It was lights out and Zoe lay in Frieda's arms enjoying the warmth of Frieda's lips on hers after an hour of frenzied, pent-up passion.
" I better get back to my bed," Zoe said reluctantly as Frieda pulled away, " The guards will be doing their rounds soon."
Frieda nodded and kissed her before Zoe got dressed and climbed up to her bunk. They hadn't gotten caught once and Frieda planned to keep it that way. She was glad to have Zoe back where she belonged-with her.
Frieda woke up Zoe the next morning, it was close to 7.30 and breakfast time. Zoe usually woke early but she had told Frieda she hadn't been sleeping much the past seven days so Frieda thought she could do with a sleep in.
Zoe climbed down from the top bunk and got dressed in a new pink uniform she had received yesterday. She joined Frieda, Suzanne and Tiffany Doggett in the breakfast line.
" Hi Frieda," an eager voice said from behind her as she headed to her usual table.
Frieda glanced over at her shoulder and groaned inwardly. The younger woman was a new inmate, who had arrived at Litchfield Maximum while Zoe had been locked up in the SHU. When Frieda first met Julie Newman, Julie made it clear she had a crush on Frieda and had been following Frieda around like a lovesick puppy. Julie sat down on one side of Frieda while Frieda's wife Zoe McKenzie sat down on the other side.
Suzanne plopped down across from them with Tiffany Doggett joining them and chattered happily. Julie ignored Suzanne's chattering and watched Frieda.
Seven days ago when she first met Frieda Berlin, she knew had fallen in love. She admired the tough, no-nonsense former biker and according to Suzanne, she was serving a life sentence. Then she told Julie that Frieda was taken-her partner was a fellow inmate named Zoe McKenzie who was locked up in the SHU when Julie first arrived. Suzanne never said why Zoe was locked up in the SHU though. Suzanne also told her that Frieda met Zoe ten years ago at Litchfield Minimum and they had been a couple ever since and had gotten married a month ago.
Frieda will eventually realize she's too good for Zoe McKenzie Julie told herself as she studied Zoe McKenzie through narrowed eyes.
I've got competition though, Julie thought running a hand through her shoulder-length light brown hair. She had been watching Frieda with Zoe and anyone can see Frieda was deeply in love with Zoe and had eyes only for her. It was going to be tough to break them up. Julie had to admit Zoe was beautiful with long dark hair and big brown eyes that had a mischievous sparkle to them and had a slim figure, even at her age. Zoe had a warm personality that drew people naturally to her. She had no clue how total opposites like Zoe and Frieda lasted for ten years. But they had.
Julie made a vow to dig more dirt on Zoe and Frieda from Suzanne later on.
" Julie, have you met Zoe?" Frieda asked Julie, making her jump.
" No I haven't."
" Julie, this is my wife, Zoe. She was…away when you first arrived."
Julie forced a smile at Zoe, " Hi Zoe. Nice to meet you."
Zoe smiled back but Julie noticed her smile didn't quite reach her eyes," Likewise. Which prison are you from?"
They made small talk and after breakfast, Zoe asked Frieda if she still use their little hideaway in the library.
" I went to it all the time while were gone," Frieda replied as they put their empty trays on the tray shelf, " It's still there."
" Hey Frieda?" a voice interrupted them and they both turned around. Julie smiled at Frieda and Zoe noticed with amusement that the younger woman had eyes only for Frieda.
" Did you want to have card game later?"
" Sure," Frieda agreed readily, " After exercise class?"
Julie nodded, looking delighted that Frieda agreed. She wandered away as they headed for their hideaway.
" Someone's got a crush," Zoe murmured to Frieda in a soft sing-song voice.
" Huh?"
" Julie's totally infatuated with you."
" Oh please," Frieda snorted, " She's just being friendly that's all. There's no way she can like in that way. I'm too old for her, and besides, she barely knows me. And I hardly know her."
" So? I hardly knew you when I fell in love with you," Zoe reminded Frieda. " I noticed she had eyes only for you just now-I may as well not have existed." Zoe narrowed her eyes, " Just what went on while I was away? Who exactly is that woman?"
" Like I said, I hardly know her. We spoke a couple of times and that's it. Trust me, I'm not interested in her that way. And she knows I'm taken." Frieda put her arm around Zoe's shoulders and kissed her cheek.
" I trust you completely," Zoe assured her, " It's Julie I don't trust." They curled up together on their air mattress and Frieda's lips crushed down onto hers for a long and passionate kiss. Zoe returned the kiss that equaled in intensity. Zoe knew that women like Julie will stop at nothing to get what they want and what Julie wanted was Frieda.
Frieda cringed at the white lie she had told Zoe. She couldn't exactly tell her the truth-she had known Julie had a crush on her and while Zoe had been locked up in the SHU Julie had actually acted on her feelings. Frieda had rejected her and ever since Julie acted as though it never happened.
But the memory had stayed with Frieda. How could she tell Zoe? After everything Zoe had been through and things were going so well between them, she didn't want to ruin it.
It's best if I keep it a secret for now, Frieda decided. Zoe will never find out.