The Bridge (Para-Earth Series) (20 page)

             
“Aw come on,” Julie continued, “Sure you don’t have anything else to say?  Like, ‘Gee with boobs like those, you don’t need to worry about the airbags in your car working?’  Or…” she landed several more, while he tried shrinking into his clothes.  Finally, she relented and said, “You got nothing, don’t you?”

             
He shook his head.

             
“And are you sorry for what you said?” she asked, as if talking to a toddler.

             
He nodded.

             
“And you’re not going to do it again?”

             
He gave her another shake of the head.

             
Julie’s voice sharpened, “Especially since my next stop is the police station, where your girlfriend is waiting for her dinner.  And I may just happen to bring up your little comment and…”

             
Alex fell to his knees and cried out in a cockney kid voice, “Aw c’mon Miss....  I was only foolin’ ‘ave an ‘eart.  Don’t tell ‘er.  She’ll ‘ave me guts for garters.  Tell ya what, give us a break and I’ll go play somewheres else.”

             
“You forgot something,” Julie told him, obviously holding back a smile.

             
“Oh right,” Alex replied, then loudly wiped his nose on the sleeve of his jacket and looked up at her with sad eyes and a trembling lip.

             
That made her burst out laughing.  “Oh God, you’re lucky I love that little Cockney brat routine of yours so much,” she told him

             
“Oh, I know how lucky I am,” he told her, getting up and reaching for one of the desserts on her tray. 

             
Only she slapped his hand way.  “Back off, those are for your guests.  And don’t give me that look again.  That only gets you out of trouble, not free goodies.”

             
“What if I let you have Veronica for a night?” he asked, still eyeing the pastries.

             
“I’ll think about it,” Julie replied and handed him a treat anyway.

             
As Alex sank his teeth into the light fluffy pastry, the door to the kitchen opened somewhere behind him and he heard Cassandra’s melodic tones saying, “There you are.  When the hell are you going to open up the Grand Ballroom?  The natives are getting restless out here.”

             
“Coming, Ma,” he replied with his mouth still full.  Then, to get back at his friend for being so bratty, he added, “By-the-by, I started taking offers as soon as the party started.”

             
Without turning he heard her heels clicking along the floor in his direction and waited for her retaliation.  Instead, the footfalls slowed down and stopped.

             
Then he heard her breathe in and say in a timid voice, “Oh, hello again.”

             
Frowning he turned and saw Cassandra was now just a few feet from him, but she was staring past him and at Julie who greeted her back saying, “Nice to see you again.  How did you make out with the police?”

             
“I’m afraid I never made it to the station,” Cassandra replied with obvious embarrassment.  “You see, I’m in town on business and it’s been occupying my time ever since that day.”

             
Alex’s curiosity was aroused enough for him to speak up, “Why did you need to talk to the police?”

             
“Someone was following me the other day,” his friend replied quickly, “but then he disappeared after Julie chased him off.  And I haven’t seen him since, so I think he may have already left town.”

             
“You should still let the police know about him,” Julie insisted with obvious concern.  “There are a lot of Weirdos out there.  Take Alex here for example.”

             
Not missing his cue, Alex piped up, “Oye, I resemble that remark.” 

             
Both girls laughed at that and he could sense some relief from both women.  But there was still some underlying tension between them.  Not aggression, but something else. 

             
Before he could probe any further, Cassandra announced that she had to get back to the party and get her offer in and quickly left the room.

             
“That was odd,” he murmured turning to Julie who was staring at Cassie’s retreating back.

             
“Alex, what did she mean by getting her offer in?” his friend asked curiously. 

             
“She wants to buy this place,” he replied and began to explain that about how Cassandra owned a number of hotels and conference centers.  But Julie wasn’t listening.  Instead she rushed past him and headed for the same door Cassie was now passing through.

             
He thought about following them then decided against it.  Instead he busied himself by helping the staff in the kitchen for a while.  After about ten minutes the sound of Lady Gaga’s “Telephone” song started coming from his breast pocket. 

             
Pulling out his cell phone he saw Cassandra had sent him a text.  Upon reading the message his eyes went wide.  Breathing a silent “WOW!” he grabbed another pastry off the platter and shook his head.  It seemed his friend wanted this place even more than he’d originally thought.

              Out in the hallway Cassandra was trying to calm herself.  She had not expected to meet the waitress again, and certainly not here.  But it made sense once she thought about it.  The girl’s aunt ran a restaurant and was part of the catering for this event. 

             
But that didn’t make things any easier.  Ever since their last encounter she’d found herself thinking more and more about her rescuer.  And each time she thought about the tall, muscular beauty her heart skipped a beat. 

             
‘What’s happening to me?’ she thought miserably, but deep down she already knew the answer.  Veronica’s words had struck home.  And she had been forced to acknowledge a truth she could no longer ignore.  

             
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw some of the other guests looking at her curiously.  That was when she realized she was breathing rather heavily and was probably looking a bit unwell.  She gave them a reassuring smile and started to look for the nearest bathroom when the door to the kitchen opened and out popped her savior once more. 

             
The girl looked around and spotted her almost immediately and called, “Hey, I need to ask you something.”

             
“Um okay,” Cassie replied hesitantly, “But, I was just heading to the bathroom.”

             
“I’ll go with you, we can talk along the way,” Julie replied catching up with her.  “Alex just told me you were hoping to buy this place.  Is that true?”

             
Relief swept over Cassandra upon hearing this and she quickly replied, “Yes I am.”

             
“In that case can I ask a favor?”

             
“Uh sure,” Cassie answered, wondering what it would be. 

             
“My uncle is the groundskeeper here and he has his own house just on the other side of the stream,” Julie explained and asked timidly, “Do you think you could let him stay on?  He’s been taking care of this place for years and no one knows the grounds like he does.”

             
“Oh God yes,” Cassie replied eagerly, “the grounds are half the reason why I want this place.  They’re gorgeous.  I wouldn’t dream of letting him go.”

             
A look of relief swept over the tall woman’s face as she cried, “YES!  Thank you so much.  You have no idea how much this means to me and my family.”

             
“Oh?” remarked Cassie a little surprised by this pronouncement.  “Why does it mean so much to them?”

             
“My father and uncle grew up in that house,” the girl explained.  “You see generations of my family have been tending these grounds all the way back to the Revolutionary War.”

             
Cassie felt her jaw drop at that.  “Seriously?  Oh my God, I had no idea.  Now I really want him to stay.  And if he ever thinks about retiring he can keep the house.  I’ll only ask that whoever takes over the grounds be allowed to consult with him.”

             
No sooner had these words left her mouth when Cassie found herself being grabbed and pulled in for a huge hug.  As Julie squealed with delight and thanked her over and over again, all Cassie could think of was how good it felt to be in those arms once more. 

             
“Whenever he retires one of his sons will take over,” Julie was saying, but Cassie barely heard her.  All she could focus on at that moment was how hard and fast her heart was beating. 

             
Then something changed in the tall girl’s behavior.  She stiffened and pulled back slightly to study her. “I’m sorry, I’m making you uncomfortable,” she nodded and winced.  “I had a feeling that’s what happened the other day when you left so suddenly.  It was when I started stroking your hand, wasn’t it?  To be honest I didn’t even realize I was doing it at the time.  It just happened.  I hope you’re not mad.”

             
“Huh?” was all Cassie could think of to say.  What was going on? 

             
Now Julie was frowning, but not in an annoyed way.  Finally she spoke again and said in a quiet voice, “I’m telling you I’m gay.  I thought you figured it out the other day.  Isn’t that why you took off so suddenly?”

             
Cassandra blinked and shook her head dumbly. “No I was afraid you were going to figure out I…” she began and then cut herself off and darted into the bathroom.

             
Once inside she buried her face in her hands.  She could feel her thoughts and emotions raging like a hurricane inside her.  A part of her wanted to scream, another part wanted to laugh, while another area wanted to cry.  Feeling all this at once only frustrated her more.  What was she to do?

             
A tap on the door brought her back to reality.  “Yes?” she called out timidly.

             
“It’s me,” came Julie’s voice, “May I come in?  I think I know what’s going on and I want to help if you’ll let me.”

             
Impulse took over and Cassie found herself opening the door before she could think.

             
“Thanks,” Julie smiled, closing the door behind her. “Would I be right in thinking, you’re feeling at war with yourself?”

             
“More than a bit,” Cassie replied honestly.

             
“You wouldn’t be the first,” Julie told her gently and sat down on the edge of the bathtub.  “I’ve known a number of people in the same boat.  I’ve even counseled some to help them accept who they are, as well as find acceptance from others.”

             
It sounded tempting, Cassie had to admit.  But one thing held her back.  “I’m not even sure I really am gay.”

             
“Good point,” Julie nodded, “So then let me ask you this, am I the only girl that ever made you feel this way before?”

             
“No,” Cassie whispered back.

             
“Okay, have you been happy with how your love life has been up till now?”

             
Cassandra could feel her throat tightening up and simply shook her head. 

             
For a moment neither spoke. 

             
Then Julie said to her, "I have to get back to work.  But if you want to, we can get together tomorrow and we’ll talk about anything you want.”

             
“Including how to come out of the closet to myself?” asked Cassandra timidly.

             
“I think you already have,” Julie smiled.

             
From there the two of them made arrangements to meet the next morning at Julie’s home for breakfast and a long talk.  After getting the directions, Cassie plugged them into her phone and then remembered she still had to put in her offer for the manor, which she quickly did.

             
Once the offer was sent Julie said, “Thanks again for offering to let my uncle stay on if you get this place.  It means a lot.”

             
“I know,” Cassie nodded added with confidence, “and it’s not IF, I am going to buy this place.” 

             
That earned her another smile and a big hug from the tall girl which not only felt good, it felt right.

              Half an hour later, at exactly nine o’clock, Alex stood in front of the closed off Grand Ballroom.  His guests gathered before him expectantly as he spoke. “I know most of you have seen all of the first floor, except for what lay beyond these doors.  And believe me ladies, gentlemen, Mr. Mayor, Chief of Police, Police Chief’s wife…”