Human nature
It finally happened. Florence got her first contract with a label. A major label at that, she was thrilled. They had even let her choose her band. After a month of auditions it was all set. Her plan was to call the band Flo and The Swinging Machine, which was a cool name for a jazzy blues group.
Some afternoons, mostly Wednesdays, Flo would take Isa to the studio with her. Isa would accompany her on the piano, or play the tambourine. They both loved music and it was a bonding activity that brought them together even more.
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It was early September and Florence was recording in the studio. Her album was scheduled to be released in less than two months, if all went well.
Isabella got a telegram from her mother. Lillie needeed her. Her absent dad had died and left her quite a good sum and his estate which was to be shared between his two children. A young man from his second marriage and his daughter. They had to go thru all the bureaucracy and Isabella could help with that, also with moral support. Isa would have to stay a month in London.
Flo didn't take the news so lightly. It was an important phase in her life and she wanted her partner by her side. But she kept her frustration to herself and didn't make a fuss.
They spent the evening before Isa's departure at home together. In the morning, before the flight, Isabella went to her College to arrange everything so that she would take a leave.
"So, are you leaving for good?", she heard the familiar voice asking. Julie was standing at the door watching her packing her stuff. They teached at the same College but on different days and Isa was a guest professor working once a week, so they rarely bumped into each other, for Isa's relief.
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"Hm not really. I have family business to deal with." she tried to sound cold but felt nervous inside. The previous night Florence had drank too much and went to bed mad at her, she questioned how much did Flo really love her and would their love stand the test of distance and adversities that might come? She adored the lady with all her heart, body and mind but Florence was quite young and inexperienced. Was she being a rock in her shoe? Holding back her wings was not her intention. Isabella preferred not to ponder much on that, it made her suffer.
Julie came behind her and hugged her. She still remembered how she liked that feeling. Those arms around her, the scent of Julie's perfume... Isa closed her eyes for a moment and it all came back to her. All the desire and tears and laughter. However it was all buried now. Those feelings were locked in a compartment of her heart that had been concealed and kept out of her blood stream for her own good.
Julie let Isa turn around. They stared at each other. As cold as Isa tried to appear, her heart raced. Julie pulled her closer and kissed her. Isa didn't kiss back, but didn't pull away either.
"Don't.", Isa said between gritted teeth when Julie tried to continue, "Please get out, don't come here again." she blurted.
As Julie was gone, silent tears ran down her face. Now it was over.
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"What are you saying Isabella? Aren't you coming back tomorrow? What am I supposed to do now? It's the launch of my record and the one who should be here beside me won't be able to come!! How do you manage to be so insensitive?", Florence was almost shouting, she could be quite the drama queen and self centered.
Isa was used to those fits and tried to let her get it all out then explain. She called to let her know it was impossible to come back before one more week.
"Darling, they need me. After that there won't be necessary for me to aid them anymore. Uncle has left them well off. Even better than me actually. It's funny, really, Destiny plays those tricks on people, I guess.", she replied chuckling.
Florence's fits of rage made Welch seem like a spoiled adolescent, but she thought it was cute.
"I'll be all yours in a week, my love. I will make it up to you" Isa concluded seductively.
Flo was still angry and dismissed her.
"Don't count too much on that. I have to go. Goodbye Isabella.", Flo said sternly ending the call. Then she collapsed on the bed. Flo felt lost without her Isa.
She decided to go to a party that night. They were always inviting her now that she was an up and promising star from RCA. Her personality attracted lots of attention too and Flo knew how to use her charm to get where she wanted.
It wasn't a big celebration, she barely knew those people but her band was there, a couple with their ladies and the other half looking for girls to hit on.
Men usually flirted with Florence, but those who knew her, knew Isabella too and even if it wasn't all in the open, they respected them like the couple they were.
Tonight she wanted to dance until she dropped and started chatting with a young man, who was called Jim, who said he played the guitar for a pop singer she loved.
Flo was interested and they drank together. She wanted to feel loved and admired so she let the boy woo her.
When she came to herself she was in his apartment, kissing him.
"You're really something, you know that?" Jim said. He was holding her with an arm while he held a glass of whisky with his left hand.
Flo kept kissing him or rather got lost in his kisses but deep down, in all of her drunkenness she knew it wasn't right.
He started groping her and tried to unbutton her dress, while he led her to his room.
"Wait, stop, what are you doing?" Florence pushed him weakly.
"I thought you wanted it. Sorry…" he stopped and moved aside for her to pass.
"No, listen it's not your fault. I'm fucking drunk...I am married. Please take me home." Flo mumbled almost incoherently.
Jim didn't question further and took her home.
The record launch was a success. Flo couldn't be happier but she missed Isabella by her side. It all happened because of their meeting at Harry's pub that fortuitous night, she didn't regret any of it. But did Isa? Florence was hurting.
Isa had sent her a postcard wishing her luck. She had it in her purse and read the words over and over again:
No matter which way the wind blows, I'm always thinking of us. This is only the beginning. I love you. .
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One week later
"I missed you so much. I wouldn't stand to lose you.", Flo wailed.
"Hey, don't cry, I won't go anywhere, what's going on darling?", Isabella asked worried.
Florence kept sobbing looking at the ground while Isa tried to get closer taking her hand between hers.
"I need to tell you something. But… please don't hate me, it didn't mean anything." she pleaded.
Isa held Flo's chin and lift her head with two fingers so she could look into her eyes, assuring her.
"Florence, whatever happens or anything you say won't change what I feel for you…"
Isa said sweetly.
Flo was trying not to cry and continued.
"That night after we had that fight on the phone and you said you had to stay in London for one more week… I went to a party and got wrecked. All the guys from the band were there. I met a guitarist, we talked and he took me to his place. I wasn't even thinking right…"
"He reminded me of you, big blue eyes…couldn't shut up trying to impress me, funny guy… but when things got heated he was so silent, so intense.", Florence was talking avoiding Isabella's stare.
"So have you and him…" Isa mouthed but Flo cut her,
"No, no, no… We kissed and he wanted more but I couldn't stand when he was touching me. I was too high though and he brought me home. A real gentleman. Iz, I am so fucking ashamed. I couldn't… I hate myself for even attempting to do something like this and hurting you!", the tall one lamented.
Isa hugged her tightly and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
"It's all right baby, I was tempted too. Julie came to see me before I left for England but nothing happened. Even if you had slept with this boy, you're mine and I'm… yours. So, think of nothing and come here."
She cupped Flo's face with both hands and drank the love out of her eagerly.