Yes I'm continuing this. Don't like. Don't read.
Tension rises between Karen and Nancy since their night at the pool. Contains sexual content.
Life was like a waking dream to her now, she wasn't sure what was real, what she felt, what she tasted, who she was. All she could wonder: Would normal ever return?
"Nancy?"
She didn't realize she was staring off into space, she kept catching herself doing it more and more this past week. Karen smiled at her, from across the dinner table, she felt so small in her gaze, it was like she was looking at her for the first time.
"More potatoes?"
"Oh, yes, please."
Karen scooped a large portion of mashed potatoes and plopped it on her plate, Nancy watched it carefully like it was foreign to her, like they didn't have the same thing almost every night. Nancy looked up and her mother and smiled innocently, she wanted to imagine what was going through her head...but then again maybe not. Her foot accidentally brushed past Karen's under the table, both looked at each other, Nancy felt guilty but Karen didn't seem to mind it. Neither paid attention to the rest of the family; not whatever Ted was complaining about, whatever thing Mike was talking about or what Holly was fussing over. Karen rubbed her slippered foot over Nancy's.
'What the...,' Nancy thought, it was strange, she thought maybe she just hit her foot by mistake but when she looked to her she saw how serious her eyes were, they were zeroed in. Nancy turned her head and moved her feet under her chair, Karen couldn't take a hint, she smiled at Nancy even when she was trying to hide and pretending to eat when she was only moving food around her plate.
Nancy was tired after another day's work, she wasn't in the mood to really do anything, not even hangout with Barb, instead she went straight home. She really needed a long hot shower but someone was really taking their sweet time in there, she thought it could be Mike, he had a habit of using up all the hot water; some steam seeping through the bottom of the door.
Nancy knocked on the door, no answer, just the loud shower head. "Mike? Can you please hurry up in there?" She heard the taps screech, the water was turned off, "Finally," she sighed under her breath.
She could hear some fumbling around inside, leave it to her brother to leave a mess in there that she'd have to clean up. The door was opening up, she wanted to say some crack about him but her mother stepped out wearing only a towel instead. Nancy swallowed hard; it had been a week since that night. They hardly spoke, Nancy was too afraid to even look her in the eye at dinner.
"Sorry, honey," Karen said, her voice real low, her eyes didn't meet Nancy's for very long, she continued to her room, "All yours."
Nancy felt a little embarrassed for rushing her, she looked back to see if she was gone, Karen had her head turned back to see if she was doing the same; Nancy reacted by quickly turning her head forward, she proceeded on to the bathroom; it wasn't like she was checking her out but what was to stop her from thinking that?
Karen felt like she was walking through life like she living in a different body the past week; nothing felt the same anymore, it was something out of science fiction, an old Twilight Zone episode only this one would be one that Rod Sterling himself would be too afraid to air on TV. It was something a parent should never do with their child no matter their age, she crossed a line and she would have to live with that but worse so did Nancy. She wanted to sit Nancy down to talk to her about it, explain how she wasn't in her right mind, what they did was something spur of the moment and nothing to be afraid of but every time she found herself alone with her like bumping into her on the stairs she froze up and didn't say anything.
'What am I doing? What's wrong with me? First I was going to cheat on my husband with a bad boy and instead I cheated on him with our own daughter? I really am the worst wife and mother,' She would lie awake at night thinking this, when she did get some sleep all she could think about were Nancy's kisses, how they were so delicate yet passionate. 'I shouldn't admit that I liked it...but I did...'
Karen found herself against her better judgment spying on Nancy like when she was studying something in her bedroom. Seeing her little angel lying on her stomach with her feet in the air twirling a pen as she read. Nancy had always hit the books hard, she was smart, much smarter than her mother, she had so many plans for the future, so many dreams. 'Maybe some day we can laugh about what happened. 10 years from now when Nancy has a job at some big Newspaper in New York. That summer we both went through our own changes in life. That strange night where we were both looking for comfort.' Or with luck they'll forget what happened; but how could they? Her worst fear was Nancy in a therapist's office revealing a repressed memory of making out with her own mother late at night in the public pool! What if it really screws her up? She never gets a job, doesn't meet a man and doesn't start a family?' She needed to do something.
At dinner the next night, Nancy acted friendly towards Karen, something she hadn't experienced in a while.
"The food's really great, Mom," she said with those doe eyes and that perfect smile.
"Why thank you, sweetheart."
Nancy kept eying her even when she was playing with her food; it was enough to make Karen blush.
"How was school?"
Nancy had her mouth ready but Mike interrupted, "Mom, school's been out for three weeks."
Nancy did like seeing her have her space cadet moments, it was kind of cute watching her scramble to change the subject.
Ted came in talking about something that only Karen would find the slightest bit interesting but right now all she concentrated on was how much Nancy was biting into that chicken breast.
"All summer. I don't think they even hired anyone to mow the lawn, it's going to be an eyesore over there. Can you believe that?"
"Pardon, dear?"
"The Johnsons."
"Oh, right, the Johnsons," Karen continued to eat, she felt someone rubbing the top of her foot, she looked over and saw Nancy smiling at her; those eyes were so mischievous.
Before she went into her room to change for bed she met Karen in the hallway; like she'd been staying up waiting for her.
"Nice night tonight."
Nancy turned to her, she didn't know what to say, she just played it cool, anyone could come running up the stairs at any minute.
Nancy scratched the back of her head, "Uh, yeah. Really warm tonight."
"Kind of makes you want to go for a dip," Karen's eyes, it was like she was asking her something of her, had to be with the way those eyelashes fluttered, Nancy knew this was code but she wondered if maybe she was also using morse code by how rapid she was blinking.
Nancy wasn't sure if she was implying what she thought she was implying.
"Yeah...too bad the pool is closed," she frowned; she realized she shot her down and it was painful to watch her hopes get dashed, the older woman pouted almost childishly.
"Yeah...too bad...," Karen touched her door frame and breathed, "Well, I should be going but...I'll see you later..."
Nancy's ears perked up. Karen looked back at her, this sly grin that Nancy found herself copying crept up her face; she liked this game. Karen swayed her hips as she entered her bedroom, she turned her head so fast to look back at Nancy that her hair spun, Nancy hid her face and ran into her room, scared that Karen might catch her staring for too long.
Nancy sat in bed looking at the clock, until it was almost a quarter past 10; Ted would either be half asleep in his chair or in bed. She was beginning to feel stupid, tonight wasn't happening, no way, that was just a one time, spur of the moment thing, they had their jokes but now it was seriously time to put it all behind them...
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Nancy jumped in bed at the light rasps from her door, it opened a crack so she was able to make out an eye and full lips curling.
Nancy was on the edge of her seat the whole car ride, it was thrilling, it was dangerous, it was if both had lost all senses. They dressed all in black just in case anyone were to see them sneak in, Karen parked the car about a half a block away from the pool and the two went on foot crouched behind shrubs and fences like two cat burglars on the prowl.
A chained fence was no match for them, they managed to slip through the gate though Karen needed to give more thrust do to her thicker frame. They walked up to the giant spectacle of water, the moonlight reflected, making it look like a mysterious portal to a sleeping world. Karen removed her black sweater revealing the one piece she wore there everyday, slipping out of the pants she never broke eye contact with Nancy, she eagerly awaited for the young woman to do the same. Nancy was hesitant knowing she paled in comparison, she had one a dark blue one piece but Karen looked at her like she was some kind of super model or Miss Universe.
They swam under the water like they were mermaids dancing close together for an otherworldly lip lock. It was enchanting, the water made something that should feel wrong feel right to them in this moment. When they emerged they were blinded by a light.
"Hey! Who's out there?!"
Nancy recognized the voice, it was one of the bosses, they must have been there late and heard the splashing so naturally dug out a flashlight and went to investigate. Karen grabbed Nancy before she could even try to lift herself up out of the pool. The two scrambled to get their clothes and ran for the fence when the light was getting closer. They didn't even put their shoes on, they ran for the car and jumped inside. They were out of breath, soaking wet and could hear their hearts racing like jackhammers. Karen turned to her daughter and laughed, almost caught but home free.
Nancy assumed this was it, they didn't speak the whole way home but once they got home and Nancy stepped out onto the driveway in her bare feet, Karen took her in her arms and kissed her one last time.
"So good, baby," Karen whispered huskily.
"I really liked it, mommy, thank you," Nancy cooed.
They went inside, no lights on and with luck no one going to the bathroom late.
That was the last night, right? No of course not, both wanted to test their limits, it was dumb, juvenile and forbidden but they had already crossed so many lines they might as well have as much fun while it lasted.
This time there were more chains and several big padlocks, when Nancy was ready to call it quits her mother amazed her by taking a running start and jumping onto a trash can then doing a leap onto and over the fence.
"Whoa...how did you..."
"Come on!" Karen reached down for her, Nancy took her hand and was boosted over.
The two stripped down to their swimsuits to which point Nancy noticed Karen was showing off a lot more butt cheek, Karen noticed her noticing.
"Caught you staring last time," she wiggled her butt a little.
Nancy's cheeks burned.
The two dipped into the water and just swam around a minute before coming together. But just before they could lock lips some flashing red and blue lights appeared out of nowhere.
Karen and Nancy froze. No way. This was really it. They were going to jail. Nancy would never get into a good college now.
"THIS IS THE POLICE!"
"No shit!" Nancy exclaimed under her breath.
"Nancy!" Karen, said, surprised by her language.
They acted fast, pulling themselves out of the pool, Nancy knew there could be another way out but it was at the other end of the pool, an opening she noticed only that day, a loose board the needed to be replaced on the wooden gate. She pushed Karen through first, ignoring the demands by the unseen lawman and made it back to the car.
Both laughed hard as they sped along home, they were true law breakers now but before they could call it an official victory cop lights turned on behind them along with headlights and that troublesome siren. Had they been tailed the whole time? What was with the mystery?
"Just stay calm," Nancy instructed her mother like she was the elder here; Karen pulled over, trying to stay positive, not guilty though she did notice she desperatly needed to fix her lipstick after it had been smudged by passionate lips. They made out the silhouette of a cop coming out of the cruiser and over to the driver's side.
"Um, evening, officer," Karen smiled up at the tall nebbish officer, his mustache looked almost fake, maybe dyed that off brown.
"Evening, Ma'am. Young lady," he tipped his hat peeking over at Nancy.
Karen cleared her throat, "We were just headed home. What seems to be the trouble?"
"Well, we had some hooligans break into the local pool. Seems to be happening a lot lately."
"Oh, no," Nancy said after noticing Karen wasn't saying anything to show she even cared in the slightest, you know like a concerned citizen might.
"That's awful," Karen finally said, but very stilted.
"Just curious if maybe you saw anything."
Both women looked at each other and shrugged, "Nope," Karen shook her head.
Nancy noticed the officer was looking at her hair; it hadn't completely dried, of course, no time when you see red and blue lights coming your way, Karen's must've had some kind of crazy super power.
"Um, I just did my hair."
"Oh. Aren't you both headed home?"
"Yeah, I got it done..."
Karen could see the look of suspicion on his face, the way that over worked mustache flexed. What salon was open this late?
"At a friend's," Nancy quickly added.
"Oh," the officer maybe wasn't quite sure, still seemed iffy, "Well you look lovely."
"Thanks," Nancy smiled, but it was maybe to forced to look authentic.
Karen did her best to speed this along, "It's so great that you're out here helping keep us all safe, Officer..."
He pointed to his badge, "Callahan."
Karen nodded, "Callahan."
Nancy noticed that she'd been gripping the steering wheel pretty hard, she was under a lot of pressure and she probably didn't even feel it.
Officer Callahan let them both be on their way, Nancy watched him in her mirror scratch his head and look at the rear of the car, likely the license plate. They drove in silence the rest of the way, they looked at each other only once, bemused, knowing exactly the same thing: This was their last night at the pool.
The next day Nancy and Karen went back to life as usual, their little time together, whatever they wanted to call it had passed, fun while it lasted but it was time to move on with their lives.
Dinner was ordinary, boring, just the way they liked it.
"Saw Steve giving CPR to Hannah at the pool," Mike teased Nancy as he cut into his overdone steak.
Nancy knew she'd get yelled at if she said anything back to her annoying younger brother or kicked him under the table so she restrained herself, "Ha-ha, Mike," she stuck out her tongue and continued eating.
Karen looked out the window where the big expensive gated house was next door, where their neighbors the Johnsons hadn't been active in a while, "Did they move?"
"No," Ted spoke up, "Remember. They're on vacation. They won't be back until maybe late September."
Karen noticed Nancy was already looking at her with no doubt the exact same idea, Nancy flexed her eyebrows. Ted wasn't sure what his wife was smiling about, he hadn't seen that look on her face before, "What?"
Late that night, Karen and Nancy peeked over the Johnson's fence at the high windows, the patio; they could stare at that pool for hours.
"Nancy," Karen turned to her daughter and whispered, "We found our new home."
Nancy smiled and took Karen's hand.
To Be Continued!
