We’ll Meet Again Someday

Riana awoke the next morning. She looked at the clock and saw that it was just after eight. Audra and Emma would be gone by now. She got up to pee, and her mind began to actively think about the possibilities arising from the turning point in her life she was about to embark upon. She hoped she wasn’t making a mistake. As it was, the whole idea of moving into the house felt weirder than exciting. She would be sleeping where James had slept. She would be sitting in his chair at the kitchen table. She poured water into her tiny coffee maker and looked around the room as she waited for it to brew. Many times, the room had felt like a prison, trapping her, suffocating her, and isolating her. At the same time, it had been her private little escape. She knew she wouldn’t have as much privacy in the house with Audra and Emma. Here, she had been able to distance herself a little more. Although she still found Audra a bit demanding and even intimidating, she looked forward to the fun they had together—and this didn’t mean just sex. She enjoyed Audra’s company. She liked watching movies together, the talks they had, and other things they’d come to share as well. She also welcomed the security that living with Audra would bring. All in all, giving up some privacy and dealing with Audra’s bossiness might be worth it, she thought as she sipped her hot coffee and went to check her email. After checking her email, she went to the journal site and found a slew of comments regarding her decision to move into the house with Audra. They were from the usual people. Most were against the idea, but jones349 and SoIn2U thought it a fine plan. They seemed to be the only Audra supporters she had, especially SoIn2U, whom she tried to ignore. They came on way too strong. She glanced at the shiny gold key lying on the corner of the desk that Audra had given her last night. For the first time, she could unlock the door to the house and enter it anytime she wanted. Wow, they really have come a long way, haven’t they? She did a little work and was showered and dressed by 9:00. Since she didn’t have much, it only took her a few hours to move things into the house, and it only took that long because she worked at a very leisurely pace, often taking breaks to eat, check email, and enter sweeps. Despite Riana’s concerns, things started off well, and she didn’t miss her little guesthouse hideaway tucked in the corner of Audra’s backyard as much as she had thought. She had enough of a sanctuary in the guestroom, especially when Audra and Emma weren’t home. Riana massaged the knotted muscles in Audra’s back one night after Emma had gone to bed. Audra said, “It’s so nice having you here all the time and knowing the house, cooking, and laundry are being taken care of while I’m out working. You keep up on things so well. And it’s even nicer to have you taking care of me.” Riana smiled. “I’m definitely being well-rewarded for my efforts. A place to live, food to eat, a hottie who cares about me—what more could I ask for?” A knock on the door made Audra jump up quickly. She opened the door to find Emma standing there. “Yes?” “I forgot to ask if it’s okay if I go to Letitia’s house after school.” “As long as you don’t neglect your homework, then sure.” Emma’s eyes fell upon Riana, who remained seated on the edge of the bed. “What’s up?” “What do you mean… what’s up?” “Why is she in your room?” “We’re talking.” Again, Emma glanced at Riana. “That’s quite a piece of lingerie to be talking in, isn’t it?” Audra’s face reddened. “And isn’t it none of your business what others do and what they wear? Please get into bed, Emma, and just worry about yourself.” Emma mumbled something Riana couldn’t make out before returning to her room. “Maybe we should slow down a bit,” Riana suggested once Audra had shut her own door. “Uh-uh,” Audra said, shaking her head adamantly. “What we do is none of her business. It’s no one’s business, for that matter.” “I know, it’s just…” “Just what?” “I don’t want to come off like I’m trying to take James’ place.” “You’re not, sweetie, and you know you couldn’t do that anyway because he was who he was, and you are who you are.” Riana managed a weak smile, although she still felt a bit uncomfortable about the situation. Audra was right—they were adults, and they had a right to do their own thing. But she didn’t want to upset Emma either. The girl had been through a lot. Seeing her mother with another person, be it a woman or a man, had to be strange for a kid who had never known her to be with anyone else but her father. She glanced down at the satiny hot-pink negligee she wore with black lace trim. It had made her feel sexy before, but now it only made her feel cheap and trashy.