May 3rd, 2002
Joanie rushed into the Hanson's kitchen in the early morning. Hannah was starting her first ballet lesson. Hannah was so excited and could barely take the tutu off. Joanie poured some lucky charms into a purple bowl.
"Hannah, come on." She said as Sydney walked in looking like she got no sleep, "You look…nice."
"Thanks. Didn't get much sleep." She said, "Those new neighbors are killing me."
"Oh I know." Joanie groaned, "Do you think there's anything we can do?"
"I don't know." Syd shrugged. Hannah bounced into the kitchen spinning around.
"How do I look, Mommy?"
"Oh like a pink puff ball." Joanie chuckled scooping her daughter up and placing Hannah in her chair, "Now eat." Hannah stuck her tongue out.
"First day today?" Syd asked.
"Yeah." Joanie smiled making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. "This teacher, Natalie Phillips, is suppose to be the best in New England. Hannah was so lucky to get a spot in her beginners class."
"Wow." Syd smiled at Hannah, "I'm sure you'll do just fine."
"Oh I will." Hannah said shoving cereal into her mouth.
* * *
Joanie rushed Hannah into the school. Little girls dressed in tutus ran about. Joanie loved to watch them.
"There's Miss Phillips." Hannah squealed. Joanie looked to the other side of the room to see a breathing woman. She had obviously been a ballerina her whole life. Her whole body was finely toned. Her blond hair was pulled up into a bun exposing her slender neck. Her leotard didn't leave anything to the imagination. She turned and grinned at Joanie Her bright blue eyes sparkled.
"Are you Hannah Hanson?" Natalie smiled bending down to Hannah's level.
"How did you know?" Hannah grinned.
"I was told I was getting a new student with beautiful brown curls and a pretty smile." Natalie winked standing up. She extended her hand to Joanie, "Natalie Phillips."
"Joanie Hanson." She smiled, "I need to thank you for letting Hannah in."
"Oh it was nothing. She seems like she's really excited."
"She's been talking about it none stop." Joanie smiled, "May I stay and watch?"
"Oh of course." Natalie smiled, "The other parents are sitting over there." Joanie nodded and walked over to the sitting group. Joanie watched Natalie with the girls. Watching the girls try to dance and Natalie's sunny smile was completely worth being late at the barkery.
"They're really good." Joanie smiled to a parent that was sitting next to her.
"For four year olds." She sniffed holding her nose up high. Joanie frowned deeply shaking her head. Some parents were just too much sometimes. Hannah ran up to Joanie as the class ended.
"Did you see me spin?" Hannah grinned.
"Yes I did." Joanie grinned taking her daughters hand.
"It was a pleasure having you, Hannah." Natalie smiled at Joanie; "It was really nice meeting you, Joanie."
"Like wise." Joanie smiled walking Hannah out of the classroom.
* * *
The barkery had been so busy since Joanie had arrived from Hannah's ballet class. Finally five minutes before closing time, the costumers started to die down. Joanie felt like she was going to die on her feet. The bell above the door rang and Joanie groaned.
"Can you hurry up? We're about ready to close."
"I know what I want." Natalie stood by the display. Joanie grinned as she stood up.
"Wow! Hi." Joanie said.
"I didn't know this was your place. I come here a lot." Natalie said, "Never seen you here before."
"Same here." Joanie said tucking her hair behind her ear. "What can I get you?"
"Just ah….A box of tasty treats." Natalie smiled. "What made you open this place up?"
"Oh!" Joanie shrugged filling a box, "I grew up around animals. My dad is a vet and so….I don't know." She giggled. Why am I getting all flustered?"
"Oh." Natalie smiled pulling her money out. Joanie handed her the box, "Thanks."
"No problem. Come back anytime." Joanie looked down at the money Natalie gave her and put it in the register. Natalie stood there watching Joanie. "I um…anything else?"
"I was wondering if you would like to get some dinner." Natalie said. Joanie bit her lip.
"I um….Why?"
"Because I find you attractive and you seem like you would be a good date." Natalie said. Joanie's jaw dropped.
"D-Date?" She stuttered, "Serena, I'm flattered, but…I'm not gay." Natalie stared at her.
"Oh." She said in a small voice, "I thought…Never mind. I made a fool of myself. I'll take my biscuits and leave." Natalie muttered and headed to the door.
"Wait." Joanie stepped out from behind the counter, "Let me call my dad and tell him to watch Hannah." Natalie smiled softly.
"Really?" She asked. Joanie nodded.
"Yeah. I mean…It's just dinner." Joanie said going to the phone. I'm just having a friendly dinner with an extremely attractive woman who finds me attractive.
The plate of pasta was placed in front of the women. Joanie groaned. It smelt so wonderful.
"So, Natalie, you are a ballerina and I'm assuming you have a dog." Joanie smiled trying to make small talk.
"It's my daughter's dog." Natalie smiled. Joanie stared at her.
"You have a kid?" She asked. Natalie nodded as she sipped her wine.
"Brooke. She's six and in one of my classes." Natalie smiled.
"But…I mean, how?" Joanie asked.
"Artificial insemination." Natalie giggled twirling her pasta on her fork, "I wanted a child badly and I didn't think I'd ever have the chance or the money to try again. So, I tried and got my Brooke."
"Wow." Joanie smiled, "That's great. Did it cost a lot?"
"My god yes." Natalie said, "You have all these hormones you need to take and doctor appointments out of the ass and then more when the insemination occurs." Natalie shrugged, "One reason is because you're at a higher risk of having multiples. I was pregnant with triplets, but I lost two of them around twelve weeks."
"Oh I'm so sorry." Joanie frowned, "I lost a baby last year. One of the hardest things I've had to go through." Natalie nodded and reached over to take Joanie's hand.
"Yeah. I was so ecstatic to have Brooke, but I couldn't help but to feel sadden by loosing the others."
"You have every right to be sad by that." Joanie said, "They were your children." Natalie smiled softly at Joanie, still holding her hand. "I never really talked about loosing the baby."
"Oh you have to." Natalie said, "Or it eats you up inside. I made a memorial flower garden for the two. It gives me some comfort and gives Brooke something to remember them by." Joanie smiled staring at Natalie.
"That's a really good idea." She whispered. Natalie's thumb stroked Joanie's hand. Joanie cleared her throat; "We should finish this food before it gets cold." Natalie chuckled taking her hand away.
"Can't let that happen." She said shoving some food into her mouth, "So, you say you had two siblings?" Joanie nodded
"Robbie ad Sydney." She said, "Robbie manages a bar and Syd is a doctor."
"Oh that's great." Natalie smiled, "Doctors run in my family as well. I'm the only child out of seven not to get into the medical profession."
"Wow! Seven." Joanie chuckled, "How did they take it?"
"Well, Mom knew I wanted to be a ballerina my whole life so I didn't have to convince her. My father on the other hand was hell. He is like the big wig over at Brigham and women's hospital in Boston." Natalie rolled her eyes, "And of course all my brothers and sisters had to suck up and become doctors and nurses. My sister, Serena is actually an EMT and she got a lot of shit about that."
"Wow. I can't even imagine." Joanie said.
"Don't. It'll give you a head ache." Natalie chuckled. Joanie smiled at the woman. This meal had to have been one of the best ones she had in a long time.
"We'll have to do this more….get away from the kids." Joanie said. Natalie nodded.
"I'd really like that." She said, "We can do a few things with the kids too."
"If they behave." Joanie said finishing her pasta. She didn't want this evening to end.
Natalie walked with Joanie up to the front door of the Hanson home.
"Can't believe how late it is." Joanie smiled walking up the steps.
"I know" Natalie said, "I should relieve the babysitter soon."
"I certainly had fun tonight." Joanie smiled unlocking the front door, "You have my number right?"
"Twice." Natalie winked. Joanie chuckled nervously. The two women stood there awkwardly. Finally, Joanie broke the silence.
"Are you going to kiss me?" Natalie looked at her shocked.
"I um…I want to, but I thought…"
"I had a lot of fun, Natalie. It kinds of scares me knowing I had so much fun." Joanie admitted, "I never knew I could…like this."
"What do you mean?" Natalie smiled lopsided.
"I want you to kiss me." Joanie said as Natalie took a step towards her. Joanie's heart pounded so hard she thought it would fly from her chest. A tender touch came upon her cheek from a soft and slender hand. Chills of excitement went up her spine. Natalie's lips descended upon Joanie's. Her whole body seemed to buzz at this feeling. It wasn't like kissing Bert at all. It was so soft. It was like kissing herself. Joanie pulled away. "Wow…"
"You should get inside." Natalie smiled. Joanie smiled.
"Call me." She said backing inside.
"I will." She winked going to her car. Joanie shut and locked the door. A big grin spread across her face. I just kissed a girl.