again, but the only thing that came out was a croak.

  “The nurse said you shouldn’t talk,” Chayse gently reprimanded her.

  Serena needed to know for sure if Chayse had been the one to pull her from her sleep. She pointed to Chayse, made the talking gesture with her hands, pointed to herself, and made the gesture for sleeping hoping Chayse would understand what she was trying to say.

  Chayse smiled sheepishly. “Uh, yes, I was talking to you while you were sleeping. The doctor said it would be good for you.”

  Smiling, Serena pointed to Chayse, her lips, and then to herself.

  Chayse blushed and looked away. “Yes, I kissed you,” she said.

  Serena grasped Chayse’s hand, interlocking their fingers. Chayse turned her gaze back to Serena’s and was met with such tenderness, her heart swelled in response. The moment was interrupted by the arrival of the nurse with a doctor.

  “Well, Ms. Frazier, welcome back. I’m Dr. Garrett and I’m going to take care of you until we reach Dr. Jansen,” the doctor said.

  “I better go and let the doctor do his thing,” Chayse said to Serena with a shy smile.

  Serena grasped her hand tighter as Chayse started to pull away.

  “I’m just going to step out in the hall and call your parents. They’ll want to know you’re awake,” Chayse said.

  Serena nodded and released her hand, but her eyes followed Chayse until she left the room.

  Chayse leaned against the wall outside Serena’s room trying to calm her racing heart. Did Serena wake up because of her? No, it was just a coincidence. Her family had also been here for days talking to her, and it was obvious all the stimulation must have helped.

  “I just happened to be at the right place at the right time,” Chayse said to herself, dismissing the silly notion that she really had awakened her very own Sleeping Beauty. She looked once more over at the room, then took out her phone to call Serena’s grandmother knowing she would inform the rest of her family of her condition.

  The nurse came out just as she ended her call. “You may go in now but only for a few more moments.”

  Chayse nodded and followed her back into the room. Serena was now sitting propped up in the bed looking beautiful and refreshed, as if she had just woken up from a short nap rather than a comatose sleep. She smiled shyly at Chayse as the doctor finished his exam.

  “We’ll schedule a few tests in the morning just to make sure everything is fine,” he was telling Serena as Chayse took her usual place at her bedside. “Until then, and I know it sounds strange to say under the circumstance, but get some rest,” he said. With a quick nod at Chayse, he and the nurse left the room.

  Chayse didn’t know what to say to Serena now that she was awake. Serena surprised her by speaking first.

  “The nurse told me what happened,” she said quietly, her voice still a bit raspy from being unused for so long. “I don’t remember anything after I got hit by my attacker.”

  “Fortunately, he was caught by some Good Samaritans that were nearby when they heard you scream. How are you feeling?” Chayse asked.

  “Like I overslept way too long,” Serena said with a grin.

  Chayse chuckled. “Yeah, just a bit.”

  Serena held her hand out to Chayse who clasped it. “Thank you,” she said. “The nurse also told me what you did for me. Identifying me, contacting my family, I don’t think I can thank you enough for that.” Tears sparkled in her eyes.

  Chayse’s heart ached with tenderness for her. “When I saw the news story I just wanted to help.”

  “But you’ve done so much more. She said you’ve been here every day since then; bringing me these beautiful flowers, talking to me.” She wiped a fallen tear from her cheek.

  “I didn’t do anything different from what your family has been doing. Your grandmother, your parents, your brothers, and your cousin have all been here visiting and talking to you. The doctor thought it would stimulate you into waking up. Guess he was right,” Chayse said.

  “But there was only one voice I heard while I was unconscious. Only one voice was able to reach me through the darkness,” Serena said.

  “Probably Nan’s. There were quite a few times she tried fussing at you to wake up,” Chayse said with a chuckle.

  Grasping Chayse’s hand with both of hers, Serena smiled. “I believe it, but it wasn’t hers, it was yours. When I woke up to find you here, I knew it was your voice that held the darkness at bay. Chayse, it was your voice, your kiss that brought me back.”

  Before Chayse could respond, the nurse popped her head in. “I’m sorry, but the doctor wants her to rest.” Then she left them alone once again.

  Chayse nodded and gazed back down at Serena. “I’ll be back in the morning.”

  “Only if you bring a slice of sweet potato pie with you,” Serena said with a grin.

  Chayse laughed. “With your family here I�
�ll have to bring two whole pies to share.”

  “Good night, Serena,” Chayse said.

  “Aren’t you forgetting something?” Serena said.

  Chayse’s brow furrowed in confusion.

  “Just because Sleeping Beauty is awake doesn’t mean she still can’t get a kiss,” Serena said.

  Chayse’s eyes widened in surprise.

  “I told you it was you who brought me back.” Serena pulled Chayse toward her.

  Chayse didn’t know how or why such a thing was possible, but she wasn’t going to deny it. When their lips met, it felt to Chayse as if some unseen tether sealed and bonded them together. The kiss only lasted a moment, but once they parted they were breathing as if they had run for miles.

  Chayse touched her forehead to Serena’s. “I better go,” she said breathlessly.

  “Okay,” Serena said.

  Chayse placed one more kiss on Serena’s forehead, then slowly backed away from the bed.

  “Good night, my prince,” Serena said with a soft smile.

  “Good night, my beauty.”

  * * *

  The next morning, Chayse was up early baking two fresh sweet potato pies to give to Serena and her family and the nurses that had been taking such great care of her. She glided around her kitchen as if she were walking on air. Lucky even noticed the difference, sitting on a stool watching her curiously as one of Chayse’s favorite songs came on the radio and her gliding slid into dancing.

  “Ah, you like that move?” she asked the cat as she did a quick spin.

  Lucky blinked slowly then meowed in response, not the least bit impressed by her roommate’s fancy dance moves.

  “Hey, I used to be real smooth back in the day. Maybe I’ll take Serena dancing when she’s feeling up to it.”

  Lucky’s response was another slow blink then a yawn. Chayse laughed out loud at the fact that she was actually standing there having a conversation with a cat. Serena was just what she needed to keep from becoming the crazy cat lady. She placed the pies in an insulated bag to keep warm and made her way down to the restaurant. She decided to wait until late morning to visit Serena to give her family some alone time with her. Chayse tried to keep busy, but the hours seemed to tick by so slowly that she found it difficult to concentrate on anything. By ten thirty a.m., her staff was just as ready for her to leave as she was.