Letting Go by Ann O'Leary

on her Furniture King press layout. Laura arrived home at around eight o’clock that evening. She placed the roses in a tall cut-glass vase on the dining table, then prepared herself a salad sandwich and had a shower. She’d become used to this routine when Kelly was expected. They always had a drink together and chatted, catching up with each other’s news, but basically, they got together for sex, and Laura was usually dressed for the occasion. Previously, she’d looked forward to Kelly’s visits, but tonight, Laura hesitated about putting on her robe after finishing in the shower. It suddenly seemed such an overt sexual invitation to be wearing nothing but a robe. But this is what she’d always done before, so why even think about it now?
    She decided she needed a drink. She needed to relax. As she was heading to go downstairs, she glanced at the bed. Her throat tightened as she remembered last night, when 94
    she was sleeping alone. The sweet scent of Kate’s body had been faintly discernible on the sheets, and Laura had nestled her head with a contented sigh into the pillow that still held the fragrance of Kate’s hair. With her misgivings about tonight increasing, she realized she had to change the sheets for Kelly. She harbored a pervading sense of guilt. She silently chastised herself for this as she remade the bed. What’s the matter with me, she thought, I’m completely free, with no commitments to anyone. I’m just being far too sentimental, she decided. It’s Kate’s innocence that makes me feel guilty.
    Around nine o’clock, the door buzzer sounded just as Laura was finishing a very strong vodka and tonic. She pressed the security door release and opened her apartment door.
    Feeling fit and looking forward to seeing Laura, Kelly bounded up the stairs. Laura smiled in greeting, and Kelly felt a rush of lust as her eyes alighted on Laura’s. This affair had lasted longer than most for Kelly. Laura was just perfect. She was single, so there were none of the usual clandestine brief meetings that Kelly was used to, and Laura made no emotional demands on her. It was wonderful being able to spend the whole night with her, and best of all, Laura was simply gorgeous. In one movement, as agile as a cat, Kelly stepped in, kicked the door closed and swept Laura into her arms. “Come here,” she demanded, before she covered Laura’s mouth with her own in a burning urgent kiss. It was usually at this point that Laura gave in to the fire between them, but there was something different about her tonight, Kelly thought. The usual heat didn’t seem to be 95
    there. Laura gently pulled herself away from Kelly.
    “Hey, you’re in a hurry aren’t you?” she asked with a smile.
    Kelly grinned back at her. “I’m always in a hurry when I see you, you know that.”
    “Why don’t we have a drink and catch up,” Laura suggested. “We haven’t seen each other in a week or so.”
    With that, she moved away and headed for the kitchen. Kelly’s gaze followed Laura’s lovely retreating figure.
    “Okay, I’ll have a scotch and soda.”
    Then she saw the imposing roses on the dining table. These weren’t the kind of flowers you buy for yourself. She had been slightly surprised at Laura’s relative coolness just a moment ago. Normally Laura’s response was as urgent as her own. These flowers, red roses, were almost certainly from another admirer. Kelly wasn’t surprised at that; of course a woman like Laura would have plenty of admirers. But perhaps, it suddenly occurred to Kelly, it was more than that. Maybe Laura had another lover. Kelly inwardly shrugged. As long as it doesn’t affect us, it doesn’t worry me, she thought. Laura had told Kelly she wasn’t interested in any serious involvements with anyone, but Kelly was disconcerted, aware of a slight threat to their cozy arrangement.
    “So, what have you been up to this week?” Kelly asked as she accepted the drink from Laura.
    “I’ve been very