Tuesday evening, part 2
When Therese heard the knock on the door she had to fight the urge to not answer it. She sighed. What was she doing here? Why was she willing to talk to Carol, who right now seemed to be too troubled to be able to handle the feelings she clearly had for her. Next to that, Therese still had to make sense of her own reaction to Carol. There was no doubt that from the moment their eyes had met at the terminal, she felt attracted to this incredibly elegant, intriguing woman. But from the start Carol had played a game of attracting and repelling, something that Therese found irritating and, she had to admit, at the same time exiting.
Carol’s signals were nothing less than ambivalent: one moment she could be formal and distant, at others caring and passionate. Therese was still astounded about the intensity of their kiss in the garage, initiated by Carol. And what had just happened in the shower had left her in shock. Where at the time her body had ached for Carol’s touch, she now felt used. But Carol had fled before she had explained herself to Therese.
There was another knock. Tightening the belt of her robe, Therese walked to the door and opened it to let Carol in.
Carol had changed into a casual pair of chino’s and a white button down shirt. Without make up and her hair pulled back in a simple ponytail she had never looked more understated to Therese. Now facing each other they both remained silent. Carol coughed nervously, bringing her hand to her forehead. Waiting for Carol to speak, Therese crossed her arms before her chest. Carol’s eyes met Therese’s.
“I, I must apologize … My behaviour just now.. it was inexcusable. I …” With her right hand she reached for Therese.
Therese turned her back to her.
“Therese, please listen to me. I had no right to …’
“To just walk in and fuck me.” Carol winced at Therese’s intentional crudeness.
Therese turned around.
“Because that was what you did, Mrs. Aird. Nothing more, nothing less.”
She started to pace the room.
“Look Carol, I arrived here four days ago. Four days. During those days I have been confronted with I don’t know how many Carols. You have so many faces. I don’t know you, Carol. And you don’t know me. All I know is that there is this chemistry between us. But I’ll be back in New York in three days. So what do you want from me, except my body.”
Sitting down on the couch Carol hid her face in her hands.
“If I only knew what I wanted, this would not have happened.”
Her voice broke. Therese went to the fridge and took out a bottle of water. She filled a glass and handed it to Carol. Then she sat down next to her.
“Carol, you frightened me. Please tell me what happened.”
Hands shaking, Carol took a sip from her glass. Turning her eyes to Therese, she asked,
“Who’s Genevieve?”
“What?”
“The woman in the picture, who is she?” Carol waved her hand at the portfolio still lying on the table.
“What are you talking about?”
Therese had not expected this question. Obviously Carol had leafed through the folders and had found the picture of her and Genevieve.
“Is she your girlfriend?”
Therese felt her anger rise. Was it jealousy that had driven Carol?
“What is that to you?”
Carol shrugged.
“Nothing. I… I saw the picture of you two and it made me …”
“What ? What Carol?”
Therese’s anger made Carol realise she had to come clean.
“When I came here you were under the shower. I wanted to talk to you, tell you about my feelings for you, about how I don’t know what to do right now. Then I saw your pictures and found the one with you and Genevieve… I know this is no excuse for my behaviour, but Therese, if there is someone else in your life, then what’s the use of what I feel for you … What’s the use of my questioning my choices, my life with Harge and Rindy, because of you …”
Carol rose, wanting to leave. Therese grabbed her hand.
“Carol, wait. Please, sit down.”
Reluctantly, Carol once again sat next to her.
“Genevieve and me, we’re friends. Loving friends, but we are no longer in a relationship.”
She felt Carol relax. Taking Carol’s face in her hands, Therese continued.
“But that is not relevant right now, Carol. It’s not important if I am in a relationship or not. What’s important is what is happening to you. I am just passing by, but somehow I have made you aware of your situation, have made you question your choices. And it is troubling you. That is what matters now, not if I am seeing someone else.”
She forced Carol to look into her eyes.
“You need to sort this out. Don’t let things get out of hand, like you did today.”
Carol’s eyes were filled with tears.
“God… you’re right…”
She put her hands on Therese’s.
“Therese … Will you forgive me?”
Therese smiled, pleased that she had finally gotten through to Carol.
“Yes, yes I will.”
Caressing Carol’s cheek she added:
“Don’t you know I can’t say “no” to you…”
Carol leaned into her caress and Therese felt the now familiar surge of desire flowing through her body. Gently she kissed Carol’s lips.
“You have to go now, get some sleep.”
Their lips lingered, but they both knew this was not the time to take this road. Carol rose.
“Thank you for listening, Therese.”
She went to the door, then turned.
“Thank you for everything.”
Therese blushed.
“Good night, darling.”