Chapter 13
The next morning we decided to invite the girls over again. Tonight we are going to tell them the truth. Unfortunately Cheryl will be confirming Nadine's big fear but on the bright side we are also telling them about our relationship.
"Are you ready?" I ask as we hear a knock at the door.
She answers with a quick kiss before releasing my hand allowing me to get off the couch and answer the door. Sarah, Nadine and Nicola all arrive together. The five of us sit in the living room with a slight awkwardness lingering. I'm sure by now the girls have concluded this isn't a typical social gathering.
"Thanks for coming again. I want to apologize for being such a moody cow last night." She takes a deep breath then licks the side of her mouth nervously, "As you've probably figured out by now but tonight isn't just for apologies but we have some news."
"I hope its good" Nadine wishes aloud.
"There's a bit of good and a bit of bad."
"Give us the bad first so we can drink to the good later." Sarah pipes in and Nic agrees.
"Well I...I ha..." Cheryl loses her nerve as three expectant faces look back at us. I reach out and grasp her hand, as a symbol of support. She looks at me and smiles before speaking to the girls again, "I wasn't honest about the reason why I was in the hospital..."
"No, no, no" Nadine mumbles with tears streaming down her cheeks, "Not again!" she cries out.
"I'm afraid so Nads. I have cancer." Nadine completely loses it burying her face in her hands "I beat it once, I can do it again" Cheryl tries to reassure the girls. She moves to sit next to Nadine pulling her into a hug. Sarah and Nicola also join in on the hug.
I slip into the kitchen for a moment alone. Its not like I didn't know what the announcement was but it still hurts to hear it. Her saying it again and actually telling people makes it seem all the more real. I stand gazing out of the kitchen window, staring at nothing in particular, as I try to recompose myself before joining the others.
"Kimba" I turn around at the sound of Sarah's voice, "you ok?"
"Yeah" I say unconvincingly.
"Are you sure? You've been in here nearly half an hour." I can only nod in response, "alright then, if you're sure, get back in here and tell us the good news." She gives me a hug before returning.
I follow shortly afterwards. There is no one still crying when I return. I retake my seat next to Cheryl, considerably closer than before.
"Sooo?" Nic questions and once again three expectant faces stare back at us.
This time Cheryl reaches for my hand, squeezing it gently. "We're a couple" I state happily.
"A couple of what?" Nic asks confused. Understanding hits Nadine and Sarah as they look at our entwined hands and smiling faces. A few moments later Nicola gets it, "Oh a proper couple." Cheryl nods in confirmation. Nadine and Nicola seem excited by the news but Sarah has neither smiled or frowned about the relationship.
"Thats it then, time for the drinks" Sarah says as she goes into the kitchen. While Nic and Nads begin to ask Cheryl a thousand questions I follow Sarah.
"Am I to take it that you don't approve?" I ask.
"I do if you're happy. I'm just a bit shocked because of what you said before."
"Yeah I know I said I wouldn't let myself fall for her again but we love each other. Sarah its amazing, I've never felt this way before."
"What if she hurts you again?"
"She won't. I know she won't, she's told me everything about what happened before." I say defensively.
"I don't mean to upset you, I really am happy for you two. I just want to make sure you've thought this through considering.."
"I have Sarah. For the rest of her life there's no place in the world I'd rather be than with her." For the first time tonight I let someone see me cry and Sarah rushes to wrap me in her arms. "I love her so much" I choke out. She gently rubs my back as she holds me and minutes later my emotional outburst is over. "I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me" I say as I ease myself out of her grasp.
"Don't apologize, its ok to let go. You always deal with everyone's issues sometimes you don't deal with your own. Kim we've known each other since we were ten and I've only seen you really cry twice, just let go sometimes."
"Right then, shall we" I say gesturing to the wine. I know if we speak anymore on the subject she'll likely set me off again. Sarah grabs a bottle while I grab the glasses.
Two bottles down and we're halfway through the third, correction make that three bottles down as Nicola finishes off the third. Luckily Sarah hasn't noticed so I'm not off to the kitchen to retrieve another bottle yet.
Cheryl began to feel exhausted about an hour ago but chose to stay downstairs and bask in the humor and laughter of our friends. She's holding my hand stroking it with her thumb as she rests her head on my shoulder. We listen to Nadine tell the same story for the third time, each time seems funnier than the last as Sarah and Nicola laugh hysterically.
A few minutes later panic sets in as Sarah reaches for her glass only to find it empty. She carefully inspects the three discarded bottles in hopes to find a drop left behind. Cheryl chuckles loudly at Sarah's antics causing her to look at us.
"Don't worry there's another bottle" Cheryl quickly explains and Sarah is visibly relieved. Cheryl leaves to get another bottle. I follow her into the kitchen. As she stands in front of the fridge I come up behind her wrapping her my arms around her waist. "Miss me already?" She asks as she turns in my arms.
I don't answer, instead I kiss her. Its soft and tender at first before increasing in passion. She parts my lips with her tongue, we dance within my mouth. Her tongue tickles along the roof of my mouth before caressing its partner again. I take control by sucking on her tongue before we part for air.
"I love you"
"I love you too, Kimba." She kisses me again, "you've made my dreams come true."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I have friends now, I'm finally with you and my life no matter how short it is finally has meaning." A tear trickles down her face.
I wipe it away. I leave my hand on her face gently stroking her cheek with my thumb. As I go for another kiss I whisper, "I haven't made them all come true yet."
