Chapter 10
After their lips parted, Joan stood and stared at the wall instead of down at Vera, still kneeling at her feet. With a deep sigh, she shrugged out of her dress and let it pool to her feet.
Joan knew from this vantage point Vera could see all of her physical flaws: the soft pillowing of her stomach that no amount of exercise could get rid of; the silver stretch marks on her hips from growing too fast that had never really disappeared; her aging skin; the scars from her childhood. She kept her eyes fixed on the wall trying to convince herself that Vera would see past these things.
Vera's hands glided up Joan legs and stopped, "Joan?"
Silence.
Vera stood and took Joan's hand. "Look at me." She let the towel fall.
"This scar is from when she beat me for breaking her vase. This one here? From mouthing back. I got this one from falling out of a tree when I was 8." She took Joan's hand and put it on her bare breast. "Don't be ashamed."
"Oh, Vera." Joan finally looked down to meet her gaze, her hand still. Vera's naked body gave Joan a shiver from her core. She didn't think seeing her would make her so nervous. Her thoughts of swanning in while Vera bathed and sneaking a peek had been replaced by this, and this was far better.
Vera was damaged too, but while Joan chose to let it harden her, Vera was willing to forgive. Joan wished she could have done the same.
Vera let go and slipped past her, emerging herself into the tub. She held the shampoo bar in her outstretched hand, surprised at how bold she'd become in the passing minutes.
Joan gathered herself and took the bar from Vera. Without a word, she knelt at the head of the tub and dipped her hands in the water to work up some suds. Considering what was happening, there was not an ounce of sexual tension in the air at the moment. Joan began to wash Vera's hair, her fingers working through the tangles. She was gentle and tender. This act was about caring for her with no undertone.
Vera started humming quietly to herself with her eyes closed. Her whole body sang with happiness. She was so relaxed, so unashamed, so unlike herself and it felt wonderful
"Joan? I'd like it if you got in with me." Vera's relaxation had tricked her mind into thinking she was brave. She was brave in this moment, but only because she did not fear rejection and she wanted to feel Joan against her but without the worry of desperate groping like a man might do.
Joan was surprised at the huge intake of air that pierced the silence. She dropped the shampoo bar in the bath. She had hoped the night would go this way but she had always been the one to attack, to strike when the iron was hot and now when she was here with someone she cared about she found herself unable to become the predator she was. Joan found it also confusing that she was grasping for words but none would come. She could simply shake her head and reach behind her to unhook her bra. Vera was looking up at her, her hair still full of shampoo suds.
One strap at a time came off and with a bite of her lip, Joan exposed her breasts to the steamy air. She quickly pushed down her silky underwear and stood naked. They both looked each other over, anticipation hanging in the air. Joan finally found her tongue, "Rinse your hair before I get in. There won't be much room with me in there." Vera quickly did as she was told, then moved forward to make room for Joan's long, languid body.
Vera's leaned back into Joan, so small in contrast. She had to chuckle as Joan wrapped her legs over her, "do those ever end?"
"Hush." Joan had to grin. The contrast between the two of them, skin to skin like this was a bit foolish, but she did like the fact that she could easily enclose Vera and keep her here forever without much effort at all. "Happy birthday, Vera."
Joan wrapped her arms around the small body and settled Vera's head under her chin. She made no attempt to glide her hands over Vera's nakedness. There would be time for that later, but now they just lay together in silence.
Who would have thought that Joan could be tamed?
End of Pt. 1