Mermaid Tales Sneak Peek - Xandra (Tissue Warning)
Mermaid Tales Sneak Peek - Xandra (Tissue Warning)
So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. ― J.R.R Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
The ring in Xandra’s pocket had been a comfort for the last few weeks. When she had left Morgan City, she made a side quest to Florida and had dinner with Gigi’s parents. She sat on the back patio with her dad, Charles, and they talked about sports and firefighting over a couple of beers. When she finally had enough liquid courage in her, she sat up and looked him in the eye.
“Sir, I love Gigi.”
“That’s something that you should tell her.”
“I do. But, right now, I’m telling you so that you know I mean it. I know that you all accept her being a lesbian-“
“Alexandra, there is no accepting that she’s a lesbian. She’s my daughter. I would love her if she was straight just as much as I love her now. Gay or straight, she’s Gigi. Just like we love you, Xandra.”
She took a deep breath when he sat his beer on the table and moved closer to take her hands in his. She looked at their hands and a tear slipped down her cheek. This easy acceptance was something that she had never had. When her parents finally accepted the fact that she was gay, it was with the secret hope that it was a phase.
“What do you want to ask me?”
Looking up at him, she whispered the question that was weighing heavy on her. “Can I have your blessing to marry your daughter?”
Smiling at her, he leaned in and kissed her forehead. “As long as you treat her right, you will always have my blessing.”
The following morning, Gigi’s mom, Lotti, woke her up and told her they only had a few hours to find the perfect ring before Xandra had to get on a plane and fly to Oklahoma. She wondered how much the woman spent at the jewelry store for the manager to agree to open the store early. Even more, how did you get the manager’s phone number?
Not only did they open the store two hours earlier than usual, but they also had breakfast for them. Chorizo sausage breakfast burritos and ham and cheese croissants. Tropical fruit cups. Fresh squeezed orange juice – of course. A blonde roast latte for Lotti and a dark roast black coffee for Xandra.
She had really wanted to ask how much the woman spent there. Then again, she was afraid of how many digits would be in that number. Especially when the clerk started asking Lotti about her kids and grandkids.
As they looked at rings, the manager asked what Lotti would be wearing for a charity ball and some other upcoming events. She showed him the dress on her phone, and he brought her several necklaces that she could borrow for the night. The million-dollar price tag had Xandra choking on a piece of chorizo.
“That’s why I only borrow and don’t buy,” Lotti said with a bright smile and a wink. Giving a small gasp, she picked up a wide gold band with a thin line of tiny diamonds. “This is perfect.”
Xandra shook her head, “That’s not Gigi at all.”
“Oh, no, honey,” she said, picking up the other woman’s hand and sliding the ring on her finger. “I was thinking of this one for you.”
She stared at her girlfriend’s mother as tears filled her eyes. “Lotti, I’m not sure that I can afford two rings.”
“Then it’s a good thing that you’re not buying either one of them. Do you like this one?”
“It’s beautiful, Lotti.”
“After you marry Gigi, I expect you to start calling me mom. Now what have you found for my girl?” She took the ring back and handed it to the clerk, “We’ll take this one.”
Xandra picked up the golden ring with a large princess cut diamond. “This one really screams at me.”
“And does my daughter scream at you?”
“Only when I’m between her legs.”
As soon as Xandra realized what she said, and to whom, her face bloomed bright red. Lotti was also blushing. The clerk, ever the professional, kept from laughing with a lot of restraint.
“We’re just going to forget that you said that.”
“Thank you,” Xandra whispered.
After they found the right size, she picked a wedding band to go with the diamond engagement ring. The three rings were packed away and added to Xandra’s carry-on bag. Lotti paid before Xandra even knew how much the total was.
“What if she says no?”
“I doubt she will. She loves you too.” She kissed her future daughter-in-law’s cheek, “If she does say no, hang on to it. She’ll eventually come around.”
Opening the small blue box, Xandra sat down on the bed in her childhood room. Staring at the ring, she considered the options ahead of her. She loved Gigi. There was nothing in this world that would make her happier than having Gigi as her wife.
Darren was her closest friend. Had been there for her no matter what. Sat on the couch, holding her hand when she came out to her parents. He went to prom with her both junior and senior years. There were too many times that he had been her ‘plus one’ when she needed one.
When she could hide no longer, he was the first one to suggest that she find somewhere else to live. They had sat here in her room, and he had searched for fire departments that were hiring. Morgan City had accepted her application and offered training to transfer her training certificates.
He paid for the flight, rental car and the short-term rental. When she passed the test and was hired, he paid for the apartment and utility deposits. Making a weekend of it, he drove her pickup to Morgan City. It now sat in her driveway as a project truck.
Darren never asked her for anything. For the first time in their entire lives, he asked her for something. They met with his lawyer today and now she had to decide.
She could say no and he would not make her feel bad. That was not who he was. He would find another way.
Looking up, she saw the picture of her and Darren’s two nephews, Cole and Greg, as the three of them stood in The Center of the Universe, a tourist attraction in nearby Tulsa. Later that day, at the botanical gardens, Cole asked if she was going to be their new mom when Darren died.
Six-year-old boys should not be so dismissive about death. They had already buried their grandfather, both parents and would soon bury their uncle. Her decision would affect so many people. Gigi. Darren. Cole. Greg.
Gigi would understand and would support her. This was not a discussion that you had over the phone. She needed to go home and talk to Gigi. With her decision being made, she closed the box, praying for guidance.