Gerri Hill - One Summer Night

"Go ahead and cry. I’m here for you, Jo" Kelly said softly, and Jo cried harder.

"He's not even trying to fight this. He's missed my grandmother so much."

"What do the doctors say?"

"He's in a coma. They don't think he'll make it," she said, burying her face in Kelly's shoulder and sobbing.

"I'm so sorry.” Kelly held her close, stroking her hair until Jo had cried herself out.

"Come on. I'll help you to bed. You need to sleep some, you'll have a long day tomorrow."

Jo let herself be guided down the hall and into her bedroom like a child. She stood silently as Kelly pulled back the covers on her bed.

"What else can I do for you?" she asked.

"Oh, Kelly, please don't go. Please stay with me," Jo said and swallowed another sob.

"I don't think I should," Kelly said.

"Please."

"Okay. I'll sleep out on the sofa.”

Jo hung her head and felt fresh tears fall down her cheeks. She doesn't want me anymore, she thought.

"What is it?" Kelly asked gently.

"I need you," Jo said through her tears.

"I'm here."

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Jo shook her head. "I need you to hold me, to touch me,"

she whispered.

"Oh, honey," Kelly said softly and went to her.

Jo wrapped her arms around Kelly's waist and held her tightly as Kelly's arms enfolded her, holding her close.

"I'll stay with you. Come, lie down.” Kelly led her to the bed, and Jo sat on the edge and let Kelly undress her. Then she crawled under the covers. Kelly turned out the light, shed her clothes, and finally Jo felt her weight settle on the bed beside her.

"Come here.” Kelly pulled Jo into her arms and held her, her hand brushing the hair from Jo’s eyes. "You'll be okay,"

she whispered.

Jo laid her head on Kelly's shoulder, cheek pressed against her breast, and felt safe. Her eyes closed wearily, and relaxed as Kelly's soft hands caressed her back she finally fell asleep.

Later she woke with a start, still in Kelly's arms, nestled at her side. Her neck ached. She looked at the digital clock.

Three-fifteen.

"What is it?" Kelly asked sleepily.

"Nothing.” She sat up and moved Kelly's arm down to her side. "Your arm must be asleep by now."

"What arm?" Kelly asked and flexed it.

Jo was suddenly aware of their nakedness, and she settled back down, curling up beside Kelly again. Her hand moved under the covers and cupped Kelly’s breast, her thumb rubbing Kelly’s nipple lightly, feeling it harden against her fingers.

"Jo?" Kelly breathed.

"I want you," Jo whispered.

"Jo, don't," Kelly warned.

"Don't you want me anymore?" she asked.

"You know I do."

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"Then make love to me," Jo insisted. "I need you.” She raised up and found Kelly's mouth, kissing her tenderly.

"Yes," Kelly breathed and pulled her close.

Their lovemaking was quick and frantic, then slow and gentle as they took pleasure in each other’s arms. This was what Jo needed, what she wanted. She wouldn't send her away again.

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Chapter Twenty

Jo woke at seven and sniffed the air, smelling breakfast.

She sat up, thankful that Kelly had not left. She wasn’t ready to be alone. She walked naked into the bathroom and took a quick shower before finding Kelly in the kitchen.

She was at the sink washing dishes when Jo walked in.

She glanced over her shoulder and their eyes met.

"Good morning," Kelly said and turned back to the sink.

Jo walked up to her and hugged her around the waist, pressing her breasts against Kelly’s back. Kelly turned around then and held her with wet, soapy hands.

"Thank you for being here when I needed you," Jo said quietly.

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"I want to be here for you, if you'll let me."

Jo pulled away and looked at her. "I've just been so awful to you. Why do you keep coming back?"

Kelly smiled. "If I told you the truth, it would send you running again."

Jo looked closely and saw the answer to her question in Kelly’s dark eyes. Jo was frightened by what she saw there.

She was glad that Kelly said nothing. She didn't want to hear the words. She wasn't ready yet.

"I hope you don't mind," Kelly said, motioning to the stove where bacon sat draining on a paper towel. "You probably don't feel like eating, but it's going to be a long day."

"I know. But I am hungry."

"Good. Why don't you call the hospital and I'll start on the eggs."

"Okay." The reality of the day was catching up to her.

"Over easy," Jo requested and walked into the living room.

She found the number to the hospital and waited for the nurse in Intensive Care to pick up.

"I'm Johanna Marshall, Harry Marshall's granddaugh-ter. Has there been any change?" she asked, holding her breath.

"No. I'm sorry, Ms. Marshall. There's no change."

"Okay. Thanks. I'll be there later this morning."

Kelly stuck her head in. "Well?" she asked.

"No change," she said, holding her gaze.

Kelly walked over and held her. "No change is better than a change for the worse," she said, and Jo nodded.

Jo really wasn't hungry anymore, but she forced down the bacon, eggs and toast Kelly had made. She hadn't eaten since breakfast the day before, and she knew she needed more than just coffee.

"I need to call Betsy," Jo said. "And Susan."

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"Don't worry about it. I'll call them," Kelly offered.

"Thanks, that would help."

"Do you want me to take you to the hospital?"

"Oh, no. I'll be fine," she said. "You've done enough."

Then she remembered the friend Kelly had staying with her. "Do you have company?" Jo asked her.

Kelly nodded. "Yeah, I do."

"Now? At your place?"

"Yeah. But I called her this morning."

"Oh," Jo said quietly.

"Jo, she's an old friend from college."

"You don't have to explain to me," Jo said.

"I do have to explain. I can see what you're thinking.

Kim and I roomed together in the dorm our freshman year and have been friends ever since. Just friends. She's got a girlfriend, they've been together ten years or more.” Kelly met her eyes. "She just came to visit, honest."

"I believe you," Jo said and she did.

"I'm not like what you think," Kelly said softly.

"No, I don't think you are. You came to me last night without a question. I needed you so much," she admitted.

"I'm glad it was me you needed."

They smiled across the table as Kelly took her hand.

"Everything will be fine."

Jo was at the hospital at just a few minutes past nine.

Harry looked the same as when she had left him, pale and still. Her chair had been moved against the wall, and she pulled it over by his side and took his cool hand in hers.

"Good morning, Harry," she whispered. "It's a beautiful day out. Perfect for boat riding.” She willed her tears away and continued. "You know, you promised me a boat ride yesterday."

He was perfectly still, his hand limp in hers.

"Oh, Harry. I need to talk to you," she said, wiping at 148

a tear that had escaped. "Remember I told you about Kelly?

How she was no good for me? Well, I'm not so sure anymore. She was with me last night when I needed her, and this morning. I like her a lot, Harry. More than I should, I know. And, God, I think she's in love with me.

"She didn't say it, thank goodness, because I don't know what I would have done. I'm certainly not ready for that.”

She reached up and touched his face, ignoring the tubes attached to him. "You always said that you didn't want to leave me alone. I wish you could meet her. You've always been such a good judge of character. I know you’d be able to tell me if she's the one for me, Harry. I just don't know.

I don't know if I can let her get close, though. If something happened, I would need you there to help me get through it."