Rebecca’s Cove

Chapter 18

“Hobie...Hobie,” Baylor mumbled in her half sleep. She had been dreaming that she and Hobie were sharing a kiss. The kiss seemed familiar, but even in her dream state, Baylor knew that she’d never kissed Hobie before, and she had no idea why she would remember it. She woke from her slumber a little more fully and immediately felt the pain of the previous evening’s indulgence. Barely squinting her eyes open, she found the source of the wet kisses.

“Arturo, get off me!” Baylor pushed at the white ball of fluff, but he took that as an invitation to play. “Stop, Squirt. Hey, quit chewing on my ear!”

It took Baylor some time that morning to get motivated enough to move. She eventually made it into the kitchen, turned on the coffee maker, and sat at the table. She rested her head on the smooth wood, which felt cool against her cheek. That was how Juliana found her.

“Good morning, morning glory! Hey, are we going to the Cove for brekky? I sure could go for some eggs and greasy bacon.” Juliana poured two cups of coffee as she spoke.

“Eat shit and die.” Baylor groaned without raising her head from the table.

“Let me fix you up with my patented hangover cure. It has raw eggs in it.”

“Tanti keeps a gun and I’m not afraid to use it.”

Juliana laughed but kept her voice down. She reached out and stroked the top of her friend’s head. “Here, this may help, mate.” She set the mug of coffee on the table in front of Baylor.

Baylor sipped the steaming brew and massaged her temple with her free hand.

“How many gimlets did you have last night?”

“I think I lost count at ten. How shitfaced did I get? Tell me I didn’t do anything to piss off Hobie.”

“Um, well...”

“Oh, no. What did I do?”

“Let’s see. You cornered Hobie and kept telling her you had something life altering to tell her. Then you passed out on her. She helped me get you home. You threw up—not on her, thankfully— you flirted shamelessly with her in the truck, and that’s about it.”

“Did I tell her?”

“That you’re in love with her? Nah, by the time we got home, you couldn’t remember what it was you wanted to say.” She easily interpreted the stricken look on Baylor’s face. “And, yes, you told me that you cared for her.”

“Geez, I must have been drunk. God, she must hate me.” “Surprisingly enough, I believe she still thinks you’re rather cute. Damned if I know why.”

Baylor’s head popped up at that. “Cute? Were those her exact words? I mean did she actually say I was cute?”

“Can we say pathetic?” Juliana chuckled.

“Oh, shut up. If she didn’t come out and say she liked me, then how do you know for sure?”

“Trust me on this. I’ve lost enough girlfriends to you that I know what it looks like when I’ve been relegated to alternate status.”

“Really?” Baylor asked with a small smile.

Juliana glared. “I’d appreciate a little less enthusiasm at that comment.”

“Sorry,” Baylor said. “I meant...really?” she added with a somber expression and a low tone.

“That’s better.”

“So at least I didn’t embarrass her too bad, huh?”

“I didn’t say that. I said I think she likes you and that you didn’t piss her off.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“It means that you embarrassed the hell out of her. Don’t you remember the dance?”

“Dance? Dance?” Baylor mumbled the words under her breath. “Oh, shit.” She looked over at Juliana, her eyes widening.

“I see it’s all coming back to you.” “Not all. Refresh my memory.”

“Okay, let’s see. Not that I meant to eavesdrop, mind you.” “Oh, naturally.”

“Well, I think it started when you walked up to the table she was sitting at...”

“Hey.” Baylor walked up to Hobie’s table. She was well on her way to inebriated bliss.

“Hiya, Baylor.”

“Hey, Bubba. Hello,” Baylor slowly drawled as she attempted to get Hobie’s attention.

“Hello, Baylor,” Hobie said at last. “May I have this dance?”

“Are you insane?” “What? What’d I say?”

“Women don’t dance together on Ana Lia,” Hobie said. “Those old dykes do.” Baylor pointed to Katherine and Helen

as they moved together on the dance floor. “They’re sisters.”

“I don’t think anyone really believes that, do you? Come on, let’s dance.”

“Go away.”

“Come on, we could be sisters, too.” Baylor grinned.

Hobie shook her head and tried not to smile. “Somehow, I don’t think the family resemblance is there.”

“Sure it is. We’re practically identical twins.” Baylor dropped to one knee and put an arm around Hobie’s shoulder. “Bubba, what do you think? Your mom and me look alike, right?”

“Oh, stop,” Hobie ordered.

“Um...” Noah pushed his glasses up.

Baylor offered a wide, toothy grin and nodded for Noah to see. “Come on, Bubba, how ’bout it?” Again, she nodded.

“Yes,” the youngster said, then burst out laughing. “See,” Baylor said as she turned to Hobie.

“My own child, thank you very much.”

“Hey, my man here only calls ’em as he sees ’em. So let’s dance.”

Hobie watched as Baylor used her cane to get to her feet. “There’s something seriously wrong with you. You know that, right?”

“What? I bet plenty of gals here would dance with me if I asked.”

“Well, by all means.” Hobie smiled and spread her arms wide. “Don’t let me interrupt a master at work.”

“All right, smart ass.” Baylor turned toward the tables surrounding the dance area. “She thinks I can’t get a dance partner,” she said to herself as she searched the area. She noticed there weren’t many women there who weren’t collecting Social Security. She looked at Hobie, who sat there with a smug smile.

“Okay, so the pickings are a little slim. I bet even the old broads will dance with me.” She spotted a familiar face. “Mrs. Emberly...”

“Oh, God.” Hobie groaned.

“Mrs. Emberly, would it bother you to dance with me?” “Why no, dear. Although you are rather tall, and you seem a little incapacitated with that leg.”

Baylor turned and walked over to Hobie. “See,” she said with an air of triumph.

“That’s because she doesn’t know you’re gay.” Baylor spun on one heel. “Mrs. Emberly—” “Don’t even think about it, Baylor Warren!”

“Mrs. Emberly, I’m gay. Would that affect your decision to dance with me?”

“Why no, dear. I love to see you young women happy.” “Um, it’s not really that kind of…never mind.” Baylor gave up when she saw Hobie giggling. “Thanks anyway, Mrs. Emberly.” “Have a heart and quit laughing so hard.” A dejected Baylor sat beside Hobie. “One dance and I promise I’ll leave you alone for the rest of the evening.”

“I should be so lucky.”

“Ow, that hurts. Okay, guess I’ll just have to tell a few more of the old broads I’m gay and try to get a dance out of them.” Baylor made as if to rise but hesitated long enough to hear Hobie’s hurried response.

“Don’t you dare!” Hobie pointed a finger at Baylor. “One dance, then you behave. Right?”

“Scout’s honor.” Baylor drew a cross against her chest. “Why do I doubt that you ever did Girl Scouts?” Hobie

immediately regretted her choice of words. She waited with a scowl for Baylor to comment in some lewd manner.

“What are you looking at?” Baylor asked.

“I was waiting for you to respond with some sort of indecent remark about what I said.”

Baylor smiled. “Hmm.” “What?”

Baylor leaned closer to Hobie, who now stood beside her. “Oh, nothing, just wondering.”

“Wondering what?”

“Wondering if it’s sex you’re always thinking about or whether it’s me that’s always on your mind.” Baylor whispered the last few words against Hobie’s ear. She put on an arrogant grin when she saw the goose bumps rise on Hobie’s skin.

“I suggest you concern yourself a little less with what I have on my mind.”

“Don’t be that way,” Baylor teased. “Even though you are rather cute when you’re mad. Come on, how about that dance?”

“I have an idea.”

Baylor knew she’d crossed a line by the look in Hobie’s eye. “Yes?”

“Why don’t you go ask one of your Girl Scout friends? Better yet, go ask Mrs. Emberly to dance with you!” Hobie turned, grabbed Noah’s hand, and walked away, leaving Baylor speechless and badly in need of another drink.

“Oh God,” Baylor groaned. “Why do I turn into such an ass when I drink?”

“Only when you drink?”

“And you’re supposed to be my best friend.”

Juliana chuckled. “Mate, the way you’re going, I’m your only friend.”

“My life is over.” Baylor let her head fall against the table once more.

Juliana had been thinking the exact thing, but in regard to herself. Especially because she knew that very shortly, she would have to remind Baylor that she was going on a date with Baylor’s girl.

“Do not do this, Baylor. You said this morning that you could handle this.”

“I lied! You of all people should know what a compulsive liar I am.”

Juliana and Baylor faced off. Baylor was a good three inches taller, but Juliana stood her ground. She knew her best friend would never really hurt her, though she wouldn’t have been able to tell by the smoldering gaze now leveled at her.

“You want me to stay home?” Juliana asked. “Yes.”

“Then tell her.”

A moment’s silence passed while they glared at each other. “I just need a little more time.”

“For what? So you can get drunk again and actually throw up on her this time?”

“The time has to be right.”

“Unless the time becomes right in the next five minutes, fork over the keys because I’m going out to dinner with her.”

“You are evil, you know that?”

“Jesus Christ, Baylor, you are driving me out of my mind! I’m tired of babying you through this. Either act like an adult or step aside.”

“Fine, just fine, but I’ll drive over there with you. Try going on a date in that zoo-mobile she drives.”

“You can be such a git sometimes,” Juliana said in exasperation. “Fine, let’s go.”

Juliana focused on the road during the short drive to Hobie’s house. The women said little to each other, and Juliana hoped it was all worth it. She had placed a quick phone call to Evelyn earlier while Baylor was in the shower. Evelyn had told Juliana that even though Baylor—and their friendship—appeared to be suffering greatly, Juliana should do exactly what she had been doing. It was hard, though; she didn’t like to see her friend hurting. Even so, there was another part of her that had to struggle not to kick Baylor in the head for her infantile behavior.

When they pulled up in front of the house, they found Noah playing on the front lawn.

“Baylor!” He ran up to Baylor and dove into her arms. “Are you and me goin’ out on a date, too?”

Baylor laughed in spite of herself. Noah had a way of pulling her out of her funk with his infectious enthusiasm for life. “I don’t know about that, Bubba. Where’s your mom?”

“She’s getting dressed. Hi, Jules.” “Hey there, Noah.”

Noah showed Juliana his new bicycle and explained that he planned to have the training wheels removed as soon as he could ride it on two wheels. Juliana paid close attention as he took her around the yard. He explained all his favorite toys and play spots. She smiled as he spoke about Baylor and what good friends they were.

Baylor, in the meantime, took the opportunity to slip inside the house. All she wanted was a few moments alone with Hobie. Perhaps in that time, she could find a way to open up to her.

There was no one else in the medium-sized guesthouse, but Baylor heard a familiar voice coming from the back. She silently made her way there and listened outside the door.

“Definitely not this dress. I look like I’m asking for something,” Hobie said to her reflection. It was the third outfit she’d tried on in the last half-hour.

Part of Hobie approached the evening with trepidation, mostly because she wished it had been Baylor who had asked her out. The disheartening fact was that Hobie was falling for Baylor a little more each day, and Baylor had yet to show any real interest in Hobie. Why doesn’t she say anything? Yeah, right, like you’re so much better. But what if she doesn’t feel the same? The only conclusion was that Baylor wasn’t interested in Hobie, at least not anything long term.

Hobie’s other half was genuinely looking forward to her night out. It had been a long time since she’d sat across from an intelligent woman, especially one who looked as good as Juliana Ross. She was everything any woman could want in a potential partner. In Hobie’s opinion, there was only one thing wrong with Juliana. She wasn’t Baylor.

Hobie finally settled on a pale green tank top and cream-colored slacks with a matching jacket to wear inside the restaurant. She casually tossed the jacket over one shoulder and pulled the bedroom door open, nearly screaming as Baylor came tumbling through her bedroom door. “What in the hell?”

“Hi there.” Baylor waggled her fingers from her prone position. “I bet you’re wondering why I’m here.”

“What I’m wondering is how I can shoot you for trespassing and not go to jail!”

“Okay, you’re angry, I can understand how seeing me outside your bedroom door might do that.” Baylor appeared to be struggling for a way out of the mess in which she now found herself.

Hobie took a deep breath and closed her eyes. How did the woman she had so many good feelings for always make her angry enough to want to inflict bodily harm on her?

“I am going to pretend that there is a good reason for this.” Hobie took another cleansing breath and opened her eyes. “I can’t talk to you while you’re lying there. Get up.”

Baylor held a hand out and Hobie folded her arms across her chest. “Okay, I can see we’re still a teensy bit angry,” Baylor said as she rose. “Look, Hobie, this is going to take a little bit of faith on your part—”

“I don’t want to hear it.”

“Okay, just a little more faith than that.”

“God Almighty, Baylor, I don’t know what to do about you anymore.”

“I’m sorry, and if you knew me half as well as Jules, you’d know that I don’t apologize to anyone.”

Hobie’s anger melted away as quickly as it had appeared. The expression on Baylor’s face was one of a kind. Hobie was afraid that she was about to cry.

“It’s okay,” she said hurriedly. “I mean there’s no real damage done, right?” She caught herself and suddenly wondered why she was being so apologetic. “Look, what are you doing here anyway?”

“Oh, um, it’s such a nice night that I thought I’d go for a walk, get some exercise. Jules gave me a ride. She’s in the yard with Noah.”

“Oh.” Hobie had almost hoped it was for a more personal reason. “Did you, um, did you remember what it was that you wanted to say to me last night?” she asked as she shifted her feet nervously.

“Did I—” Baylor swallowed so hard it made an audible sound. “Remember? Uh, well, it’s like this...” Her mouth felt like the Sahara, she had pains in her chest, and she had the overwhelming urge to vomit. She raised her hand to run her fingers through her hair, but her hand was shaking so badly that she shoved it into her pocket instead.

“Did you remember?” Hobie pressed.

Baylor concentrated on breathing out and breathing in. She was absolutely certain that if she didn’t focus on that particular act, she would pass out. She could feel the room shrinking as Hobie waited for an answer. Finally, she looked into Hobie’s clear green eyes and realized that if the rest of her life was to hold any meaning at all, she had to bite the bullet and say the words.

“Hobie I-I...no, I don’t remember.”

“You look pretty, Mom.” Noah rushed into the house, followed by Juliana.

“I second that,” Juliana added. “I wondered where you went off to,” she whispered to Baylor. She could tell by their expressions that Baylor hadn’t told Hobie. “I guess we better be off, eh?”

“I guess so.” Hobie directed a longing look at Baylor’s. Baylor, you clueless jerk, you, Juliana thought silently. Sorry, mate, but you’re gonna pay for your silence this time.

“Come on, we can walk Noah up to my mom’s place on our way out,” Hobie said.

The three women had a short yet silent walk to the main house. Had they been privy to one another’s thoughts, it would have been quite enlightening, considering they were all thinking the same thing.

“What in the world?” Hobie pulled a note down that appeared to have been hastily tacked on the back door. “Great!” She waved the note at Juliana. “Mom had to run out. All she says is ‘be back soon.’”

“Cool!”Noahsaid. “Does that mean Baylor can stay with me?” Hobie and Juliana exchanged a look. They slowly turned to look at Baylor.

Baylor’s short fingernails dug into her palms as she clenched her hands into fists inside her pockets.

“I know it’s a huge imposition...” Hobie left the question unasked.

Baylor opened her mouth to come back with some smart-ass reply when she looked down at Noah. The boy’s face beamed with excitement. He absently pushed his glasses up and hopped from foot to foot in anticipation. Baylor didn’t see how she could stand to put a look of disappointment there. “Well, what do you say, Bubba? Pizza from Mama Lia’s for dinner?”

“All right!” Noah pumped a fist in the air.

After settling Noah and Baylor into the guesthouse, Hobie and Juliana prepared to leave. Baylor kept pretending that it didn’t matter. It was her fault, after all. The reality of it was that she was angry and heartsick. She plastered a fake smile on her face.

“You know my cell phone number. Mom should be home any minute, so don’t feel obligated to stay. Thanks, Baylor.” Hobie gently squeezed her hand. “It’s a nice thing you’re doing.”

Baylor smiled. She couldn’t believe what she was about to say. “I hope you have a good time.”

Juliana slapped her friend’s shoulder and shook her hand. “Thanks, mate. I’ll bring you a doggie bag.”

Baylor’s smile turned to a smirk. She lowered her voice so that only Juliana could hear her words. “You, on the other hand, I hope you choke on a very large piece of food.”