Time, Death & Scar Tissue...

36. Ease and Unease

Kathryn knew that he would wake up as soon as she had been up for a few minutes, but she tried to be quiet anyway. She hoped he would fall back to sleep before she finished her shower. She always felt guilty for waking him when she had to be somewhere early, and if he was awake she would be tempted to stay. She pulled on a pair of faded jeans and a white sweater over her white tank top, tied her hair back and left the tiny bathroom as quietly as she could. She was only slightly surprised when he grasped her wrist and pulled her down next to him in bed. Kathryn smiled, letting him possess her with a firm kiss and wandering hands.

“This is cruel you know.” She laughed softly, his hand slid under the sweater.

“Cruel?” He smiled and squeezed her breast teasingly. “I've been called cruel many times, but never in quite this context.”

“That's not what I meant.” She gasped softly when he found her nipple, her mouth surrendered to his. “You know it's hard for me to leave when you do this.”

“Good.” A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. She had noticed those little smiles were more frequent and more relaxed lately.

“Not good. I can keep Corey waiting, Grandmother will be up here if I take too long.” She laughed softly.

“The door is locked.” His mouth trailed down to her shoulder, pulling the sweater out of the way as his mouth moved.

“You do think of everything.” Kathryn closed her eyes and relaxed for moment, savoring the feeling of his mouth on her skin. “But this spa thing is something Grandmother really looks forward to.”

“And you don't?” His lips teased hers lightly.

“Well right now I can think of something I would rather be doing but usually, yes.” She laughed softly. “This time I really need to get something done with my hair though.”

“What's wrong with it?” He looked down at her.

“Nothing's WRONG with it exactly, but I haven't even gotten it trimmed in months. Besides, I want it to look decent for Charlotte's party.”

“I like it long.” He said, looking down at her.

“So do I.” Kathryn laughed softly, but was surprised he would have such a strong opinion about something as trivial as her hair. “It won't be drastic, I promise.”

“What time will you be back?” He pulled her close and Kathryn settled against him.

“Well, Bridey usually has dinner ready by eight, and if we're not all sitting down by then she has a fit, so probably by seven-thirty or quarter of at the latest.” Kathryn felt herself blush a bit when she mentioned Bridey. “Oh if there's anything you're allergic to or anything special you want you should tell her. She's a great cook but she doesn't like to make something else after the fact.”

“I'll be fine, but it seems to me that she's very bold considering her position in the household.” His brows were drawn together slightly. She kissed him softly.

“I guess we're less formal than you and Anna are.” She said simply. “I really should go.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Kathryn, tell me that's not all you're having.” Minerva said when she saw Kathryn enjoying a banana in the kitchen as she glanced at the newspaper. Her grandmother had had it redone three years before and the warm country French style made it one of her favorite places in the house.

“It's nature's perfect food Grandmother.” Kathryn smiled a little.

“But it's not much until we get home tonight.” Minerva wasn't usually so concerned about Kathryn's eating habits and it made her wonder why she was so concerned now.

“I always have a piece of fruit for breakfast. Usually oranges, but I couldn't find any.” Kathryn took another bite. Minerva looked like she wanted to say something but Bridey's entrance interrupted her.

“Bridey, when do you go to the market next?” She asked.

“Tomorrow, same as always Mrs. B. There something special you want?”

“Oranges, if they aren't already on your list. Is there anything else you or Lucien want Kathryn?” Minerva asked.

“He's not picky, if it weren't for me his cupboards would be bare most of the time. Grapefruits are good too if they don't have any decent oranges, and orange juice.” Kathryn found it hard to meet Bridey's eyes, even though she was telling herself since she woke up that she was probably worried over nothing.

“Citrus it is. You'll be at the spa today?” Bridey said, adding the fruit to her list.

“Yes.” Kathryn said. “Lucien is probably still sleeping, but I'm sure that he'll be up before we get back.”

“I'm not surprised.” Bridey snorted, Kathryn blushed deeply and looked away.

“Why is that?” Minerva asked.

“I'd say you better ask Kathryn why that is. Course she really needs to talk about it in Confession.” Bridey brushed at nonexistent crumbs on the counter.

“I don't need to confess anything to anyone Bridey.” Kathryn said, sounding more confident than she felt.

“Will someone tell me what's going on?” Minerva sounded exasperated. Kathryn opened her mouth to speak, but Bridey beat her to it. She wasn't really sure what she was going to say anyway.

“Well it's like this Mrs. B., I was woke up out of a nice sleep by the sound of bedsprings creaking away like there was no tomorrow right over my head.” Bridey's face was almost as red as Kathryn's. “I couldn't even say my prayers, it would have been indecent.”

“So? You expect her to be celibate while she's here?” Minerva looked surprised to even be having the conversation.

“They aren't married. I told you no good would come of putting them in the same room, but it's your house so I did like you told me. The first night they're here she acts like a-”

“It IS my house Bridey. I'm sorry you were disturbed, I'm sure that wasn't anyone's intent, but I suggest you invest a couple of dollars in earplugs while Kathryn is visiting because I won't ask my guests to repress their feelings for each other while they're under my roof.” Minerva said. Kathryn couldn't remember the last time she had seen her be even mildly reproachful to Bridey about anything.

“You was raised better than this.” Bridey said to Kathryn.

“I'm sorry we woke you Bridey, but I don't feel like I did anything wrong.” Kathryn knew she sounded more confident now.

“Of course you didn't.” Minerva said. “We should get going, traffic is probably a nightmare.” She handed Kathryn a set of keys. “We'll be back in time for dinner.” She called over her shoulder.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“I was going to ask if your little problem had resolved itself,” Minerva said as the two women relaxed under herbal masks. Kathryn could hear the little smile in her voice. “But from today's discussion it seems like it has.”

“You said it would.” Kathryn said, smiling a little herself, the mask hiding the her soft blush.

“And after meeting him I can see why you were so willing to work diligently at that resolution.” Minerva said.

“Grandmother!” Kathryn laughed.

“What? I may be old but I still have eyes.” She laughed softly.

“I feel badly about upsetting Bridey like that though. I didn't realize until too late that we were right over her room.” Kathryn said.

“Don't give it a second thought.” Minerva said firmly. “She's a grown woman, she should be able to deal with the facts of life by now. If she can't, that's not your problem.”

“She's probably home right now crocheting me a pillow to make the handbasket she thinks I'm going to Hell in more comfortable.” Kathryn said. Minerva laughed.

“Bridey is entirely too Catholic sometimes.”

“We're Catholic too Grandmother.” Kathryn laughed softly. Her eyes were closed but she felt someone walk past them, and whoever it was stared long enough to send an icy chill down her spine.

“I know, but we're reasonable Catholics. We believe in all of the love and only about a hundredth of the guilt. That's all that's healthy for anyone anyway.” Minerva said. Kathryn lifted her head a moment and looked around A curvaceous woman with masses of dark hair piled on her head seemed to lower her eyes as soon as Kathryn looked at her, of course that could have been just a bit of paranoia creeping in. She had never been completely comfortable lounging with strangers in only a bathrobe.

The woman made an impression though, wherever they went when Kathryn looked up, there she was. She was glad to be out of there, even through the traffic was particularly messy.