It was early Spring and the days were getting longer, though what was left of the winter cold still bit the night air. Bundled in a blue coat, Kya strolled along the boulevard of a quaint neighborhood to catch an evening movie. A film she had loved in the post-adolescent hormonal fury of her youth was playing in honor of the 25th anniversary of its release date.
She was running late but didn't bother picking up her feet to hurry along, and the cold was a welcome reminder of her far away home.
Theater 8 was dark, save for the flashing previews on the screen which reflected mostly empty red velvet seats and two or three folks spread wide about the room. Kya found a seat toward the front middle and with no one around, made herself comfortable, splaying her legs and belongings about.
She rifled through her bag and pulled out a little wooden sneak-a-toke, weed smell emanating from the dugout. Shaking her head, she zipped it away in a side pocket. Should have hit it a few times before coming in. Matter fact – she looked at her watch, which she angled toward the light emanating from the screen. By her loose calculations she probably had about another five minutes or so until the actual movie started, so why not?
Kya didn't want to pack up her scarf and coat and snacks she brought from home only to turn around and unpack it all again. Looking around the room, she saw a woman sitting ahead of her in the second row.
"Psst," Kya tried to get her attention but the woman ignored her. "Psst!" she said louder.
The woman turned around, her face stone in the hatchet lighting of the room. "Will you knock off that racket?"
"Sorry," Kya whispered, leaning against the seat in front of her. "I'm going to the bathroom – can you watch my stuff?"
The woman didn't say anything but waved her arm dismissively before turning back around and fixating her gaze upon the screen. Kya wasn't sure how to interpret her response but decided it meant yes.
She slipped out the theater and found her way to the alley to take a few puffs of the tasty Indica strain she picked up in California. After a spell, she was feeling mellow and ready to melt into her seat and watch a movie so headed back in, but not before getting the bright idea that she needed popcorn and a coke – the good kind with real sugar, not that franken-sweet crap.
How much time had passed, she hardly cared, though it stung to realize she missed the opening scene.
The woman toward the front rolled her eyes upon hearing – and smelling – the other woman return, but Kya was either none-the-wiser of her judgment or didn't care.
"Thank you," she stonily whispered, before plopping back into her seat and kicking her feet up.
The film played on, and Kya found herself mouthing the words and tearing up to some scenes, not because she still found them particularly beautiful or profound but because she was nostalgic for what she used to feel. She shivered then; while she was alone, she suddenly felt lonely, and old.
Her eyes wandered back to the lone, grumpy woman ahead of her, who chose to sit in the second row for some peculiar reason she found herself guessing at, rather than paying attention to the particulars of the film. Perhaps she had poor eye sight, or maybe it was something she used to do with a long-lost lover, a sister, a son or daughter. Maybe she didn't want anyone's eyes to catch the light from the images before hers.
When the film ended and credits played, the others got up to leave but Kya and incidentally the other woman stayed all the way until the curtains closed and the lights came on. Without looking in Kya's direction, the woman put on her coat and left.
Kya watched the woman not-so subtly, struck by her now lit-up face and gait as she strutted out the theater.
Deciding to continue her date with herself, Kya wandered into a late-night coffee shop that also served beer. It was an open mic night full of mostly homegrown musicians with acoustic guitars and beat poets reciting beat poetry. She grabbed a decaf latte – decaf because she was well into her fifties and caffeine would keep her up all night, unlike when she was a kid and would down espresso shots and stay up late into the night talking politics and revolutionary philosophy and passionately fucking her girlfriend.
The young woman at the mic was singing folk cover tunes, her hair long and frizzy and parted down the middle. She was a calculated kind of awkward-looking, but her crooning voice rang through Kya's soul.
Looking about the room at the patrons, Kya noticed the same woman from the theater sipping from a mug. She looked angry to be there, but by the way she bopped her head along to the music, Kya realized it was merely resting bitch face with a pair of delicately thin, pink lips. She had to talk to her.
Kya ambled her way across the room, weaving through the crowd. As she approached, she realized the woman was a few inches shorter than her, though from afar she appeared taller. Her greying hair hung above her shoulders, but if her hair betrayed her age, the rest did not. A rakishly muscular frame supported her curves, hand resting on her hip as she watched the open mic performer.
"Hiii." Kya put on her best flirtatious smile, forward enough but not too aggressive.
"Yes?" The other woman said.
"Ouch. Aren't we a salty dog? Remember me? From the movie?"
The woman squinted and sniffed. "That's right. How could I forget the stench of your pot? I got a contact high just sitting there."
Kya smelled herself, shrugged. "Sorry bout it. I mean, if you want to get high for real, we can prolly take a walk or something, get to know each other…"
"If you're trying to sell me drugs, I'll pass. I'm enjoying a quiet evening alone, now if you excuse me," The woman said gruffly.
Kya took the hint. She was a prodigious beauty in her youth and had taken many lovers, even living through one or two great loves. Even with all her confidence, rejection still stung.
"For one, I'm not a drug dealer. I just wanted someone to talk to on this beautiful, lonesome night, and then I thought – you know what? Not worth it. Good night." Kya didn't have to explain herself to this grump.
The woman shook her head. "Wait. That was rude. I'm… sorry. I shouldn't have assumed. Although, pot is illegal in this state, you know."
Kya rolled her eyes. "What are you a square? It should never have been illegal in the first place."
"You're probably right. I am a square. Actually, I am – was – a police officer."
"Well then. It's been nice talking to ya; you have a good rest of your life now," Kya said, once again turning to leave.
"So now you don't want to talk to me anymore because I said I was a cop," the woman folded her arms and lifted an eyebrow.
Kya swung around. "You're the one who said you didn't want to be bothered."
"Maybe I lied." The woman shrugged. "Maybe I…"
"Have a chip on your shoulder?"
Their eyes met for the first time. The woman's green emeralds searching Kya's ocean blues. Energy danced about Kya's chest; her head turned hot. Needing something to swallow, she took a sip of coffee.
"I'm Kya, by the way," she said finally after a long silence filled with rhythmic guitar strumming and 'oohs and ahhs' from the performer.
"Lin."
"Been meaning to ask you ever since we were in the theater – why did you sit so close the front? You have to crank your head all the way up to see everything."
Lin blushed and doubled up inside of herself. "I – ah – well, you are very observant."
"I was a journalist in a former life. And then I dabbled in anthropology."
Lin considered a moment and said. "I usually sit in the back, the very back. Like I said I was a cop, so I never really turned it off. Sitting back there gave me a better vantage point, more control. Tonight I sat in the front because, well, I wanted to see what letting go of control was like."
"And how was it?" Kya said, her attention now focused intently on Lin.
"It was… irritating but OK. I suppose I have you to thank for that."
"Thanking me for irritating you? Never heard that one before, but anything to help out my fellow woman."
Lin recoiled. "I can't believe I just told you – a complete stranger – that!"
"Don't be so hard on yourself. I've been told I have that effect on people." Kya winked. "But in all seriousness, that's awesome you did that. Thank you for sharing that with me."
"No need to get all sentimental."
"Fine, I won't. So, officer, aren't you gonna punish me?"
Lin choked on the coffee she just sipped. "Excuse me? For what?"
"For smoking the illegal reefer, the POT?"
Lin met the other woman's gaze; the corner of her mouth curled ever so barely upward. "Is that what you want?"
"Hey now, I'm not guilty of anything, so I see no reason for it. You, on the other hand, look like you carry a lot of proverbial weight on your shoulders."
"Likely, but not something I'm getting into."
"Fair enough," Kya took a step forward, finding herself inches from Lin. The smell of the other woman's earthy perfume intoxicated her. It was months since her last good lay, not since her secret affair with that twenty-something woman that lasted a steamy month before fizzling out. She continued: "Look, I'm not going to beat around the bush – too old for that. I find you very attractive – I have a studio a few blocks from here. We could enjoy each other's company awhile, listen to records, drink wine, make love. Passionately."
Lin inhaled sharply. Kya couldn't read the other woman and it excited her immensely. Lin was hardened, but something about her seemed vulnerable, perhaps her unspoken stories – like the scar that swooped across her cheek. The woman before Kya was utterly beautiful. She had hoped Lin would say yes, and the quiet suspense of an answer gutted her.
Finally, Lin exhaled. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but OK." She gulped down the rest of her coffee.
Sensing the lack of confidence in Lin's answer, Kya responded: "Are you sure? I don't want you to do anything you're not comfortable with."
Lin took a step toward Kya, maintaining eye contact; they could all but give in to the pull of attraction bringing them ever closer. "Trust me, I'm already way out of my comfort zone. But I'd be lying to myself if I said I didn't want it. You caught me on a night."
Heat burned through Kya's chest and found its way to her sacrum. She nodded slowly, desperately trying to maintain her composure amidst the crowd and in front of the woman she was publicly seducing. "It's settled then."
Lin nodded and Kya took her hand, leading her out the door of the crowded coffee shop.
The outside air smacked Lin out of her reckless reverie, and she unhooked her hand from Kya's to button up her overcoat. She gazed at the woman opposite her now standing under the dim light of the parking lot. Kya appeared confident and comfortable in silken grey hair and copper skin and blue eyes which seemed to shine brighter in the dark. And just like that, desire enveloped Lin again.
She found one foot following the other the few blocks to a craftsman style cottage. Kya unlocked the door and motioned for her to enter. It was a tiny space, no more than 400 square feet but the windows were vaulted, allowing for breathing room. Lin looked around at the fixtures on the walls and the massive record collection next to a vintage record player.
"Would you like something to drink? Wine?" Kya said, making her way to the kitchen two steps away.
"I'll have one glass. Gotta drive," Lin said.
Kya gave her a look, not one of offense but, rather, respect and a mutual understanding.
"Quite the record and book collection you've got in this little space."
"I wish I could boast them as my own, but I'm subletting this space from an old friend and colleague." Kya handed Lin a glass of Malbec. "Please also make yourself comfortable. Forgot to mention that before."
The two women faced each other.
"Shall we toast?" Kya said.
"To what?"
"To this beautiful night, and…" Her voiced dropped to a sultry hum. "To lovely company."
"Oh." Lin blushed.
They clanked glasses.
"This isn't something I usually do," Lin continued after taking a sip.
Kya smiled warmly. "I gathered that."
"I mean I'm good ol reliable Lin. Ol lonely Lin." She kept her gaze upon the other woman, unable to tear her eyes away.
"And how does it feel?"
"It feels like – my body is screaming."
"Listen, I'm not trying to convince you of anything. I told you what I'm about."
"You misunderstand me. That's what I like about you." Lin placed her glass down and husked: "You don't beat around the bush."
Kya crooked a flirtatious smile. "Well I'm very glad I bothered you."
Lin felt herself gravitating in Kya's direction. She wanted to bury her head in the other woman's neck, wanted to kiss along her jawline. "How about some music?"
"Great idea! This guy has a wicked awesome collection. What are you in the mood for?"
"Um, well, I don't really know. Any jazz?"
"Jazz? You are an old lady huh?" Kya teased. "Just kidding, so am I. This old bag of bones loves jazz too. Do we want something singy-songy or chaotic?"
"Singy-songy sounds good." Lin couldn't believe she just said singy-songy.
"Great! How about a little Ella? Or Billie? Peggy? Lee, that is."
"Any of 'em. On second thought – I love Billie; there's so much heartbreak and tragedy to her music. She was the voice of her generation... but let's go with Lady Ella." Kya gave Lin a surprised look. "You do know a thing or two - maybe you're not a square after all. I feel like I'm slowly uncovering the mystery that is Lin.""
Kya gave Lin a surprised look. "You do know a thing or two - maybe you're not a square after all. I feel like I'm slowly uncovering the mystery that is Lin."
"We just met. But then again you probably already know more about me than people I spent twenty years working alongside."
"Not much of a talker huh?"
Lin shrugged. "Not really. Why say more than needs to be said?"
"I like good conversation. They become rarer as I get older, so I cherish every one of them. I spent a long time traveling and working remotely. It's wonderful to be free, but it gets lonely."
The music played and the two women sat awkwardly at the foot of the couch which was inches from the kitchen which was inches from the bathroom.
"So if I'm a square, what does that make you?" Lin said finally.
Kya turned toward her. "A circle, baby."
Of its own volition, Lin's head tilted toward Kya's, and she took in the other woman's breezy scent, like the ocean but sweeter. Whatever it was sent her in a tizzy. "And what does that mean?"
"Means life's a circle of endless death and rebirth. Of change. And I'm flowing with it. Trick is to be like water, honey."
"Is that so?"
Kya nodded as she leaned in and planted a kiss on Lin's thin lips. The soft crash of their mouths sent Lin's synapses spiraling. The dizzying sensation was almost like being a kid again, like the first time she kissed a girl after breaking up with her longtime boyfriend. Like a confirmation she was gay all over again because no man had ever made her body react this way.
Lin leaned back on the twin bed – another reminder of her wasted youth – as Kya bent over her, kissing her delicately at the corners of her mouth, her chin, near where her nape met her ear. She moaned and shivered as Kya's warm tongue teased her.
"Wait," Lin said, her breath already escaping. "I need to go to the bathroom."
Kya relented her kisses. "Of course. It's right over there."
The bathroom could have been fit for a plane or train, except with Spanish-style tiles. Lin leaned over the sink and splashed water on her face then gave the long scar on her cheek a good look. Kya was the first person who didn't ask Lin how she got that scar after two seconds of knowing her, and she loved that. If Lin was being honest with herself, it probably would have made the difference between tonight.
"What the hell am I doing?" Lin shook her head, but her heart pounded and her body ached to be touched.
"Everything OK in there?" Kya's voice called from the other side of the door.
Her voice carried clearly through the thin walls, and Lin wondered if the other woman had heard her previous statement. "Yes, all good. Just a minute."
She heard shuffling and the record switch to another sultry singer. This was just the kind of music that made Lin hot. Why talk when she could listen to a voice like that?
In a second, Lin would go out there and talk with Kya until it was time for them to stop talking. But like in her youth, she had butterflies. These rare nerves – were they fear or excitement? A cocktail?
Lin slid the bathroom door open. "I'll take another glass of wi—"
She stopped mid-sentence at the sight of Kya leaning on the bed making eyes, the strap of her top dangling below her shoulder.
Without saying another word, Lin took two steps to the bed and planted herself next to Kya. She kissed the other woman's shoulder and felt a shiver against her lips, sending her once again in a tizzy of lust.
Kya got up and faced Lin, who sat at the edge with her legs spread. Maintaining eye contact, the brown beauty lifted her shirt above her head and threw it across the room to land on a pile of records. Next came her pants, which she slid off one slender leg at a time. Lin followed suit, unbuttoning her shirt and slipping off her bottoms. Probably should have shaved her legs recently but oh well.
"That's the first time I've seen you smile since I met you," Kya said triumphantly as she unhooked her bra. Her breasts tumbled out, dark nipples hard and exposed to the cold air.
"What? No. Maybe." Lin's lips couldn't help but curl upward at the sight of the naturally beautiful woman undressing in front of her. That's new, she thought. "OK, maybe I am. But keep it mum. I don't want folks thinking I've gone soft."
Kya's body was curved in all the right ways, her skin still smooth and taut. Lin needed this woman on top of her ASAP.
"Come over here."
Next thing she knew, Kya was straddling her on the bed kissing her and moaning into her lips. Lin felt along Kya's lower back and gripped her ass. As they kissed, Kya began grinding up and down. Lin was on fire with want as they dry humped. But then Kya's mouth found its way to Lin's creamy tit and suckled, causing Lin to arch her back and let out a spasmed moan. She breathed into the warm, wet sensations of Kya's tongue at her nipple, Kya's hand reaching down to explore the potential space between them. Lin was dripping wet down there which didn't go unnoticed by the other woman, who rubbed at the wet spot atop her cotton panties.
They spent what felt like hours grinding and kissing and touching, teasing the clit before the inevitable main event. At that age, they no longer felt the need to rush, and being present in the sensations was more important than coming– though that was also fucking wonderful.
Still on top, Kya lifted up Lin's leg and angled her now exposed pussy to grind against Lin's, bucking her hips back and forth. They both moaned and breathed into it, their pussy lips meeting like a French kiss but wetter, sloppier. Kya leaned over to plant more kisses atop Lin's other lips, tongues twirling.
Their bodies glistened with sweat and heat floated up to the high ceilings of the tiny cottage; amassed about the room was the atmosphere and smell of sex.
Finally, Kya trailed kisses down Lin's quivering torso. She kissed along her hip, her thigh, her pussy.
"I need you. Now." Lin demanded.
Kya plunged her tongue between the other woman's folds to dance along the clit.
Lin's hips bucked into Kya's mouth and began gyrating as Kya got busy rhythmically sucking and lolling.
"Fuck. Me," Lin huffed.
"With pleasure," Kya breathed.
Next thing Lin knew, two strong fingers were pumping in and out of her pussy as Kya continued to eat her out. She felt the heat rising in her sacrum and head and chest, and orgasm washed over her in a long wave. Her entire body tensed and slowly released as Kya continued to lick the pussy, slower now until Lin became too sensitive and pushed her away.
Kya climbed up and lay next Lin, who was still catching her breath. They kissed, Lin tasting her own wetness in Kya's mouth.
Now it was her turn.
Lin flipped Kya onto her back and kissed down to her wide nipple, licking and sucking, one then the other. Her fingers - two at first, then three - pumped in and out of Kya's pussy, curling upward against the padded spot.
Kya let out breathy moans as her hips gyrated against Lin's deft fingers.
Making her way down, she dipped her tongue between the other woman's folds, reveling in the wetness against her taste buds. She had an oral fixation in her youth that never went away completely, and here she sated her long-suppressed impulses.
Lin lived in this moment between Kya's legs, her tongue doing laps around the clit.
A minute later, Kya was gripping Lin's hair, huffing "Please, I'm not ready to come yet."
And Lin took her cue to kiss once again along Kya's thighs and up the lower belly, while she put her fingers to work, pumping in and out the pussy. They gave each other a look and smiled like they were in on an inside joke – two women who had just met churning love into poetry and all that jazz.
A few minutes of finger fucking and lavishing affection on Kya's wonderful breasts was followed breathily with "I'm ready – go."
Lin's thumb encircled Kya's clit, and she plunged her tongue down there once again.
She could feel the tension in Kya's body as they gripped each other's sweaty hands, Kya's toes curling to a point like a ballerina dancer.
Lin kept up the rhythm - no more funny stuff, just sheer focus on pleasing the woman below her and the moment at hand. Kya's hips lifted up like a bridge and Lin watched her face contort in pleasure as she came for what seemed like minutes.
"Stop!" Kya said finally; her body had turned to jelly.
Lin obeyed, satisfied with satisfying this strange woman before her.
They lay there cuddling. Lin was never much of a cuddler but she was too exhausted and too much in want and so did it anyway, allowing herself for the first time in ages to open herself up, even if only for one night.
Lin almost whispered 'thank you' to the woman next to her but changed her mind. Instead she kissed Kya's forehead and fell asleep.
Lin awoke in the morning to the comforting smell of coffee. Kya was wearing a fluffy blue robe and fixing up two mugs.
"How do you take your coffee, sleepy head?"
"Black," Lin yawned.
"That's my girl."
Kya came 'round and handed Lin a steaming cup, sat next to her. They exchanged lingering glances, Kya giddy like a teen. As for Lin, she was feeling something she almost didn't recognize – relaxed.
"Good morning, by the way. Almost thought I wouldn't get to say that, but here we are," Kya said.
"Surprised?"
"Pleasantly."
They sat there quietly sipping coffee like two old ladies, smiling and smiling and smiling. Even Lin. Neither of them knew what would happen next, and it was a nice feeling.