Patsy thanked the handsome woman as she opened the door to let the couple through.
The room was alive with music, laughter, dancing, flirting. Patsy held Delia's hand behind her as she walked the length of the room.
They walked by admiring suitors and flirting couples of all kinds. Gateways, it seems, was as diverse in clientele as any other club. There were women who adopted the same tailored suiting as their new friends. Young women, not unlike Barbara or Trixie, who blushed as their eyes met across the bar. There were older couples, clearly still in love, comfortable in their silences.
Patsy smiled nostalgically, admiring one such couple as they sat drinking their cocktail and beer. Their hands held above the table. One of the women, with short cropped silver hair, smiled back at Patsy. Patsy watched as the woman's eyes moved along the length of Patsy's hand; she was still holding Delia close. Delia was oblivious, too consumed in her surrounds. The woman looked back to Patsy and nodded, as if to say 'we're both incredibly lucky. Aren't we?' Patsy nodded back in silent agreement.
Patsy searched the room and spotted a vacant booth. She led Delia in it's direction. Glancing around as Patsy pulled her along, Delia noticed a young girl in a crisp white shirt, denim jeans and leather jacket. The young girl leaned into a blushing lady in floral and whispered in her ear. Delia looked her up and down, a little too long, thought Patsy as she caught her staring.
They sat at the booth. Delia continued to gaze over the room. She had been to Gateways on several occasions, yet she was still astounded at the open affection displayed.
Patsy sat back and watched Delia as her eyes drifted back to the leather clad woman. She was not butch, yet certainly not feminine, a tom-boy but with a bravado and confidence that Delia couldn't even comprehend. It was certainly working on the blushing lady, thought Delia.
Delia looked to Patsy; disapproval cemented on her girlfriend's face. "What?" she asked.
"You know what. You're here with me, remember?" stated Patsy, feigning jealousy.
Delia laughed. "Naww, Pats. I was admiring her outfit, honest."
Patsy scoffed, "as long as you don't admire her out of it."
Patsy looked the girl up and down. "Is she really your type?" she asked, a hint of fear in her voice.
Delia snuggled closer to her girlfriend. "You know my type. Tall red-heads with enormous blue eyes." Patsy smiled at her. "Although," Delia continued, "I wouldn't mind seeing you in that jacket."
Patsy took a moment to appreciate the attire. She glanced back at Delia.
Delia bit her bottom lip. "Just the jacket", she whispered, her voice husky.
Patsy's eyes widened. She kissed Delia briefly to distract from the red rising in her cheeks.
"What has come over you tonight Delia?" asked Patsy, pulling away, still in disbelief.
"Sorry, Pats", Delia's face matched the red of her girlfriends. "I'm making up for all the times I've had to bite my tongue."
They stared at each other in recognition of all their sacrifices.
"And I'm not going to make any remarks about tongues" said Delia, breaking the tension.
Patsy laughed. "Well", she said, ignoring the innuendo, "I do believe we came here to dance."
Patsy stood, held out her hand and led Delia to the dance floor. They held each other closely, their eyes lost in each other. 'I can't stop loving you' filled the room.
It was true, thought Patsy, as she mouthed the lyrics to her lover: 'I can't stop loving you, I've made up my mind...'
Delia's eyes welled, she leaned into Patsy and rested her head on the taller woman's chest. They moved slowly to the music; eyes closed, mouths smiling.