Part 26 (1/2)

Chapter Twenty-One.

Chris dialed the number at the military base and after being put through several departments, finally heard his voice.

”Chris? My G.o.d! Where have you been?” Scott questioned. ”Did you move again or something?”

”No* I've just been really busy,” Chris answered. ”I'm sorry that I haven't called you in a while, but it's really important that I talk to you about something.”

”Okay,” he said hesitantly. ”What about?”

”Can I come over today after you get off work? I'd really like to talk to you in person.”

”Are you all right?” Scott asked.

”Yes, yes, I just need to talk to you. You're still the best friend that I have, Scott. I'll even bring a six-pack of your favorite.”

”Hmmm* nice words, alcohol*” Scott chuckled. ”You're b.u.t.tering me up for something. But I'm a sucker for a cute girl, so tonight it is.”

Chris smiled as she hung up the phone. She knew she could depend on him. He was always honest without being judgmental. It was the quality she appreciated most in him. Hopefully, he wouldn't disappoint her tonight.

Meanwhile, Lynn was at her hotel and received a call from Todd, her office a.s.sistant.

”Ms. Gregory, some flowers were just delivered for you. New girlfriend, perhaps?”

She smiled at Todd's question. ”Not that I'm aware of.”

”Would you like me to read the card?” he offered.

”No,” she replied as she let out a laugh, knowing that he just loved any juicy tidbit that she'd share with him. ”Will you have the courier deliver them over to the hotel, please?” Lynn asked. She hung up the phone. Flowers. Who would send her flowers?

The courier arrived an hour later and Lynn opened the door to find a vase mil of daisies. Her heart dropped. She thanked the courier and set the flowers on the table. Pulling out the card, she hesitated. Would this be good news or bad news? Slowly, she read the writing: Even daisies can't make this place feel like home without you. I miss you. Chris.

Feelings flooded over her. Chris was missing her. Did this mean anything? Lynn called her regular florist and ordered flowers for Chris, throwing in an extra twenty dollars for guaranteed delivery within the hour. She dictated the message for the card: I can come home right now, all you have to do is ask. But please understand-, I won't be coming home as a friend. The decision is yours. I love you. Lynn.

Lynn also included her voice mail number. She didn't want Chris to know where she was, and she didn't want to talk to her. She was uneasy about what the answer would be.

When the florist delivered the flowers to Chris, she answered the door and almost had a panic attack. On the spur of the moment, Chris had sent flowers to Lynn's office with a note saying that she missed her. She wasn't really sure what it would accomplish but just wanted Lynn to know that she was still thinking of her. Now, she feared Lynn had refused the flowers and the young man was there to return her money. Chris was startled when he turned back toward the truck.

”I just wanted to make sure someone was home before I lugged the flowers up here!” came his voice from down the steps. Chris watched as he returned with a dozen yellow roses.

”Delivery for Chris Newman.”

”I'm Chris.”

”You must be some special lady! Ms. Gregory never sends roses. She says roses mean commitment* or something like that.”

Chris thanked the delivery person, shut the door, and placed the bouquet on the coffee table. Her hand shook as she pulled out the card and examined the words. She slowly sank to the couch. ”Ask* won't be as a friend* decision is yours* love” the words rang in her head. Closing her eyes, she put her head in her hands. It really was time for a decision.

Arriving on time, Chris knocked on Scott's door. As he swung it open, Chris was taken aback*she still admired a man in a military uniform. Scott pulled off his tie as he took the six-pack from her hands.

”You still love the uniform, don't you?” He laughed. She sighed. He knew her almost better than she knew herself. It was one of the things that she loved*and hated*about him the most.

”So what's the big discussion?” Scott asked as he twisted off the cap from a bottle. Then his face froze. ”You're not pregnant, are you?”

”Bite your tongue!” Chris exclaimed.

”Thank G.o.d!” he breathed out. ”Now, don't beat around the bush, because I've had a really hectic day.”

Chris pulled Scott down on the couch next to her. ”I've been having some strong feelings for someone, and I need your opinion on the situation.”

”Wow! Are you really asking for my opinion* or my approval?” Scott questioned. ”Because I don't think that you have ever asked for my approval on a relations.h.i.+p!” Scott's eyes narrowed suspiciously. ”So what's really going on here?”

Chris lowered her eyes and twisted her hands as she tried desperately to formulate her next sentence. Scott leaned forward, cupped Chris's chin, and raised her face. ”You know you can tell me anything, right?”

Nodding, she tried to explain. ”This person* the one that I think I have feelings for*”*she looked directly into his eyes* ”is a woman.”

Chris examined Scott's face but couldn't read his reaction. His hands grasped hers and he lowered his eyes as he caressed her soft skin.

”Tell me what you're thinking,” Chris begged him. ”Are you totally disgusted?”

Scott looked confused. ”Disgusted?”

”You know, that I may be* a lesbian?” Chris whispered.

Scott searched her eyes. ”All I've ever wanted is for you to be happy If this, if she makes you happy*then it makes me happy.”

Chris's eyes welled with tears. ”Lynn makes me happy.” She smiled, then shrugged. ”But Scott*”

”It's the whole lesbian thing, right?” Scott snickered as he held her hands tighter. ”You just don't want to believe that you could be gay?”

”You're finding this whole situation a little too funny!” Chris pulled her hands away ”Why is that?”

”I'm sorry,” Scott apologized as he reached for her hands again. ”You just have to be so d.a.m.ned logical about everything. Do you have to overa.n.a.lyze everything?”

”And what do you suggest I do, Mister Smarty Pants!” Chris said sarcastically. ”Just sleep around with everyone without thinking?”

”Isn't that what you've been doing?” Scott laughed out loud.

”Ha! That's what you think! I haven't slept with Lynn yet!”

Scott's face crinkled with confusion. ”Then why*”

”Why do I think that I'm a lesbian?” Chris interjected. Her face, now solemn, showed her pain. ”I don't know how to explain it, Scott. I think about her all the time. Her face, her smile”*she looked into his eyes again*”her body.”

”So why don't you just sleep with her and get it over with?” Scott questioned.

”Oh, as if it's just that easy!” Chris flung her arms up in the air. ”Just sleep with a woman! Why didn't I think of that?” she cried out sarcastically.

”Oh, don't act so innocent!” Scott answered with his own sarcasm. ”You just told me that you think about her body. You can't tell me that you haven't thought about having s.e.x. What's the problem?” Scott continued, answering his own question, ”Oh, that would make you a lesbian. No, Chris, that would make you curious. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out.”