October

In the aftermath of the storm, Miami returned to its old self, but things in the girls' home started to change. More often than not, one of the bedrooms remained empty during the night, and the stream of Blanche's suitors that had been steadily decreasing, now disappeared completely. It had taken her a while, too long maybe, but she was finally feeling good about herself and her feelings. She was actually happy for the first time in a while, and it showed. And Dorothy, well, she was still grumpy sometimes, especially in the morning before she had her coffee, but overall, she too was a lot more positive – so much so that not even her new job could stress her. It had practically turned into a fulltime position, with all the extra hours and events to attend, and Blanche often missed her in the mornings and early afternoons, on the days she herself was off, but eventually every night they'd be together, pouring their hearts out about anything on their minds, and everything was good.

Whenever Blanche felt apprehensive, whenever she had to explain why she wasn't out with guys anymore, and courage threatened to leave her, she remembered the day of the hurricane and the promise she'd made to both herself and Dorothy. She took a deep breath, shrugged and with a tilt of her head said that she was no longer looking for anything, for she'd found it. When people insisted, and their eyes widened in surprise as she said who exactly it was she was seeing, the judgmental looks of some people still brought up that heavy feeling in her gut, but she tried to shrug it off. People like that were not worth dealing with, and she didn't need their approval. Blanche Devereaux had always done as she pleased, and always would.

Dorothy seemed rather proud anytime she could point out that the beautiful woman on her arm was actually more than her friend, and she had a great comeback for every closeminded comment, including Stanley's. He'd come over, being the usual pain in the butt, with some new scheme to try and get Dorothy to go out with him, and when she'd told him she was going out with Blanche, he didn't get it at first.

"You can't compare that, I am inviting you to a romantic candle light dinner at the Hilton."

"Because your business partner's paying for it?"

"No, well, yes, but that's not the point-"

"Stan, I don't think you got my drift. When I said I was going out with Blanche, I meant it."

"What?"

"Romantically."

Stanley's facial expression froze solid for a moment. "But you're a woman, she's a woman…"

"Thanks for pointing that out, I'd be lost without you."

"You're kidding, right?"

"I'm not. We're together and you better get used to it. Or better, don't, and get lost."

For a while, he'd indeed left her alone, but she was afraid sooner or later he'd get lonely, and try to get back into her life, scrounge some food or just go on their nerves.

In the middle of October, Dorothy's son Michael announced his visit to celebrate little Nina's first birthday. While Dorothy was looking forward to seeing her granddaughter and son, she couldn't help but worry about how he'd take the news. So the night after she'd received his phone call, she sat up late in the kitchen. At some point, Blanche got tired of waiting for her and found her with her head in the freezer.

"Honey, what are you doing?"

Dorothy closed the door with a sigh and turned around. "Nothing."

"I have a feelin' we might need some cheesecake."

"I don't feel like it…."

Blanche stepped to her side and lay an arm around her shoulder. "What's the matter, Dorothy? Is this about Michael?"

She nodded.

"Sit down, honey, I'm gonna get some ice cream."

Dorothy didn't object and took a seat at the counter, dangling her long legs and resting her chin in her palms. Blanche quickly joined her with some double fudge chocolate ice cream.

"This'll make ya feel better," she said, and scooped an extra big portion into her best friend's bowl.

"It's worth a try," Dorothy said, and took a spoonful.

"Tell me what's got you so upset you left me waitin' forever in that cold lonely bed."

"I haven't told any of my kids, or family, about this, I mean about us… I'm so nervous. We won't be able to keep it from him."

"We could, you know, if that's what you wanted."

Dorothy thought about it for a few spoons of the heavenly sweet, but then shook her head. "No, that's not what I want. I just hope they take it well."

"I know it might be unexpected news, but remember what they've been through, you know, with the age difference, the racial issues…"

"I know I raised my kids to be sensible, open-minded people, I shouldn't be so worried…"

"Try not to worry, honey, it's no good. It'll be what it'll be, and I'm pretty sure it'll be fine. Michael's a good kid. He of all people would understand. Remember he once quit a job because they wanted him to wear a tie? I don't think he'll be very uptight about this."

"You're probably right… Thanks, darling," Dorothy said, and reached out for Blanche's hand. The southern belle smiled, first at her, then at the almost empty ice cream box.

"What do you say, now that you're feeling better, shall we have the rest with some whipped cream?"

"The one you keep-"

"Exactly."

With a slight blush, Dorothy accepted, and giggling with excitement, they disappeared into Blanche's bedroom.

When Michael and his little family finally stepped through the girls' door, Dorothy wasn't half as worried as before. The second she saw the little girl in his arms, that was all she could think about.

"Oh my goodness is she adorable!"

"Hi Ma."

"Hello Michael, Lorraine… please sit down! Did you have a nice trip?"

"Oh it was fine," Lorraine said, "if only he hadn't insisted on playing the same tape for five hours straight…"

"It helped Nina fall asleep!"

"Speaking of which… you wanna hold her?" Lorraine offered, and Michael quickly handed her the baby.

She was a gorgeous little thing, with huge brown eyes and tiny fingers reaching for everything. Her skin color was a blend of her parents', but the curly hair she'd got from her mother. They'd told Dorothy that being musicians, they'd named her after the famous singer Nina Simone. The little girl smiled at Dorothy, who could feel her heart melt. To think that she'd have almost missed out on being a part of this because of some silly reservations she'd had…

Over lunch, they talked about their professional lives, and everyone was glad to hear how well the band was going and that maybe they'd soon get a big contract. Everything went fine, until over dessert the sleeping arrangement came up.

"It was really nice of you to give up your room for us," Lorraine said.

"We hope it's not too much trouble, grandma," added Michael.

"What you're looking at me for?" Sophia said, "I'm not bunking with Dorothy."

"I am," Blanche declared, giving Dorothy a subtle push.

"And don't worry, it's no big deal, they sleep together most nights."

Dorothy shot her mother a deathly glance, but Michael and Lorraine looked a little confused.

"Well, yes, it's true what Ma says…" She took a deep breath. "We're together. In a couple way."

"You and Blanche?" Michael looked taken aback.

"Yes. I know it might come a little unexpected, but… we've been going out for a few weeks."

"Well… congratulations, I don't know what else to say… Were you worried I was going to freak out?"

"A little," Dorothy admitted.

"Come on, Ma, give me a little credit! I never knew you liked women, but she's your best friend, that's awesome."

"You sure look very happy together," Lorraine said, smiling.

"Almost as sweet as the tiramisù," Rose said, and brought the attention back to the delicious food Sophia had prepared.

After a long afternoon in the park and a quiet dinner at home, Dorothy and Blanche found themselves out on the lanai in the warm evening air, under the same sky they'd gazed at months ago. Some of the stars had moved, new ones had appeared, while other ones were gone. This time, the two sat closer together, and held hands as they observed the stars.

"It went quite well, don'tcha think?"

"Surprisingly so."

Dorothy looked over to find Blanche smiling at her.

"They were adorable, and so were you."

Blanche leaned over. "I know. I like this, you and me as a couple. Even though we'll probably have to keep explainin' for a while, it makes me proud."

"We've come pretty far these last few months…"

"I can't wait to see how much further we'll go – together."

And as Blanche leaned in to kiss her, Dorothy closed her eyes in anticipation, feeling like all she'd had to go through in the last fifty-six years, every little pain and humiliation, had been worth it to get to this exact moment.