Gerri Hill - The Rainbow Cedar

"Lunch. Okay, sure." Jay glanced at her watch. It wasn't even ten o'clock. But she dutifully followed Katherine, expecting her to lead them through the lobby. Instead, she walked to the desk, handing the clerk a credit card.

"Katherine Patton. I have reservations."

"You what?" Jay gasped.

Katherine turned, her smile nearly blinding. "Yes, darling. A room."

"We don't need a room, Kath," Jay said quietly, not wanting to cause a scene.

"Of course we do. We may decide to order room service," she said, winking at the clerk.

A quick blush colored Jay's face and she turned away, fuming. Of all the nerve! Of all the fucking nerve!

"No, I don't know where they went."

Drew paced, hating the jealousy, hating the uncertainty. "But you're sure they left?"

Eleu nodded. "Yes. Katherine drove them away."

"Well, goddamn," she mumbled. She looked at Eleu. "You think maybe, well, maybe I was wrong about Jay?" Drew shrugged. "Maybe I pushed too much."

"You were not wrong. You must have faith, Drew. Don't assume something just because it appears she has left. You don't know the circumstances."

"Yeah, but she could have at least said something to me."

Eleu smiled. "Jealousy is such an evil thing, isn't it? And no matter our age, it still attacks us."

Drew laughed. "You think I'm being silly?"

"Yes. I have seen how Jay looks at you. I have seen how you look at her. You must have faith. Because Okalani has blessed you."

Drew frowned.

"The garden has ears... and eyes."

"Oh, dear God. You saw us?"

Eleu nodded. "I saw love. That is all. Now, go with Jenna. Get away. It will do you no good to sit here waiting. It will only

drive you crazy."

"You're right." Drew turned, finding Jenna still sitting by the pool, sipping on her drink. "She wants to do an island cruise, one of those that serve dinner."

"They're very nice. You should go."

"I guess we will." Drew nodded slightly at Eleu. "Thanks. I feel better."

Jay stood on the balcony staring out over the ocean, listening—but not really hearing—as Katherine ordered them champagne. The view was spectacular up this high. Drew would love it.

She shook her head. No, Drew would hate it. It couldn't match the grandeur of their views from the volcano. Not the views, not the smell, not the fresh air... and certainly not the company.

Taking a deep breath, she turned around, going back inside. The suite was huge. She could only guess what Katherine had paid for it.

"Champagne will be right up."

"Why champagne, Kath?"

"Why not?"

Jay spread her arms out. "Oh, I don't know. First of all, what the hell are we doing here? I just wanted to talk. We need to talk, Kath."

Katherine sat down on the sofa and crossed her legs, swinging one nonchalantly as she smiled at Jay. "Okay. So talk. What's on your mind?"

Jay hated the smile, hated the pose on the sofa, and she hated the fact that she was intimidated by Katherine. She crossed her arms defensively, wondering how to begin.

"Why are we in a two hundred dollar a night room?" Katherine laughed. "Try two-fifty. And why not? Is it just terrible of me to want to spend some time with you? Is it so wrong to take you away so we can be alone?"

"Alone? What is it, Kath? Has Jenna run her course already?" Katherine sat up straighten "What are you insinuating?"

"Oh, come on. You know what I'm insinuating."

Katherine laughed. "Are you actually jealous of the time I spent with Jenna?"

Jay shook her head. "Surprisingly, jealous was not ever one of the emotions I felt. I think I just now realized that. But anger, yes. Betrayal, that too."

"Betrayal?"

Jay turned, staring out at the water again, trying to find its peace. Inner turmoil was a terrible tiling. Part of her wanted to lash out at Katherine, to hurt her. Another part simply wished it was over with, wished she could just go home and... and what? All she wanted was a little happiness, a little love, a little peace and contentment. Things she realized she hadn't ever had with Katherine. Not really. Things she imagined she could have with Drew.

She turned back around, not afraid to meet Katherine's eyes head on. "Did you think I wouldn't notice? Do you actually think I'm that stupid to not know? And then this?" she asked, looking around the room. "You brought me here so you could have sex with me now?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh, stop playing games, Katherine. I'm so tired of games." She moved closer. "I'm talking about you and Jenna and your affair. That's all I'm talking about."

Katherine's eyes widened as if in shock. "How dare you accuse me of such a thing? I have never given you cause to think I would do something like that."

"How dare you insult me by lying about it?"

Katherine stood quickly, facing Jay. "I should be the one insulted. I'm the one being accused of cheating on you." She smirked. "What is it, Jay? Feeling insecure? Just because we missed the shuttle and had to stay over last night, you let your imagination get the best of you?"

"Last night? Kath, last night has nothing to do with it. We— you and I—haven't been a real couple in so long, I can't even remember. Because you're never home. Ever. And the last time we attempted to have sex, you fell asleep in the middle of it. So when Jenna comes into your life, when you make time for her like you never could for me, of course I'm going to think something is up. But this trip just confirmed it. I'm not blind to the looks between you. So don't lie to me."

"You've got it all figured out, don't you?" She laughed. "Do you think there's a reason I didn't come home, Jay? Did it ever occur to you that maybe it was because you were there?" She took a step closer. "Living with you had become unbearable. It was like living in an icebox."

"You're right. Your house is very cold. There's no warmth there. I know now there wasn't any love there either. I don't think you're capable of love. You're too selfish."

The blow came so quickly, Jay had no time to react. Her head snapped to the side, her cheek stinging from the force of Katherine's slap. Shocked, she stared at Katherine. "Do you feel better now? Does hitting me make you feel like you're in control?"

Katherine slapped her again, causing her to stumble backward. This time, she tasted blood. She raised her hand, touching her lip. In all their years together, Katherine had never once hit her. In fact, she couldn't remember them ever really fighting. But now, the look in Katherine's eyes scared her.

"Yes, I am always in control, Jay. Don't forget that." She pushed Jay out of the way, picking up her purse. "Yes, I slept with Jenna. It was fabulous. Something I'm sure you know nothing about. Good sex." She laughed. "And surely you don't think she was the only one, do you? There were countless others over the years. I've had many lovers. You weren't really one of them, Jay. You were never in my league, darling. You were always second-class."

To say she was stunned was an understatement. "Then why? Why did you stay?"

Katherine squared her shoulders. "I felt sorry for you, that's all. But no more. I'm done with you. I want you out of my house. I want you out of my sight."

Jay rubbed her cheek again. "All these wasted years, Katherine. I should have left you so long ago."

"Left me? That's a joke." She went to the door. "I've had enough of this. Enough of you. I can't possibly stay another three days in Hawaii. Because frankly, Jay, you do nothing but bring me down."

The door slammed hard as she left. Jay closed her eyes, her head dropping heavily to her chest. She was surprised by the stinging of tears. She wiped them away angrily. She would not shed a tear for that woman.