“You can’t…”
“I can’t what? Throw some lazy bum out of my own building?” Ronnie pressed her knuckles against the desk to keep from reaching across and striking the loathsome woman. The muscles in her forearms bunched and clenched in readiness. “You hurt Rose and I won’t allow you to do it again. You don’t deserve to know someone as kind and gentle as she is. Come within sight of my home and I’ll have you arrested. One phone call, one letter, any attempt to contact her and I’ll make your life a living hell.”
With all prospects of money gone, Delores had nothing left to lose. “You think you’re so smart with all your fucking money. You don’t know NOTHING!” She stormed over to the couch and snatched her cap and jacket. “You think Rose was the only foster kid I had?” The door opened and two beefy security officers entered, no doubt summoned by Laura after hearing the loud voices.
“Is there a problem, Miss Cartwright?”
“Escort this…” Bitch came to mind but a sense of decorum had to be maintained at the office.
“…trespasser outside and make sure she never comes in again.”
“You keep your hands off me,” Delores grabbed her bag and stormed out in front of the uniformed men. “You make sure Rose knows you’re the one that made me stop talking to her. It’s all your fault.” The outer office door closed, leaving a confused Laura and a furious Ronnie standing there.
“Laura, take the rest of the day off. I’m going home early.” She shut the door and walked over to her desk. The bits of check were tossed into the trashcan and her prized pen was put back in her desk drawer.
There was a quick knock before her door opened. “Ronnie?” Susan poked her head in. “What happened? I heard they called Security to your office.”
“Nothing important, just some business I had to take care of.” She waved her hand dismissively.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“You know I’m going to find out anyway. You may as well tell me.” The redhead entered and shut the door.
“I am entitled to something of a private life.” She sank into her chair, a bone deep sigh escaping her lips. “Let this one go, Sis.”
“Does it have to do with Rose?” The quick jerk of the head answered Susan’s question. An awkward silence fell between them for several seconds before she spoke again. “Um…” The younger Cartwright looked down at her nails. “If um…well, I know you don’t really have anyone close to you except Rose and well, I guess, me. If…if you need someone to talk to…well, I’m here.” She straightened up and took a step back. “The boys keep asking when they can come over again.” Clearing her throat, Susan continued, her gaze falling upon her older sister. “When I explained to John that Rose lives with you, he asked me if that made her his aunt too.”
“I told you…” Ronnie began only to be stopped by an upraised hand.
“I know. I told him that she wasn’t, but if it was okay with her, he could call her that.”
Looking down at her desk, the executive smiled, understanding the unspoken gesture behind the words. She stood up and although never very affectionate to her sibling, Ronnie reached over and wrapped her arm around her sister’s shoulders. “How about tomorrow night? I’m sure Rose can’t wait to have her wrestling guy trampled again.” She released the casual embrace. “But how about right now I take us out to lunch? Somewhere nice, how about Maurice’s or Giovanni’s?”
“Oh, that sounds nice, but how about trying that new Chinese place up on Western Avenue? I heard they have excellent food.”
A small icon on the screen caught the corner of Ronnie’s eye. With a start she remembered the videotape. “Uh…yeah, that sounds good.” She turned to the computer and shut off the camera.
“Why don’t you go get your coat and meet me down in the lobby? I have a couple of things here I need to finish up.”
Ronnie took the video home and hid it in her bedroom, seeing no reason to show it to Rose right away. She knew the tape would hurt her precious friend and that was the last thing she wanted to do again. Instead that evening and the ones that followed were spent lying next to each other on the adjustable bed watching television or on the couch watching movies. Sometimes they would forgo the electronic entertainment and just spend the time braiding each others hair or doing their nails. It was a comfortable routine that she enjoyed tremendously. No mention was made about the continued sleeping arrangements and Ronnie was fine with that. If she had her way they would always sleep together. She loved the way Rose’s body fit against hers. They never talked about the increased hugs and affectionate touches but Ronnie noted they were instigated by both equally.
With Karen no longer needed, Rose filled her days working on projects for Ronnie. In addition to improving her skills, it also gave her an intense education in the way her friend’s business was run. It gave them something else to talk about in the evenings other than themselves or what was on television. The late January thaw continued into February, promising an early spring. Already more grass was showing in the back yard than snow and the sun coming through the windows was enough to heat up the room without turning up the thermostat. Of course at night there was the added body heat of Ronnie to keep her warm. It was during those late night hours that Rose thought about her relationship with her dark-haired friend. With the exception of work, Ronnie was by her side constantly, not that Rose would ever complain. She relished the time they spent together. Often, while watching television, her head would rest against Ronnie’s shoulder or even in the older woman’s lap. She enjoyed those times the best. Ronnie would absently stroke her hair or let a warm hand rest upon her shoulder. They were much more relaxed around each other now. Initial embraces in bed were no longer stiff, hesitant affairs. Now, when it came time for sleep, Ronnie’s arm would wrap around her waist and warm breath would tickle her neck as they molded their bodies together.
Rose thought often about the growing affection between them. Hugs were a common occurrence and she encouraged them as much as Ronnie did. It seemed they could sense each other’s needs, at least she was certain Ronnie could sense hers. When the pain in her legs flared up, the strong arms would comfort and console her. When a tear-jerker romance movie brought the need to be cuddled, there was no discussion or roundabout request, they just snuggled up against each other. But while she enjoyed the attention and affection, Rose wasn’t sure she was ready for anything more or if Ronnie was even interested. There had been no kiss since they were under the mistletoe on Christmas and their conversations stayed far away from matters of the heart or sex. Whether it was deliberate on Ronnie’s part or not, Rose was not sure. She only knew she was avoiding it, her feelings far too confusing to even think about giving them voice.
Like right now. They were lying in bed watching Dateline and Ronnie’s head was resting against her shoulder. Rose looked down at silky black hair mixing with her own. Her companion seemed so relaxed, so peaceful. Having her arm trapped between their bodies was no longer an acceptable position. “Lift your head up for a sec.”
“Hmm? Sorry, am I hurting you?” The lazy drawl told Rose just how relaxed the executive was.