Fought
“Dude” she mouths, as she taps me. I am plugged into iPod tuned out. Paula is there with an older golden retriever named Jessie. She is not with her partner, Linda. This is better as Linda is convinced, that I am a hipster, and will seduce Paula. We walk and talk, nothing serious. We stop at the gazebo, she pets Iggy, and see’s a scar, and asks, “was he fought?” in concerned tone.
I answer, “No love, that was a little pack punch-up. He says it was bar brawl; don’t believe it.”
She smiles tossing hair over her shoulder, then traces the scar on me throat with her long lacquered nail, and says “You were definitely fought.”
I take her in, streaked hair, green eyes light tan wearing a tight wife beater, and cut off 501’s both show off a slim figure. Her partner Linda has lectured me, and Not sure why, the math for anything other than friends is not working. I know about this sort of thing Linda told me, “You’re the dangerous one in a boy band.”
“You could say, that love,” I answer,
“Are you, and Iggy up for coffee?” she asks,
“Where?” I answer, thinking I have already walked several miles, and I’m probably a bit much for corporate coffee sweaty in an old T jeans, and chuck’s.
“My house some single origins sound good?” Paula said.
“Brilliant!” I answer following her. We walk to her Mac Mansion
At the door she ushers in Iggy, then me. Paula walks me to a table adjoining the kitchen. AC washing over me feels so good. She say’s ”This actual coffee, and I am lesbian woman in a committed relationship, with Linda whom you’ve met.”
“I harbour no fantasies that, this a seduction, I came here for coffee, with a friend.” I answer.
“Sugar, cream, almond milk, agave?” Paul asks.
Advanced coffee, I am impressed agave, please black and sweet.” I answer. She sets a mug in front of me, while I’m having thoughts about how guarded she is, and whether I should be here. I sip coffee thinking of a polite way to exit.
“I am sorry, don’t go” Paula says putting her hand over mine.
“How did you know?” I ask, thinking I play a mean game of poker. I’m reading her face she is not at peace.
“I know because Iggy got up and walked over to you.” She says moving her chair closer.
“I take a drink of coffee, “First this bloody good coffee, second I just got a weird vibe, ” I say.
“I know, I am all about diversity and inclusion and I got weird over being a lesbian woman, with a straight man in her home.” Paula said
“You can probably out run me. And Linda is the one who calls you a unicorn not me. I haven’t objectified you,” I say.
“Reflex I am sorry.
I am too often a “thing” not a person, Linda loves that I’m femme, but hates the attention I get, and yes she thinks you’re going to seduce me. I have been with men before, but this feels right my mother tells me grandchildren would be nice. I guess I flow between worlds too easily. Paula said
“I get it my Ex, and I lived with “our” girlfriend.
Let’s start over? “She asks in a soft tone.
“We fancy you’re worth it. We have one request,” I answer scratching Iggy’s ears.
“What Paula asks hand on her hips
“Music anything, but country.” I answer.
“Melissa Etheridge?” She challenges.
“She plays like a 70’s rocker, but isn’t that stereotypical?”
Paula gives me a punch on the arm, and sits next to me laughing.
“You were born like…” She asks stammering.
“No I was shot a few time’s, you’re not born this pretty.” I answer helping her out, as she was obviously unsure what to say, or if she could say.
“I didn’t mean anything. “ She says
“I know, besides I have reflective objects, I know.” I answer. I understand it takes a little time to get used to the demonic spectre that is I.
“I am not put off by I, that's why I asked you over. You have a past, and I am guessing stories.” She says refilling my mug.
I pull my phone out, and say, “Here’s what I looked like when I was human.”
“That guy does look like he was in a boy band, and things came too easy for him. “ Paula says laughing.
She continues, I don’t love men, or women, I love souls “
“ Pity, I actually lost mine, Brussels I thought I could make a hard, but came up snake eyes. I have Satan’s blessing.” I tell her.
No, I can see it, because, without those scars would be fatal. Those aren’t little scars they’re large, angry. It takes soul to overcome. ” Paula said
“Yeah, like I said I was fought”. I answer not trying to figure her out this out. I am just accepting the woman, who loves souls as she is.
“Come as you are” comes on I say my thoughts precisely, Nirvana a a good choice for this conversation “ I stand give her a small kiss. She returns it and presses against me.
“Friends?’ Paula asks it sounds like a plea
“Friends’” I answer confidently. The man who was fought, and the woman, who is an object of desire. There just maybe something extraordinary, something odd here, but I like it
