REPRESENTED (56 page)

Joan’s manager comes over for a couple of last minute signatures and she complies.  The manager then begins to drape their booth with the protective drop clothes.  Joan helps and the job is finished quickly.  Saying, see ya later, the manager departs.  The woman Joan has been speaking with is still standing there watching Joan. 

“Would you like to catch a cup of coffee, dinner, or something?” The woman asks.

“I don’t drink coffee or tea either for that matter,” Joan grins, “but dinner sounds great!” Nodding her head in approval.  She has enjoyed the conversation with this woman over the last hour or so.

The woman introduces herself.  “I’m Grace Monroe by the way, Dr. Grace Monroe.”

Holding out her hand Joan says “Joan Woods, artist extraordinaire.”  Startled that she has been talking with a doctor all this time.

Grinning Grace takes her hand, her face lights up in an elfin grin.  There is a spark that both of them feel.  Neither let’s go but startled glances are exchanged.  The tingle goes all the way up their arms.  The handshake goes on a moment longer than necessary before they both realize.  Turning, they head for the exit at the end of the convention center.

Along the way they chat about other artists and their works.  As they reach the parking garage Grace asks “Would you like to take your car or mine? Or would you like to go over to one of the hotels?” Her head indicates towards the Hyatt in front of the convention center entrance.

“I’ve been using taxis to get around this time.  I’m staying at the hotel” Joan answers.

“Then you’re probably sick of hotel food.  Let me take you to a good restaurant I know.”

Grace leads Joan to a sleek forest green Jaguar coupe.  Admiring it, Joan catches Graces eye.  Grace is grinning like a Cheshire cat.  “My one indulgence” she states.  Once more Joan is taken by the elfin grin she sees.  Pressing her key button the doors unlock for her and they get in.  Grace drives smoothly out of the parking garage and to the payment kiosk.  Shaking her head as it cost $10 just for parking she says “What a crime!”  Turning to Joan she explains that a family could never indulge itself going to a convention and having to pay the expensive fees that they require and forget trying to eat there too.  It unfortunately keeps the masses away from things like this.  The sleek car pulls out onto Harbor Blvd. and away from the convention center.  Grace and Joan continue chatting as though they are old friends.  They pull into a nice hole in the wall restaurant a few minutes later.  “They have great steak” Grace states.

Going inside it’s apparent it’s a reservations only restaurant but Grace is spotted and immediately seated.  A lot of  “Yes, Doctor, How are you Doctor” goes on as they are seated.

Impressed despite herself Joan asks “They know you?”  Her right eyebrow rises a little with the question and the small grin on her face makes the sarcasm funny.

Slightly blushing Grace explains that she knows the owner and his family.  That she has helped them periodically.

“What kind of doctor are you?” Joan asks.

“I’m a psychiatrist.  I work at U.C. Irvine over in Orange.”

Immediately uncomfortable, Joan just sits there.  Noting her silence and her obvious distress Grace asks “Is something wrong?”

“No offense, but psychiatrists and psychologist have always made me uncomfortable.”

“Really?  Me too.  Do you know why?”  At Joan’s shake of the head she continues “Well we’ve been talking for over an hour now and you’ve been fine.  Is it just the title or something else do you think?”  Joan shrugs and tries to relax.

The waiter hurries over and takes their order.  Joan orders a salad with no dressing but extra croutons.  Then for the main course she orders soup and fruit.  Grace orders a steak, baked potato, and green beans.

“You don’t eat meat?” She asks Joan.

Joan explains that she has trouble if she doesn’t watch her diet.  Sticking to fruits, vegetables, and light meats keeps her system in balance.  No weight gain and everything runs smoothly.

With a few glasses of wine Joan relaxes and realized that Grace is probably right.  The title psychiatrist is probably what was bothering her.  Grace turns out to be a very wonderful person.  They talk not only about art but medicine, history, and a variety of other subjects.  Before they know it is 8 o’clock.  They even had desert but they are tying up one of the tables.

Both are reluctant to end their conversation.  Their blooming friendship was something both wish to pursue and it was apparent to both.  There was also a subtle tension building in the air.  Grace offered a suggestion “I’ve been invited to a party, would you be interested in going?”

“I don’t think I’m properly dressed” Joan responded, indicating her flowing outfit.  She was dressed ‘artsy’.  Her brown hair with its red highlights was long and flowing to below her waist.  She isn’t tall but has a fine figure.  A high bust with wide shoulders and a muscular look to it.  Her waist is trim.

“Believe me, your fine.  It’s just some friends of mine and they won’t care if you come half dressed.”  Hesitating a moment she added, “Well, maybe the half-dressed part they would mind.  But not in a bad way” she mused.  They shared a laugh as they walked back to the Jaguar.  Chatting about friends and their idiosyncrasies their conversation continued.

Grace headed the Jaguar back down Harbor Boulevard towards the convention center and past it heading in the other direction, further into Anaheim.  Pulling through a residential area she parked in front of an old house that had been converted into apartments.  You could see people were already there as several were standing on the steps with beers in their hands.  As Grace and Joan walked up they parted to let them into the front door of the house.  Taking their jackets was a guy that looked vaguely familiar to Joan.  Grace led them into the living room to meet their host.  People were sitting around on everything available - couches, the chairs, the tables, a few on the floors. Some were standing and chatting.  The room was fairly full.

Suddenly a voice aimed directly at them “GRACE!”  A short black headed woman with a very short haircut came towards them.  Her face was the palest of white and she wore bright red lipstick.  Her black hair was shaved as a man’s on the sides and she had a braided pony tail down the back.  Her black hair was matched by black eyes; a very striking person.  She was dressed in jeans and a tight sweater.  Holding out her arms for a hug she grabbed Grace close.  Joan looked on in amusement.  Something she had noticed earlier finally making itself clear.  Most of the people at this party were or had to be gay.  Not that gays give off any strange vibes but just how they were behaving and looked made things apparent to Joan.  The woman talking to Grace seemed vaguely familiar.  When Grace turned to introduce Joan the woman surprised both of them by interrupting with “JOAN?  My god I haven’t seen you in like 20 years!” 

Surprised Joan looked closer.  Thinking back 20 years to when she would know this woman.  Indeed she did know her.  They had worked together at a parts supply house.

“JO! Oh my goodness.  I never thought I’d see you again.  This is your house?” Joanne was a close friend once, one alienated by Joan’s ex-husband. 

Grace was amazed that they knew each other.  Further explanations revealed how they knew each other, how Grace and Joan had met.

Joanne pulled Joan over to others at the party.  She knew several people, stunned to see them again after so long a time had passed.  She saw Tina, Addie, and Ken, the guy who had taken her coat.  All gay friends from the parts store.  Another friend, Tracey, who hung out with all of them - straight and wild.  Due to her relationship with her ex she hadn’t seen them forever.  Thrilled they all talked and caught up.  Grace stood back and listened. 

Joan explained what she had been up to.  She was divorced.  Gave up on the parts house as it was a nowhere job.  Went back to school.  Raised the boys.  There were three of them now.  The friends were amazed as Joan had been the least likely to have children.  They were all so excited to catch up.  As parties go, this one went on and Grace wandered off to different friends and groups.   She knew most everyone in the house.  During the course of the evening Joanne and Joan found themselves alone and talking.

“I always wondered what happened with you,” Joanne stated.

“I looked for you but by the time I was free to do so, I couldn’t find a Joanne Chavez in the book.  No one knew where you were either and I couldn’t find the others either.”  Joan indicated Tina, Addie, Tracey, and Ken.

“Was it hard?”  Jo asked. 

Joan immediately knew what she meant; her marriage to Craig.  It had been awful.  They were young and Craig somehow made everything her fault.  They were poor but he made it worse with his irresponsibility.  Nodding in answer she took another gulp of her wine.  Looking around for Grace absentmindedly.    She saw her ensconced in a very undignified bean bag chair in the corner, surrounded by people all talking loudly.

Jo noted where her eyes had strayed.  “You know she’s gay don’t you?”

Turning back to Joanne, Joan answered “Yes, I’d have to be pretty obtuse not to realize that at this point.”

“And you two just met today?  Joan nodded.  “I thought you were straight?”

“I am.”

“Then what be haps here?”

Smiling at the funky way of asking.  Joan shook her head.  “I don’t know to be honest.  I just don’t know.”  Looking again at the corner where Grace was she was in time to catch her eye and exchange a smile.  One of those party smiles.  Yes, I know where you are, Yes, I’m having a good time too.

It was about 11 o’clock when Grace came searching for Joan.  Joan had met some of the most interesting people.  Not just the few people she knew but others she had talked with, debated with, exchanged information with.  Several were invited down to the convention. It was a relief finally to stop talking.  She’d seen Grace around the party too they’d exchanged looks a few times.  It was odd how intense those looks were.

“Hey you, are you about ready to go?”  Grace asked.

Smiling Joan nodded.  They headed for Joanne and a last goodbye.  Stay in touch.  Don’t let it be so long.  Joan gave Joanne and the other four one of her cards with her email address on it.  Hugging each of them goodbye.

Grace helped her on with her coat and they walked out of the house.  The immediate silence was loud.  Almost overwhelming.  They got into the car and just sat for a minute.

“That was odd” Grace indicated the house with a nod of her head.

“Yes, wasn’t it though.  I haven’t seen those people for ages.  I missed them.” Joan answered with a little smile.

“Were you involved with any of them?” Grace asked.

Laughing Joan answered “No, not possible.  If you had known my ex you’d understand, we were all just friends at work.”

Joan looked at the house with a nostalgic wistfulness.  Remembering the young people she had known then.  The adults they had all become.  Grace watched her face.  Finally Joan turned and looked at Grace.   Something seemed to connect between them.  Almost an electrical current between their eyes.

Grace leaned forward and lightly kissed Joan on the lips.  Joan felt a tug from somewhere below her belly button.  She kissed Grace back.  Opening their mouths the kiss deepened.  Grace raised her hands and cupped Joan’s face holding her there.  Joan raised her own hands and put them on the outside of Graces.  Then she slid them along to Graces shoulders and under Graces hair.  Pulling her head closer to Joan’s.  They had been kissing heatedly and caressing each other for a while before Grace pulled her head up.

“For a first kiss that was something.”  She panted slightly.

Stunned for a moment, Joan sat there looking deeply into Graces eyes.  She had never.  She had never, ever, had the thought of being attracted to another woman.  But what she was feeling for this woman went beyond normal attraction.  She felt it deep inside her.  Her whole body was tingling in anticipation.  Panting herself, she broke off eye contact, and leaned her forehead on Graces shoulder.

Grace kissed Joan’s forehead and just held her close.  She’s shocked, thought Grace.  She’s fighting this attraction.  I know she feels it.  I do too.  I felt it at the show.  I felt it at dinner.  I felt it all through the party.  Now, I feel lust like I’ve never felt it before.  I want this woman.  I NEED this woman.  I have to take it slow though.  She’s scared.  She’s in virgin territory, pardon the pun.

Their breathing returned to normal.  The windows on the Jag had all fogged up.  Joan pulled her head off of Graces neck and looked into her face.  Grace could see the puzzlement but she also could see the wanting in Joan’s eyes.  Let her make the next move Grace thought.  And Joan did.  She took her hand and caressed Graces jaw line.  Back and forth.  Under Graces ear she lightly tickled with her fingers.  Her eyes never left Graces.  Joan could read the pleasure on Graces face from the caresses.  Grace knew the minute that Joan decided to kiss her again.  Heated caresses followed.

A loud noise outside the car attracted their attention.  They reluctantly pulled apart.  Both were panting.  You could smell the want, the need, in the air.  Both sat back in their bucket seats.  Finally Grace turned to Joan.  “Would you like to see my place?”

Joan knew what Grace was asking indirectly.  It was a big step.  Joan didn’t want to lose this person who had come into her life so suddenly.  Not trusting herself to speak, Joan nodded.