Chapter Five
Kelly had fallen asleep beside Edna that night a week before; Wilbur had entered the bedroom later that evening and, smiling when Kelly told him she had stayed with Edna because she wasn't feeling well, had thanked her and suggested she go home. Kelly had returned the next morning almost as soon as she heard Tracy and Wilbur leave the house. She had spent even more time than usual at Edna's side since the episode.
Edna Turnblad turned hopefully from her ironing board as the door opened. A smile broke out on her face when she saw that it was, once again, the sweetly smiling face of Kelly Wiley that came bobbing toward her. They kissed each other's cheeks in greeting.
So what kinds of unsightly stains shall we be tackling today?" Kelly said brightly.
"All we have today is a few of Wilbur's shirts and some towels," Edna said with a smile. With that, Edna continued her work at the ironing board while Kelly picked up the basket of towels and commenced the folding.
Kelly sang quietly to herself as she worked, a habit she had had since she was a tot. She was midway through a lime green towel when Edna interrupted her.
"Will you do something for me?" Edna asked, smiling as she looked into Kelly's eyes.
"Anything," Kelly replied.
"When Tracy gets married, will you sing at her wedding?" She smiled sweetly. Kelly lifted an eyebrow, considering. Standing, she sat the towel down. She went to Edna and reached around her with her right arm, placing her hand on the small of Edna's back. She offered her left hand to Edna, and she took it as she placed her other arm around Kelly's shoulder. Kelly began slowly to rock.
"A little preview," she grinned as Edna giggled.
"Suntanned, windblown
Honeymooners at last alone
Feeling far above par
Oh, how lucky we are
While I give to you and you give to me
True love, true love
So on and on it will always be
True love, true love
For you and I have a guardian angel
On high, with nothing to do
But to give to you and to give to me
Love forever, true"
Edna was lost in Kelly's velvet honey voice and her skin smooth as rose-petals, and she remained so even after Kelly sang the last few words of Mister Porter's song.
The song came to an end, and together they stood with their arms around one another. Edna's lips brushed against Kelly's neck, moving lightly upward toward her jaw, her cheek. When their lips met, the ground disappeared beneath their feet, and the world ceased to exist. Kelly ran her fingers through Edna's hair, swooning as their tongues caressed one another. She let her hands drift down Edna's body, being careful not to aggravate her wounds, until they met with Edna's. Their hands clasped tightly between their heaving bosoms, Kelly Wiley and Edna Turnblad poured their love deeply into one another.
When at last their lips parted company, Kelly placed her hand over Edna's heart, and then moved it to the zipper pull of her nightgown. She tugged it down slowly, pushing the fabric gently aside to reveal the cuts covering her left breast; they were still delicate. She lifted her eyes to meet those of her newfound love, smiling softly.
"I love you, Edna Turnblad."
"And I love you, Kelly Wiley." Edna kissed the young woman's cheek as she embraced her.