When Dreams Change, page 14
“You outdid yourself. Thanks, Mom.” Wren held her stomach.
Jenna was dying to know what happened earlier with Navy, since all previous tension had dissipated, but she knew it wasn’t the right time to ask.
“Yes, thanks for having us over, Ms.—I mean Jenna.” Ava shook her head.
Jenna reached for her drink and lifted her glass in acknowledgement. “It’s good to have you all here. With you all going to college, times like these might be rare.” She took a few swigs of the now slightly warmed beer, a little burp escaping when she finished. “Oops, ’scuse me.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you burp, Jenna.” Lennox laughed, making the girls giggle right along with her.
“Come on, I need to work off all this food. Want to play catch in the yard?” Navy asked.
“I want to play.” Lennox jumped up.
“Me, too,” Jenna added, pretty sure she was going to make a fool of herself, but she didn’t care.
Wren’s eyes widened. She wasn’t used to Jenna playing catch but she stood up to do an excited wiggle, which made her friends laugh.
“Now, don’t make fun of the non-softball player. Go easy on me.”
“Jenna’s on my team,” Lennox called confidently from the lawn. She rifled through the box near the badminton net, correctly guessing where all the outdoor toys were.
“I’ll go grab my glove, it’s in my car. And I have an extra for Ava,” Navy said as she jogged around the house.
There were three gloves and a ball that Wren had used over the years, leaving enough for everyone to play catch. Once they got started, Jenna realized she wasn’t making a downright fool of herself, just a minor one. She cringed as the ball she threw soared over Lennox’s head.
Wren’s phone dinged with a text as Lennox tossed the ball to Navy. Massaging the stiff mitt, Jenna startled when Wren squealed.
“It’s her. It’s her.” She held her phone to her chest while Ava and Navy dropped their gear and circled around her.
Without a backwards glance they ran inside to converse privately at what transpired, leaving Lennox and Jenna standing in the yard, shrugging.
“Can I show you a trick?” Lennox asked, dipping down to grab the ball Navy had dropped. She walked over, tossing her glove under her arm and keeping the softball clenched in her hand. “Okay, you see these seams here?” She ran her finger over the raised stitching on the ball. “If you use your fingertips to grip along this part, you’ll get better control of where you’re throwing it. Different pitches are used on different parts of the ball, but for you, just try to hold it along here.” Lennox paused for a moment. “Uh, can I see your hand?”
Jenna extended her arm willingly without comment.
“Okay, now, you feel here?” Lennox rubbed the tip of her fingers at the crease of the first knuckle. “It should settle right in here.” She took the softball and placed it in Jenna’s palm, maneuvering her fingers gently so they were in the right position.
Jenna found the subtle touch soothing. “Oh, okay. I see.” She cleared her throat, finding it dry.
“Let’s try that.” Lennox’s voice came out in a whisper as she dropped her hand, shaking her head. Before Jenna could say anything, Lennox was already ten feet away with her glove up as a target.
Jenna brought the ball back and let go, jumping up and down in excitement when Lennox only had to move her mitt to her shoulder. “Okay, it’s official, you’re a good coach.” Jenna wanted to quit while she was ahead. Plus, she needed to regroup. It seemed they’d shared a moment, but she wasn’t sure what it meant.
“Was that ever in question?” Lennox buffed her nails on her shirt as they walked back. Without even offering, she just jumped in to help clean and put dishes away, like she was a part of the family.
Family? What is happening?
Jenna blinked as they worked in tandem clearing the outside table.
For a moment, they were silent, each stuck in their thoughts before Lennox changed the subject. “Have you had any dates lately?”
Jenna’s eyes slid to the hot tub. “No. I’ve finally run out of everyone who had someone to set me up on a blind date with, so I’ve had a few weeks of peace.”
“Oh, and here I was going to see if you wanted to get set up with someone,” Lennox teased, loading her arms with dishes.
Jenna wasn’t sure why her stomach sank at the thought, but she tried to play along with a tight smile. “If you have someone in mind, I’m all ears.”
“Most of the people I hang out with are queer, especially of the sapphic variety.” Lennox shrugged, grabbing another stack.
“Do you know many lesbians around here?” She picked up the glasses and headed inside, trying to kick Lennox away from the sink.
“You cooked this delicious meal. Move.” She bumped Jenna gently with her hip towards the kitchen table. “I know a fair amount. You’d be surprised at how many there are, but a lot of them are young. I love that kids feel comfortable enough to be themselves, but the dating pool seems to only be in the early twenties, and I just can’t.” Lennox started wiping the plates with a sponge.
Jenna tried to picture the people she knew and found it distressing that she couldn’t think of a single lesbian above the drinking age, besides Lennox and possibly Hazel. “Maybe if I run out of blind dates, I’ll take you up on that offer,” Jenna joked.
“Oh, so you’re a last resort lesbian, are you?” Lennox teased, shaking her head.
Jenna’s mind slid to Lennox, and how bright her world had become with her in it. The warmth that spread in her chest when a smile was sent her way. How Lennox was the first call after a bad day or good news. Time stretched without her saying anything before she chuckled and said, “Last resort lesbian? At this rate I might be.”
Noticing Lennox getting quiet and repeatedly wiping the same spot, Jenna found herself wondering what was going on in her mind. Was she thinking of people to set her up with? The thought brought a wave of emotions she wasn’t sure she could deal with right now.
“Are you ready for some dessert?” Jenna asked, wanting to coax Lennox out of her mind.
The rest of the night was spent laughing under the stars. The girls had moved on to Ava’s place, leaving the whole deck to Lennox and Jenna. Lennox remarked on the hot tub, and something short circuited in Jenna’s brain at the possibility of seeing her in a bathing suit. It was getting late, though, so they decided on ’next time.’ Whenever that might be.
As she watched Lennox slip out the front door and disappear into the night, Jenna realized for the first time that her world was a better place with Lennox in it. Their friendship had taken her by surprise, but it was becoming apparent how comforting she was and how dull everything seemed when her bright personality wasn’t around to lighten Jenna up.
Friends do that for each other, right? The silence of the woods was her answer.
Chapter 9
Bad Date
Blood pounded in her ears as Lennox ran the Sitka Cross Trail behind the high school near her house. It was one of her favorite trails to run because it gave different views and varying levels of difficulty depending on which way she turned at the start of the route. Today she went right, following the trail through bridges, streams, and downed trees that littered the sides.
The dense forest opened to a bog, where views of the ranges, especially Arrowhead Mountain, the pointy iconic around town, could be seen clearly in the rising sun. Her thoughts were chaotic as she tried to clear her mind and be present in the moment—anything to keep from thinking about Jenna and their night spent under the stars.
Stopping to stretch out a stitch in her side, Lennox reached her hands to the sky, shaking off the residual tension that had gripped her shoulders before continuing. A group of four people and a dog appeared on the opposite side of the bog. It was too far to see who they were, but she heard one of them shout for a Goose.
Sweat dripped down her hairline as she pushed up a hill. The April fog started to burn off, leaving her undershirt sticking to her back. Two women were strolling along the path with two women behind them. Lennox could tell the two in front were ’family,’ even without seeing their linked hands until she got closer. They just had a look of love that radiated brighter than the rising sun.
A beautiful golden retriever came up to Lennox’s legs, almost appearing to be smiling, tail wagging furiously.
“Goose! How are you doing, boy? Come here.” Lennox bent to pet the dog that had enthusiastically wiggled between her legs.
“Goose, come back here. Sorry about that. Oh, hi Lennox. Glad it’s just you,” Skyler huffed out as they got closer.
“Well, if it isn’t Sky-Cam. How are you doing?” Lennox waved to the women who had walked up. Lennox was still bent down, trying to get as many dog cuddles as possible.
“He’s getting old, and on rainy days the injury from the bear attack seems to flare up.” Skyler’s eyes grew glossy as she stared at Goose, seeming not to have heard Lennox’s question. “I can’t lose him. He’s such a good boy.”
Cam stood wide-eyed, looking between the dog, Lennox, and her wife. “Skyler, he’s right there, wagging his tail. What’s going on?”
The two women behind them stopped at Skyler’s side. If it weren’t for their clothes, Lennox wasn’t sure she would be able to tell them apart. “It’s the hormones. I was the same when I was pregnant with Skyler,” one of the women said.
“Lennox, this is my mom, Maggie, and Aunt Abby,” Skyler said, pointing them out.
Standing and wiping her hands, Lennox offered a handshake to the sisters. “Nice to meet you.”
“You know, maybe Goose needs a friend to keep him young. A pilot friend of ours just had puppies. They are Australian Shepherds, but it might be nice for Goose to have a buddy.” Abby gave a few pats to Goose’s head. “Do you want a little dog to play with while these two figure out mom-hood?” she asked and seemed to take his wagging tail as an affirmative.
“That’s just what they need. A new baby and puppy.” Maggie turned a skeptical eye towards her daughter and Cam.
“I don’t know. We’ve always talked about getting a second dog. Maybe it’s time.” Skyler peered up at Cam, who Lennox was sure would be getting a puppy by week’s end.
“If there are any left, I would like one. I was just searching again this morning,” Lennox said. She’d been wanting a dog forever but was afraid she’d never pull the trigger on getting one. Last-minute decisions were always the best type.
“I’m sure there are. I think they said the pups would be ready soon. I’ll ask. What’s your number?” Abby pulled out her phone and waited while Lennox was stuck thirty seconds behind.
“We might have to apologize for Hurricane Abby.” Maggie’s softer tone was the balm to Abby’s energy.
“No, you all are delightful.” Lennox gave Abby her number and received a confirmation text in return. “I should start my run back up, though. Abby, call me when they are ready. I would love a running partner. It’s always nice seeing you two.” Quiet surrounded Lennox again when she left the rambunctious group.
The bog turned to forest as the path wound from the trail to civilization. Headstones started littering her view as she cut through an old cemetery that butted up against another entrance to the trail. Lennox finished her run by continuing through the town that was just waking up.
Back at her house and freshly showered, Lennox grabbed her computer and curled up on the couch. A message awaited her from Alex, still trying to nail down plans to come visit. After sending a reply and checking in with Lila, Lennox got sucked into the social media vortex.
Coming up for air after the void, Lennox realized she had a lot of acquaintances but not a lot of friends. Her heart leaped at the sound of her phone. When she looked down, she realized that she was hoping to see Jenna’s name even though they had recently spent almost an entire evening together. But no, it was her mom asking if she could spare a few hours to help at the restaurant.
With nothing better to do, she sent a confirmation. Lennox killed a few hours by tidying up her house. It was small, unlike her parents’ house, which sat near the water on more acres than they knew what to do with. Lennox’s place was nestled on a hill. Trees lined all around her property, nestling her in her own private forest. Even though the neighbors were close, it still felt private.
Walking past Lila’s room, she made a mental note to dust. Unable to handle the quiet house any longer, she changed into the maroon polo and black slack combo required of all servers and headed to town to see if her parents needed help sooner.
Finding a parking spot was surprisingly difficult. She had to wind around the streets twice before something opened two blocks away. She waved to a couple crossing the road as she walked into the back of the restaurant. The hall was empty, which was deceiving. Lennox passed the kitchen door, knowing her mom would be organizing the chaos of the dinner rush. With tourists starting to trickle in, the restaurant would be booked solid for the next five months.
Walking further down the hall, she turned to a smaller alcove and knocked on the closed door.
A gruff “Come in” was muffled but audible.
Lennox tentatively opened the door, cringing at the loud squeak of the hinges. Her dad was hunched over the desk, moving the mouse wildly. “Hey, Dad,” Lennox called, stepping further inside.
“Lennox, thanks for coming down. Some sort of flu hit our servers. Hopefully you’ll only have to fill in for a few hours until the backups arrive. Do you need a refresher on how things work?” Peter took off his glasses, rubbing his tired eyes.
“Until I was seven, I thought this place was our home. I slept on that couch more times than my own bed. I remember my way around here.” Lennox wanted to sit and enjoy the calm before the storm but knew the staff must be itching for a break. “See you around, Dad,” she said, stepping out of his office.
Lennox didn’t have anything to drop off at the employee lounge, so she stopped by the kitchen to say hi to her mom who was elbow deep in prepping for the dinner rush. She did get a warm smile and profound thank you, but that was about it. Her mom was in her element and didn’t want to mess up the flow she had going, so Lennox made her way to the main dining area.
Most tables were occupied, with at least six parties waiting at the door. She knew the drill and talked to the head front staff, who seemed to sag in relief at her being there, pointing to the section she’d be working.
It was off to the races. The dinner rush was starting, and Lennox didn’t find a moment to herself for a few hours. Her feet hurt, and she had an unfortunate incident with some sauce that left her sticky.
She was leaning against the bar waiting for six house wines for a group of giggling women clearly in need of a night out when Lennox saw a couple being seated in her section. She’d hoped to grab a few minutes’ break, but clearly, the cards were stacked against her tonight. The woman’s back was to her, but the man had a smug look that didn’t sit well with Lennox.
Balancing the tray of wine, she expertly transferred the glasses to the table. With a mixture of nostalgia and humor, Lennox remembered a time when she was nine and her mom made obstacle courses she had to work through while balancing blocks. It wasn’t long after that Lennox had found the escape of softball.
On the way to the new group, she dropped off the tray and used the walk back to put back on her server mask.
Lennox kept her eyes on the pad, writing down the table number while she greeted her new customers. “Hi, welcome to Candescent Clementine. I’ll be your server today. Can I get you started with anything, or do—“
“We’re ready. I’ll have the steak, medium rare, with the truffle mashed potatoes and garden vegetables. The lady will have a salad. Dressing on the side. We won’t be needing these.” The man handed Lennox the basket of bread that was given out to every table with homemade garlic infused olive oil to dip the bread in.
The customer’s dismissive attitude wasn’t anything Lennox hadn’t dealt with before. He had a strong jaw, flat nose, and ears that stuck out of his close-cut hair. Gray hairs highlighted his black strands giving him that distinguished look she knew a lot of women went for. However, his overall attitude grated on her nerves.
She spared a glance at his date and did a double take when she saw Jenna’s bright red face. Her eyes were so wide Lennox could see most of the white around them.
“Hi, Lennox,” Jenna said with a touch of embarrassment. Though for what, Lennox could only guess.
“Jenna, hi.” Lennox was flabbergasted on so many levels. “I’ll be back as soon as I can with your meal,” she added before hustling to the next table, her mind swirling. Jenna had said she hadn’t had any dates lined up. Something likely came up last minute, which was fine. It was fine, she repeated to her treacherous heart that was beating out of her chest. But why was she putting up with him? Was that what Jenna wanted in a partner? And more importantly, why did Lennox care?
Lennox could hear the angry whispers as she walked away and headed back towards the bar. Thankfully, there was a slight lull. After that encounter she needed a moment to gather her thoughts. Pivoting to the bar, she leaned against the counter and asked the bartender, Sav, for a shot of Jameson. Drinking on the job wasn’t exactly good practice, but her parents never minded as long as it was only one or two.
“Coming right up.” Sav turned and reached for the bottle, her high ponytail swaying with her movement.
“I like your ink.” Lennox pointed to her forearms covered in intricate tattoos.
“Thanks, yours too. Where did you go?” Sav asked.
“A hole in the wall in Seattle. There was a secret code to get in, and it turned out really swanky, but getting there, I thought I’d lose a kidney.”
Sav laughed, passing the shot over. “Rough day, huh? I heard the servers talking. They are grateful you filled in, although you should talk to Wendy to see what you did wrong to get stuck with dismissive douche over there.”
