“N-nothing, I’m sorry. I’ll see you tomorrow, Ronnie.” Rose turned her head away but not before Ronnie saw a tear roll free. A second later the bed shifted as she added her weight. Long fingers cupped Rose’s chin, forcing her to turn and meet the concerned gaze.
“What’s wrong?” Without thinking, her thumb began stroking the soft skin beneath it. “Tell me, Rose.”
“Are you still happy having me here? I know it’s been an inconvenience and…” She was stopped by Ronnie’s finger on her lips.
“You listen to me. You are not an inconvenience to me. And yes, I’m still happy with you here. What brought this on?” She could have kicked herself as she immediately realized the answer to her own question. “I just thought you’d be more comfortable without me in your bed. It’s not that I don’t want you here, I swear.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“I guess I’m just being silly. Getting all upset just because you want to sleep in your own bed.” Rose wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “I can just imagine what your family would say if they found out you were sleeping with me. They’d probably think I was turning you into a lesbian or something. We can’t have that, now can we?”
Ronnie let out a deep breath and shook her head. “No, we can’t have that.” She stood up and gathered her pillows.I’ll see you tomorrow, Rose.”
“Would you leave the door open so Tabitha can get in, please?”
“Sure. Good night, Hon.”
“Night, Ronnie. Pleasant dreams.”
“You too.” She shut the light off and left the room, a heavy blanket of loneliness settling over her.
Opening the door to her room, Ronnie was struck by just how foreign it seemed to her to sleep without Rose. The silk blouse and skirt landed in a pile on the foot of the bed, followed quickly by her bra and pantyhose. She pulled the blanket back and sat down on the cool sheets. Seconds ticked by as loneliness gave way to anger. Anger that grew until sleep was no longer an option. A few minutes later her sweats were on and she was heading for the basement to work out some aggression.
Over and over the punching bag took the fury and rage of a woman torn between what she needed and wanted and what was expected of her. “Damn it! Why can’t they understand?” Ronnie cried out to the empty gym. “I’m not hurting anyone!” Her gloved fists struck the bag over and over.. “Why is it so wrong? Why?” Her only answer was the creaking of the punching bag on its hinge as her blows caused it to sway.
On the floor above, Rose lay in the dark, listening to the muffled sounds coming from the basement.She hugged the pillow tightly against herself, wishing it were her friend she was holding. Suddenly the sounds from below stopped, followed a few minutes later by the sound of the basement door opening. “Ronnie?” she called out.
“You okay?” The tall figure appeared in the doorway, her silhouette invisible against the darkness of the night.
“I um…I…would you mind spending one more night with me?”
“Is everything all right?” Ronnie crossed the room and put her knee on the edge of the bed.
“I just…I had a bad dream and can’t get back to sleep,” she fibbed. There was silence for a moment before Rose felt the blanket being pulled back and the soft warmth of Ronnie’s body nestling up against hers.
“Better?” the throaty voice asked.
“Mmm,” Rose snuggled closer, resting the back of her head against the soft crook of the offered shoulder. “You comfortable?”
“Very,” came the sleepy murmur. “Night, Rose.”
“Night, Ronnie.” She closed her eyes and smiled as the older woman’s breathing became deep and even. “Everything will be fine. Rest well,” she whispered before allowing sleep to claim her as well.
“Miss Cartwright, may I speak with you for a minute?” Laura asked, poking her head around the door.
“Sure, come in.” Ronnie set her pen down and looked up, noting the smile on the young secretary’s face.
“I wanted to tell you the good news myself before everyone in the office hears it.”
“You’re pregnant,” the executive guessed. The young woman nodded happily. “Congratulations. I know you and Mike were trying. How far along?”
“Thanks, I’m three months now. I have a feeling Mike’s made himself that quarterback he always wanted. I’m certainly gaining enough weight.” She looked at the couch, then at her employer.
“Please, take a seat. So you’re going to be going out on maternity leave just in time for summer.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Mike doesn’t want me to work once the baby’s born. He just got a promotion and he thinks we can make it on one income.”
“So you’re going to resign when it gets close to the time?”
“Actually…Mike doesn’t want me to wait that long. He doesn’t want me to have any undue stress.” Laura rubbed her belly absently. “I’m going to leave just before my third trimester starts.”
Ronnie did the quick math and realized that only gave her three months to find a new secretary. The idea of wading through the endless resumes and interviews threatened to give her a headache. “Well…I appreciate you’re staying on for a while. It would be nice to have a smooth transition between you and your replacement.”
“I’ll put a notice in the paper and notify the employment agencies,” Laura offered. “I’ll make sure to be clear on your requirements.” She stood up. “Well, I’d better get out there. I’ll bet the phone is ringing off the hook and besides it’s almost two.”
“Is it?” Ronnie looked at her watch, startled by the amount of time that had gone by. “Okay, Laura. Have a draft of the ad prepared for me by morning, will you? I’d like to get someone in here and settled before you leave.”
Once alone, the executive picked up the phone and dialed the familiar number. Two rings later the sweetest voice she’d ever heard answered. “Cartwright Residence.”
“Why do you always answer the phone like that? You know it’s me,” she teased.
“Just habit, I guess,” Rose answered. “How’s it going?”
“Actually today is flying. I might come home early. What’s for dinner?” She leaned back, kicking her shoes off and sticking her feet up on the edge of her desk.
“I’m not sure. She usually doesn’t start dinner until around four or so.”
“Why don’t you tell her not to bother tonight? I’ll pick up some Chinese for us.”
“Oh, that sounds nice.”