Safe Harbor

Tory smiled gently, finding Reese even more attractive in her slight uncertainty. "You can trust me to take care of myself. But thanks for asking."

Reese grinned. "Marge would say Im doing my butch thing. Right?"

It was Torys turn to blush. And exactly how would Marge know? She busied herself with her gear, rejoining, "Actually, yes. But on you it just seems natural. Dont worry about it.

"So, Ill see you tonight?"

"Yes, of course.

**********

They met outside Front Street, a favorite restaurant of the locals and tourists alike. Reese wore a white open collared shirt and well-worn blue jeans with highly polished black boots. Tory was equally casual in black jeans and a scoop neck black singlet that molded to her well-developed shoulders and arms. Reese had called ahead for reservations, and they were seated immediately. The waitress, who knew Tory by name and Reese by the usual town gossip network, was attentive in a nonobtrusive way. Tory was aware that they turned more than a few heads as the restaurant filled up. Reese seemed totally unaware of the notoriety, sipping a glass of red wine as she leaned back in her chair, recounting for Tory the four years she had been stationed in Japan.

"The part I loved best of course was the opportunity to train with the Japanese at one of their own schools. My teacher in the states had written ahead with an introduction, which helped pave the way. The Japanese are much more receptive to American students than they used to be, including women, but it certainly helps to have a personal connection. I had been training for close to ten years by the time I got there, which didnt hurt either." Reese grinned a little ruefully as she emptied her glass. "Im boring you, arent I?"

"On the contrary," Tory remarked, reaching to fill both their glasses. "I was just thinking how I envied you. My own training took a back seat to my rowing for many years. About the time you were in Japan, I was getting ready for Barcelona."

Reese caught the flicker of pain that clouded Torys expressive features for an instant before the other woman visibly drew herself out of the past. Reese reached spontaneously for her hand and held it gently.

"Im sorry for the pain, Tory," she said softly. "You dont have to talk about it -"

Tory shook her head. "Im pretty well over it. Its just so damn frustrating! I had come close to winning the gold in the previous Olympics, and I was in the best shape of my life. It was just a warm-up run, not even the preliminary heats. One minute I was flying. The sun was on my back, the surface was perfect - like glass, and I knew it was my time. The next thing I knew they were fishing me off the bottom, with my leg in pieces. I looked down at my foot hanging there - I couldnt feel it, and I knew it as all over." She took a deep breath, dispelling the memory. "Then I spent the next year just hoping I would walk again." She looked at Reese apologetically. "Now this is really awful dinner conversation!"

As she talked, she had unconsciously entwined her fingers with Reeses. Tory studied their interlaced fingers as they lay against the white tablecloth. Reeses compassion and unspoken sympathy seemed to flow into her through those long, strong fingers. It was comforting, and not the least bit pitying.

"Reese," she said softly, her throat suddenly dry. "If people see us like this, theyre going to assume this is a date." She kept her voice light, but she couldnt control the slight quiver in it. She felt raw and uncomfortably vulnerable.

"Are you telling me it isnt," Reese asked quietly, no hint of banter in her voice.

Tory jerked in surprise, her pulse racing. She searched Reeses face for the suggestion of a joke, and found only Reeses serious blue eyes gazing back.

"Reese, I am a thirty-eight year old woman. I have finally recovered from losing a lover I thought I would grow old with. Im not sure "date" is a word in my current vocabulary. Most importantly, I have no idea what the word means to you."

"Im afraid my answer may not make sense," Reese began. "I am thirty-seven years old and Ive never been on a date. I think what it means to me is spending time with someone I find interesting, someone I want to know better - someone- special."

"And eventually?" Tory asked gently.

Reese flushed but she didnt look away. "Uncharted territory."

"Oh, Reese," Tory sighed, giving her hand a little shake. "Youre putting me in an impossible position! Dates are not about friendship - not in the ordinary sense - dates are about the possibility of something more, something deeper." She hesitated briefly. "And dates usually occur when two people are sexually attracted to one another. I cant afford anymore heartbreak, Reese - and you, my beautiful friend, are heartbreak material."

"Are you trying to let me down gently?" Reese asked with a hint of levity. She didnt want to make Tory uneasy, and she understood Torys reluctance to become involved again. She couldnt clearly describe what she felt, it was too new. She only knew that sitting there with Torys hand in hers felt completely natural, and completely right. And she also knew she didnt want to let go.

Tory appreciated Reeses attempt to lessen the pressure on her. But for her own preservation, and in fairness to Reese, she needed to be clear. "Im not ready to take a chance on someone who may not even be a lesbian. Im not sure I want to risk anything anymore. Im sorry." As she spoke she gently disengaged her hand from Reeses.