Two days later, Julie decided to give Jill a call.
“Actually, I was going to call you in a little while,” Jill told her, “to see if you wanted to head down to the beach with me.”
“That’d be fun. I liked your ‘behave’ message, by the way.”
“I thought you didn’t know Italian.”
“I don’t. I looked it up online.”
“Oh, I see,” Jill said with a laugh.
Not long afterward, the two were on their way to the nearby beach. It was agreed that afterward, Julie would spend the night at Jill’s place. In the morning, Jill would drop Julie off at the training center before heading for the clinic.
Jill wore white shorts and a mint green shirt with spaghetti straps. Her endlessly long legs were dynamite.
“No bathing suit?” asked Julie, who wore a long beach shirt over a bright tie-dye bikini.
“No, I don’t really care to swim. I just like to get some color and the fresh salty air. When I swim, I usually use my mom’s pool. She has one at her house.”
“Lucky her.”
Jill smiled as she made the turns through the crowded beach area. The streets were flanked by stores selling swimwear and other beach-related items.
Julie admired Jill’s long fingers as they maneuvered the wheel. How easy it was to imagine them roaming her body.
“I heard April ask if you were a lesbian,” Julie admitted.
“Is that her name?”
Julie nodded. “I was surprised the psycho asked because you don’t exactly look the part.”
“Yes, I do,” said Jill.
“Think so?”
Jill nodded.
“You don’t seem nearly as masculine as your friend,” Julie pointed out.
“No, but I’m also not nearly as feminine as you,” said Jill as she parked the SUV.
“That’s true. And your family’s ok with it?”
“Uh-huh,” said Jill. “Besides, they don’t have much of a choice.”
On the beach, Jill spread out a blanket as Julie buried the corners to keep it secure from the wind.
“I’m surprised it’s not more crowded than it is for being a Sunday,” Jill said as she plopped herself down and peeled open a soda. She handed it to Julie.
“Thanks,” said Julie as she took a sip before gouging out a cup holder in the sand. “I brought us some treats. They’re in the bag if you want any.”
“Ok,” said Jill as she opened her own soda can.
Julie sat next to Jill and admired the length of her from head to toe.
“You look nice,” she said.
“Thank you.”
After a few minutes of gazing at the people and the vast ocean, Julie shifted onto her knees and peeled off her beach shirt.
Jill’s eyes nearly bulged from their sockets.
“My suit look ok?” asked Julie, who was unsure of what to make of Jill’s expression.
“Oh yeah,” Jill said in a matter-of-fact tone. “So’s the body that’s wearing it.”
Julie laughed with delight, flattered by the compliment.
“Be back in a minute,” said Julie before she ran towards the shore. The water was relatively calm. Aware of Jill’s eyes on her, she took a quick dip to cool off, wringing out her long braid as she walked back to the blanket.
“How is it?” asked Jill.
“Cold, but refreshing.”
“You really do have beautiful hair and eyes,” said Jill as the two lay on their tummies facing each other.
“Thanks, but I’d rather have straight hair like yours.”
“It’s boring.”
“No, it’s not.”
Jill chuckled.
“So what made you decide to become a nurse?” asked Julie.
“It was a toss-up between that and being a cop,” said Jill, “and I guess nursing appealed to me more.”
“We can still play pretend.”
“Huh?” asked Jill in confusion.
“When we get to your place, we can pretend I did a no-no and that you’re a cop. Then you can arrest me and have your way with me if you catch my drift,” Julie said suggestively, “though I don’t know that I’d consider that much of a punishment.”
Jill smiled. “It’s still too soon.”
“You really are old-fashioned.”
“Well, I need to have feelings for the person and to know they’re going to stick around after the fun.”
“There’s only one way to find out,” Julie told Jill, then dropped the subject so as not to sound pushy.
After lying on the beach for a few hours, chatting on and off about trivial things, the two decided to leave.
“Mind if I stop at my mom’s place first?” asked Jill. “I want to see how her doctor’s appointment went.”
“No, not at all. Can I ask what it was for?”
“She’s got arthritis, and they may have to operate.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. You said you didn’t really like your stepdad. Why is that?”
“He’s just an arrogant bastard, not to mention a bigot.”
“Is he abusive?”
“Oh, no, nothing like that, fortunately for his sake. He’s just a jerk. I never knew what my mother saw in him.”
“What do they do?”
“My mother works for an attorney, and Jake’s a carpenter.”
“Where’s your real dad?”
“He died in a boating accident when I was just sixteen.”
“That must’ve been rough.”
“It was. Could you do me a favor?”
“Sure.”
“A lot of people are spooked out by the idea of psychics.”
“Like you?”
Jill ignored Julie and continued. “So you might not want to mention it, ok?”
“You got it.”
In no time at all, they pulled up to the house. It was in the middle of a street lined with two-story houses in neat rows on each side. The houses and yards were of average size, and most had four bedrooms like Jill’s mother’s house did.
“Did you grow up here?” asked Julie.
“Yup. Born and raised here.”
There was one car in the driveway and two on the street.
“Looks like my sisters are here.”
After parking behind one of the two cars, they headed for the front door, which was open.
“Hello,” Jill called through the screen door before opening it.
A middle-aged woman who Julie automatically took to be Jill’s mom appeared from another room.
“Hi,” she said in a cheery voice.
As Julie’s eyes adjusted to the darker interior of the house, she could see the resemblance between mother and daughter. Her mom had the same dark, distinct features. She wore her hair longer, however, which was pulled back in a ponytail.
“Hi, Ma. We just came from the beach.”
“Oh, and who is this little cutie with all the long hair?”
“This is Julie,” said Jill, turning to glance at me.
“Hello, Mrs. Marcelli,” said Julie.
“Morelli,” corrected Jill with a chuckle.
Her mom chuckled, too. “Valerie will do just fine.” She looked back at Jill. “She’s so cute.”
“Yeah, she is,” said Jill with a smile.
“Where’d you meet?”
“At the clinic almost a week ago.”
“Oh. And you were at the beach?”
Jill nodded. “I just thought I’d stop by and see how things went at the doctor’s.”
“He doesn’t think it’s necessary to operate at this point,” said Valerie.
“That’s good.”
Just then, a toddler came running toward them.
“Timmy!” exclaimed Jill as she swooped the little boy up into her arms.
“Is that Auntie Jill?” Julie heard a woman say right before she appeared, carrying a year-old baby.
“Oh, here comes little Emily, too!” Jill said happily. She set Timmy down to hold the baby for a minute before returning her to her mother.
Julie was then introduced to both Holly and Alexis before they returned to the kitchen. Both were about the same size, yet about four inches shorter than their older sister.
Then Julie met Jake.
“Oh, no, not another one. This is the third one since you left this damn house nearly a decade ago,” he said as he stepped into view.
He was of average height, sporting a well-fed potbelly.
“Jake, behave,” ordered Jill.
“Yeah, Jake, you better shut your trap if you want a decent meal tonight,” threatened Valerie.
“Three girlfriends in a decade doesn’t make anyone a slut,” added Julie, shocking Jill and amusing Valerie.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. I’m going out for some car parts,” he said as Valerie laughed.
“Good riddance,” Jill said as Jake brushed past her and left the house, ignoring her comment.
“He’s not usually that bad,” said Valerie as Jill rolled her eyes.
Holly and Alexis appeared once again.
“It was nice to meet you, Julie,” said Alexis.
“Thanks, you too,” said Julie.
“Paul get that job he wanted?” Jill asked Holly.
“He did. Mind if I get you alone for a minute?” Holly asked Jill.
“Sure,” said Jill.
The two of them entered the kitchen.
“Girl talk, I guess,” explained Valerie, as she and Alexis began to ask Julie where she was from, how she liked living in California, things one would normally ask someone they just met.
“Is she really your girlfriend?” Julie heard Holly ask Jill over their chatter.
“Yes and no,” Jill replied.
“Not sure, huh?”
“Well, let’s just say I’ve never met anyone quite like her.”
“She’s so funny!” Holly said, trying not to laugh.
“Yeah, she’s a funny one.”
“I can’t believe she said that to Jake.”
“Neither can I. Then again, I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me. She’s a nut with a big mouth, after all.”
“You should keep her,” Holly urged.
“I don’t know about that one.”
“Really, you should.”
“We’ll see.”
“And so I told her she should see that movie. It was just so good,” Alexis was saying as Jill and Holly emerged from the kitchen to join the others, still gathered in the entryway.
Julie, Jill, and Valerie headed into the living room once the others had left. It was a spacious room that ran the length of one-half of the house. There were many plants of various kinds scattered about.
“So what’s been going on besides Jake and doctors?” asked Jill, who sat next to Julie on a plush, abstract-designed couch as Valerie took the matching chair across from it.
“Just computer problems. Printer won’t start.”
“Oh,” said Jill, turning to Julie. “Think you could help her?”
“You know about computers, sweetie?” asked her mom.
“A little,” said Julie.
“Well, then, come right on upstairs with me and help this old fool figure it out, will you?”
“I can try.”
“I’m going to grab a soda first,” said Jill. “Either of you want one?”
Valerie and Julie declined and headed upstairs. The upstairs was simple with four bedrooms and a bathroom. Valerie led Julie into the back room at the top of the stairs. “This used to be Jill’s room,” she pointed out.
Julie looked around the room. If ever it had been a bedroom, it failed to show. Nothing was in the room now other than the computer and printer, as well as some boxes and books that lined a few shelves on one wall.
Julie began to inspect the printer just as Jill entered the room. She was so tall she nearly filled the doorway. Right away, Julie could see that the printer cable was not properly secured. “This should be easy enough,” she said. “It just needs tightening.”
Julie tightened it up as best she could. “Try it now,” she said, standing up straight.
It worked.
“Why, thank you ever so much,” said Valerie.
Jill looked pleased.
“Now if only I could download these pictures that have copyright protections on them,” said Valerie.
“What pictures?” asked Jill.
“The ones from this wallpaper site I like that want you to pay a ridiculous price for a CD of the pictures they’ve got.”
“Just hack in,” said Julie, earning a prompt look of reprimand from Jill.
“Hack in?” asked Valerie.
“Mom,” Jill uttered in protest.
“Hush,” said Valerie, “I want to hear this.”
Julie looked at Jill, shrugged, then quickly explained how to do it.
“She won’t get in trouble,” Julie assured Jill, who flashed her a quick, sarcastic smile as if to say, Gee, that’s nice.
Valerie did as Julie said and found that it truly did work indeed. Then she turned to face Jill. “You know, I think I’m really going to like this one.”
Jill’s mother urged Jill and Julie to stay for a spaghetti dinner, and so they did.
“This is wonderful,” said Julie. “Is pasta all you ever eat?”
“No,” said Valerie.
“Why would pasta be all we ever ate?” asked Jake, who had returned in time for dinner.
“Because you’re Italian.”
Julie’s answer triggered a wide variety of responses: a snort of indifference from Jake, a little bubble of laughter from Valerie, and major irritation from Jill.
“That’s getting a bit stereotypical, don’t you think?” Jill asked.
“I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean it to come out that way.”
“It’s ok, honey,” assured Valerie.
Julie and Jake remained silent as Jill and her mother spoke of work and coworkers.
“We’ve got mice in the shed,” Valerie announced at one point. “I do not feel like battling the traffic with a trip to the hardware store for traps.”
“Is the pet store closer?” asked Julie.
“Perhaps, but why would I go there?” asked Valerie.
Jill looked almost afraid to hear the answer.
“Just pick up a couple of rats,” Julie said. “They’ll take care of your mice in no time.”
Valerie burst out laughing. Even Jill couldn’t hide her amusement, though she tried.
Jake acted as if he hadn’t heard a word.
During dessert, which consisted of a delicious chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream, Valerie revealed that she was angry with the neighbors in back, a few yards down, for blaring music late at night.
“They’re coming and going at all hours of the night. Someone called the cops once, but it didn’t do any good. As soon as they left, they were right back at it with the music. Anybody got any suggestions?”
“Yes,” said Julie.
“What’s that?” asked Valerie.
“Mother,” Jill protested.
“It’s ok. I want to hear what she has to say.”
Despite Jill’s look of warning, Julie opted to settle her mother’s curiosity. “Well,” she began, “you could go out to the remote parts of the desert and trap a rattlesnake to put in their backyard if it’s walled off like yours is.”
“And take a chance of someone getting killed by it? I don’t think so,” Jill said, clearly disapproving of the idea.
“That’s true,” said Julie. “Gotta improvise on that one.”
“How about just forgetting something so ridiculous?” Jill shot back.
“My, my, my,” said Valerie. “You two are clashing today, aren’t you?”
“It’s nothing new, Mom. In fact, we’ve done enough clashing that I think it’s time to get you home,” Jill said, directing her attention to Julie.
Julie stilled, unsure of what to say.
“Don’t worry,” said Valerie in a hushed, yet still audible, tone of voice, “she’s probably just got a bad case of PMS.”
“Mom!” cried Jill, who was now on her feet putting dishes in the sink. “You’re just as bad.”
“I’m going out to mow before it gets dark,” said Jake, rising to his feet.
No one responded to him. Instead, Jill turned to Julie. “Let’s go.”
“Jill, give the poor girl a break and go easy on her.”
“I’m just going to bring her home, Mom. I’ll call you later.”
“Alright,” Valerie said reluctantly, “though I really think you’re making a big deal out of nothing.”
“I’m entitled at times,” said Jill as Julie followed her out to the SUV.
Julie’s heart began to race with anxiety. Once in the SUV, she began to apologize. “I’m sorry. Really, I am. I didn’t mean to offend or embarrass anyone, Jill, I swear.”
“It isn’t that you’re a bad person, it’s just that I can’t deal with people like you. I’m not used to it.”
“People like me? What’s that supposed to mean?” Julie asked, now becoming irritated.
“We just can’t be together,” Jill said.
“We never were together in the first place, Jill. We’ve only gotten together a few times, and all you’ve ever given me was one quick, half-assed kiss on the cheek.”
“Gee, what a cheap bitch I am,” Jill said with mock sarcasm.
“Hey, if you want to go out and find a so-called normal chick, fine. Go ahead. Go get someone as boring as yourself,” said Julie.
Jill kept her eyes on the road, and neither she nor Julie spoke until the SUV pulled in front of Julie’s building a few minutes later.
“You know, you taught me something in the short time we’ve known each other,” said Julie as the SUV came to a complete stop.
“And what would that be?”
Julie looked Jill square in the eye. “That Italians can be assholes.”
“So are you,” Jill retorted as Julie slammed the SUV’s door shut.
Jill sped off immediately afterward.
So, we’re done, thought Julie as she trudged towards the door with the overnight bag she had packed for no reason. Done before we could even begin.
ns216.73.217.39da2
and then Add to home screen.