Author's note: So this is the penultimate chapter of EYTM. Going to wrap up a few more little things, and then this little slice of life will be coming to a close. But fear not! A sequel is in the works, and I will be attempting to include some favorites from MC into the continuing love story of Brenda and Sharon.
Kasey listened to a nerve-wracking phone call during one of her breaks from class. Housing was letting her know that her new room wasn't yet ready due to an unanticipated repaint. The last third of the class passed in a blur as Kasey's mind was occupied with her living situation. She was at the mercy of two near strangers, unless she wanted to go back to her old room and her old roommate, who by now had to know that she'd gone to the Dean's office about his behavior, even if he wasn't going to be officially sanctioned.
She had to call Sharon and tell her, even if just the thought of that phone call made her stomach twist with anticipatory nervousness. Even if Sharon wasn't willing to let her hang around another night.
Excusing herself from the group of new acquaintances that made up her study group, Kasey found a quiet alcove between the classroom and the library to make her phone call. She dialed the cell number Sharon had given her (Sharon had just given it to her that first morning, and told her to call if she needed anything at all), and held her breath.
"Raydor," answered a crisp, marginally familiar voice. This was the Sharon that had gone up against the Dean, not the Sharon that giggled with Brenda and Charlie and Kasey, eating late night brownies straight out of the pan.
"Uh, hi. It's Kasey," she managed, intimated by the fierce professionalism in those two syllables.
"Kasey!" Sharon exclaimed, her tone softening. "Is everything ok? Do you need a ride?"
Kasey blushed at herself, embarrassed that she'd thought that Sharon would be anything but concerned for her, and helpful.
"No, thank you," she said, more confident now. "One of my study group will give me a ride in exchange for lunch. But I got a call from housing about my room."
"Oh? Bad news?" Sharon clearly knew the ways of the collegiate bureaucracy.
"Well, sort of. They had to paint the whole room, so they want to give it a night to dry before I move in."
"That's ok with me," said Sharon placatingly in her smooth voice. "So long as you're comfortable staying with us another night."
Kasey had enjoyed the nights she had spent at Sharon and Brenda's; even last night without Charlie as a buffer had been fine - quiet and relaxed. Dinner from Sharon's kitchen was head and shoulders above what she could get from the dining hall, and there had even been a made-to-order omelet for her this morning. If she hadn't made arrangements to eat a late lunch with her study-buddy, she would have packed a meal of last night's salmon and rice.
"I have no complaints, but I don't want to be a problem for you and Brenda," demurred Kasey.
"Please. You're the least conspicuous house guest we've ever had. And no way are you going back to that suite unless its to clear out your things."
"Yes m'am," agreed Kasey out of habit.
Sounding playful, Sharon said: "You're stuck with us now!"
Somehow, Kasey was okay with that.
Kasey was less glad to be 'stuck' with two maternally-driven temporary housemates when she walked through the front door that had been kindly left open for her. Her new friend had wanted to know more about her, as new friends are wont to do, so Kasey had been obliged to recount at least the bare minimum of the last six, painful months.
Her mother had died. Been killed, actually, by a drunk driver on her way home from teaching an evening class at the community college six miles from their house. And now that she was in tears on the threshold of someone else's house after some simple, innocent questions, it occurred to her that perhaps in those months when she was taking care of her family and facilitating their grieving process, she didn't allow herself to mourn the loss of her mother.
Brenda and Sharon were visible in the kitchen, Sharon's arms around Brenda, the two of them nose to nose and totally intent on one another until they heard the door close behind her. There was no escaping now, they were both looking at her, an expression of worry already transforming Sharon's face.
"What's wrong," she asked simply, in a voice that oozed concern. Kasey shook her head mutely, not wanting to speak until she had herself under control. She didn't want to be under control; she wanted to wail and fling herself into Sharon's arms because she knew Sharon would comfort her, mother her like she needed, but Kasey knew she would feel terrible afterwards, like she had betrayed the woman who had birthed her, and then died. So she did her best to keep her cool.
Sharon pursed her lips, but said, "Dinner isn't for another hour, if you'd like some time for yourself."
Kasey nodded gratefully and made for the stairs; she didn't know if Sharon and Brenda would push for an explanation for her tears later, but for now, she needed the reprieve.
Brenda and Sharon had agreed that they wouldn't push Kasey for details of why she was upset. It was hard for Sharon, and even harder for Brenda, who needed to know everything, and was action oriented. She was convinced that the young man from the other night had been hassling their new friend, and was ready to take a taser and frog march the obnoxious bro around campus. While the fantasy was entertaining, regardless of who had upset Kasey, Brenda didn't need an arrest for assault on her record.
So they cooked, and waited, and hoped that Kasey would come to dinner and get whatever was bothering her off her chest, if she needed to. The hour passed enjoyably for the two of them, at least. Sharon finished off dinner, while Brenda chatted with her about their days, and be-bopped around to the soft music she had put on the speakers, seemingly carefree. Sharon's worries certainly faded to the background - barely audible white noise in the happiness she and Brenda had carved out for themselves.
They were both relieved when they heard Kasey's feet on the stairs. Brenda shot Sharon a significant look, like she was reminding Sharon not to mess up or something. Sharon shot her a raised eyebrow, and in response, Brenda stuck her chin out obstinately, then grinned. They were cute, it was a fact.
Kasey shuffled into the kitchen, shoulders hunched like she was trying to avoid being noticed.
"We're havin' salmon with rice," Brenda chirped, sounding almost psychotically cheerful. Sharon rolled her eyes; apparently her little blonde wife was constitutionally incapable of playing it cool. She was still adorable, though.
Kasey managed a bare smile for Brenda's weirdness, which was something, at least. "It smells good," she said softly.
"Have a seat," murmured Sharon. "Would you like something besides water to drink?"
"No, thank you. Water is fine." Kasey managed to be unfailing polite, regardless of what else was happening in her life - Sharon like that about her.
They all sat, passing around the steaming plates of food in congenial, hungry silence. Brenda ended up with a heaping plate - the amount of rice on her plate was truly impressive. Licking her lips in anticipation, she tucked in. So did Kasey. To Sharon, such obvious enjoyment of her cooking was the best compliment she could receive, and she allowed herself a small smile before picking up her own fork.
Sharon and Kasey both finished before Brenda, and they both sat, watching Brenda plow through a second serving of fish and rice. Kasey seemed a little in awe; Sharon was noticing that this was a common theme among those who watched the truly tiny woman go at a meal.
"How was class?" Sharon asked, hoping that the innocent inquiry could lead to Kasey opening up about what had upset her earlier. She could practically see Brenda's ears perk up, though she continued to feed the monster that was her appetite.
"It was ok. We have a test Thursday, so we got a study group together today to start preparing."
"That's very responsible of you," praised Sharon, looking to put Kasey at ease. "Is this course in your perspective major?"
Kasey nodded shyly. "I like biology. I don't know what I want to do with it, though."
"You have time," Sharon assured her. "And options. And you're certainly not locked into anything, even if you graduate with a degree in something! I spent three years in law school, and I can count on one hand the number of times I've been in a court room since!"
Kasey just gaped at her. To an 18 year old, spending three years in law school and then not practicing as a lawyer probably seemed absolutely insane, but Sharon knew she wouldn't love it, and she didn't want clients to suffer from her dislike of the profession. Not that she didn't use what she learned, and employ her skills to the benefit of the shelter, but practicing full-time as a lawyer was not for her.
"I think what Sharon's sayin'," Brenda jumped in helpfully, "is that you should do what you love. You should study what you love, too. I have a masters degree in slavic languages, and I very rarely use that in my job, but my degrees taught me how to use my brain."
"My dad is pretty critical of liberal arts majors," Kasey said, making a face. "He's an engineer and thinks college should prepare you for a specific career."
"My dad thought the same thing, 'till I got a job with the CIA," replied Brenda sassily. Sharon chuckled, and Kasey smiled.
"That would probably keep him off my back after graduation, but four years of him harping on me for getting a language degree or whatever? I dunno if it's worth it."
"There are always minors, and electives," Sharon soothed. "Or double majors."
"Overachiever," groaned Brenda, with an eye roll for Sharon. Kasey giggled at that, smiling down at her empty plate.
"There's nothing wrong with being studious," sniffed Sharon primly, her eyes twinkling with poorly hidden humor.
"I'm not sayin' you're a nerd, baby," Brenda began, then trailed off when Sharon's lip curled slightly.
The silence spread into something congenial and contemplative as Brenda cleared her plate, and sat her fork down with a satisfied groan.
"My mom liked the arts," said Kasey softly into the quiet. "Literature and drama. She taught at the community college in my home town."
Sharon glanced at Brenda, seeking out her eyes. She knew the interminably inquisitive and preternaturally observant woman would have caught the past tense in Kasey's statement. Their gazes met, and Sharon also knew that Brenda wouldn't go at Kasey like a dog with a bone - whatever her other faults, Brenda was excellent at letting someone talk when they had something to get off their chest.
Kasey told them all about her mother; how she was a teacher at heart, even when she was a stay-at-home mom, how excited she was to go back to work, and how much she had loved her job, even with the apathetic teenagers that were a large portion of her students. And she told them about how she had died, crushed in her car by some guy, drunk out of his mind, who had walked away with a few bruises.
By the end of Kasey's story, they were all teary-eyed; Sharon was doing that empathetic head tilt thing that made Brenda want to wrap her up in a hug. Despite her tears, Kasey seemed lighter somehow, like talking had taken some of the weight off her shoulders.
"This is why you were upset earlier?" Brenda asked gently.
"Yea. I haven't talked about her much since… It just upset my dad, and my brothers and sisters. Even talking about happy memories. And my friends didn't know how to talk to me about anything, let alone my mom."
"Someone else's grief can be hard to understand," Sharon commiserated, "especially for young people."
Brenda nodded in agreement. "I see it often enough - grief can appear completely alien from the outside, lookin' in."
Before their discussion about death and grief with Kasey, Sharon had been in the mood. The mood that Brenda had started to inflame as soon as she had gotten home, with touches and glances and sheer brazen flirtation. They had danced these steps dozens of times, and yet, each time was different, and Sharon couldn't fathom ever tiring of any of it. Brenda was like quicksilver, spreading a heat through her veins that was thrilling and addictive, whether they were in the midst of a passionate encounter or cuddling on the couch, like they had wordlessly decided to do after cleaning the kitchen. Kasey had retreated to the guest room, lost in thought, but not as sad as she had seemed when she had arrived at the house, leaving Sharon and Brenda to their druthers.
Brenda was currently engaged in some serious octopus-mode cuddling; tucked behind Sharon's knees, both arms wrapped around her waist in a sort of sideways hug that couldn't be comfortable, but Brenda favored anyway. If she was a cat, Brenda would be purring. Sharon, too, probably.
Friday's Daily Show was finishing up on the TV; Sharon was tuning out the moment of zen to focus on the feeling of Brenda pressed up against her, and being wrapped in the blonde's slender grasp. Brenda seemed to realize that Sharon's attention had turned to her; she smiled and kissed Sharon's shoulder.
"Mmmmm." Sharon hummed at the contact, wanting more than the press of lips through clothing. "Wanna make out, Ms. Johnson?" She asked, with a coy grin.
"Duh, Ms. Raydor," Brenda answered with a giggle. She immediately rose up on her knees and threw a leg over Sharon, prompting Sharon to shift so Brenda could perch comfortably on her lap. Brenda giggled again, a smile lighting brown eyes that were suddenly very close, and very, very bewitching.
Sharon moved first, and Brenda met her half-way, and they kissed gently, just a whisper, before Brenda lost her cool and bore down, pressing Sharon in to the sofa with her body and moaning. Sharon's hands reflexively gripped at Brenda's waist, marveling at the lithe, energetic form of the woman who loved her.
Brenda was a very active make-out partner; there was no cold-fish syndrome here. She wriggled, she wraggled, she tangled her fingers in Sharon's hair, trailed them down her neck, cupped her shoulders, and spread her hands across Sharon's chest. She avoided Sharon's breasts, but Sharon knew what Brenda wanted, and arched her back, pressing her tits in to hands that knew exactly how to drive her wild.
Brenda chuckled. "Eager much?" She rasped throatily, quietly. "You're gonna have to be quiet, and we both know how you struggle with that."
"Your fault entirely," purred Sharon, giving Brenda's tight rear a teasing pinch. "Besides, I thought we were just making out here."
"So, you're sayin' you don't want me to put my hands down your pants?"
Sharon feigned a considering expression, stalling for a few seconds, which elicited a growl from Brenda. Now who was eager?
"Well, if you're offering…"
Brenda growled again, her eyes narrowing. "I'll show you offering." She kissed Sharon ferociously, her teeth nipping briefly at Sharon's lower lip, before her tongue swept in to Sharon's mouth. A hand plucked deftly at the tie of her drawstring pants, and fingers wormed expertly beneath the elastic of her underwear, then scratched through her pubic hair.
At the first touch of Brenda's finger on her clit, Sharon moaned. Loudly. The noise was muffled somewhat by Brenda's lips on hers, but she needed to at least attempt to be quiet.
"Shhhh," hissed Brenda, as if she knew the direction of Sharon's thoughts. Her fingers didn't stop though, stroking over Sharon's slit, causing a shiver that provoked a similar response in Brenda.
"Fuck, baby," Brenda grunted. "Fuck. You are so hot. I've been dyin' to do this all damn day." A finger parted Sharon's lower lips, just barely, and Sharon immediately wanted more; the only thing she wanted was Brenda's fingers buried inside her, making her come. She spread her legs as much as she could beneath the weight of Brenda's body, in invitation to the other woman.
"Brenda," she whispered imploringly, canting her hips up in invitation. "Brenda." Brenda didn't disappoint, because suddenly, Sharon was filled, stretching around Brenda's fingers. She wanted to cry out at the sheer perfection of the feeling of her lover inside her, but she clenched her jaw instead, and met Brenda's eyes, brimming over with love, and lust.
Brenda couldn't get a lot of leverage in the position they'd chosen, but Sharon didn't care; her pleasure was less about the physical sensations than the emotions. Sometimes it happened this way - how she felt for Brenda and the intimacy of their loving would overwhelm her, and she was sure that Brenda could simply hold her and talk sweet to her and she would orgasm.
It seemed like Brenda was going to put Sharon's theory to the test, because she was whispering in Sharon's ear. "You feel so good," she said, drawing out the last word to include about a million o's. "Bein' inside you - sometimes I dream about it; I used to dream about it all the time before I could have you."
A tongue traced Sharon's ear, and she twisted her neck, seeking out Brenda's lips once again. Their tongues tangled, and Sharon pulled away to gasp, Brenda's thumb intent on her clit.
Brenda began whispering again. "This isn't going to be enough, baby," she husked. "I'm gonna have to get you naked - you're so gorgeous, so sexy, I'm gonna have to put my mouth on your skin. And on your pussy."
Sharon bit back a loud groan at that, air hissing through her teeth.
"God, I love this," Brenda purred, sounding as if she was as close to orgasm as Sharon was. "God, I love you, baby."
That was enough for Sharon. Flame burst through her veins and the world narrowed to the pleasure she was feeling and luminous brown eyes of her Brenda, avidly drinking in the sight of her orgasm.
With the fireworks in her brain no longer going off, she felt loose and languid - so relaxed that she couldn't even fathom doing any more moving than the tightening of her arms necessary to draw Brenda closer to her.
"I love you, too, Brenda Leigh. So much."
