Thursday evening, part 1
Looking in the full length mirror of the ladies room, Carol for the last time checked her striking, black skirted, floral embroidered McQueen dress. She wore her soft, blonde hair up and had added a pair of diamond earrings she had inherited from her grandmother. She hated being here, once again at the Eccles Theatre, but now for the Governor’s gala. She knew that tonight all eyes would be focused on her, the lovely wife of the future Utah Senator in Washington.
She had received Abby’s text when she was at the hairdresser. Unable to call Abby right away, Carol had contemplated the impact of her message. How was it possible that Harge knew about Therese? She had not given away anything. But then she remembered Saturday night and Harge’s knowing smile when he had caught her staring at the young photographer, who had unabashedly returned her gaze.
There had been affairs before, of course, something she had always been clear about to Harge. He had never objected, like she had never worried about his casual flings with his young men, like the Bees player he was currently seeing. Knowing what was at stake, they were both very discreet, never letting an affair come between their marriage and ambitions. But this situation with Therese was different, something Harge, knowing her so well, must have sensed. Had he talked about it to Abby? How could she know about his suspicions?
At last, after what had seemed like an eternity at the hairdresser’s, she had been able to call her best friend. Abby answered at the first ring.
“How does he know.”
Carol had no patience for pleasantries.
“And good morning to you too, dear friend.”
Abby chuckled, then became serious.
“I don’t know, but he has put pressure on Therese, demanding her to leave you alone.”
Carol cursed.
“Goddammit, how dare he to harass her like that!”
Her feelings for Therese had already thrown her life upside down, had made her question everything that up till now had been dear to her. The realization that Harge now knew, or at least suspected that there was something going on between Therese and her, made her feel the strain even more. But most of all she was furious that Harge, by pushing Therese, was trying to directly interfere, without giving her the opportunity first to speak to him. They had always been open to each other, talking things through before making a shared decision about matters both public and personal. She would have talked to him about Therese, once she was able to make her feelings and intentions clear. But by putting pressure on Therese now, he had crossed the line of their carefully built, mutual understanding.
Frustrated, Carol searched her bag for her cigarettes.
“I’m not letting him interfere like this with my life!”
She lit a cigarette, inhaled deeply.
“God Abby, what am I to do. She’s leaving on Saturday.”
Abby smiled at how for the second time that day she had to answer this question.
“Well … Do you want her?”
Carol shivered, feeling her body react to the memory of the intensity of their kisses, of Therese’s willing response when she touched her in the shower.
“You know I do.”
Abby’s advice was simple:
“Then go for her.”
_________________________________________________________
Still in front of the mirror, Carol sighed. “Going for” Therese was easier said than done, with Harge and the entire political establishment present. And it had been years since she had actually courted a woman, probably when she was still at Harvard. Yes, Therese felt attracted to her, but Carol realized that through her erratic behaviour these past few days she was giving off very mixed signs. How could she convince the young photographer that she was ready to explore the meaning of their attraction?
The door of the ladies room opened, startling Carol.
“Ah, there you are!” Jeannette, her PA, entered the room, carrying a folder that contained the speech Carol was to give later that evening in honour of Harge.
“Are you ready?”
Carol recovered herself and smiled, instantly putting on her mask of the cool, collected politician’s wife.
“Of course.”
Together they walked to the foyer, where most of the guests had already assembled. Carol involuntarily searched for Therese, who would once again be there to follow Harge and her around. When she finally spotted her, near the tribune where the Governor would give the opening speech, she felt a jolt of desire. Therese had traded her customary black dress for a suit that perfectly fitted her slim, lithe body. Inspired by a tuxedo, it was black with velvet piping along the lapels of the jacket and the seam of the tight trousers, that ended above a pair of black velvet heels. Underneath, she wore a white, silk blouse that demurely closed with a bow. Carol’s eyes focused on Therese’s hair, that was tightly bound in a knot. She had never seen her with her hair up and was delighted by the understated elegance she radiated.
Therese caught Carol’s stare and slowly walked towards her, mesmerized by her beautiful appearance.
“Mrs. Aird …” She smiled, a half smile, while looking into those crystal eyes that instantly turned into a darker shade of blue.
“Miss Belivet … you look …” Carol brought her hand up to the velvet of Therese’s lapel, stroking it slowly. She held Therese’s gaze, seeing the same desire that consumed her.
“wonderful …”
Their bodies seemed to gravitate to each other, as if controlled by a force hidden deep within them. Suddenly they both felt an arm closing around their waist, waking them up from their silent exchange.
“Ladies, what a pleasure!” Abby beamed, enjoying the sight of the two beautiful women who only had eyes for each other. She smiled inwardly, certain her intervention earlier that day had succeeded. She waved with her hand to the Govenor, who was taking his place behind the microphone.
“But duty calls, I’m afraid.”
Abby took Carol’s arm, guiding her to the table that was reserved for Harge and his entourage. Smiling, Therese could not resist pointing her camera at the two friends as they took their seats next to each other, sitting close and whispering into each other’s ears like conspirators.