Wedding Bells Are Ringing - Chapter 4
(Returning back to the present)
"And from that point on, we became a couple. Two days later, I told Cindy about it during a game of hoops. I knew she wouldn't have any problems with it since we went to a few gay bars together. She asked me 'what the hell took me so long to figure that out?'"
Everybody just chuckled, "Yeah, I was like 'it's about time girl!' Couldn't you see that for a long time?" Cindy joked.
"Well, I was in total denial, probably due to my strong Catholic upbringings. Besides her and Sue Ann, only Natalie knew. Blair and I dated other men to keep up the charade for other people. I even once dated El DeBarge when I met him at Over Our Heads once. I really don't wanna talk about that." Jo remembered unfortunately.
"Yeah, big mistake..." Natalie trailed.
"Tootie, of course, found out when we went to the karaoke place, but Mrs. Garrett found out without us telling her."
"How so?" Willis inquired.
"She told me that our attitudes towards each other have changed dramatically. She also said that she noticed that we were sharing a lot more things than before. Plus, she already dealt with a lesbian couple before, so what we were doing was nothing new to her. However, all of that was just pure speculation on her part, until she finally got solid proof, from us..."
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It was 10:30 PM on Christmas night 1985 and Jo and Blair were sitting on the couch with Jo wrapping her arms around Blair while Blair muzzled up next to Jo. No one else was there, so they had some much needed quality time for themselves. They were sipping on some warm cinnamon apple cider and enjoying each other's company. For most of the week, Blair was too busy being her mom's "coach". Jo understood that, but she couldn't help feeling a bit miserable because of not being able to spend quality time with the woman she cherishes.
"So you and your mom got yourselves a surprise Christmas gift, huh?"
"We sure did, and it came in 6 pounds and 12 ounces!" Blair beamed while Jo grinned in return.
"So why did you name her Bailey?"
"I named her after my grandfather, who I still fondly remember."
"I see. Why not call her Diana? After all, Princess Diana is your role model," Jo chaffed.
Blair lightly punched Jo on her shoulder, "She's not my role model. Estee Lauder is."
Jo just chuckled, "But I'm glad to see that you got a sibling."
"Thanks," Blair responded with her warm smile.
"It's probably the closest thing that we can ever get to having a child," Jo sulked, thinking of the impossibility of them producing a child.
Blair quickly turned around and looked at her lover, "Don't say that. We can adopt children, or we can have artificial insemination. Just because we're both women doesn't mean that we can't have a family. Jo, I want to have a family with you. I want to build my life around you, just as much as you want to build your life around me. But then again, with what I have to offer, who wouldn't?" she gleamed.
"Blair!" Jo spat.
"Just kidding, Sweetie. But regardless of what others have to say, I truly believe that God wants us to be together. Nobody has ever made me feel as special as you have." Then she moves in closet to Jo, "And nobody or no deity will stand in between us."
Feeling Blair's warm breath, she asked "Is this the time that I kiss you?"
"You better. Look above you."
Jo raised her head up and saw Blair holding a mistletoe. She then looked back at Blair with her sly smile and slowly kissed her. However, they weren't aware that Mrs. Garrett came downstairs for a glass of water. She was shocked, but not appalled. She tried to quietly go back upstairs but the second step creaked.
Jo and Blair instantly turned around and saw Mrs. Garrett nervously looking down and fiddling her fingers.
"It wasn't what you think it was, Mrs. G!" Jo blurted in a state of panic.
"Yeah, it's was that… Jo got something stuck in her teeth," Blair explained, using one of her not-so-brilliant-ideas. Jo looked at her like, 'Couldn't you think of a better lie, Princess?'"
Edna just smiled, then she calmly collected her nerves and told them, "There's no need to panic, I had expected it for a while." The girls were stunned to hear her revelation. "I saw how close you two have become in the past year and knew that there was more going on. Truth is, I was hoping you two would reach this point."
"Really?" Jo questioned, shocked at Mrs. Garrett's revelation.
"Absolutely. I think you two were made for each other, regardless of what others think. I've seen one lesbian relationship blossom before my eyes and they are still doing fine, despite the obstacles they've faced."
"Cindy and Sue Ann, right?"
"Yes, Jo. However, just like when they were living here, you two will have to follow the ground rules as long as you call this home. That means no excessive public display of affection, and you two must sleep in separate beds."
"But, Mrs. Garrett, we're over 18 now!" Jo protested.
"Yes, but you have two roommates who have yet to reach 18. Plus I need my sleep!"
Jo and Blair blushed after her comment. "We haven't reached that point yet in our relationship, but I understand, Mrs. G.," Jo responded.
"Good. Also, you have to be careful. I don't think I need to tell you that some people are not as accepting as I am. Sue Ann and Cindy can tell you all about that."
"Yeah, Cindy told me quite a few stories…" Jo brooded with a touch of fear in her voice.
"Look, I'll leave you two alone and get my water. But, please, be careful, you two. I'm very serious," she warned as she looked at the two young partners with a straight face.
As Mrs. Garrett headed to the kitchen, Jo and Blair smiled, feeling like some of the weight on their shoulders was gone. Then they resumed their kissing.
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"And that's how she found out," Jo informed them.
"Well, it's great that she's been supportive of you two," Willis rejoined.
"You know Mrs. G. She might be old, but she's a cool lady. She supported your marriage with Sharon, even though she's white," Sue Ann reminded him. Willis nodded in return.
"Yeah, I'm thankful for that," he grinned. "So what about you and Cindy? How did you two became a couple."
Sue Ann looked up to him, "Well, it happened after the whole race debacle…"
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It was spring of 1980 when Mrs. Garrett tore the picture of the former friends into two, she handed the picture to them. Cindy took a look and saw a smiling Sue Ann. She really missed that smile and wanted it back, for deep down she knew that she loved her. The same with Sue Ann, she harbored deep feelings for her friend before the whole racing nonsense. She wasn't sure that Cindy felt the same way, but she didn't want to end their friendship either. Also, she was told by her family that same-sex relationships were not okay.
After they took the picture with Mrs. Garrett, they went upstairs and they had their own private talk.
"I'm so sorry, Sue Ann, I was being a jerk." Cindy said regretfully while looking down on the floor.
"It's okay, it was me who got jealous first. Let's learn from this and continue on with our friendship."
Cindy smiled, "Yes, I do want our friendship back." What she really wanted was Sue Ann to be her girlfriend. She had learned and accepted the fact that she was not 'normal', and that she was gay. But she didn't know if Sue Ann felt the same way. As she tried to move her neck, she felt pain.
"Ouch! My neck hurts!"
Sue Ann said, "Where?"
"Right around the area between my neck and the back of my shoulder blade," she pointed.
"Here let me help you," Sue Ann said as she started to massage her roommate. Her soft, firm hand started to drive Cindy crazy as the limber fingers worked her stiff neck muscles soothingly. Sue Ann was also trying to repress her own feelings for Cindy, thinking they were unnatural. Eventually, they both looked at each other and stopped for a minute, gazing each other. Cindy inched in for a kiss. Sue Ann didn't pull away. In fact, she inched in as well and finally their lips touched. They kissed for a bit, as each was exploring each other. Cindy tightly wrapped her arms around Sue Ann, as she didn't want to let her go.
When they broke off, Cindy responded, "I never hated you. In fact, I've always loved you."
Sue Ann didn't smile, instead a worried look was on her face. "I don't know what to make of this. Where I'm from, it's not okay to feel this way, but I do. "
"This is not Kansas, Sue Ann, this is New York, we are free to love each other as we see fit. We're far away from your family's prying eyes."
"But what about Mrs. Garrett, or the rest of the girls including Blair? She will use it against us," Sue Ann said with great concern.
"After you decked her in the eye, she will use anything against you, though I think she deserved it," Cindy chuckled and Sue Ann did in return.
"Yeah, she sure did. But what if others found out? I really do love you, and I don't want to be with anyone else, but I'm afraid the consequence outweighs the reward." A tear was starting to slide down her right cheek.
Cindy then looked at her and dried her eye with her right hand. "I seriously doubt that. The rewards of love far outweigh the consequences. Nobody else makes me feel so special than you do, and I want to make you feel special too. I want to make you happy, and I know we got a wonderful and special thing going on. I'm sure that Mrs. Garrett will be very accepting of our relationship. The other girls will come around, trust me, Sue Ann. As for Blair, who cares? If she decides to cause any trouble, we got Mrs. Garrett to back us up! Plus, she knows that we both can kick her butt any time!"
Sue Ann saw the conviction and love in her partner's eyes. However, there was still that one lingering question. "But you still haven't answered about my family."
"When they see how happy you are, and how much we love each other, they'll accept it. If they don't accept it, then we'll find other friends who will accept us. We're not alone, even though it feels like it. There's Greenwich Village, after all!"
Sue Ann smiled, "Yeah, you're right, I really shouldn't worry. It's just that…"
"I understand. It's not 'normal' but who wants something normal and ordinary? Why want something normal when you can have something unique and wonderful… and special? That's what our love is, special," Cindy told her as she closed in for another kiss.
Sue Ann whispered, "Yeah, our love is special." Their lip's finally touched and they kissed even more passionately than before. They were in their own world for nearly a minute until they heard a knock on the door.
"I'll get it," Cindy said followed by a peck on her lover's lips. Sue Ann blushed. Cindy opened the door. It was Molly.
"Hey, Cindy, I –," She immediately paused as she examined the flushed face of the lovers. She knew there was always an attraction between the two, but now she knew it was more than that, from their blushing faces and the fact that there was some lip gloss smeared on Cindy's lip. After all, Molly was a master of reading body expressions.
"Umm… I was going to ask you two to pose for another picture, but I see that now is not a good time…"
"Oh no, we would love for you to take our picture, right, Sue Ann?"
"Of course!" she emoted.
Molly didn't know what to make out of it, so she went ahead to prepare for the picture. When she got them in her camera range, she was surprise how much radiant energy those two were given off.
"Oh, my God, I think I need some sunglasses to deal with this!" she thought to herself. She noticed how much closer the couple was to each other than in the previous shot. Molly adjusted the lenses and took the picture.
"Can you take one more, please?" Cindy begged.
"Oh, ok," Molly responded without any problems. In fact, she wanted to take a lot more so she could analyze the couple. What she noticed is how very touchy Cindy is compared to Sue Ann, meaning she is probably more affectionate to Sue Ann, but also more emotional and sensitive, which could be a good and a bad thing. Cindy had her arms more wrapped than Sue Ann's and she was softly stroking the side of Sue Ann's hip with her index finger, thinking that Molly wouldn't notice it.
Molly reloaded the film, and took a shot. "Well, that's two, do you want me to take more?"
"No, no thanks. We got other things to take care of. Thanks though," Cindy responded.
"Oh, ok. Well, take care, you two," and she left the room. Cindy then quickly locked the door and showed a sly smile on her face. Sue Ann showed her own as well. Without saying a word, Cindy came up to her and started their passionate kissing once again…
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"And that's how it happened," Sue Ann beamed. Cindy smiled as well.
"But how did Mrs. Garrett found out?" Willis inquired.
"She said that she had her suspicions since I hanged around a bit with Sue Ann, however it was when she went into our room and noticed that there were two pillows on Sue Ann's bed and none on my bed," Cindy recalled.
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Several months later after the race, Cindy had just walked into the room and saw Mrs. Garrett instantly turn towards her.
"Hey there, Cindy."
"Hi, Mrs. Garrett."
She closed the door gently and then she looked at Cindy with some concern, "I want to know something."
"What is it, Mrs. G?"
"Why are there two pillows on Sue Ann's bed and none on yours?"
"Well..." Cindy was trying to think of something quick. "Sue Ann was complaining about her pillow last night being too flat, so I gave her another one and told her to shut up."
Mrs. Garrett took it as a reasonable response, but she also noticed something else.
"But your bed is well made, unlike your dresser and the rest of your part of the room."
Cindy was now starting to get nervous and her face was showing it. Mrs. Garrett detected but continued her interrogation.
"Also I see some of your clothes in Sue Ann's pile, can you explain why?"
"I-I-I think there was some mix up going on..."
Cindy thought she got away with her lie, but the crafty Mrs. Garrett had one more trick up her sleeve. She went to Sue Ann's bed and pulled Cindy's pajamas from underneath her pillow. It was clearly her's since it had her name on pajama shirt.
"Care to explain this?" she simply asked. Cindy stalled a bit, trying to come up with another lie. Mrs. Garrett wasn't in the mood for Cindy's lies, so she frankly asked her, "Cindy, can you please tell me the truth, are you and Sue Ann in love with each other?"
That moment, she instantly froze and hesitated, "Uh-uh-uh?"
Mrs. G. then smiled, "You don't need to worry about me, I see nothing wrong with you two being in love."
Cindy first looked at her with shock, then finally with a beaming smile on her face, feeling like a ton of brick was finally off of her.
"Really?" she exclaimed.
"Yes. I have no problems with it. In fact, I think it's wonderful that you are in love."
Cindy still had that huge gleaming smile on her face and told her, "Oh, thank you very much!"
"No problem, but I want to talk to you and Sue Ann about a few things when she comes here. You two may be in love, but you still have to abide by the rules here."
"I understand," she responded, knowing Mrs. Garrett's rules very well.
"Get me when Sue Ann comes back from her shower."
"Okay."
About fifteen minutes later, Sue Ann entered into the room.
"Hey there, Babe," Cindy smiled.
"Hi there, Sweetie, what's up?"
"Um, stay here for a bit, I'll be back."
Sue Ann was a bit worried, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I'll be back."
Cindy went downstairs to get Mrs. Garrett. They came into the room and Cindy sat right next to Sue Ann. She held Sue Ann's hand. Sue Ann was shocked and scared about it.
"Cindy!"
"Don't worry about it, Sue Ann, I already know," Mrs. Garrett reassured her with her smile.
"But how?"
"You should have kept only one pillow on your bed," she said with a coy grin.
Sue Ann's eyes nearly popped out, then she turned to Cindy and scolded her, "Cindy, I told you she'll find out that you were sleeping with me."
"What?!" Mrs. Garrett shouted.
"It's not like that! We never did 'it', it's just that Cindy wants to be close to me, so she sleeps with me in the bed during the night."
"You better stop doing that from this point on, because that's one of the ground rules here. As long as you're staying here, you two will be sleeping in separate beds."
"Okay," Cindy responded, feeling ashamed for her actions.
"And there won't be any extreme public display of affection, you two understand?"
"Yes, we do."
"Highly unlikely, if people found out about us, we would be in deep trouble," Sue Ann informed.
"That's another concern," Mrs. Garrett warned as she gave them a sorrowful look. "You two have got to be very careful about your relationship. I know you want to shout it out to the world that you love each other, but the world still sees your love as a sickness."
"I know, Mrs. Garrett. I know my family would be ashamed that I'm with a girl," Sue Ann answered while trying her best not to cry. Cindy instantly comforted her.
Mrs. Garrett tried not to cry as well, feeling Sue Ann's pain, "I can't speak for your parents, but I can speak for myself that no matter what, I will support you both. You don't have to worry about that."
Sue Ann then smiled, "Thanks, Mrs. Garrett."
"Thanks, Mrs. Garrett." Cindy responded.
The smile returned to Mrs. Garrett's face, "Good, now I need to continue cleaning the kitchen."
As she left the room, they embraced each other and then they kissed.
(Return to the present)
"I'm so glad that Mrs. Garrett was accepting of our relationship. I thank her for accepting us as we are. Also, she may have laid the ground rules on us, but we found a way around that." Sue Ann stated with a slick smile.
"How so?" Willis asked with intrigue, his heterosexual male curiosity was getting the best of him.
"There's a barn near the place, I'm a farm girl, there are noisy animals in the barn, and we got lots of blankets. You do the math." A blush appeared on her's and Cindy's face. Willis started to blush as well while the others laughed.
"Well that's one way to go around her rules," Jo sniggered. "Anyhow, I need to check up on Blair." So she pulled out her cell and called Blair.
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