Sweet Carolina Girls Part 4

"I'll wait out here on the deck, while you dress."

Lauren crossed to the doors leading out to the deck. She closed the door behind her, but Harper had no curtains, so she was still exposed. She saw that Lauren was looking away, so she dropped her towel, dried off and started dressing. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, and then she saw Lauren's reflection looking at her, as she dressed. Harper continued, as if she hadn't seen Lauren looking. When she was finished she stepped up to the dresser to brush her hair. Lauren was still looking. Harper looked back. Lauren appeared, as if in another world, in the mirror. They held each other's gaze until Harper finished brushing her hair.

Harper broke away from the mirror, grabbed a gray fleece pullover out of the closet, and then went out on the deck with Lauren.

"It's quite a view you have up here," Lauren said.

Harper could see that Lauren was blushing. Laurens neck was streaked with red and her cheeks were flushed. Harper's s.e.x organs took over her brain again.

"I'm so glad you approve. Maybe later we can come up and look some more."

Lauren looked off into to the darkness before answering, "Maybe we will."

They stood there quietly listening to the night sounds. After a few minutes, Harper suggested they go downstairs and start to work. They chatted like friends do, as they set up the bar in the kitchen for condiments, paper plates, cups and utensils. Harper opened the gate on the side of the house so she could drive around and unload the coolers. She and Lauren had a time with the heavy coolers, but managed to get them up on the deck. By the time they finished other people started to arrive.

Shelby came in with Abby and Sandy. Lauren helped everyone put the things they brought out on the bar. Harper busied herself with the grill. She started the first steaks and grabbed a beer. By the time all the cooking and eating was done, Harper was into her second six-pack. She could drink with the best of them. She never pa.s.sed out and she rarely lost control. She would eventually just stop and switch to Dr. Pepper or water usually. This didn't feel like usually. Harper was tying one on.

There were little groups of people everywhere. Harper visited with as many as she could between cooking. She loosened up under the influence and even danced with Chita to a Marc Anthony song. Jasper made friends with everybody and got fed a lot of treats. Dee introduced her girlfriend, for the evening. She was a cheap looking blonde-haired woman, who looked three sheets in the wind.

The beer was sliding down easy. Occasionally, Harper would catch Lauren looking at her, but she did her best not to be near her. She sat down with Abby, Sandy, Julie, Billie Jean and her husband John. They talked about the house and moving to Chapman's Mill. When Shelby and Lauren joined them, she excused herself to grab another beer.

Abby walked over to Harper as she was leaning into the cooler.

"Harper, have you eaten?"

"No, I think I forgot to," Harper said, weaving a little.

"Come on; let's get some food in you." Abby led Harper to the bar in the kitchen, where she made her a plate and forced her to eat it.

It didn't take much force. Harper realized how hungry she was, after the first bite. She ate like a prisoner, fresh off bread and water. When she was finished eating, Abby asked Harper to take a walk with her. They walked out on the deck and down the steps to the yard. Jasper close at hand, the two women walked into the shadows, just beyond the yard lights.

Abby listened as Harper talked about putting up more lights and volleyball net. After a few minutes Abby started to speak.

"Harper, I like you. I think you're agood people.' I hope you stick around."

"I think you are all good people, too. I hope we'll be great friends."

Abby said, nonchalantly, "Well, you've certainly won over Shelby and Lauren. They think you're fabulous."

Harper felt the conversation turning. "I like them too, they've been very helpful."

"They are a beautiful couple. They have been a model of what most people wish they had," Abby stopped and turned to Harper. "Honey, I am a very observant person. I'm going to be honest. I can see you are caught up in something here. I don't know what's going on with Shelby and Lauren, but I see the way Lauren looks at you. I'm telling you don't get involved. Something's been up between those two for a while. It's going to be ugly; you don't want to be in the middle when this s.h.i.t blows up."

Harper didn't know why but she instantly trusted this woman. It could have been the beer. She desperately needed to talk to someone, so she said the first thing that came to mind, "G.o.d d.a.m.n, she's beautiful isn't she?"

"Yes, she is. They both are," Abby said, patting Harper on the back.

"I don't want to get in the middle of anything, but you see the way she looks at me. I look at her, too," Harper giggled.

Abby pulled Harper's head up and looked her straight in the eyes, "I'm going to talk to Lauren, but you have to be strong. Let them work this out. It will be better in the end. You know I'm right."

Harper stopped walking and looked at Abby, the beer having taken full effect, she slurred out, "I remembered what you said Abby, I looked, but I didn't touch."

Harper leaned heavily on Abby all the way back to the deck. Abby changed the conversation to this afternoon's practice. This animated Harper and distracted her, at the same time. Most of the people had gone home by the time they returned from their walk. Lauren met them at the steps and helped Abby get Harper upstairs to her bed. Abby took off her shoes, while Lauren worked the fleece over Harper's head.

Harper peaked out of the top of the fleece and giggled, "Are you trying to get me naked?"

Lauren laughed, "Just lay down Casanova. Get some sleep. I'll lock up."

Harper was already asleep when Abby pulled the covers over her.

Chapter Six.

The next morning Harper awoke to a terrific headache and her phone ringing on the bedside table. She grabbed the phone and managed a scratchy "h.e.l.lo."

It was the delivery guys, and they were on their way. Harper confirmed the delivery address and hung up the phone. It was eight o'clock; they would be here in thirty minutes. She grabbed both sides of her head and tried to clear the fog. After a few minutes, with no luck, she climbed out of bed and headed for the bathroom. Jasper followed.

"Me first," she said to him through the open door.

Once Harper was sure she could make it down the stairs, she held onto the walls and descended to the first floor. She was surprised to see that the place was spotless. She let Jasper out and went to the refrigerator. First, she downed a whole Dr. Pepper, in what felt like one gulp. She threw the empty bottle in the trash and grabbed a bottle of water. She went to the cabinet over the sink to get some Ibuprofen. That's when she saw the note on the bar. It read: "Hope you feel okay in the morning. We stayed and put everything away. Thank you for having us over. Call us, if you need anything. Shelby and Lauren."

Harper read the note twice, then swallowed the Ibuprofen and downed the water bottle. She left the back door open and went upstairs for a shower. The shower helped immensely. Freshly dressed, she went back downstairs. Looking in the fridge, she found a steak and a potato wrapped on a plate. She took the plate out and threw it in the microwave. It wasn't exactly breakfast food, but she needed something on her stomach. She would have to go running this afternoon to get the alcohol out of her system. She ate a few bites of potato and steak, then covered the dish and put it back in the refrigerator.

The delivery guys were right on schedule. They set up the entertainment system and hooked up all her electronics. Jasper made a home on the couch, as soon as it was put in place. They cleaned up all their mess and carted off all the packaging. Harper was pleased enough to give both men a pretty big tip. She called the furniture store to check on the other deliveries. The little man said, he thought they could have it all to her by Thursday morning, Friday at the latest. Harper told him to call when he had it all ready for one delivery.

Next she called the cable company and finally spoke with a supervisor that promised to have a technician at her house between three and seven p.m. tonight. Okay, she would soon be able to watch the news and sports. Things were looking good. She threw in her favorite Feist CD, plopped down on the couch and read the paper, she brought in from outside. She hadn't ordered a paper. It was just there every morning. She figured some kid would come to collect sooner or later.

Her cell phone rang. She absentmindedly picked it up off the floor and answered it without looking to see who it was.

"h.e.l.lo."

"Well, good morning sunshine," Lauren's voice rang through the phone.

Harper was glad to hear Lauren's voice. "Good morning to you. Hey, thank you guys for staying and cleaning up. I guess I had a little too much beer and not enough food."

"It happens to all of us from time to time. Don't sweat it. I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

"Oh, I'm okay. I'm young we snap back faster," Harper teased Lauren.

"I'm only five years older than you, and I tell you recovery time is definitely proportional to age. I used to party till dawn and go to work later the same day. Now I would need a two-day recovery period."

"Don't crawl in the grave yet, Lauren. I bet you've still got quite a bit of party left in you."

"Oh, you do, do ya'? You think I still have a few wild oats to sew?" Lauren said, apparently enjoying the flirting.

"Let me ask you this," Harper continued, "Have you ever stood on a table and sung at the top of your lungs to some Motown tune with your buddies? You aren't allowed to pa.s.s into adulthood until you've done that. At least that's what my momma told me."

"You mother was a wise woman. What else did she tell you? Did she mention anything about playing with fire?"

"She said, I was the kind of kid that just had to get burned before I believed," Harper tried to keep her tone light, wondering where Lauren was taking this conversation.

"Just a minute, Shelby's just walked in."

Harper heard Lauren tell her who she was talking to. Harper heard Shelby in the background.

"Shelby says thank you for a lovely evening and she hopes you feel okay."

"Tell her thank you for cleaning up and I apologize for pa.s.sing out like that."

"I'm telling you we have all done that. What are friends for, if not to put you to bed, when you've had a few too many?"

"Well, thanks anyway, I owe you guys one."

After a brief pause, Lauren said, "What are you doing today?"

"Well, right now Jasper and I are lying on our new couch, reading the paper."

"I forgot that was this morning. They've already been there?"

"Yep, the entertainment center is set up and this couch is really comfortable. The rest will be here on Thursday or Friday."

"I was wondering if you would like to go with me, to my studio. I just rented the s.p.a.ce and I'm moving a few things in today." Lauren sounded hopeful.

Harper said, "Yes, I would love to...s.h.i.t, I can't. The cable company is coming out sometime between three and seven and the delivery of my grandmother's furniture is scheduled this afternoon."

Lauren didn't give in, she asked, "Are you dressed?"

"No, I just let two men into my house while I paraded around naked on the deck, doing my morning Thai Chi."

Lauren laughed, "I bet you got great service."

Harper replied in her best smoky voice, "Oh, yes the service was divine."

They both laughed then Lauren said, "Okay, you know what I mean. Are you ready to go out now? I can have you back by three so you can meet the cable guy or you might get lucky and get that hot chick that comes out to work on our cable."

"Wow, a hot cable chick. It sounds like a p.o.r.n movie." Harper was giggling.

"Well, you never know." Lauren added, "Are you coming or not?"

Harper sat up on the couch. Of course she would go. She really had no choice anymore. She really wanted to be with Lauren. "Yes, come get me, I'm ready."

Harper hung up and darted up the stairs. Suddenly her hangover faded to the background. She brushed her hair and decided to wear the Tar Heel hat she had purchased on Sat.u.r.day. She had on her most comfortable pair of jeans with the worn knees and b.u.t.t, with holes near the front pockets. She decided if they were just going to Lauren's studio, she'd keep them on. She never wore a bra unless she had to.

She almost always wore a mock turtleneck, because she loved the way they felt. She bought the kinds that were almost thick tee shirt material; they had to be one hundred percent cotton. She grabbed the old white favorite that was worn and stained, but she loved it just the same. Harper put on her favorite L.L. Bean hoodie with the fleece lining and cotton blue outer sh.e.l.l. She stopped to put on lotion and some aPlay' perfume. She was dressed and comfortable and feeling kind of giddy.

She locked all the doors and windows, a ritual any single woman should go through every time she leaves. She fed Jasper and gave him fresh water. Harper went into the hall closet and pulled out a worn quilt.

"Here's your blanket big boy." She placed the quilt on the couch with a chew toy. Jasper was on it, in a flash. He loved his blanket.

Once Jasper was settled and she was sure everything was secure, she went out the backdoor, locking it behind her. She checked the chimineas for left over fire and everything looked okay. All the trash from last night was bagged and sitting by the steps. The Hummer had been left in the back yard after the coolers were removed. She hopped in and returned it to the garage bay. She was just stepping out of the garage, as the roll down door closed, when Lauren turned into her driveway. Harper waved and put on the sungla.s.ses she had retrieved from the Hummer. The gla.s.ses helped with the headache that ebbed and waned.

Lauren was in the Tahoe again, but this time it was loaded down with artist's stuff. That's how Harper would have described it. There were paintings in various states of the creative process. There was a large paint stained easel, and boxes of paint and rags, just artist's stuff. Harper jumped in, smiling back at the grinning Lauren.

"The last time I saw you, you asked me if I was trying to get you naked," Lauren said, when Harper shut the door.

Harper put on her best Southern Belle accent, "I apologize if my behavior was less than lady like, but as my mother always said, aNo, I don't remember what I said and it's rude of you to remind me."

Lauren responded, a.s.suming the Belle that came so naturally, "Why, I do declare, Harper Lynch. I believe your mother was a very clever woman. I apologize for my rudeness. Will you forgive me?"

"Alright, I'll forgive you this time, but only if you'll find me the very best cup of coffee in this town. I need a bit of a pick me up this morning." Harper was serious about needing the pick me up.

"Your wish is my command," Lauren said as she headed the Tahoe toward Kerrville. "You know you are quiet dramatic. You should have been in theatre."

"My mother was the theatrical one in the family. I guess a little of it rubbed off on me," Harper replied. "She had a degree in theatre, but you can imagine in a town like Antlers, population about twenty four hundred, there wasn't a lot of theatre. She organized a community theatre group and church plays. Of course I was drug around to rehearsals and had to be in quite a few actual performances, but it really wasn't my thing."

"Oh, that sounds like so much fun. Your mother must have been wonderful." Lauren paused then added softly, "I know you miss her."

Harper looked out the window, "Yeah, everyday."

They rode quietly for the few more miles to the coffee shop. Harper got her coffee and a bottle of water. She had to rehydrate and the caffeine was not going to help. Lauren ordered coffee, too and when the order was done they got back in the SUV.

Lauren spoke first, "I'm sorry I brought up you missing your mother."

Harper looked at Lauren, "No, I'm glad you brought it up. I have avoided talking about my parents for so long. It's good to talk. I need to talk about them. If I don't, I'm afraid I will forget them."

A single tear slid down Harper's face. Lauren reached out and wiped it away. "You can talk to me, I'll listen."

She looked Lauren in the eye, holding her gaze. "Thank you," was all she could manage to say.

The moment pa.s.sed and the two headed for Lauren's new studio. She talked excitedly about the new s.p.a.ce. She had finally convinced Shelby, that the extra bedroom was not an art studio. It was small and cramped. She wanted s.p.a.ce, so she started looking for a loft or a warehouse. A s.p.a.ce opened up in January in one of her uncle's old warehouses in Durham. She s.n.a.t.c.hed it up. She was excited about the bay door she could drive right into and the four thousand square feet of s.p.a.ce.

"It's only a twenty five minute drive and I use that time to wind down and focus before I get to the studio. On the way home it gives me time to refocus on Shelby, so I'm not distracted. When the art was in the house, I would become so involved in the piece; I wouldn't even hear her when she spoke to me."

"I'm like that with a project. If I'm in the room with the research or drawings, I have to be working on it." Harper added, "I get in that zone and I don't want to be disturbed. That's why I try to leave work at work. You have to have time for other things or you become so one dimensional."

"I still have a little easel at home and a few paints. It helps me get through the long nights when I am alone, while Shelby works at the lab. Now, I have a place to go, so I don't sit home. I'll still be alone, but it feels different. I'm in my own s.p.a.ce, so it's not so lonely. Do you know what I mean?"

"I think so," was all Harper could say, but she didn't sound convincing.

Lauren explained, "It's like at the house it should be Shelby and me. That is our s.p.a.ce together. When one of us is missing it doesn't feel right. The studio, it's my s.p.a.ce. Shelby isn't an integral part of what makes it feel like mine. I belong there. It just doesn't feel so lonely without her."