Heart of the Matter by KI Thompson

been a bit awkward, to say the least. As soon as Sandra had started kissing her, Ellen had tried to relax. It had been a very long time since she had been with someone, and being with Sandra, while not unexpected, still came as a surprise. Once Sandra began to unbutton Ellen’s blouse, Ellen knew she somehow needed to turn off her brain. But she thought only whether Sandra would find her body a turn-on or a turn-off.
    So Ellen had taken charge and became the top, a role she never truly felt comfortable in. However, focusing on Sandra’s needs had allowed her to relax, and she thought Sandra had wound up enjoying herself—so much so that Sandra had fallen asleep soon after. Ellen felt a bit frustrated, but at least Sandra hadn’t seen her completely naked. She wished she could feel less insecure about her body, but this way, Sandra enjoyed herself and perhaps with their next tryst Ellen would be more at ease. If there was a next time. Their varied schedules didn’t allow for frequent dates, and for now, she was okay with that.
    This time the phone did ring and Ellen picked it up.
    “Ellen, Mother has her doctor’s appointment this afternoon and Taylor has come down with some sort of bug and I can’t leave her. Can you take Mom?”
    Joan sounded harassed and out of breath, as though she was in a hurry.
    “When is her appointment?”
    “Three.”
    “Yes, I can make that. I just have to give a quiz this morning.”
    “Good, and don’t forget that tomorrow night is the dinner party Mom and Dad are throwing. Dress nicely. Several eligible men from Dad’s office will be there.”
    “Good morning,” Sandra whispered in Ellen’s ear, kissing her lightly on the lobe.
    “Good morning,” Ellen squeaked, forgetting she was on the phone.
    “Who’s that? Is someone there?” Joan demanded.
    “Uh, yes, a…a friend.” Ellen didn’t think fast enough to say it was the television, but then, why should she have to hide from her sister?
    “A friend ?” Joan repeated. “Oh, my God, Ellen. Tell me you don’t have some woman there. Lord, is that what you do, bring strange women home with you?”
    Ellen controlled her temper for the sake of Sandra, if not for Joan. “I can’t talk right now, Joan, but I haven’t forgotten about tomorrow night. Mom and Dad, you and Robert, me, and several eligible men—what else do I need to know?”
    “Other women will be there, too, but Robert can’t make it. He’s attending a conference in New York.” Joan’s husband lived the life of most surgeons, constantly working and constantly unavailable. Ellen had difficulty recalling when she had seen him last.
    Ellen gazed at Sandra and on a whim said, “I’m bringing a date.”
    “You are?” Joan spluttered. “Who?”
    “Her name is Sandra.”
    Sandra’s eyebrows shot up and a slow grin spread across her face. Ellen hoped that meant she would go.
    “What? Ellen, what are you talking about? What do you mean?”
    “Gotta go,” Sandra mouthed and pointed at her watch.
    “Listen, Joan, I’ll call you later.” Ellen hung up. “I’m sorry about that. Look, I’ve made some coffee. Won’t you stay and have a cup?”
    Sandra shook her head. “Some other time, perhaps.” She grinned. “Have another girl on the line, do you?” Ellen felt the blood rush to her cheeks. “No, that was my sister. She has a knack for calling at the worst moments.”
    “So I guess I’m going to a party, hmm?” Sandra’s eyes sparkled.
    “I hope that’s okay?”
    “I’d be glad to. Well, thanks for last night, I enjoyed it. And thanks for your help with Jeremy. I really can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”
    “Not a problem, really,” Ellen reassured her.
    “I’ll talk to you later.”
    Sandra leaned forward and pecked Ellen on the lips, opened the door, and was gone.
    Ellen stood bewildered, her arms still hanging in the air from trying to wrap her arms around Sandra but instead finding empty space. She stood there a few