Dinner For Four
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“Hello Em,” Darcy said cheerfully as she came to stand beside the blonde and draped her arm across her shoulders. “Made a new friend have you?”
The blonde swiveled in her chair and wrapped her arm around Darcy’s waist. “Indeed I have. This here is Delia Busby. Quite charming she is. We cracked on like old chums… is it really 8:30 already? Time flew by with this one,” she said, winking at the seated brunette.
Delia laughed. “Hello again Darcy.” Then she turned to see Patsy who had quietly stepped up behind her. Delia could immediately see that Patsy had been crying and noticed deep exhaustion in her eyes and a paleness in her complexion that worried her.
“Pats…” Delia turned the rest of the way around quickly and took one of the redhead’s hands in her own. “Alright, love?”
Patsy quickly looked to Darcy and Emily and pushed her lover’s hand away and took a step back. “I’m fine Deels,” the redhead said curtly, fearing a recognition of their intimacy.
Delia withdrew her hand and shrunk back in her chair with the embarrassment of the rejection.
“Oi” Darcy said, looking Patsy directly in the eyes. “That’s no way to treat someone you love. Apologize.”
Patsy’s jaw dropped. “I…”
“Sorry… I don’t mean to be so direct… it’s who I am…” Darcy said with a sigh. “Now, I know that tonight was hard… you did real well in there Patsy. Really well. You’ve got a lot in there,” she said pointing up to Patsy’s head. “I can see it, and we just tapped the surface. Sometimes bringing up the things that hurt us can make us short, I know that better than anyone…” Darcy said as she looked to Emily.
The blonde put her hand on Darcy’s arm and smiled softly with an unmistakable look filled with love.
Patsy was quickly beginning to see the signs that Darcy and Emily may be more than friends.
“But just because we’re hurting doesn’t mean we can take it out on those around us… especially those who love us. We’ve got to find other ways to express that anger so we don’t walk around with the temper like you have… like the temper I had up until about three years ago.”
Emily leaned toward Patsy, lowering her voice. “And you don’t need to worry about keeping your relationship a secret. It’s safe with us of course, we’re the very same. Small world, eh?” Emily said with a laugh as she again wrapped her arm around Darcy’s waist.
Patsy and Delia both marveled at how open the couple was with their affection for one another. It seemed as though they had no fear whether or not their relationship was noticed by those around.
Patsy turned to Delia. “She’s right Deels. I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that. Not at all. I’m tired… but that’s no excuse.”
Delia smiled. “I forgive you Pats. Thank you for apologizing.” The brunette again discreetly took Patsy’s hand and squeezed it lightly. “Alright? Ready to go home?”
Patsy squeezed Delia’s hand back, rubbing her thumb in a light circle. “Actually, if it’s alright with you, I could do with some dinner. Darcy suggested something normal like eating here after… after a meeting like that… is a good thing… Helps get back to the present and in the swing of things.” The redhead trailed off looking down at their linked hands.
Delia nodded with understanding and looked to Darcy giving her a silent thank you.
“Mind if we join you Patsy?” Darcy asked.
Patsy looked to Delia, checking without words if it was alright. Seeing that Delia approved, Patsy responded. “Not at all.”
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The two couples sat at a table in the corner of the hotel restaurant as requested by Delia, who knew Patsy would prefer to have her back to a wall and appreciate the quieter spot.
Once seated next to one another, Patsy quickly reached for Delia’s hand under the table and gripped it tightly, conveying she was seeking the grounding connection.
Without a second of hesitation Delia scooted her chair as close as she could so that their shoulders could touch. “What do you fancy here?” she asked, using her one free hand to open the menu.
“The steak and lobster are both to die for,” Emily said with enthusiasm.
“What do you say Pats? One of each to share?” Delia asked looking to the redhead.
“Oh, I don’t know Deels… that sounds a bit…extravagant… doesn’t it?” Patsy said tiredly, placing her elbow on the chair arm and resting her chin in her hand.
“Nonsense Pats. This is a night to celebrate.”
The older woman rolled her eyes but agreed.
“She’s right you know,” Darcy added. “You took a big step in coming tonight. You put in a lot of hard work Patsy. You did really well.”
“I wouldn’t have done anything at all if I hadn’t seen Nancy…” Patsy mumbled as she stared at the menu without reading.
“Who’s Nancy?” Delia asked, looking at her lover inquisitively.
Patsy opened her mouth to speak, but was caught off guard by a wave of emotion that tightened her vocal cords and instantly brought tears to her eyes.
“Sweetheart…”
“I… I…” Patsy suddenly felt claustrophobic. “I just need some fresh air…” The redhead stood abruptly, bumping the table and spilling their water glasses. She threw her napkin down on her chair and quickly moved around the table heading for the lobby and front door.
Delia stood quickly. “Pats, wait…”
“I’m alright Deels,” Patsy called over her shoulder. “Please, just give me a couple of minutes.”
Delia stared wide eyed, not having been pushed away by Patsy in this manner since the early days of their relationship. A tear slipped down her cheek as she stared after her lover.
Darcy stood. “She’s alight Delia. I’ll go check on her.” She put her hand on the younger woman’s shoulder. “I know this part hurts now, but it’s happening because something new came up tonight. It will pass. It’s just another layer… I know you know about the layers…”
Delia sat down reluctantly and nodded, wiping away tears. “I know them all too well.”
“She’s not pushing you away because she doesn’t want you near… she’s pushing you away because she’s afraid her pain will hurt you…” Emily added. “I learned that with my Darcy here. It took about five years to convince her there was a better way.” Darcy looked down at the blonde with eyes full of love.
Delia nodded. “Thank you, thank you both.”
“I know we aren’t much more that strangers yet, but I can see without a shadow of a doubt you are a brilliant support and most likely the reason Patsy is able to make her way through this stage of life and healing. You must know that Delia. And you should hear the way she speaks about you when you’re not around,” the woman said with a small smile. She loves you so deeply. I’m going to go check on her,” Darcy said as she turned and left.
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