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  Shaking her head with a laugh Grace said no but she did intend for him to at least meet Joan so the whole story had been seen through. She headed for the back of the house. Addie, Tracey, and Joanne all exchanged a look and headed for the front steps.

  Joan had just finished her beer and was spinning it on the concrete. The noise was irritating and Joanne picked it up. Joan looked up in surprise. Great, they are going to gang up on me. Just what I need.

  “Joan, I think we need to apologize for that in there” Joanne indicated with her head.

  Surprised at this turn of events she realized that enough time had passed for them to have spoken to Grace and found out what had really happened. Shrugging she said “don’t let it bother you, it was a mistake. To be honest I’m kind of embarrassed about it now.”

  Tracey sat down next to Joan on the steps. “Hey my brother didn’t mean any harm I’m sure.”

  Shaking her head “he didn’t know, how could he. I’m to blame for this, it was childish. I could have handled it better. The good thing is that Grace and I have worked it out and we intend to start over. Hopefully I’ve learned enough to handle things better.” She was ashamed and looked down at her feet stretched out before her.

  They could see how uncomfortable she was and they let it go. Changing the subject they had been chatting about her art for awhile when Grace showed up at the door. A good looking guy in tow. Joan heard them open the door and looked up. She didn’t even recognize the guy right away. She stood up and realized who this had to be. Everyone was watching her. She looked at Grace for confirmation. Grace nodded. The guy put out his hand and said “Hi Joan, I’m Terry, I guess I owe you an apology.” Could this get any more awkward?

  Joan shook his hand and just dropped it there. “Don’t worry about it.” She was ready for this to be over. Grace was watching her so she gave her a sappy smile, like okay can we move on from this? The girls resumed their talk about Joan’s art to cover up the quiet moment and after awhile Terry drifted away.

  Half an hour later Grace said that they had to be going, they had plans. Joan looked at her in surprise which she quickly hid. Anything to get away from this awkward time. They objected at first but Grace assured them that everything was okay and that she and Joan just needed to take care of some things, together. That was enough for them to relax and wish them goodnight. They watched the two of the head for the Jaguar. Grace grabbed Joan’s hand, unfortunately her right hand and Joan winced, pulling it back. She had been keeping it in her pocket to keep from using it. Grace mumbled ‘sorry’ and they headed for her Jaguar. What they didn’t realize is that by Joan pulling her hand back like that it looked to the other’s like she was being petty and childish about things still. There would be repercussions later.

  Grace drove off and said sarcastically “Whew, was that fun or what?”

  Dryly Joan answered “or what. Did you KNOW who was going to be at that party?”

  “I had a good idea. I wanted you to meet Terry though so you knew that everything was okay.” Grace shifted and reached out her hand to grab Joan’s left hand and squeeze it. “I just didn’t want ANYTHING to be hanging over us, okay?”

  Relaxing a little Joan smiled “okay. Where are we going?”

  “It’s kind of early to go home, did you want to stop and eat somewhere?”

  “Sounds good.” She turned her hand over and clasped Graces, giving it a squeeze.

  They drove almost all the way to Venice Beach before Grace stopped at a fast food chain and picked up a pizza, some soda, and salad. The bread sticks they had eaten before they even got to Grace’s place. They ate the pizza on her back patio listening to the water lapping against the docks. That night they made love under the moonlight until risk of indecent exposure sent them into the apartment.

  ~ CHAPTER 12 ~

  For months they took turns staying at one place or the other. Grace had to come and get Joan whenever they stayed at her place as Joan still hadn’t gotten a car. There hadn’t been time. Both were busy with their job’s. Joan had the commissions for Jack’s restaurants and Grace had been pulling a lot of overtime as she was hoping to get a promotion. She’d arrive at Joan’s exhausted. They spent more time at Joan’s than at Grace’s place. It was the nicer of the two apartments. It was easier for Joan because her work was there. Grace figured out the commute time and with traffic and everything it was about 10 minutes more from downtown where she worked at the medical center. Slowly but surely she had been bringing her stuff over to Joan’s. Joan made room in her closet and dresser. Eventually it was decided to hire a moving van and move the rest of her stuff over. There was room in the 3-car garage to store the extra bed, couch, and a few other things. The dresser and other personal items fit fine in the apartment. The move went off without a hitch, very smooth. To celebrate their official moving in together, Joan had a candlelight dinner for two on the balcony. She even cooked, something she hated with a passion. Grace knew it must be love then. The meal was very good and well prepared.

  Grace subleased her apartment as she had a lease that wasn’t up for six months. The tenant was someone she knew from the hospital and it worked out well. Joan had her credit history checked to be on the safe side. She had had too many tenants over the years to play games.

  They had been living together for three months when Joan decided to surprise Grace with a party. Cautiously while Grace was late at work one night she phoned Joanne. She chatted with her awhile and told her the plan. Joanne agreed to corral all of Grace’s friends and they’d have a birthday party for Grace the following weekend. Joan was suspicious as to why it went so smoothly, unaware that Joanne had lunch occasionally with Grace and could see how happy she was. What Joanne didn’t know was that the other three friends had all decided that Joan was a farce after the hand pulling incident.

  The Friday of the party Joan had cleaners come in and take care of the apartment from top to bottom. She also had them take care of the gallery as it could use an occasional thorough cleaning although Madge kept it very nice. She did paperwork, her least favorite chore since she knew she’d get no painting done while the cleaners were there. She had locked the studio so no one would go in there.

  Guests started arriving at 6. Joan had instructed them to park on the street so that Grace would be none the wiser. A caterer had set up a buffet on the bar counter and beer and a few mixed drinks were set up as well. At 7 the caterer’s car was hidden down the street and the guests started shushing each other as Grace’s Jaguar was spotted from the balcony. It was a good thing that the living room kitchen combination was so large, there were only about 20 guests or so but they ranged out in those rooms and the master bedroom. A couple had tried the studio door but Joan had left it locked. Grace used her thumb print and the code to turn off the alarm and unlocked the door to climb the stairs. Unlocking the door she opened it and turned on the lights to “SURPRISE!”

  The surprise had worked perfectly. She was totally stunned. The cake was brought around the corner all lit up with sparklers. The guests began to sing happy birthday. Seeing Joan standing there singing with the rest brought tears to Grace’s eyes. She was propelled forward and Joan and she exchanged a kiss in front of everyone. Giving Joan a big hug she began greeting her friends who had come to the party. Standing back with a drink in her hand Joan watched her. She hadn’t seen anyone in months. Between work and the daily grind they hadn’t gone out.

  Joan sensed someone next to her breathing down her neck practically. Turning she looked right into Tina’s glaring eyes. “Oh, hello Tina.”

  “You know, you don’t fool me.” Came a sour reply.

  “I don’t?” Joan was clearly puzzled.

  “No, you can fool some of these people” she gestured almost spilling her beer “but I can see right through you.”

  “That’s good then.” Joan hadn’t a clue to what Tina was talking about. She assumed it was from that last party.

  Tracey and Addie must have sensed what Tina w
as up to. Between the three of them they cornered Joan who stood there listening patiently. She didn’t fool them. She wasn’t going to get away with ‘it’. Whatever ‘it’ was. Tina was getting angrier as she drank more of her beer and as Joan stayed calm. She let her patiently berate her for at least ten minutes. Grace looked over from where she was chatting with Jo. Saying something to Jo they both headed for the corner. As they came up they heard Joan say very quietly “well your arguments are well thought out, but I can’t agree with you. I love Grace, she loves me, it’s that simple. If you don’t like it you can get the hell out of here before I kick your ass out.”

  As this penetrated it took a full ten seconds and it looked as though Tina would explode. Her face turned red and Tracey and Addie pulled her away before she could say or do anything.

  Joan turned to Grace and Jo and with a big smile at them said “Well, that was fun” sarcastically. Then she hugged Grace, wished her a whispered and breathy “Happy Birthday” and headed for the bar and a drink.

  Jo turned to Grace and said “I think we’ll keep her. That’s the first time in a long time Tina has been told off or made speechless, even temporarily. She must really love you to put up with crap like that.”

  Laughing Grace had to agree with her. She had been a little worried. Joan had remained so quiet. She usually had an artistic temper. The roof had been raised a couple of times over stupid things but she was impressed that she’d held it in this time. Had she been drinking? No, it couldn’t be that. She’d ask her later. She didn’t get a chance to exchange a word most of the rest of the evening, just occasional glances. Joan smiled at her each and every time, as though they had a secret.

  Opening the mostly gag gifts, Grace was truly embarrassed by some. Her friends must have raided some of the ADULTS ONLY stores and this is what she opened. A few more grown up and sophisticated gifts were given by some. What was missing was a gift from Joan but Grace didn’t say anything. Tina in her belligerent drunkenness said it loudly for all “How come you didn’t give HER anything Joan?” Everyone turned to look at Joan who flushed in her embarrassment.

  Turning to Tina to answer her she said “because I was going to give it to her in private.” The tone and the way she said it left no one in doubt that Joan had left off the words “you bitch” from that sentence. Instead she walked into the bedroom where she opened a drawer and pulled out a packet. Bringing it back to the living room she quietly handed it to Grace and walked back to where she had been standing by the bar.

  Many craned their necks to see what it was that Joan had given Grace for her 48th birthday. Opening the packet Grace found in her hands two first class tickets to Fiji, an island she had once mentioned in passing to Joan that she’d like to see one day. Also enclosed were brochures for first class accommodations for two in several hotels for two weeks. Her name was on one ticket, the other was left blank. The dates were open ended and she was instructed to call a number two weeks in advance of her departure date to activate the entire trip. It would all be handled for her including transportation about the island and to others. Looking up at Joan tears filled her eyes at the thoughtfulness of the trip. Stumbling over her feet as she quickly crossed the room she enveloped Joan in an embrace that left them both breathless. Kissing her all over her face, thanking her and crying slightly. What a wonderful, thoughtful, gift. One person murmured that no one else had gotten such a thank you and the watching crowd broke up with laughter. Grace let Joan go and laughed with them.

  If Addie or Tracey had any more doubts they were dispelled with this show of emotion from the couple. Tina was too drunk to care. They left toting her along with their respective partners soon after . The party broke up and Joan and Grace made sure a few got in cabs instead of driving. Joanne was among the last to leave. Looking Joan straight in the eye as she shook her hand she said “Way to go girl. I wish you both the best.” Then to Joans astonishment she kissed her full on the lips. Grace laughed at Joan’s shocked expression.

  The caterers cleaned up as Joan and Grace sat on the couch talking. Grace asked her about what had happened with Tina. Joan explained that she had expected this from not only Tina but several others. When it only happened with Tina she had been able to keep her cool. It had made Tina angrier that Joan had not reacted to the taunts and other words that by the time Joan gave her the set down it had been an accurate hit, one that Tina didn’t have time to recover from. Joan had had enough. She wasn’t going to continue to defend herself to these people. Apparently she wouldn’t have to any longer.

  Grace thanked her again for the trip and asked her when she wanted to go. She was due two weeks after her one year anniversary at the hospital, in about a month she was free to go.

  “You want ME to go?” Joan pretended amazement.

  Hitting her lightly up side her braided head Grace laughed at her and they discussed when would be the best time. They wanted to of course avoid hurricane or monsoon season or whatever they called it. Given the time of the year the next month would work out fine and Grace decided to put in for her two weeks the next Monday at work. That made her think of something else.

  “Why didn’t you invite anyone from my work?”

  “You’ve never invited me to your work. I thought perhaps you wanted to keep your work and home life separate. I guess we just never discussed that....although I had thought I should invite Simon.” She laughed at Graces expression and dodged another hit up side the head.

  ~ CHAPTER 13 ~

  Their weekend was spent very quietly. They both slept in on Saturday after the party. The caterers had cleaned up very well. The extra booze was in the bar. The extra food was in the refrigerator. Grace hadn’t remembered their refrigerator ever being that full in the time they’d been together. They had very different eating habits. Now that they lived together she kept an eye on Joan’s and noted that she had put on some weight at least. Not too much but enough to cover those emaciated ribs.

  Sunday they read the paper in bed. Grace did the New York crossword puzzle in pen as she always did. Joan read the comics, sharing particularly funny ones when she found them. They decided to go shopping after reading the ads. They would need more summer things for Fiji.

  Joan still hadn’t gotten a car so they took the Jaguar. On the way across the canyon to shop in Thousand Oaks and other cities they stopped at a roadside stand and picked up fresh fruit and vegetables. Grace had learned Joan’s habits well and kept a cooler in her back seat that could plug into her cigarette lighter and keep the stuff cold. They filled the cooler with strawberries, grapes, cherries, cucumbers, squash, and tomatoes. It seemed like a lot but since that was the basics of all Joan ate it would last at least a week or more.

  They enjoyed shopping at the stores they chose. Joan normally hated shopping but Grace made it fun. They discussed what to take and what to wear on the trip. Grace was getting excited. She never had traveled. Realizing that she had to get a passport then as well. Another thing to put on her to do list that week if she wanted to go. Driving from one mall to another they were discussing what was needed for the passport when Joan told Grace to turn in at the next driveway. It required some maneuvering but she managed it, thinking that she might put her car out of alignment with any more quick turns like that. What Joan had spotted became soon apparent. The lot carried nothing but Mercedes. New, antique, modern with additions, and Kit Kars. The lot was full of at least 100 different cars and Joan was enthralled. Getting out of the Jaguar she walked quickly over to one. It was cobalt blue and had gold trim. Grace joined her watching in amusement. A salesman began to stroll from the dealership office. Joan walked around several cars. Grace followed her. The salesman stopped to watch. Joan would stop for awhile looking at one car and then go on to another. Grace asked her if she had found one yet but Joan shook her head. She was like a child in a candy shop. The salesman tried talking to her but she held up her hand as she read the stickers and what each one offered. It must have been half an hour before she starte
d looking at a couple of them for a second time. The salesman came over to Grace and asked her if he could help either of them. Grace laughed and said no, she had her toy, pointing to the Jaguar. She said, be patient, she may find her toy and want to buy it, pointing at Joan.

  After an hour Grace saw Joan coming towards her with a predatory smile on her face. “I think I’ve narrowed it down to two of them.”

  “Really, which two?”

  Seeing the salesman standing there with Grace she turned her ‘smile’ on him. “Hi, I’d like to test drive the two I like?”

  Almost rubbing his hands he asked her which ones. Pointing to a red convertible that was brand new she then pointed to another one that was almost identical but had modifications done to it. He went and got the keys.

  “Why those?” Grace asked.

  “They give off a sort of Karma. Does that make sense? Guess I feel it when I look at them.”

  Grace looked at Joan. Knowing many of her moods she was sure Joan was highly excited but keeping it under wraps. She was sure that Joan wasn’t too far from an actual, physical climax. Wow, this all over a car. Well Joan had waited a long time to buy another one. She didn’t go many places but then she ended up waiting for a cab, the bus, or for when Grace could take her. It was no longer convenient to wait.

  The salesman hurried back with the keys to both of the cars. Since they were both basically two person vehicles with a little bench seat in the back Grace thought she should stay at the dealership. Joan though asked the salesman to jump into the back for them. She and Grace took the front buckling themselves in. The first car was the normal one as Grace thought. The gadgets inside were very nice. Everything was electrical and the first thing Joan did was press a button to lower the top. Admiring the dash gadgets she pulled the car from it’s space on the lot and pulled out onto the roadway. After driving for awhile and the salesman directing her she pulled back onto the lot. They all climbed out and went to the other car. Someone had really tricked this one out. It had rosewood for the all the dash plates. The leather seats just hugged you close and they were so soft. Neither Joan nor Grace could tell what all the buttons were for. After driving this one the same route as the other one they returned to the lot. Joan’s predatory smile returned. Grace stood back to let her maneuver, laughing inside.