The car came to a slow stop before Sandy announced they were there. Kerry was pulled from her thoughts and smiled guiltily before following her partner's lead and got out of the car.
"Well, this is it," Sandy made her way toward Kerry, hoping her nearness would relax the nervous Doctor. "this is where I grew up."
Kerry looked around, taking in all the details that, no doubt, were achingly familiar to her partner. This place was a part of Sandy's past, and Kerry felt honored to have it shared with her.
She could just imagine the young girl her wife used to be, running around the lush, well manicured lawn in her bare feet. She could almost see her climbing the old sycamore tree in the middle of the yard, and hear her childish laughter as she swung from the tire swing anchored to one of the big tree's branches. Kerry smiled at the images and suddenly wished she could have been there all those years ago.
Following the cracked and slightly overgrown stone walkway, they approached the front porch. From the way the bright white side panels glistened in the fading daylight, it was easy to tell the building had recently been treated to a new coat of paint. On both side of the steps beautiful flowers bloomed from their well cared for beds, and the air held the faintest hint of freshly cut grass.
They advanced slowly up the creaky stairs, Kerry using Sandy for support.
"It looks like they've been doing some home improvements," Sandy explained, "there are usually railings here."
They had just made it up to the landing when the door was pushed open, and an older woman stood before them. She had Sandy's same beautiful wavy hair, though grayed with age, and her face had the same dark ethnic grace that Sandy's did. Kerry at last knew where her partner received her good looks.
"You're here!" the woman pulled Sandy into a crushing hug that lasted a good five minutes. When she finally let go of her daughter, the woman stepped back and turned toward Kerry, a decidedly unreadable expression adorned her face.
"Mom," Sandy began, linking her arm with her partner's. "This is Kerry Weaver."
End Part Six