Chapter 28
Carla and Betsy nestled into the cozy embrace of the soft sofa, a plethora of cushions piled around them. They both wore vibrant, pampering face masks, infused with refreshing aloe, giving them an instant glow.
Carla swiftly grabbed the remote control from the coffee table and passed it to Betsy, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Here you go! Choose whatever movie you want," she encouraged, her voice light and teasing. Betsy’s face lit up with excitement as she eagerly took the remote, her fingers already instinctively scrolling through a lineup of films displayed on the screen.
As Betsy pondered over the options, Carla busied herself with her phone, opening a delivery app to order dinner. "What are we having tonight?" she asked, glancing up at Betsy. After a moment of deliberation, Betsy's eyes brightened. “Let’s get pizza! Please!” she exclaimed, her love for pizza evident in her enthusiastic tone. Both Carla and Ryan exchanged knowing smiles at the mention of pizza since it was a beloved choice for all three of them.
While waiting expectantly for the food to arrive, Ryan decided to take a quick shower, leaving Carla and Betsy alone in the living room. As the opening scenes of the film played, Carla found herself adrift in her own thoughts, unable to engage with the story unfolding before her. The film title slipped away from her mind, along with any details of the characters and plot. Her mind was instead focused on Lisa, alone and vulnerable in the hospital. Despite the warmth and laughter shared with Betsy and Ryan, guilt clawed at Carla’s heart. Lisa had encouraged her to take some time for herself, but leaving her girlfriend felt like a betrayal.
In her unease, Carla began to rhythmically tap her foot against the edge of the coffee table, the soft thudding sound echoing throughout the quiet room. She was oblivious to this nervous habit, engrossed in her swirling thoughts, one of her hands picking at her nails while her gaze remained glued to the flickering TV screen, her focus drifting further away from the images before her.
Feeling the constant, irritating tapping beside her, Betsy threw a glance at Carla, one that could only be described as her signature teenage death glare. She was trying to immerse herself in the film, but the incessant sound of Carla’s foot tapping served as a persistent distraction. Betsy couldn’t help but think that this annoyance exceeded even the challenges of watching a film with her mum, who had a knack for turning each film into a Q&A session, peppering her with questions like, "Who is he again?" or "Oh, I’m sure I’ve seen her in something else." She sighed internally, yearning for the simple pleasure of a movie night devoid of interruptions, wishing adults could become engrossed in a film just like she could.
As Betsy glanced over at Carla, her heart sank at the sight of her worried expression. It was etched deeply on Carla’s face, her brow furrowed and her eyes distant, fixated not on the movie flickering before them but seemingly lost in a whirlwind of thoughts. Betsy felt the weight of Carla's anxiety intimately; she understood the dread and fear of her mother leaving for work and the potential dangers that she was putting herself in every day.
In that moment, the reality of Carla’s struggle hit Betsy harder than ever. She hadn’t realised just how vulnerable and emotionally shaken Carla truly was, a nervous wreck beneath her usually composed facade.
Feeling an overwhelming urge to comfort Carla, Betsy shifted closer, gathering her courage. She wrapped her arm around Carla’s waist, leaning into her side, hoping to provide some solace. “You really love her, don’t you?” Betsy whispered, her voice soft and gentle, almost a secret shared between just the two of them, barely rising above the ambient sounds of the TV.
The sudden warmth of Betsy’s touch jolted Carla from her thoughts, and for a brief second, she was taken aback. Yet as she processed the gesture, a wave of gratitude washed over her. She instinctively enveloped Betsy’s shoulders in a reassuring embrace, pulling her closer. “Yeah, I really do,” she murmured, matching the quiet tone of the teen, her voice a blend of sincerity and vulnerability that carried the weight of her emotions. In that simple exchange, the bond between them tightened, grounding them both amidst the storm of feelings swirling in the air.
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As the end credits rolled on the TV, a bittersweet atmosphere hung in the air. Betsy, feeling a mix of gratitude and reluctance, stood up to help clear the leftover plates from dinner.
“Betsy, love, you don’t have to do that. You’re a guest,” Carla said, immediately rising to handle the mess herself.
“Okay.” A weighty silence settled over the kitchen as Betsy stood there, a twinge of awkwardness tightening her stomach, her eyes lingering on Carla as she busied herself with the dishes. “Carla?” Betsy finally spoke, her voice tinged with nervousness as she gathered the courage to express her thoughts. “I’m going to go and get ready for bed, if that’s okay? Thank you for dinner... and for letting me stay.”
Carla paused, her heart warming at the sight of Betsy—this typically outspoken teenager now radiating a sweet vulnerability. She turned to Betsy, pulling her into a gentle embrace. “Of course, that’s okay. And truly, it’s no trouble at all. Thank you for keeping me company tonight. I know I have Ryan, but he’s really not cut out for a girls’ night like this.” Carla leaned down, planting a soft kiss on Betsy’s hair, attempting to infuse a bit of warmth into the moment. “Goodnight, sweetheart. If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Night, Carla,” Betsy replied, her heart swelling with affection as she made her way toward the bedroom, a sense of comfort wrapping around her like a warm blanket.
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As Carla prepared for bed, she exchanged a few text messages with Lisa, checking to see if her girlfriend was still awake before making the call.
After brushing her teeth, she stepped out of the en-suite, a wave of exhaustion crashing over her from the whirlwind of the past 24 hours. With a heavy sigh, she sank into her bed, feeling the weight of her fatigue settle in her bones.
She quickly reached for her phone on the bedside table and dialed Lisa’s number.
“Hey, sweetheart. How are you feeling?” Carla’s voice was warm yet tinged with concern.
“Hey, you,” Lisa replied, her voice slightly brighter. “I still feel terrible, but I’m definitely more alive than I was earlier. At least I know I won’t fall asleep mid-conversation.” She chuckled, attempting to inject some humor into the heavy air.
“Oh, love, I wish I could be there with you,” Carla said, her voice quivering as she fought to keep her emotions in check. The ache of missing Lisa was palpable. “But I did have a lovely evening with Betsy and Ryan. She’s been good as gold, you know.”
“Really?” Lisa responded, genuine surprise etched in her voice. “Well, that’s a first. Either you’re really strict, or you had to bribe her.” She teased, trying to lighten the mood.
“Oh, I absolutely had to bribe her,” Carla laughed softly, the sound a bit shaky. “Pizza and a movie did the trick.”
As the laughter faded, a comfortable silence enveloped them. Carla shifted in her bed, snuggling deeper into her blankets, and glanced at the clock. It was late, but she didn’t want to hang up.
“Hey, Lisa…” she began, her voice softening. “What are you thinking about?”
“Honestly? Just wishing I could teleport myself over there,” Lisa confessed. “It feels weird not being able to hug you right now.”
Carla smiled, the warmth spreading through her chest. “I miss your hugs. They always have a way of making everything feel okay.”
“Right? I could use one of yours, too.” Lisa paused, and Carla could almost feel the distance between them shrinking. “I really am grateful for you, you know. You’ve always been my rock.”
“I feel the same way. It’s like… no matter how far apart we are, you’re always right here.” Carla tapped her heart gently, a gesture filled with love.
“Exactly,” Lisa replied, her voice dropping to a whisper, as if sharing a secret. “I love you, Carla.”
“I love you, too, Lisa,” Carla breathed out, her heart swelling with the intimacy of the moment. It was a reminder of their bond, stronger than any distance could sever.
As exhaustion tugged at them, their voices grew softer, sleepy giggles punctuating the air. “I’m fading…” Lisa admitted with a yawn.
“Me too,” Carla replied, stifling her own yawn, the heaviness of her eyelids betraying her. “But I don’t want to hang up.”
“Neither do I,” Lisa murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Okay, let’s just… stay on the line,” Carla suggested, a smile tugging at her lips. “It’ll be like we’re falling asleep together.”
“Deal,” Lisa said, her voice growing sleepy.
With a soft sigh, they both settled into their respective beds, the connection between them bridging the distance as they allowed the soothing cadence of their voices to lull them both toward sleep.
“I love you,” Carla whispered one last time, a smile gracing her face as she felt the warmth of her girlfriend’s presence despite the miles apart.
“Love you more… goodnight,” Lisa murmured, her voice fading into a gentle hum.
The phone call stretched into silence, both women drifting into peaceful slumber, wrapped in the intimate glow of their love that would always bring them back together, no matter how far apart they were.