Sapphic Cowboi (25 page)

“Would you like to catch a cup of coffee,
dinner, or something?” The woman asks.

“I don’t drink coffee or tea either for that
matter,” Joan grins, “but dinner sounds great!” Nodding her head in
approval. She has enjoyed the conversation with this woman over the
last hour or so.

The woman introduces herself. “I’m Grace
Monroe by the way, Dr. Grace Monroe.”

Holding out her hand Joan says “Joan Woods,
artist extraordinaire.” Startled that she has been talking with a
doctor all this time.

Grinning Grace takes her hand, her face
lights up in an elfin grin. There is a spark that both of them
feel. Neither let’s go but startled glances are exchanged. The
tingle goes all the way up their arms. The handshake goes on a
moment longer than necessary before they both realize. Turning,
they head for the exit at the end of the convention center.

Along the way they chat about other artists
and their works. As they reach the parking garage Grace asks “Would
you like to take your car or mine? Or would you like to go over to
one of the hotels?” Her head indicates towards the Hyatt in front
of the convention center entrance.

“I’ve been using taxis to get around this
time. I’m staying at the hotel” Joan answers.

“Then you’re probably sick of hotel food.
Let me take you to a good restaurant I know.”

Grace leads Joan to a sleek forest green
Jaguar coupe. Admiring it, Joan catches Graces eye. Grace is
grinning like a Cheshire cat. “My one indulgence” she states. Once
more Joan is taken by the elfin grin she sees. Pressing her key
button the doors unlock for her and they get in. Grace drives
smoothly out of the parking garage and to the payment kiosk.
Shaking her head as it cost $10 just for parking she says “What a
crime!” Turning to Joan she explains that a family could never
indulge itself going to a convention and having to pay the
expensive fees that they require and forget trying to eat there
too. It unfortunately keeps the masses away from things like this.
The sleek car pulls out onto Harbor Blvd. and away from the
convention center. Grace and Joan continue chatting as though they
are old friends. They pull into a nice hole in the wall restaurant
a few minutes later. “They have great steak” Grace states.

Going inside it’s apparent it’s a
reservations only restaurant but Grace is spotted and immediately
seated. A lot of “Yes, Doctor, How are you Doctor” goes on as they
are seated.

Impressed despite herself Joan asks “They
know you?” Her right eyebrow rises a little with the question and
the small grin on her face makes the sarcasm funny.

Slightly blushing Grace explains that she
knows the owner and his family. That she has helped them
periodically.

“What kind of doctor are you?” Joan
asks.

“I’m a psychiatrist. I work at U.C. Irvine
over in Orange.”

Immediately uncomfortable, Joan just sits
there. Noting her silence and her obvious distress Grace asks “Is
something wrong?”

“No offense, but psychiatrists and
psychologist have always made me uncomfortable.”

“Really? Me too. Do you know why?” At Joan’s
shake of the head she continues “Well we’ve been talking for over
an hour now and you’ve been fine. Is it just the title or something
else do you think?” Joan shrugs and tries to relax.

The waiter hurries over and takes their
order. Joan orders a salad with no dressing but extra croutons.
Then for the main course she orders soup and fruit. Grace orders a
steak, baked potato, and green beans.

“You don’t eat meat?” She asks Joan.

Joan explains that she has trouble if she
doesn’t watch her diet. Sticking to fruits, vegetables, and light
meats keeps her system in balance. No weight gain and everything
runs smoothly.

With a few glasses of wine Joan relaxes and
realized that Grace is probably right. The title psychiatrist is
probably what was bothering her. Grace turns out to be a very
wonderful person. They talk not only about art but medicine,
history, and a variety of other subjects. Before they know it is 8
o’clock. They even had desert but they are tying up one of the
tables.

Both are reluctant to end their
conversation. Their blooming friendship was something both wish to
pursue and it was apparent to both. There was also a subtle tension
building in the air. Grace offered a suggestion “I’ve been invited
to a party, would you be interested in going?”

“I don’t think I’m properly dressed” Joan
responded, indicating her flowing outfit. She was dressed ‘artsy’.
Her brown hair with its red highlights was long and flowing to
below her waist. She isn’t tall but has a fine figure. A high bust
with wide shoulders and a muscular look to it. Her waist is
trim.

“Believe me, your fine. It’s just some
friends of mine and they won’t care if you come half dressed.”
Hesitating a moment she added, “Well, maybe the half-dressed part
they would mind. But not in a bad way” she mused. They shared a
laugh as they walked back to the Jaguar. Chatting about friends and
their idiosyncrasies their conversation continued.

Grace headed the Jaguar back down Harbor
Boulevard towards the convention center and past it heading in the
other direction, further into Anaheim. Pulling through a
residential area she parked in front of an old house that had been
converted into apartments. You could see people were already there
as several were standing on the steps with beers in their hands. As
Grace and Joan walked up they parted to let them into the front
door of the house. Taking their jackets was a guy that looked
vaguely familiar to Joan. Grace led them into the living room to
meet their host. People were sitting around on everything available
- couches, the chairs, the tables, a few on the floors. Some were
standing and chatting. The room was fairly full.

Suddenly a voice aimed directly at them
“GRACE!” A short black headed woman with a very short haircut came
towards them. Her face was the palest of white and she wore bright
red lipstick. Her black hair was shaved as a man’s on the sides and
she had a braided pony tail down the back. Her black hair was
matched by black eyes; a very striking person. She was dressed in
jeans and a tight sweater. Holding out her arms for a hug she
grabbed Grace close. Joan looked on in amusement. Something she had
noticed earlier finally making itself clear. Most of the people at
this party were or had to be gay. Not that gays give off any
strange vibes but just how they were behaving and looked made
things apparent to Joan. The woman talking to Grace seemed vaguely
familiar. When Grace turned to introduce Joan the woman surprised
both of them by interrupting with “JOAN? My god I haven’t seen you
in like 20 years!”

Surprised Joan looked closer. Thinking back
20 years to when she would know this woman. Indeed she did know
her. They had worked together at a parts supply house.

“JO! Oh my goodness. I never thought I’d see
you again. This is your house?” Joanne was a close friend once, one
alienated by Joan’s ex-husband.

Grace was amazed that they knew each other.
Further explanations revealed how they knew each other, how Grace
and Joan had met.

Joanne pulled Joan over to others at the
party. She knew several people, stunned to see them again after so
long a time had passed. She saw Tina, Addie, and Ken, the guy who
had taken her coat. All gay friends from the parts store. Another
friend, Tracey, who hung out with all of them - straight and wild.
Due to her relationship with her ex she hadn’t seen them forever.
Thrilled they all talked and caught up. Grace stood back and
listened.

Joan explained what she had been up to. She
was divorced. Gave up on the parts house as it was a nowhere job.
Went back to school. Raised the boys. There were three of them now.
The friends were amazed as Joan had been the least likely to have
children. They were all so excited to catch up. As parties go, this
one went on and Grace wandered off to different friends and groups.
She knew most everyone in the house. During the course of the
evening Joanne and Joan found themselves alone and talking.

“I always wondered what happened with you,”
Joanne stated.

“I looked for you but by the time I was free
to do so, I couldn’t find a Joanne Chavez in the book. No one knew
where you were either and I couldn’t find the others either.” Joan
indicated Tina, Addie, Tracey, and Ken.

“Was it hard?” Jo asked.

Joan immediately knew what she meant; her
marriage to Craig. It had been awful. They were young and Craig
somehow made everything her fault. They were poor but he made it
worse with his irresponsibility. Nodding in answer she took another
gulp of her wine. Looking around for Grace absentmindedly. She saw
her ensconced in a very undignified bean bag chair in the corner,
surrounded by people all talking loudly.

Jo noted where her eyes had strayed. “You
know she’s gay don’t you?”

Turning back to Joanne, Joan answered “Yes,
I’d have to be pretty obtuse not to realize that at this
point.”

“And you two just met today? Joan nodded. “I
thought you were straight?”

“I am.”

“Then what be haps here?”

Smiling at the funky way of asking. Joan
shook her head. “I don’t know to be honest. I just don’t know.”
Looking again at the corner where Grace was she was in time to
catch her eye and exchange a smile. One of those party smiles. Yes,
I know where you are, Yes, I’m having a good time too.

It was about 11 o’clock when Grace came
searching for Joan. Joan had met some of the most interesting
people. Not just the few people she knew but others she had talked
with, debated with, exchanged information with. Several were
invited down to the convention. It was a relief finally to stop
talking. She’d seen Grace around the party too they’d exchanged
looks a few times. It was odd how intense those looks were.

“Hey you, are you about ready to go?” Grace
asked.

Smiling Joan nodded. They headed for Joanne
and a last goodbye. Stay in touch. Don’t let it be so long. Joan
gave Joanne and the other four one of her cards with her email
address on it. Hugging each of them goodbye.

Grace helped her on with her coat and they
walked out of the house. The immediate silence was loud. Almost
overwhelming. They got into the car and just sat for a minute.

“That was odd” Grace indicated the house
with a nod of her head.

“Yes, wasn’t it though. I haven’t seen those
people for ages. I missed them.” Joan answered with a little
smile.

“Were you involved with any of them?” Grace
asked.

Laughing Joan answered “No, not possible. If
you had known my ex you’d understand, we were all just friends at
work.”

Joan looked at the house with a nostalgic
wistfulness. Remembering the young people she had known then. The
adults they had all become. Grace watched her face. Finally Joan
turned and looked at Grace. Something seemed to connect between
them. Almost an electrical current between their eyes.

Grace leaned forward and lightly kissed Joan
on the lips. Joan felt a tug from somewhere below her belly button.
She kissed Grace back. Opening their mouths the kiss deepened.
Grace raised her hands and cupped Joan’s face holding her there.
Joan raised her own hands and put them on the outside of Graces.
Then she slid them along to Graces shoulders and under Graces hair.
Pulling her head closer to Joan’s. They had been kissing heatedly
and caressing each other for a while before Grace pulled her head
up.

“For a first kiss that was something.” She
panted slightly.

Stunned for a moment, Joan sat there looking
deeply into Graces eyes. She had never. She had never, ever, had
the thought of being attracted to another woman. But what she was
feeling for this woman went beyond normal attraction. She felt it
deep inside her. Her whole body was tingling in anticipation.
Panting herself, she broke off eye contact, and leaned her forehead
on Graces shoulder.

Grace kissed Joan’s forehead and just held
her close. She’s shocked, thought Grace. She’s fighting this
attraction. I know she feels it. I do too. I felt it at the show. I
felt it at dinner. I felt it all through the party. Now, I feel
lust like I’ve never felt it before. I want this woman. I NEED this
woman. I have to take it slow though. She’s scared. She’s in virgin
territory, pardon the pun.

Their breathing returned to normal. The
windows on the Jag had all fogged up. Joan pulled her head off of
Graces neck and looked into her face. Grace could see the
puzzlement but she also could see the wanting in Joan’s eyes. Let
her make the next move Grace thought. And Joan did. She took her
hand and caressed Graces jaw line. Back and forth. Under Graces ear
she lightly tickled with her fingers. Her eyes never left Graces.
Joan could read the pleasure on Graces face from the caresses.
Grace knew the minute that Joan decided to kiss her again. Heated
caresses followed.

A loud noise outside the car attracted their
attention. They reluctantly pulled apart. Both were panting. You
could smell the want, the need, in the air. Both sat back in their
bucket seats. Finally Grace turned to Joan. “Would you like to see
my place?”

Joan knew what Grace was asking indirectly.
It was a big step. Joan didn’t want to lose this person who had
come into her life so suddenly. Not trusting herself to speak, Joan
nodded.

Grace started up the Jag and pulled away
from the curb after the efficient defogger had cleared the windows.
Reaching out she touched Joan’s hand. Joan immediately took Graces
hand in hers.

Off Harbor Boulevard she turned onto the 5
freeway heading south. Needing her hand to shift she released
Joan’s. Immediately she recaptured it when she was done shifting.
They resumed their conversation as though nothing had happened.
Grace effortlessly pulled from the 5 freeway onto the 55 heading
for Newport Beach where her apartment was located.