Laughing and playing and kissing and touching, they were in a separate world. Apart from the cookie cutter teenage life many know so well. Untouchable. Bonded in a love so strong even the most powerful burst of water could not break the spider’s web of passion they had woven ever so delicately.
She inhaled a breath of her lover, cherishing that familiar scent that sent chills down her spine. Jewel was just about to say something.
“I feel better about things. I’m not having as many doubts lately. You make me feel better about my sexuality.”
“Are you sure?” Denise touched her hand. “Because I love you so much and we can overcome these fears together.”
“I’m sure.”
That door should probably be closed all the way. It can wait.
The purring motor of a black Corolla ceased outside of Denise’s house. It was Jewel’s mother.
Entangled in the web of the covers, they embraced each other’s presence. Nothing could tear them apart. Jewel looked so utterly peaceful, it was divinely celestial. Neither knew that what was about to happen would shatter their worlds. There was so much to overcome already, it was hard.
“Hey, Katherine!” said Christine. “Come on in, I’ll go get the girls.”
Her footsteps could be heard throughout the entire house, but not to them. They heard nothing.
“Jewel!”
“I love you so much.”
“Jewel your mom’s here!”
“I love you too.”
Denise’s mom knocked as she was opening the door revealing the two defenseless beings engaged in a kiss representing the best kind of love. Thank God there were no clothes on the floor. Denise’s mom’s voice dropped about two pitches.
“Jewel, your mom’s here.” The door was shut.
“Holy shit! Do you think she saw anything?” Jewel exclaimed. There was no way she could have not seen that. Denise and Jewel were both speechless.
Jewel left the house and Denise rushed for the bathroom to take a shower. Only a few more steps to the bathroom!
“Denise wait,” said her mom. “I need to talk to you in your room.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
The door was closed as Denise stood nervously in her room.
“What did I just walk in on?”
“Nothing, what are you talking about?”
“It looked like she was kissing you.”
“Well she wasn’t. We were just talking.” Yeah right. She isn’t buying any of this.
“Denise, are you gay?”
“No, of course not!” She felt her cheeks turn red, reflecting the torment her insides were enduring. Her palms began to sweat.
“Because if you are I’m not gonna like it at all but I’m just gonna have to accept it I guess.”
“No I’m not. Can I take a shower now?”
“Yes.”
Reflecting in the shower is sedating. The events of the night ran through Denise’s mind like reruns of an old I Love Lucy episode; she was in a trance. She crawled into bed naked and dripping wet, like a hurt puppy. How cold the sheets were, however her body was numb to it.
Beside her window, a cat was clawing at a spider web, missing the first two times but finally succeeding in breaking it apart. Just for kicks. Denise longed to scold the cat but she was far too weak. She listened to the silence of the night, closed her eyes, and wept silently. The following month, her mother did not speak one word to her.
