Mother
Leighton and Tatum’s wedding is about a month away. The women have gotten into arguments about the guest list and what to serve at the reception. Another argument ensued about what each bride would wear.
T: White doesn’t look good on me but black does, my little love bug.
L: Bunny, you’re not wearing black to our wedding. What about a dark blue or purple?
Tatum looks at her future wife with those piercing blue eyes.
T: That could work. Like a power suit and boots or heels.
L: The heels I’d make you keep on for our honeymoon.
Tatum grins: Oh?
L: Yes, nothing but your wedding ring and navy blue heels.
T: Ooh, that sounds great. And you? You may have to keep the garter on and not a thing else. And of course you two.
It takes Leighton a few seconds to realize Tatum is talking to her chest. She laughs out loud. She knows that Tatum’s favorite body parts of Leighton’s are her chest and behind. Tatum makes sure to have contact with one or both of them every day. It turns Leighton on that even after a decade of knowing each other, Tatum is still immensely attracted to her. Leighton is just as attracted to Tatum physically as she was in college but over the years she has also grown to find Tatum’s thought process very sexy.
It swelled her heart with pride that Tatum now went with her to visibly queer events, has made an effort to be more active at the LGBTQ+ centers (the sporty kids adored her) and through her work connections, helped Ginger get a job as a diversity coordinator back in her hometown. They discussed their future plans of having children and agreed a surrogate would be the best option. Each woman’s eggs would be used for the future Turner/Murray babies. Leighton agreed to take Tatum’s last name but hyphenate it with her own. Leighton Murray-Turner. It sounds like a law firm.
As a wedding gift, Tatum bought Leighton a piece of property in Brooklyn that Leighton could turn into her very own women/LGBTQ+ center. Leighton was delighted and bought an all inclusive trip to Aruba for their honeymoon. Tatum told Leighton to surprise her when it came to their trip and Leighton had a feeling Tatum would be thrilled with her pick.
Both ladies agreed that no exes would be at the wedding as that had been a boundary they set early on in their relationship. There were slight squabbles about that as Tatum, in the past, had been friendly with many of her former girlfriends (and there are a lot of them) and didn’t see the issue until Leighton expressed uneasiness about it and Tatum, wanting Leighton to be secure in their future marriage, stood down.
L: Would you like it if I invited Alicia or Jess to our wedding?
T: Now Leighton…
L: Answer the question…
T: Jess, maybe. The other one…no!
L: Okay, then. I can’t stand any of your exes except Brandi so this wouldn’t be good.
T: I don’t want anything affecting our relationship, Leighton. I can’t lose you again.
Leighton kisses Tatum as Tatum grabs and holds her tightly.
The biggest issue going forward in the union was Leighton’s relationship, or lack thereof, with Tatum’s mother Sharon. Tatum got along famously with Leighton’s folks, often going with Henry to a golf match or two and Mimi and Tatum could talk shop about politics and the somewhat shady goings on that Mimi was involved in. Leighton and George got along really well but Leighton and Sharon? That one is a little dicey.
While lying in bed together one morning, with Tatum resting her head on Leighton’s stomach and Leighton stroking her girlfriend’s hair, they have a discussion about it.
L: Bunny, I don’t think your mother likes me.
T: What makes you say that?
L: It’s just a feeling I get.
T: Go on.
L: I don’t know. I just remember when you were in the hospital and how she reacted to everything going on. She gave me looks. Like she blamed me for what happened.
Tatum kisses Leighton’s belly and looks up at her.
T: Babe, I don’t think that’s true at all. You’re being paranoid. She feels a certain way I suppose about not being able to do all the girly things she envisioned when she had a daughter. She’s been polite but not all that thrilled with my coming out. Her attitude has been like this with many of my exes.
L: But I’m the one you’re going to marry. She will be my mother in law and one of the grandmothers to our children.
T: What do you want to do about this?
L: I’d like to talk to her…but by myself. I don’t want you there because you’ll try to fix things.
T: Excuse me for trying to get a handle on a situation before things go awry.
L: Babe, it’s a quality I love about you and it turns me on but in this situation, I need to talk to her alone. You are the most important person to me.
T: And you’re my #1 priority too. Take her to lunch somewhere, let the servers put vodka in her coffee and it’s almost like truth serum for ol Sharon. She’ll tell you what you want to know.
Leighton laughs and reaches for Tatum: Come here!
*******
Three days later, while Tatum took her nephew TJ out with her brother Trevor before her work shift, Leighton had lunch with Sharon at the The Gramercy Tavern.
Leighton ordered two Morning Glory’s, one for herself and one for Sharon.
As Sharon sat down, it was remarkable to Leighton how much Tatum resembled her mother. Like her fiancée, Sharon was tall, slender and blonde with piercing blue eyes plus a dimple on her chin. She looked quite good for her age. 59 years old, three children and a grandson later, Sharon still looked lovely.
She had a light peach blouse on with a black shawl over it as well as black slacks and black flats.
Leighton had on Tatum’s striped black shirt and dark blue pants on. The ladies sat face to face.
S: Hello, Leighton.
The tone in her voice sounded so much like Tatum’s, Leighton’s heart jumped.
L: Hello, Mrs. Turner.
S: What brings us to this get together?
L: I wanted to clear the air, if need be, between us.
S: Oh?
God, she sounds like Tatum!
L: Yes.
The waiter comes by to take their order. They give their food choices.
S: Also, I’ll take another Morning Glory.
L: Mrs. Turner, I love your daughter. She is my life.
S: I understand that.
L: Do you?
S: I’m sorry?
L: Do you understand what I’m trying to say? I love Tatum.
S: I love my daughter as well. Very much. I want her to be happy. And from what I see, you do just that so I have no complaints.
L: I just want to make sure there are no issues. We’re getting married in a month and have a surrogate picked to carry our child.
Sharon nods.
S: Leighton, I’m aware. I’m looking forward to being a grandmother once again. Obviously, I worry about how people will treat you ladies. That’s all my concern has ever been about. When Tatum first told me she was a lesbian, it’s what I feared the most. How the world would treat her or if she would be rejected. I’m so happy she has her twin brother and he has her. She has Ellie and her old teammates as well as Trevor.
L: And she has me.
S: Yes, she has you.
L: But the whole Stacey Goins situation…
S: You didn’t put the knife in that unwell girl’s hands, Leighton. Stacey was the only one who was in the wrong and karma came early for her. You know I’m a mother, nobody will ever be good enough for my children. You’ll feel the same way when you and Tatum have kids. But Tatum loves you and wants to share her life with you and I can’t do anything but respect that. You’re one of the very few girls she’s brought around me. As you know, she’s much closer to her father so he’s met all of her flames. And my husband adores you.
Leighton shyly smiles.
S: Don’t worry, I won’t be the mother in law from hell. I won’t be interfering when your baby arrives. Tatum won’t allow it. She has spoken to me before and I will respect your boundaries. But she is my daughter…
L: And she will be my wife. She’s my responsibility and I am hers. We have fought to be where we are almost a decade later and I don’t want anything getting in our way.
S: I will not be getting in the way, I can assure you.
L: I was going to come here and try to endear myself to you but you know, I am coming to the realization I don’t care what you think of me.
Sharon doesn’t flinch. Leighton can now see where Tatum gets her cool exterior from.
S: You have chutzpah, Leighton Murray, I will give you that. I like your fiery disposition. It must be from all those political rallies you attend.
L: Maybe. I’m not going to apologize for it.
S: I’m not asking you to. Just make sure you keep my daughter safe much like she kept you safe all those years ago.
There it is…it finally came out. Sharon did blame Leighton for Tatum’s hospitalization all those years ago. Never mind that Leighton was also in harm’s way during the altercation with Stacey, Tatum got the worst of it. Leighton can’t even get angry with Sharon. If Tatum was her child, she would also look for somebody to blame for her daughter being in pain.
L: Tatum is more than capable of taking care of herself but I will protect her always.
Sharon started to say something but thought better of it.
Leighton half grinned at the fact she silenced the elder Turner before something disrespectful came out of her mouth.
L: I can’t imagine what it must have felt like to almost lose your daughter those many years ago. I won’t purport like I do. But I almost lost her too, Mrs. Turner. I don’t intend on having it happen again.
Sharon nods: No you can’t imagine but soon enough you will understand. Leighton, I think we have come to an impasse. We don’t have to see eye to eye but we can respect each other. I must be going. Please let my daughter know I will be calling her later on this evening.
*******
About an hour or two later, Leighton goes to Tatum’s job to surprise her.
Tatum is in her office looking at her computer with a look of concern on her face. She looks up and grins at seeing Leighton in the doorway.
As soon as Leighton comes in, she closes all the blinds and drapes in Tatum’s office. Tatum, matching her lady love’s energy, hops on her phone and tells her secretary, Phil, that she’s taking an early lunch and does not want to be disturbed for about an hour…
85 minutes later, Tatum and Leighton are entangled in each others arms and legs on Tatum’s office sofa bed. Leighton kisses her fiancée’s forehead and cheeks as she makes her way to her lips.
Tatum: You’re going to wear me out before our honeymoon.
Leighton giggles: I’ll think you’ll be just fine.
Tatum attempts to get up but Leighton pushes her back down and climbs on top of her. Tatum doesn’t even attempt to fight her.
She wraps Leighton into an embrace as Leighton kisses the top of her forehead.
Leighton looks down at Tatum: I love you, Bunny.
Tatum, now curious: I love you too, baby. What’s going on?
L: Your mother.
T: So you saw Sharon this morning?
L: I did. She was cordial and polite but something was simmering beneath the skin. She didn’t outright say it but I think she blames me for what happened with…
Tatum puts her finger to Leighton’s swollen lips: No…don’t do this to yourself. I’ll talk to her.
Leighton: But…
T: Leighton…I will talk to her. You’ve done all you can do. Do not allow other people to dictate what or how you do things. I’ve told you this from the day I met you. Babe, she’s much too polite to say it but it kills her I’m gay. Sure she loves me because I’m her daughter and what kind of asshole would she be if she didn’t accept me? But it’s bubbling beneath the surface like a bottle of champagne that’s been shaken but never opened. It’s something I came to terms with a long time ago. It’s why me and George get along so well. He’s been there for me since pretty much the beginning.
L: She’s going to call you tonight.
T: No, I’m going to see her tonight.
Tatum’s phone rings. Tatum picks Leighton up and puts her on the office sofa bed which completely turns Leighton on.
Tatum glides over to the phone and picks it up: Yes, Phil?
Phil: Hey, Tatum. Mr. Briggs will be here for his consultation about his back in about thirty minutes. He injured it a couple of weeks ago against Patterson.
T: Oh…that’s right. I’ll be ready. Okay, bye Phil. Thanks.
She mouths to Leighton: Babe, get dressed!
Leighton rushes to the office bathroom to spruce herself up. Tatum soon follows. Tatum hops into the office shower and hops back out in less than ten minutes. She keeps a change of clothes in her office because she and Leighton have engaged in office sex more than once in the past. She puts on her bra and panties and an all navy blue jumpsuit. She pulls her blonde hair into a ponytail and reapplies lipstick but not before she gives Leighton a final kiss.
Leighton grins at how quickly Tatum gets herself together: So you really don’t need an hour to get ready?
They grin at one another.
T: Briggs, Jones, Camryn Davis, Stiefel and Megan Murphy are my clients for the rest of the day. I will see Sharon afterwards and then I’ll meet you at home? We can continue this little “meeting of the minds” there.
Leighton, who has redressed but didn’t bother to reapply her make up, nods her head in agreement.
L: I love you.
T: I love you.
They kiss goodbye as Leighton goes and re-opens the blinds and drapes in Tatum’s office.
As Leighton leaves, Phil gives her a smirk and the thumbs up gesture.
Leighton is not the least bit ashamed of what just took place. She calls Whitney.
W: Hey, Leight?
L: Are you free for coffee?
W: Yep.
L: Okay, I’ll see you in a few.
Leighton heads to the apartment she used to share with Whitney and waits for her. Five to ten minutes later, Whitney appears. Her hair is braided and pulled into a ponytail. She has on a gray New York Yankees sweatshirt and blue yoga pants on. Plain white Nikes adorn her feet.
W: Hey, Leight. Let’s walk.
L: Okay. How is everything?
W: Its going great. The job is good, my man and I are in a great place and my mother was just here.
L: How was that?
W: We didn’t strangle one another so I say it was a successful visit.
They laugh.
The ladies arrive at Radina’s Coffeehouse, order their drinks and have a seat.
W: I’m still a bridesmaid, yes?
Leighton laughs: Yes of course. Lila, Bela and Kimberly will all be flying down when it’s time.
W: And Tatum’s?
L: We had to finagle to get Taron to be a brides man (she laughs), Ellie (Tatum’s friend since early childhood), Madison and Kate will round them out.
W: I know Henry and George are walking each of you down the aisle. Mimi loves Tatum so this must be about Sharon.
L: It is. I saw her earlier today.
W: How did it go?
L: She basically said I respect you but I don’t really like you.
W: Damn. You think it’s because of all the shit that went down with you all back in the day?
L: I’m sure of it. And you know, that whole issue of me being a woman in love with her daughter…
W: What? That is still an issue?
L: Right? Like how did Mimi end up being the more progressive mom?
W: Well what would life be without hiccups and hurdles? You know Tatum is the one. In a perfect world, everyone would be accepting…
L: Yeah, Tatum is going to talk to her later on today about it. I can hear her right now.
W: Tatum honoring you is so hot.
L: It really is.
They giggle like school girls.
W: Leighton, I have to say, I’m thrilled you guys found each other again. I don’t know what the hell you were thinking playing those games with her in college.
L: Being a dumb inexperienced teenager.
W: We were all dummies back then…
L: Yeah. You know one of Tatum’s clients is Megan Murphy?
W: The soccer player?? She tore her ACL in a match against Ernest United.
L: I know.
W: Is Megan single?
L: Whit, you’re straight, remember?
W: Oh…right.
The ladies both laugh into their coffee.
*******
Later on in the evening about 8pm: Tatum arrives at her parents plush apartment in the Hamptons. North Haven to be exact. The walls are adorned with modern and antique art as well as George and Sharon’s respective accomplishments. Tatum’s tennis trophies and medals are also on display as well as Taron’s Letterman’s jacket for which he received hockey, basketball and water polo letters.
Taron also helped the US win a gold medal in water polo during his time in college. Because of disciplinary reasons due to academics and a DUI incident on campus, Taron was removed from Essex and went to Easton, a rival university. He cleaned up his act and graduated with honors, much like his twin sister.
Trevor, because he got his college girlfriend pregnant while at Essex, didn’t get the chance to earn the accolades of his twin siblings. He planned to go back when TJ was old enough to go to school. Trevor and TJ’s mother are no longer in a relationship but do get along for the good of their son.
There are many pictures of TJ that adorn the apartment. George is beside himself with his grandson and greets Tatum first as he holds TJ in his arms.
G: TJ, Zia is here.
Tatum breaks out into a grin at seeing her nephew and takes him from her father as she walks into the apartment.
George follows behind: I know why you’re here, daughter. Go easy on the old gal.
T: Pop, this is ridiculous. I’m getting married in a month and she has Leighton all out of sorts.
G: Remember, Peanut, be gentle but firm.
Sharon appears, wearing silk light pink pajamas.
S: Hello, Tatum Marie.
Tatum hands TJ back over to her dad: Hello, Mother. Can we speak privately?
S: Yes.
Tatum follows her mom into the study where Fox News is playing in the background.
T: Mother, please shut the nonsense off , at least while I’m here.
Sharon obliges her daughter’s request.
S: Would you like something to eat? Are you thirsty?
T: I’m fine, thanks.
S: Okay, you’re here to bite my head off.
T: Oh you’re not a victim, Mother. I’m
here to iron this out. I’m marrying her in a month so if you can’t get it together, then I don’t want you there. I can’t have negative energy in the same place I pledge my life to this woman.
S: Tatum…
T: No, Mom, no. You would have been pissed no matter which girl it was. You hated Jodi because she was my first, you hated Brandi I suspect because she’s half black (Sharon verbally denies that accusation), you hated Lydia, you hated Brenna, you hated Jacqueline, you could not stand Mandy, you couldn’t hide your contempt for Margot…though to be fair, neither could I. You tolerated Beth and now it’s Leighton. Hmm, what could they possibly all have in common??
Sharon shakes her head: Tatum…you almost died because of this girl. Would she have put herself in harms way for you had the situation been reversed?
T: Leighton didn’t have a psycho ex fling bothering us so I can’t answer that. I have loved Leighton since I first laid eyes on her. I have been waiting for someone like her my entire life…
S: You loved all the other ones too.
T: I loved all of them but I wasn’t in love with them. I’m in love with Leighton. I will protect her peace even if it means not having you there. But I want you there. I want you involved, I want you to get to know your future grandchildren when the time comes but not at the expense of Leighton’s peace of mind…or mine.
S: She left you over a pot.
T: We were kids back then, Mother. Her leaving me was exactly what I needed to wake up. And I hurt her too. We’ve hurt each other but that was in the past. So you have to decide what you want to do? Do you want your family…or do you want to be right? You have a month to figure it out.
Tatum gets ready to walk out.
S: Tatum!
Tatum stops and turns around.
S: I hear you, okay? I hear you. I will be there. Sharon goes to embrace a very tense Tatum who accepts the hug but barely reciprocates.
T: I’m going home to my woman.
Tatum walks out.
She goes to her dad who has TJ on his lap and kisses her nephew on the cheek.
G: How did it go?
T: We will find out in a month. I gotta go. Love you Pop.
G: Love you, Peanut.
At about 11 pm, Leighton is dressed for bed but she’s anxious because Tatum has yet to return home. Suddenly, the key turns into the doorknob and it opens. Leighton’s anxiety immediately dissipates at the sight of her girlfriend who looks exhausted.
Leighton goes over to her and embraces her.
L: Hey, look at me, Bun.
Tatum looks at her, blue eyes now wet with tears.
Leighton also begins to cry more so for Tatum’s sake. Tatum rarely shows vulnerability but when she does, it is extremely intense.
Leighton wipes her girlfriend’s face: Hey! Hey it’s okay. You’re always protecting me, let me do it for you this time, okay?
Tatum begins to cry as the couple holds each other in the middle of their apartment.
Tatum allows Leighton to undress her and put on her night clothes. Leighton brings Tatum to the bed as she lies down. Tatum puts her head on Leighton’s ample chest and sighs.
T: Leighton, I love you. I love you so much.
L: Tatum Marie, you know I love you..and I got you.
She can feel Tatum smile against her chest.
T: She’s got a month to get it together.
L: Potassium.
The couple drifts off to sleep.