Do It All Again
Leighton is at the local LGBTQ+ center helping young queers get into the job force as well provide housing for those without an address or living on the street. Tatum joins her on this day also helping out. Leighton watches her soon to be wife converse with a group of teenagers about sports and sounds of laughter reverberate around the room. Leighton grins as some of the kids tease Tatum about getting too old to get back on the tennis court.
Teenager: Ms. Tatum, those knees…can they handle being on the court nowadays? Aren’t you in your 30s?
Tatum: Never you mind kid, my knees are just fine. My back on the other hand….
Raucous laughter ensues.
Leighton is helping a 19 year old lesbian named Alexis secure housing after being kicked out by her parents when they discovered her with her girlfriend at their house.
L: So, Alexis we have found you a hotel in the Bronx for the next six months. All paid upfront. But you have to be responsible for your own food, water and clothing, okay? Checker’s is also hiring. Ms. Lopez has your subway pass, it’s good for 30 days so I want you to go down there the next couple of days.
Alexis nods her head: Will do Ms. Leighton.
Alexis pulls out her phone with a frown on her face and texts someone back quickly. She shakes her head in exasperation.
L: Are you okay?
A: I guess…it’s my girl, Lark. We’re fighting.
L: Do you want to talk about it?
Tatum has now drawn a bigger crowd with her storytelling about her famous clients.
Leighton smiles as she turns back to Alexis.
A: She’s upset because she won’t come out to her family and I want her to. We have been fighting for the past few days.
L: I see.
A: I have been kicked out for loving her, the least she could do is prove how much she loves me and do the same.
L: It’s not that easy for some people, Alexis. We all have our own journey to get where we feel comfortable in coming out to the world.
A: But you and Ms. Tatum seem to be perfect.
L: Oh believe me, it hasn’t always been like that. And Alexis, nobody is perfect, not even me and Tatum.
Alexis seems surprised: Really?
L: Not at all. I’m not much different than you. When I was in college, my first girlfriend and I had the same issue you’re having with Lark. I was deeply closeted when we first started dating. She hated it. She tried to rush my coming out process but I wasn’t ready to do it yet. She dumped me and it broke my heart. But I had awesome roommates and friends who made me comfortable enough to tell them. They were happy for me and encouraged me.
A: Was that girlfriend Ms. Tatum?
L: No, her name was Alicia. I met Tatum not long after I came out. We didn’t hit it off at first believe it or not. But after a while, we got a little closer. Now I was out to everybody on campus, so going out with Tatum and being with her was no problem. But I wasn’t out to my parents yet.
A: For real?
L: Yep. I’m very close to my dad and I wanted to tell him but I didn’t know how. One night my dad and I were going to dinner and we ran into Tatum and her dad…
Leighton hadn’t noticed that Tatum’s audience had now turned to her and Alexis. Even Tatum stopped and listened in.
A: Whoa!
L: Yeah, crazy right? I at first denied knowing Tatum that well cause I was still so freaked out about my dad finding out. I explained it to Tatum you know? I lost one relationship due to it, I wasn’t going to lose another. But Tatum was cool about it.
Leighton glances at Tatum and motions for her to come to the table.
Tatum sits next to Leighton: I told her there is no timeline on coming out. Just like I’m going to tell you Alexis and if Lark was here, I’d tell her too. It has to be on her own terms. But you have to decide if you can live with it. Nobody is wrong in this situation.
Alexis nods at Tatum.
A: So did you come out to your dad?
L: I did actually, I kind of just blurted it out at dinner with Tatum and her dad sitting there.
T: She did. She also announced she and I were dating. I had her back but deep down I was stunned, I didn’t realize it was going to turn serious like that.
The young audience laughs.
Leighton giggles.
Alexis smiles: How did your dad handle it?
L: He walked out. I was so upset. Tatum and her dad comforted me. George said when Tatum came out to him, he reacted the same way.
T: He did. He was in shock, wondered if I would ever have a family and children. I said I could still do all those things but my partner would be a woman and not a man, that would be the only difference. After a while, he came around and is now one of my biggest supporters aside from my twin brother.
Random kid: You’re a twin, Ms. Tatum?
T: I am.
Random kid: Do people think you and Ms. Leighton are twins?
Leighton laughs.
L: We get looks all the time but we take it in stride. They usually don’t ask any more questions especially after they see us kiss.
Everyone laughs.
Alexis: And your dad, Ms. Leighton?
L: I found him outside. He felt bad that I had to keep it inside for so long. He apologized and now he is my biggest supporter as well.
A: What about your moms?
T: My mom and I don’t talk about it. She just wants more grandbabies at this point but she likes Leighton.
L: My mother adores Tatum.
Tatum grins.
Alright kids, let’s give Alexis and Ms. Leighton some privacy.
Leighton and Tatum share a kiss which gets an “Awww” from the crowd of young adults.
Another random kid: Ms. Tatum, can you hoop?
T: I’ve been known to drop a triple double on weekends at the park.
Another Random kid: A game of 3 on 3, you down?
T: Let’s do it.
Tatum and a group of about 10 of the people at the center go outside to shoot some hoops.
L: Alexis, let me print the application from Checker’s for you. Okay go and pick it up over there.
Alexis retrieves the application.
Leighton gives her the address of the hotel she’ll be staying at to put down.
A: So after that you and Ms. Tatum lived happily ever after?
Leighton slightly grunts.
L: Not exactly.
A: Oh?
L: My first girlfriend came back into my life not long after Tatum and I got into a relationship. We ended on bad terms and hearing from her brought up old feelings. I was exactly your age now and I thought I was in love.
Alexis smiles.
A: If you don’t mind, can I ask what happened?
L: Sure. Tatum and I went to a center much like this one for a party. I had been to the center earlier that semester because I had gotten into some trouble. I didn’t react well, I was so deeply closeted at the time, I couldn’t handle anything being too outwardly gay. And the people were loud about it but they were themselves, something I wasn’t comfortable with at the time.
A: Really? You?
L: Yes, Alexis. But they accepted me even as I berated their way of living. They offered me grace and a safe space. I fell in love with the place. I took Tatum there and she…well, she didn’t react well. She was rude and dismissive. It’s something she will admit to today.
A: Really? Ms. Tatum reacted badly?
L: It upset me too. She insulted one of my friends. I was so upset with her that I broke up with her that night!
A: Oh my god!
L: My first girlfriend was there to comfort me. We ended up getting back together.
Alexis’ jaw drops.
L: The life of a lesbian when dating.
A: Lark and I have broken up a couple of times. It gets tiring.
L: Yes.
A: Was Ms. Tatum upset?
Tatum, who has re entered the room, breathing heavily and sweating and searching for water chimes in: I was very upset Alexis. She left me for her first girlfriend because I made one mistake. I was furious…I need water.
Leighton gets up quickly to retrieve a bottle of water for her fiancée.
L: Babe, take a deep breath. Honey, maybe you should take it easy.
Tatum takes the water and drinks it: Thank you baby. I have a triple single going right now. Those kids are killing me.
Leighton shakes her head: Babe, please. Just sit down and relax.
Tatum finally relents and sits on a nearby couch, exhausted.
Leighton laughs: I love you.
Tatum: I love you.
Leighton returns to sit with Alexis: She wasn’t happy with me, that’s for sure. But at the time, I was discovering myself and what I wanted to be in my life and she and I just didn’t see eye to eye. I was happy with my first girlfriend.
Leighton fully expected Tatum to chime in but Tatum had fallen asleep on the couch.
A: So how did you and Ms. Tatum reunite?
L: Well, we fought a lot. One thing Tatum and I believe in is open and healthy communication with your partner. She said she would change some of her ways if it meant getting me back. Even though I was happy with Alicia, Tatum was always on my mind. Eventually Alicia and I drifted apart but Tatum and I didn’t get back together right away. We both had things we had to work on individually. We broke up and made up several more times.
A: So if she didn’t like the center, how did she become comfortable with coming here?
L: She likes helping out and mentoring the next generation of queers. It took a long time to get here. A lot of it is growing up and experiencing new things and environments. You know that Tatum and I both come from wealthy backgrounds and families. Tatum, like me, was never around people who were different than her. Same as me. That’s what made the center so great because it opened up my eyes. I wanted Tatum to enjoy the center but I realized just like with coming out, you can’t rush things no matter how badly you want to. I did tell her I needed her to support me in what I was trying to do. She finally agreed to and did come with me several times during our time in college. It just wasn’t her thing and I had to be okay with that. I don’t fully understand sports but I like going to games and watching them with her because I know she likes it. You have to learn to compromise when you love someone.
A: So you’re saying Lark and I have to compromise?
L: If she is worth it, yes. But the coming out is her decision and hers alone. If you force the issue, it will do irreparable harm to your relationship.
A: You forgave Ms. Tatum for insulting your friend?
L: I did. Tatum apologized to my friend and helped them out by getting them into a class. That’s when I knew she was serious about us.
A: And your first girlfriend?
L: She’s married to her wife and they have a daughter. We’re friendly but not friends.
A: Why aren’t you friends?
Tatum has now woken up and is eyeing Leighton.
L: Tatum and I agreed that exes should be left in the past. It’s our boundary.
A: Are you and Ms. Tatum going to have kids?
L: We plan on it…one day.
A: I think you’ll have beautiful babies cause you’re both beautiful.
Leighton smiles: Why thank you, Alexis.
L: It’s getting late, I don’t want you on the subway when it’s dark. Take the application and head to the hotel. Do you have money?
Just as Alexis gets ready to answer, a tall girl with dark brown hair and red streaks in it comes in. It’s Lark, Alexis’ girlfriend.
Lark: Hello, Ms. Murray.
Leighton: Hello, Lark.
Alexis to Lark: We were just talking about you.
Lark: Why?
Leighton: That’s something you and Alexis need to discuss privately.
A: They found a place for me to stay for six months.
Lark looks relieved: Oh thank goodness.
She pulls Alexis into an embrace. Alexis, who was tense earlier, relaxes in her girlfriend’s arms.
Tatum, who is now fully awake, observes the couple and grins at Leighton. Leighton smiles back.
Lark to Alexis: We have a lot to talk about. I’ve got my car…I’ll drive you home.
Alexis smiles: Thank you.
Alexis goes to hug Leighton: Thank you, Ms. Leighton.
Leighton: Of course, Alexis.
Lark and Alexis leave hand in hand.
An hour later, Tatum and Leighton get ready to leave.
Leighton takes one look at her girlfriend and knows she’ll have to drive.
L: Babe, your keys…
T: Babe, I’m good.
L: Tatum Marie…
T: Okay, fine…fine. Here.
Tatum tosses her keys to Leighton.
Leighton grabs Tatum’s hand and they leave the center.
As they get into the car, Tatum turns to Leighton: Did you tell Alexis our entire story?
L: No of course not, baby. Just a shortened version.
T: I see.
L: Were you worried about that?
T: They don’t have to know everything.
L: No they don’t. But our story is quite remarkable. We’ve been through so much together, if we hadn’t lived it, you would think it was fan fiction.
Tatum laughs.
T: You know I would do it all over again if I knew I would end up with you.
Leighton smiles: Me too, baby. Me too. I love you so much.
T: I think I love you more.
L: Oh? I don’t think so. I love you so much that I wasn’t going to tell you that I smell your sweat and babe, it’s something.
T: What?! I sweat when we make love.
L: Yeah babe, but I like that kind of sweat.
They pull into their garage.
T: I smell fant…she does a self sniff test. Oh maybe not.
Leighton giggles.
They get out of the car and into their place. Tatum removes her purple blouse revealing a blue sports bra. Her muscles and abs are on full display.
Tatum goes into the bathroom to turn on the shower.
T: Babe…why don’t we save water? Come join me.
Leighton, taking her pink top off goes into the bathroom: I thought you would never ask.
Fifteen minutes later, the ladies are in their bedroom, naked and damp from their shower and making out.
Tatum lies Leighton down on the bed, scanning her entire body while licking her lips. Her dimple peeks out as she smirks.
T: I love your body, babe.
Leighton gets up to kiss the dimple: You know I love yours. Especially when it’s on top of me.
Tatum giggles: I guess it’s time for the sweat you like.
Leighton pulls Tatum on top of her: I guess so…