The Influencer

Kylie Kaminski was a lesbian and proud of it, too. The only problem was that she was often attracted to straight women. And the dark and lovely cashier at the local grocery store named Liz just might be one of them. She knew the diamond ring Liz wore could’ve been given to her by another woman, but the fact that she was taken—lesbian or straight—was a real bummer in Kylie’s mind. She tried to tell herself that Liz may not be attracted to her anyway. Perhaps she favored other brunettes like herself. If so, Kylie was definitely out of luck with her light golden-brown curls. Nonetheless, Kylie loved going grocery shopping like never before and made it a point to make a few trips to the store each week, getting fewer items at a time rather than doing bigger, less frequent trips as she used to before she began coming to the Safeway where Liz worked. She plucked a can of bean soup off the shelf of the semi-crowded store. “Find everything okay, ma’am?” She turned toward the voice. There stood Emily, the store’s assistant, nearby. “Yes, thank you.” A twinge of pity swept over Kylie as she watched Emily stock something on the shelf further down the aisle. Emily was both mentally challenged and downright unattractive—a sure ticket to a life of loneliness and lost opportunities. The short, heavy blonde girl smiled a semi-toothless crooked grin as her Coke-bottle glasses slid down her nose. She pushed them back with a pudgy finger, ran a hand through her unruly hair that seemed in need of a good wash, then walked off. Kylie found it comforting to know that major retailers such as this didn’t discriminate against the mentally or physically challenged. If only gays could get the same acceptance, she thought. Once Kylie had gathered the things she wanted, she made her way to the registers. A quick scan of the cashiers showed that the object of her attraction wasn’t on duty. Disappointment came over her, but Estella’s cheery manner put a smile back on her face. Estella was also dark and good-looking, though she was older and didn’t quite compare to Liz. “Liz isn’t on today?” Kylie asked as Estella rang up her items. “No, she’s got Sundays and Mondays off.” It was Sunday, so Kylie wouldn’t bother returning until Tuesday. “All set, Miss Kaminski,” Estella said with a smile a moment later as she handed her bag to her. Kylie thanked her and left the store—without her eye candy.

On Tuesday, Kylie made up her face and pulled on a pair of low-cut jeans and a black T-shirt that highlighted her cleavage nicely. She studied herself in the mirror and wished she weren’t so chunky. Next, she went to the store fifteen minutes before it closed, hoping the place would be less crowded, and it was. She glanced at the few cashiers on duty and saw the back of Liz as she waited on someone. Although this was perhaps the tenth time she’d seen the attractive cashier, they’d never exchanged more than a few words yet, as it was usually busy. Kylie easily breezed through the aisles, gathering a bottle of diet soda, a frozen chicken dinner, fresh peaches, and her favorite caramel-pecan cookies. She felt her heartbeat accelerate a bit as she approached the checkout line. A quick glance behind her showed that no one was approaching the same line. She hoped it stayed that way for a while. Liz handed an elderly gentleman a few bags as she placed Kylie’s items on the conveyor belt. “Need any help out?” Liz asked the man in a friendly tone. “No, I’m fine. Thank you,” he said, shuffling off. Liz turned toward Kylie. She beamed a bright smile and said, “Hi there. Boy, you’re out late tonight. How’re you doing?” “I’m fine,” Kylie smiled back, surprised by Liz’s friendliness. In the past, Liz had been polite but not exactly friendly. “And you?” “Just chugging along as usual,” the cashier replied with a nonchalant shrug. Liz had done a double-take when she first saw Kylie, almost not recognizing her at first because she wasn’t used to seeing her with makeup on. Kylie, pleased to see her new look hadn’t gone unnoticed, studied Liz as she scanned her items. Liz wasn’t the statuesque type she normally liked. She was of average height and weight. Kylie admired her hair, very dark and hanging perfectly straight down to her waist. Tonight, the sides were pulled back. Kylie was mostly attracted to Liz’s face. Her dark eyes were so intense they almost made her tremble. They were somewhat narrow, giving her a slightly snobbish and intimidating look, which only added to Kylie’s attraction. She never really liked women with overly soft, meek, or girlish features. Liz looked both youthful and mature at the same time, giving the impression she didn’t take any shit from anyone. She might even be a rather insensitive person, Kylie thought, if she ever got the chance to get to know her. Her cheerful smile—despite the missing tooth Kylie noticed for the first time—and soft-spoken voice were a definite contrast to her dark, serious eyes. Liz wore no makeup. If she had any other traits Kylie might consider a flaw, it was her pointy nose, overly light skin, and slightly droopy neck, suggesting she may have once lost a large amount of weight. No one was perfect. And Kylie was still turned on. Kylie glanced behind her to find the line still empty as Liz began bagging the items. She turned back to Liz. Liz smiled. So did she. “So what brings you out this late, Miss Kaminski?” Liz asked. Kylie was about to ask how she knew her name when she remembered it was on the member’s card she scanned each time she shopped, giving her discounts. “I took a walk down here, figuring it wouldn’t be as crowded at this time of night.” “You walked?” Liz asked with surprise. Kylie nodded. “This isn’t a big city with lots of crime. No one bothered me.” “Oh, let me give you a ride back anyway,” Liz insisted. “Sure, you’d probably be okay, but you never do know.” “That would be very kind of you,” Kylie said, trying not to smile too much. “But only if you’re sure it wouldn’t be out of your way.” “It’s okay if it is. Where do you live?” Liz handed her bag. “I’ve got an apartment just a short way up North 11th Street. It’s not even a ten-minute walk from here.” “No problem,” Liz said matter-of-factly. “Just wait by the door on that side,” she said, pointing. “I’ll be done in just a few minutes.” “Okay,” Kylie said. She felt herself blush and quickly turned away, though it wasn’t fast enough. The smile that broke out on Liz’s face as she turned away suggested she had picked up on her feelings—amused, not offended. Kylie was surprised that Liz had been that receptive. Although she only had to wait a few minutes, just as Liz said, each minute seemed to drag on forever. She tried not to fidget as she stood by the door and watched Liz from the corner of her eye, tidying her register for the night. Liz suddenly glanced in her direction. “Be back in a sec.” Kylie watched Liz head deeper into the store, admiring how well her black low-cut jeans showed off her figure. She took a deep breath and waited. When Liz returned, she wore a black suede coat with fringes. Kylie thought she looked hot, and with a little makeup—who knew? “Nice coat,” Kylie told her. “Thanks,” said Liz. They walked silently to the deserted parking lot. Liz led her to a small, red compact car, unlocked the passenger door, then the rest of the car. Kylie saw two other employees leave the store as she got in. Liz got into the driver’s seat and pulled her seatbelt around her. “Buckle up, hun.” “Oh,” Kylie said, reaching to buckle hers. “I take it it’s been a while since you’ve been in a car?” “That’s correct.” Kylie buckled her seatbelt with a laugh. “So, you’re married?” she dared ask, hoping she wasn’t too forward. Liz laughed as if she’d said something funny, then started up the car and backed out. “No, I’m not. It’s just a ring someone sold me that they won in a contest. I figured I’d sell it once I met someone special.” “Oh,” Kylie said, pleased to learn this. “I enter contests all the time.” “Do you?” Kylie nodded. “Do you live around here?” “Sort of. My house isn’t too far past yours.” An awkward silence filled the car as they turned onto the next street. Kylie wished she didn’t live so close to the store for once. “You from here?” Liz asked. Kylie shook her head. “Down south. Are you from here?” “Oh, yeah. I’m a native. You like it here?” “In Klamath Falls or the apartment building?” Liz chuckled, making Kylie feel a bit foolish. “Well, both.” “Klamath Falls is a bit too cold and snowy for my tastes, and the apartment’s noisy. The guy below me blasts his music, and the lady above me walks like an elephant.” “I think I know the place. It’s the brick building just past the church, right?” Kylie nodded. “That’s it.” “So, you got a first name or what?” Liz asked as they turned onto North 11th Street. “Oh, my God, I’m sorry! Yeah. Yeah, it’s Kylie.” “Kylie? Pretty name.” “Thank you.” “Anything you like about living here?” “The friendly people,” Kylie said with a smile, which produced one from Liz as well. Liz slowed in front of her building. Once at a complete stop, Kylie considered inviting her up, but thought better of it. She simply thanked Liz for the ride. Liz looked directly at her, nodded, and said, “Okay. I’ll wait and see you safely inside, then I’ll see you around again soon.” “Thanks again, Liz.” Kylie got out of the car, self-conscious, knowing Liz’s eyes were upon her as she entered the building’s lobby. Once inside her small apartment, she nearly squealed with joy. Although Liz had been friendly, Kylie still sensed an underlying hardness about her, subtle enough not to stop her from hoping to spend more time with the hottie—in private.

“Ready, Seth?” Cassie asked her partner, smoothing down her skirt and tucking a stray strand of hair back into her French braid. Seth slid the door to the van shut. He was dressed casually compared to Cassie. “All set. Got the camera ready and everything.” “Okay, let’s do it,” said Cassie as the two headed toward the small church in front of them. “Are you sure this is a good time?” asked Seth. “According to my sources, this is when it should be the most deserted.” They entered the church. It seemed cool and dark after being outdoors in the rare, warm sunshine. Sure enough, the rows of pews were empty. A moment later, they saw the priest approaching them. He had come from a room in the back of the church. He smiled and said, “Good afternoon. I’m Father Rusty. Can I help you?” “Hi, Father,” said Cassie, extending her hand. She introduced both Seth and herself, who held his camera down at his side. Cassie studied Father Rusty’s face for a moment. Such a sweet-looking old man, yet so full of hate, she thought. “How can I help you fine, young folks today?” asked the Father. “We’re young but fine?” said Cassie. “You never know about that one, Father Rusty. We just might be hateful, bigoted people—although we’re really not. Of that, I can assure you.” Father Rusty’s brows knotted with confusion. “Oh, let me explain,” said Cassie. “You see, Seth and I are journalists with Klamath Falls’ one and only paper.” “I see,” Father Rusty said with a nod, his smile returning. Oh no, you don’t see, thought Cassie. We’re not here to give you the kind of publicity you’d like to have. “Are you doing some kind of story on churches?” Father Rusty asked. “Yes, and with your permission, we’d like to film this interview. It shouldn’t take long at all. Would now be a good time? We could come back later if you’d like.” “Oh, no. Now’s a fine time. What would you like to do?” Seth raised his camera. Cassie looked around, then said, “This is as good a place as any, so I’d like to begin with a special request, if I may.” “Okay,” said the Father, clasping his calloused, wrinkled hands in front of him. Cassie decided the best approach would be to get right to the point—and so she did. “We’d like for you to stop spreading messages of hate, Father Rusty.” Father Rusty blinked. He obviously wasn’t expecting this. “Excuse me?” “Well, Father, we don’t mean to offend you, but we simply can’t understand how you can preach love and harmony to your flock one minute, then tell them to alienate gays the next. If God said to love everyone, then why do you condemn those who are different from you? Can’t we all be who we are without condemning others?” The Father didn’t seem to have an answer. Instead, he eyed Cassie intently, then his gaze shifted to Seth. His expression eventually darkened. “Please turn that off,” he said sternly. “Are you sure, Father?” asked Seth. “It’s just that if you enjoy spreading words of hate in here, we thought you’d like it better if even more people could…” “I said shut it off!” Father half-shouted. He began to shake, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, much to Cassie’s satisfaction. She wished more people would stand up to hypocrites like this. A bigot was a bigot, no matter how you sugarcoat it. Cassie continued as Seth lowered the camera. She still had the voice-activated recorder concealed in her pocket. “I just don’t understand why we have to live in such a black-and-white world, where so many things have to be one way or the other. What’s wrong with straights marrying the opposite sex while gays marry the same sex? If no one’s being forced to marry anyone they don’t want to, then I don’t see the problem.” “The problem is God condemns it,” Father Rusty said matter-of-factly. “I don’t think so,” Cassie said, shaking her head. “Or else gays wouldn’t exist, would they? If I were God, why would I create a world with anything I didn’t want? God even loves and accepts murderers, though we’re not talking about them here. We’re talking about people who just want to live as themselves without harming others. They just want equal rights. That’s all. Love and harmony can never exist with people like you sending messages of intolerance and hate.” “I hate no one,” the Father insisted, his icy blue eyes still boring into Cassie’s hazel ones. Cassie put a gentle arm on him. His jaw remained set in stubborn defiance. “Father, we’re not asking you to change your beliefs, opinions, or the way you live. We’re simply asking that you accept, tolerate, and let others live as they see fit, even if you don’t agree. Stop judging others. Would you want people spreading bad words about you? Drug dealers, murderers, rapists—that’s a different story. They hurt others. We’re talking about consenting adults who just want to live life like everyone else. That’s all we’re asking.” “And that you stop suggesting, even subliminally, that gays should be ousted and condemned because you think some unproven entity hates them,” Seth added. Father Rusty’s gaze snapped to Seth, then back to Cassie. “Anything else?” “Father, has any gay person ever wronged you? Ever harmed you?” Cassie asked. “I decline to answer. Now, if that’s all, I have business to attend to.” “Okay, Father. That’s all. I hope you’ll consider our words today.” The Father remained riveted to his spot as Cassie and Seth turned to leave the church. Outside, Cassie still felt his hateful gaze on her back. Just then, they heard the squeal of tires nearby. Cassie and Seth spun in the direction of the sound. A car was spinning out of control. It screeched toward them, and Cassie knew there would be no shortage of stories to print anytime soon.

Liz sat down in the break room, where three other women from the deli were having a personal—but not-so-personal—conversation. Liz was amazed at how open people could be with their private lives. They seemed oblivious to her presence, though she knew they noticed she wasn’t much of a talker and thus not much for conversation. “How’s the manhunt going?” asked a very heavy brunette. A slender strawberry-blond rolled her eyes and snorted in exasperation. “Oh, the challenges of finding a man who’s honest, wants kids, is good in bed, and has a brain.” The brunette chuckled, then asked a plain-looking blonde about her personal life. “Well, the guy I recently met is honest at least half the time, somewhat good in bed, somewhat brainy, but doesn’t want kids. It’s fine with me, though—I like keeping my freedom and my figure, you know?” The brunette nodded as she popped a stick of gum in her mouth and was asked about her own flame of the moment. She shrugged. “It’s semi-serious, I guess.” “Any good in the sack?” Liz took a swig of her soda and waited for an answer. “When he’s not drunk.” The women burst out laughing, though Liz couldn’t understand why. Still seemingly unaware of her presence just a few feet away, she finished her soda, tossed the can into the recycling bin, and left the room, realizing that in many ways, life as a lesbian was a lot less complicated.

Later that evening, Liz peeled off her clothes and slipped under the shower. The hot spray felt relaxing. “Oh, Kylie, Kylie, Kylie…” she whispered softly to herself. She couldn’t get the girl out of her mind. She knew virtually nothing about her, but she was hooked all the same. Each time Kylie left the store, Liz found herself anticipating her next visit even more than the last. She was mesmerized by Kylie’s beauty. She had been hoping all day that Kylie would come into the store. So much so that she often found herself glancing toward the door, distracted from work. Even the manager had asked if everything was okay with her. She pumped some soap from a dispenser and slowly lavished it upon her body, thinking of Kylie. Kylie had large, long-lashed green eyes and full lips that melted Liz’s heart at the thought of kissing them. She wanted to run her fingers through Kylie’s golden locks that spanned her back, explore her body’s every curve with her hands and lips. The only thing keeping Kylie from being a perfect ten was her slight chubbiness. It did nothing to detract from her cuteness, however, and Liz decided she would invite her to the upcoming July 4th fireworks by the lake. She laughed aloud, remembering when Kylie had come to the store about a week ago. Kylie had gotten in Estella’s line and, on her way out, loudly called, “Hi, Liz!” Startled, Liz turned and said hello back. She didn’t know what to make of the greeting but found it both cute and amusing, as did Olivia, the cashier on the other side of her. Once Kylie had gone, Olivia laughed and asked, “What was that all about? She an old friend of yours or something?” “No,” Liz said with a shrug of bafflement. “I’ve only seen her around the store.” She remembered how Kylie always seemed to have something new and exciting to tell her, and a couple of times had gotten in line at her register when it was the longest. She wondered why the girl didn’t go to a shorter line, but now she understood. She hadn’t realized it at first, but if her conclusion was correct, Kylie was attracted to her. Having always found Kylie adorably cute, the idea sat very well in her mind.

When Liz stepped out of the shower a few minutes later, she switched on the TV. It was set to a local channel. A few commercials aired, then the news. The leading story was about a young woman hit by a car earlier in the day. Wow, this is serious, thought Liz. Klamath Falls didn’t usually see more trouble than drunks, domestic spats, and traffic violations. Even theft was minor—someone stealing a neighbor’s Sunday paper for coupons. Liz studied the anchorman. “The victim struck by a vehicle driven by Jordan Mackey earlier today, around 1 PM, has been identified as 24-year-old Kylie Rose Kaminski.” Liz’s eyes widened in horror. She reached for the remote to turn up the volume. “Miss Kaminski was apparently walking along Main Street when 48-year-old Jordan Mackey, a Klamath County circuit court judge, lost control of his car, striking the young woman on the sidewalk. Despite his blood-alcohol level being over the legal limit, no charges will be filed against him due to judicial immunity. Judge Mackey has minor scrapes, bruises, and a slight concussion, and will undergo tests while hospitalized for about a week.” Liz listened, stunned. You mean the bastard can get away with drunk driving and hitting someone just because he’s a judge?! The anchorman continued, “Miss Kaminski is in critical condition and comatose but expected to live. Hospital officials have been unable to locate next of kin and urge anyone who may know her to contact them at Mercy Hospital…” Liz, thinking of Kylie lying in a coma alone, towel still wrapped around her, hair damp on her shoulders, immediately called the hospital to request permission to visit her that evening. She was granted it.