Mavis Applewater - Finding My Way

During the time leading up to the holiday we spent time with Mrs. Giavanni and helped her prepare for the holiday. I finally met our neighbor the lady cop. Althea was a small African American woman. The sight of her in uniform always made me smile. Out of uniform she looked like a teenager. But once she put on her blue uniform she was an impressive figure. Her girlfriend Linda was a stark contrast she looked like a Swedish supermodel. From the amount of time they spent together it looked as if Linda might be joining our little family soon. Mrs. Giavanni in her own way dropped hints regarding my place of residence. So pointed out that since I spent so much time at Allison’s apartment that perhaps I should just move upstairs.

Neither Allison or I responded to her prodding. We both knew with her leaving it was much too soon to be thinking about such a big step. Besides my little apartment proved to be more than a little handy on those days when we just could not wait until we got upstairs.

I never knew that life could be this wonderful. Allison and I seemed to complete one another in and out of bed. It was truly amazing. I had finished my Christmas shopping with the notable exception of Allison. I had gotten a few things for her stocking but I was at a complete loss as to what else to get for her. If we had simply remained friends it would have been easy. Now that we were lovers I found it difficult to find a gift that express how I felt. Everything I viewed seemed somehow far too materialistic. Besides what do you get for the woman who has everything? I wanted to get her something personal. Something that would always remind her of me. We left campus early one afternoon to take care of a multitude of errands that needed to be completed before Allison left town.

The first stop was the registry of motor vehicles. I needed to change my driver’s license over from Connecticut to Massachusetts. After waiting endlessly and filling out stacks of paperwork. I finally was having my picture taken. Then we rushed over to Allison’s insurance agent. She needed to have me listed as a driver if I was going to be using her car in her absence. I felt somewhat uncomfortable with this. But Allison was right I would be using her car mostly to run errands for Mrs. Giavanni and to drive to school until the warm weather returned. Since the car was less than a year old she needed to list me as a driver for extra protection.

After we finished this and some more tedious errands we walked around Boston. Something in a window of a small shop on Charles Street caught my eye. I managed to send Allison off to the CVS down the street by lying about needing more wrapping paper. The moment I saw her entering the store I quickly ducked into the small shop.

It was simple and yet beautiful just like Allison. A small onyx pendant set in silver. Perfect since Allison never wore gold. I did some haggling with the owner of the shop. He tried to sell me the pendant at an outrageous sum of money claiming that the piece was from the colonial period. I shot him an angry glare and explained my credentials and just why the colonial period wasn’t a possibility he quickly dropped the price. I was more than a little pleased with myself as I tucked the box into my pocket I glanced back at the store and smiled when I noted the address. Seventeen Charles Street. It seems that the past was once again guiding me. I was startled when Allison touched my arm. “I’m sorry.” I quickly gasped. “I was just looking at Annabel’s shop.” I lied. Allison smiled at me and we departed for home.

Finally my shopping was complete. On the drive back to Haven it began to snow. I looked over at Allison and smiled knowing that we would not be wrapping presents tonight. I said a silent thank you to Chris. What she had revealed about Allison and the weather proved to be delightfully accurate.

After we made love I was disappointed when Allison left the bed to make dinner. I was not in the mood for food. I just wanted more of her. Allison lasagna proved far too tempting to resist and I found myself happily accepting seconds. After dinner we wrapped ourselves up in a blanket on the sofa. As we sipped our wine and looked at the tree I became lost in thought. She would be gone soon.

“Penny for your thoughts.” She whispered as she gently kissed my forehead.

“I’m going to miss you.” I answered honestly.

“I know.” She sighed. “I’ll miss you as well. Maybe we could schedule some trips to see each other?”

“I couldn’t afford that.” I said sadly.

“What if you didn’t have to pay rent?” Allison asked bluntly.

“Allison?” I wasn’t prepared for that. “Your aunt needs the money.” I protested.

“Hear me out.” Allison held up her hand. “What if you were living here?” My eyes widen to the size of saucers and I stared at her blankly. “Let me explain before you panic. You’ll be looking after my apartment anyway and the college has hired someone to fill in for me during my absence. She will need a place to stay. We could move your stuff up here and she can sublet your place.”

I was confused a part of me wanted to jump up and down and do a happy dance. Yet there was another part of me that was terrified and uncomfortable at her suggestion. “What happens when you come home?” I asked hesitantly.

“Stephanie if for some reason our relationship does not survive our separation does you plans on staying downstairs from me?” Allison questioned me directly.

“No.” I answered firmly. “It was hard enough on both of us before we started seeing each other. I couldn’t go through that again. What happens if were are still together in April?”

“I don’t doubt that we will be.” Allison reassured me. “Look if when I come home it is too soon for us to be living together than we simply go back to the way it was. I have to admit I kind of enjoy be able to use your apartment when we can’t wait to get upstairs.”

I blushed recalling the numerous occasions that having a bed on the first floor provided a quick solution for our amorous adventures. “I don’t know.” I began slowly. I wanted to say yes knowing that what we shared would last forever. Yet there was something else nagging at me. That something was my pride. “Allison I just wouldn’t feel comfortable with you paying my way.” I finally confessed.

“I wouldn’t be paying your way.” Allison argued with a smile. “I would simply be paying the utilities. Which I do anyways. If it makes you feel better you can take over the telephone and cable bill. I can have it set up with my accountant.”

“You have an accountant?” I asked in amazement.

“Of course.” Allison replied simply. “I have to with my investments.”

“Oh of course.” I chuckled then I caught myself and sighed heavily. “I just don’t want to feel like you are supporting me.” I had to be honest it was the only thing keeping me from accepting her offer. I had worked my entire life to become independent.

“I wouldn’t be.” Allison protested. “You would be paying everything that isn’t covered by the rent.”

“But I wouldn’t be paying any rent.” I tried to reason with her.

“Because there is no rent to pay on this apartment.” Allison countered. “Tia Maria would be receiving the same amount of money if I was staying in town.”

“But you’ll be paying rent in California.” I offered.

“No I’m staying in faculty housing.” Allison deflated my point quickly. “I’m house sitting for another Professor who will be on sabbatical. So it won’t cost me a dime to live there.” I listened to her argument and it made sense. “I have a newsflash for you Stephanie you make more money than I do. The only reason I have more money is because I invested well. The interest I make off of my portfolio cover this house, my car and help out my family. If I lost my job I would be in trouble just like everyone else.”

“Okay.” I agreed. “It’s not like I ever use my apartment anymore. Most of my clothing is up here.” I laughed. “I was just thinking about this joke Rita told me. What does a lesbian bring on a second date?”

“A UHaul.” Allison laughed. “It’s an old joke honey. Look we won’t really be living together if that is what is bothering you. I am going to be on the other side of the country. And when I get home we can talk about our living arrangement.”

“Well it would nice to save some money.” I found myself agreeing. “Not to mention how much I love your apartment.”

“So you’re saying yes.” Allison asked carefully.

“Yes.” I answered as I leaned into her body. “Now kiss me.” The kiss was sweet and gentle and quickly deepened into more as we invited one another to explore further. I was breathless as our lips parted. I began to fumble under the blanket and remove her clothing. “Don’t you ever get enough?” She teased me as her hands began to roam my body. “Never.” I replied breathlessly. “I could never get enough of you.”

“Good.” Allison moaned from my touch. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” I answered as I stopped my exploration and looked deeply into those baby blue eyes.

The following morning we moved my few belongings upstairs most of which took up residence in my office on the second floor. With savings in rent perhaps I would be able to buy my own car. It was the twenty-third and classes were finally over. My only plans for the rest of the day were to make love to Allison. I wanted to make it last all night and commit her body to my memory. At times our lovemaking was rushed driven solely by a lust that neither of us could control. Other times we took everything very slowly wanting each moment to last forever. That night was a night to take things slowly. With each touch and every lingering kiss we were lost in each other. I remember thinking that I could spend an eternity just caressing her breasts.