What It’s Like to Lose
Tatum and Leighton walk in hand in hand to the women’s center. Tatum is more than uncomfortable but she is able to play it off. She greets Jane with a hug and Jane says it’s a bit shocking to see Tatum there.
T: I’m shocked too.
Jane smiles at the hand holding of the two women: Leighton, the things you’re able to get this girl to do…it’s admirable.
Leighton grins: This took some doing and I’m proud of her.
T: Ladies, I’m right here.
All three girls chuckle softly.
Ginger greets the three girls: How goes it, ladies?
Tatum looks at Ginger pleasantly: You’re the one with that pot right?
Ginger shifts nervously and looks at Leighton who is also nervous: Y-y-yes.
T: Relax, kid.
Ginger: I think we’re the same age.
Tatum raises an eyebrow: Well whatever. Anyway, I’m sorry for insulting your um…artwork. I was an asshole for that.
Ginger relaxes instantly and smiles.
Tatum continues: But like, I’m sure you could do better than that, yes?
Why don’t you try a beginning sculpting class? It’s late in the semester but I can help you out. Mr. Collins is the head of the art department and I’ve known him since I was a baby. When are you free?
Ginger: L-later today after the meeting.
T: You like art and making things I presume?
Ginger nods.
T: Okay, after the meeting go over to the Starr building, that’s where his office is and he should be there. Tell him Tatum Marie sent you.
Tatum and Ginger shake hands and Ginger heads to their seat for the start of the meeting.
Leighton is a bit turned on at Tatum’s willingness to help Ginger and kisses her girlfriend on the cheek to show gratitude. Tatum winks at her.
Their smiles instantly disappear when Alicia walks up to them.
Alicia: What the hell is going on here?
Jane: Hey Alicia, chill out!
Alicia looks at Tatum: Why are you here?
T: I’m not sure that’s any of your business, Funko Pop.
Jane in the background: Damn!
Leighton: Babe…
T: I got this, don’t worry. She turns to Alicia: Don’t come over here getting loud cause you’re mad at Leighton. I came to support my girlfriend. Nothing more, nothing less.
A: Nobody needs self-hating gays here.
Tatum looks around: I don’t see any around here…oh you mean me? No, Little Engine, I don’t hate myself at all. Aren’t you people all about inclusiveness and being a safe space?
A: You people?!
T: I did not stutter. Perhaps you should start practicing what you preach.
A: I have never seen any of your teammates or you around here supporting us. You’ll date us but can’t be seen with us.
Leighton’s face has turned bright red.
T: Oh here we go. Look, not everyone is comfortable with being out, proud and loud. God forbid, they want to be low key in their personal lives. But that seems too much for you lot.
A: You should be proud of who you are.
T: And how do you know they’re not? Oh that’s right, you don’t. You make a whole lot of assumptions about people you don’t know. But you would be screaming to the heavens if one of us did that to you. We’re not even going to get into the emotional ringer you put Leighton through.
Alicia looks at Leighton.
T: No, don’t look at her, look at me. Do not come over here fucking up the vibe because of your personal feelings. You had the girl and then you lost her…twice. It happens, take the L and go back to attempting to help the struggling queer youth.
A: And what do you do?
T: I live my life freely as an openly gay woman. All I have to do is two things in this world: Be gay and then die. I’ve mastered one already.
Jane chuckles and Ginger smiles slightly from their seat.
T: I could do this all day, but now I’m bored.
Leighton pulls Tatum away: Babe, relax.
T: I am relaxed, my sweet. But she’s not going to come over and start in with me and think I’m not gonna say anything.
Leighton: I know. But let’s practice decorum, okay? She kisses Tatum on the mouth.
Tatum eyes her lovingly. As Leighton leads Tatum to a seat in the back, Tatum turns back at Alicia and shakes her fist.
Leighton seats Jane next to Tatum because she knows Tatum can only handle so much of the scene in the women’s center. But since Tatum and Jane are friends, it’s probably safe to leave her in Jane’s care. Leighton leaves the area but can hear Tatum animatedly telling Jane about the confrontation even though Jane was literally standing in back of Tatum and saw the entire thing.
Wilhelmina Wyms arrives about ten minutes later. She’s an attractive woman in her mid to late 30’s.
She shakes Leighton’s hand: So nice to finally meet you, Ms Murray.
Leighton: You as well, Dr. Wyms.
The women’s center is packed with people. Travis, Jocelyn, Lila and Kimberly have all shown up to support Leighton.
Wyms puts on an attention grabbing presentation complete with pictures of different STIs as they move around the body if left untreated. Travis passes out at the sight and Lila and another student grab him to hold him up.
Tatum’s eyes also widen at some of the pictures as well. “Hell no!” she thinks to herself.
More than one of Leighton’s past partners are in the crowd, and while her name is never mentioned, they confirm they tested positive for chlamydia after having been with Leighton. Leighton has the decency to be embarrassed and she dares not look at Tatum or Alicia.
A very frank and eye opening discussion about sex, hook up culture and love in the LGBTQ+ community is talked about in a roundtable. Tatum listens intently and doesn’t roll her eyes or suck her teeth one time.
After an hour or so, Dr. Wyms must leave and is serenaded by thunderous and raucous applause.
Twenty minutes later, Leighton is sitting in Tatum’s lap on the arm of the couch with Tatum’s arm wrapped around her waist as Leighton talks to Kimberly.
K: Mighty impressive Leight and the turnout was great.
L: Thank you, thank you! Yes, I did a great job didn’t I?
Kimberly nods enthusiastically: Dr. Wyms was great. Engaging, educated, and tons of personality.
Tatum smiles: Good job, babe. That was certainly an experience.
Leighton smiles: Thank you for coming, baby.
Leighton leaves Tatum in Jane’s care as she mingles for about another hour.
Leighton starts to feel tired and motions to Tatum that it’s time to leave.
But before they do, Leighton confronts Alicia: Alicia, I still care about you a great deal but Tatum and I are in a relationship and it needs to be respected. You need to quit the theatrics. You two are never going to agree and just resign yourself to knowing that.
Alicia: She thinks because she’s rich that she can talk to people any old kind of way. Did she even apologize to Ginger?
L: She did actually and offered to get Ginger into a sculpting class.
Alicia scoffs: It’s way too late in the year for that.
Leighton: Not when you have an in with the head of the department. Sometimes nepotism comes in handy.
Alicia can’t keep the surprised look off her face.
L: Goodnight, Alicia.
Leighton hugs her friends goodbye and takes Tatum’s hand and they head to Tatum’s car to go to bed at Tatum’s apartment…Stacey, who is outside, watches from afar as the ladies hug and kiss and get into Tatum’s light gray Toyota Mirai XLE and speed off into the night…
Friday finally arrives. Tatum and Leighton are packed although they both plan to just buy new clothes for the trip while out in New York. Tatum asks Kate to check on her apartment while she’s gone which Kate agrees to. Leighton asks Kimberly to check for any mail that she may receive. Tatum orders an Uber because she didn’t want to drive to the airport. They’re leaving out of Burlington and headed into JFK.
Both girls make mention that they want to avoid seeing family members when they get into town (For those who aren’t aware, both Leighton and Tatum are from New York) because they want to be alone for some “quality time” on Saturday.
While waiting in the airport, Tatum’s right hand and Leighton’s left hand are locked together as Tatum reads a news article on her iPad and Leighton checks her phone. An older woman, say about 60 or so, eyes the two.
“You two girls are beautiful. How long have you been together?”
The two girls simultaneously look at the woman and then each other. Tatum feels Leighton tense up. Being the more experienced of the two, Tatum takes the lead on this one “A couple of months this time around.” That catches the older woman’s attention.
“Aw I see. On/off pairing.”
Tatum smiles politely: We’re trying.
The girls arrive in New York, grab their bags and call for an Uber to take them to The Ned Nomad.
Stacey, unbeknownst to the couple, has also found herself in New York. She can’t afford The Ned so she stays at a Holiday Inn. She thinks to herself: “Tatum can help destroy my mom’s marriage, fuck me and then leave when she’s done with me and she can just walk away? No ma’am. That girlfriend of hers needs to be humbled as well…”
Tatum and Leighton arrive at The Ned and are led to the Rotunda Suite.
The girls walk in and smile in satisfaction. Views of Manhattan can be seen through the windows. There’s a king size bed in the main room as well as a separate living room that has artwork that is handpicked. Tatum takes Leighton’s bags and puts them in the living room.
Leighton turns to her girlfriend and says: Let’s take a bath…
Tatum, unbuttoning her blouse: You read my mind.
They climb into the claw foot bathtub, which is a challenge since Leighton is about 5’6 and Tatum is around 5’8 and they giggle as Tatum slightly slips. Everyone, by now, knows the position, Tatum is in back of Leighton.
They sit there for several moments relaxing as the hot water covers them…
L: I do want to thank you for coming to listen to the speaker at the WC. I know it’s not your cup of tea.
T: It’s not but you most certainly are.
She kisses Leighton’s shoulder.
Leighton smiles: I want to give you something.
T: You are…starting at about 8am tomorrow. Tatum raises her eyebrows seductively and smiles, her dimple on full display.
Leighton shakes her head in laughing exasperation. She kisses Tatum directly on her dimple: Not that, babe. Leighton reaches over and grabs a tiny box and gives it to her.
Tatum eyes her curiously: What’s this, my sweet?
She opens it and it’s a 1 carat diamond tennis bracelet.
Tatum: Oh my! Wow, thank you baby!
L: Do you like it?
T: Indeed, I do.
Tatum kisses Leighton and starts peppering kisses on her neck and shoulder blades.
Leighton, enjoying her girlfriend’s full lips all over the back of her body, gasps slightly. It’s going to feel so good making love to her in the morning, she thought.
An hour later, the girls are out of the tub and lying on the king size bed together.
T: Babe, maybe we should talk about what we are going to do after I graduate.
Leighton looks up at her: Okay…
T: Look, I’m not naive. Long distance relationships are very difficult. I don’t want to hold you back seeing as you have two years left at Essex. I want you to have new experiences and meet new people as you go about your journey into the world. I think we might have met each other too late.
Leighton begins to tear up but agrees: So what are we going to do?
Tatum sighs: Well we have about three and a half months left. And we can always find each other after you leave Essex, assuming we’re both single…
Leighton love taps her: Oh you can’t wait to get out of there, can you?
T: I can wait…I hope it goes by slowly…
Leighton smiles.
T: But we have tonight and this weekend and Monday and if we want we can extend the vacation to enjoy each other’s company. Let’s not think about it while we’re here, okay?
L: Okay.
The two girls fall asleep.
It’s about 7:30 am when both girls wake up.
Tatum stretches her long legs and arms out and grabs her phone to check the first set of matches for the US Open. She untangles herself from a still sleepy Leighton and goes to use the restroom and brush her teeth.
Leighton, five minutes later, gets up to do the same thing.
Tatum is sitting in the living room when Leighton approaches her.
T: The first match is at noon.
Leighton smirking: Okay well we have time to kill.
Tatum smirks back: Well, we can order room service. What do you want for breakfast?
Leighton, matter of factly says: You.
Tatum: We didn’t make it quite 14 days.
Leighton: Eh, we tried.
Tatum stands up and starts kissing Leighton and then moves to her neck.
Leighton gasps as she pulls Tatum closer to her.
Tatum smiles into Leighton’s neck and the kissing gets more and more intense. They don’t make it to the bed…
An hour and a half later…Leighton and Tatum are basking in post sex bliss.
Tatum: Well, that was something.
Leighton laughs: It truly was, babe.
Tatum grins at her girlfriend: I can go another round..
Leighton nods in agreement: I know you can…
Leighton grins as Tatum gets on top of her…
Another two hours goes by and the two girls finally get up, shower and get dressed.
Tatum wears a Carolina blue jumpsuit along with a matching pair of Hokas.
Leighton goes for a Carolina blue blouse, black capri pants and white and Carolina blue Adidas shell toes.
Both girls are giggling and laughing with each other talking about everything and nothing at all.
The US open is about an hour Uber ride away from the hotel.
Stacey stays well out of view but can spot the two girls easily. She hails a taxi and asks to be taken to Flushing where the US Open is being held.
Meanwhile inside their Uber, Tatum is on the phone with her mother, listening to an earful.
Sharon: You can’t make time for your mother?
Tatum, exasperated: Mother, I’m sorry, it’s a pleasure trip. Right away, she knew she said too much.
S: A pleasure trip, Tatum Marie?! Your father and I have not seen you for weeks! I know the Open starts today but after the matches are over, I want to see your face and whomever you brought with you. Is it Henry’s daughter?
Leighton chuckles as she eavesdrops on the conversation.
T: Yes, Mother…I’m with Henry Murray’s daughter. Her name is Leighton. *rolls her eyes in exasperation* Fine…okay…okay…Mother…ugh…I will see you sometime tonight. Love you, mean it.
Tatum looks at Leighton in bewilderment: Moms
Leighton laughs: Moms
A relatively uneventful hour Uber ride later and the girls arrive in Flushing for the match.
Tatum checks her watch: We got here in just in time.
She grabs Leighton’s hand and they walk into USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Ten minutes later, Stacey arrives at the center but does not go in. She doesn’t have a ticket and never planned to purchase one.
An hour goes by and then two…and three. And then hour four ticks by.
Stacey loses sight of the girls as the crowd begins filtering out.
Tatum and Leighton, still oblivious, stand and wait for their Uber.
Leighton: Babe, I’m tired. Can we go tomorrow to see your folks?
T: Yes, my sweet. It’s been a long day. We can…um…stay in and relax. I’ll call my mother.
Leighton listens in amusement as Tatum, on the phone, finagles her way out of them visiting her family.
Leighton quickly falls asleep on Tatum’s shoulder and Tatum lightly kisses her forehead.
The Uber driver, who had been making small conversation with Tatum throughout the drive, asks her how long they have been dating.
T: A couple of months. We’re trying again after a little break up.
UD: I don’t have to say it…
T: We are well aware people think we look alike, yes.
UD: If she’s worth it, hold on to her as long as you can.
Tatum looks at a sleepy Leighton: I’m trying…
The small talk continues as the driver gets closer to The Ned.
Tatum lightly shakes Leighton: Wake up sleepyhead, we’re here.
Leighton smiles sleepily.
The driver drops them off.
UD to Tatum: Remember what I said, young lady. *points to Leighton*
As a now fully awake Leighton and Tatum are walking in the hotel lobby, they stop in their tracks.
Stacey is in now in front of them, with something shiny in her hand.
T: What in the entire fuck!!
Stacey: Hello again!
Tatum’s face turns from shock to rage: What the fuck did I tell you about this? I can’t even believe this!
Leighton looks bewildered as a small crowd forms around them.
Stacey: You don’t get to live your life without consequences, Tatum! You think you can treat people this way!! And you…*points to Leighton*, you’re just as awful! Both of you treat people like they don’t matter.
Leighton turns to an onlooker: Call security!
T: What the fuck, Stacey! You followed us here?! Let this shit go! Move on!
S: Fuck you with the fire of a thousand suns, Tatum! You fuck anything that moves and then you have the audacity to tell me to move on! My mother is losing her marriage because of you!
T: Fuck you right back! Your mom is an adult and knew what she was doing! As did you when we got involved. You want to hear I’m sorry? Fine, Stacey! I’m sorry! I’m sorry your life is falling apart, I’m sorry your parents’ marriage is in shambles. I’m sorry I couldn’t be serious with you but I told you I wasn’t looking for that!
Stacey’s face contorts: But with her *looking at Leighton*, it’s serious. She’s still wet behind her ears and thats what you fell for?!
Leighton notices the object in Stacey’s hand is a knife and begins to get frightened.
She tugs at Tatum: Babe, let’s go! Let’s go now! She’s got a knife, Tatum!
Tatum: What? Tatum looks at Stacey’s hand.
Tatum: You have to be fucking kidding me! Stacey, put the knife down!
The crowd begins to get bigger and a security guard starts jogging towards the confrontation.
Stacey’s face contorts into an evil smile. Tatum’s face turns from anger to fear as she protectively grabs Leighton.
Stacey: You need to feel what it’s like to lose, Tatum!
Right as the security guard lunges at Stacey, Stacey lunges at Leighton with the knife.
Tatum turns her back to shield Leighton and a sickening crunch can be heard.
The crowd gasps and Leighton screams.
She looks at Tatum and Tatum looks at her.
Leighton, now sobbing, whimpers: Tatum
The security guard and now his partner are wrestling with a screaming Stacey, kicking the now bloody knife away from her.
Tatum’s Carolina blue jumpsuit is now soaked in blood in the back. Leighton grabs Tatum screaming.
Tatum drops to her knees: Leighton…are you okay?
The ambulance arrives.
Tatum slumps over, her eyes rolling in the back of her head.
Leighton screams at the ambulance driver: Help her, please!
The ambulance driver tries to move Leighton out of the way: Ma’am, let us help her.
Tatum whispers: Leighton…
She begins to slip in and out of consciousness.
Leighton: Tatum, baby, please! Please!
T: Leighton…
She closes her eyes.
Ambulance driver: Okay, we gotta get her in the bus. She’s non responsive.
Leighton turns white as a sheet: Please help her, I can’t lose her!
Ambulance driver: Call her family, call whoever but we gotta get her to the hospital.
The ambulance takes off with an unconscious Tatum in the back.
A still screaming Stacey is led away by security and now the police are on scene.
A female on looker grabs a wobbly Leighton who is in shock.
Leighton turns to look at the onlooker: I can’t lose her! I can’t…
Onlooker: Sit down, honey. It will be alright.
Leighton: I can’t lose her! I can’t…
To be continued…