Jody stopped, ready to argue the accusation, but decided not to. Sharon's anger was valid.

Ellen was already dressed and in the process of slipping her shoes on when Jody came into the bedroom.

"I'll see myself out," she said.

"Ellen, I want to see you again." Ellen seemed as surprised by the statement as Jody was. They stood staring at each other.

"I think you need to get things straightened out with Sharon first." Ellen froze. "You know where to find me."

Jody walked her to the front door. "I'll call you."

Ellen turned to her. "Just make sure you know what you want. I don't play games." Without waiting for Jody to respond, she left.

Jody turned back to the kitchen, but Sharon had come into the living room.

"Dinner with an old friend!" Sharon snapped. "Jody, she's young enough to be your daughter. How old is she anyway? Eighteen? Nineteen?"

"She's twenty-five," Jody said defensively.

"You're nineteen years older than her? What is it with you? Are you trying to recapture your youth by chasing younger women? Each new girlfriend gets a little younger." Sharon began to pace back and forth by the rumpled sofa. "I shudder to imagine what you'll be doing by the time you're fifty."

"Sharon, please sit down so we can talk." Jody fell into her recliner.

Sharon stared at the sofa, the only other place to sit.

Embarra.s.sed, Jody got out of the recliner and motioned for Sharon to take it. She pushed the pillows and blanket off the far end of the sofa, hoping the nightmare rapidly developing here might disappear if the evidence did.

Jody pulled her robe closer and folded her hands, while Sharon waited for her explanation.

"I'm sorry you found out like this. I was going to tell you."

"How sweet of you." Sharon's sarcasm cut deep.

"Sharon, we never agreed to monogamy. We never agreed to anything, actually." A silence fell between them.

"What happens now?" Sharon's voice had lost all its fury.

Jody wished it would return. She could handle anger much better than she could the look of hurt that shadowed Sharon's face. She remembered a similar look on Lauren's face from years before, when she had walked in and caught Jody. Experience had taught her that a clean cut would be less painful in the long run.

"I don't think we should continue to see each other."

Sharon began to sob softly.

Jody left the sofa, knelt in front of her and hugged her. "I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you," Jody said as Sharon continued to cry.

Sharon clasped her tightly. "I thought we were doing so well. Can't we make this work?"

Jody had some difficulty extracting Sharon's arms from around her. "Don't do this. You're a wonderful woman. I wouldn't want you to change. We're just not right for each other."

Anger flashed in Sharon's green eyes. "You're a cold, manipulating b.i.t.c.h." She shoved Jody harshly away. Jody fell onto the floor and lay there staring as Sharon left, slamming the front door so hard a picture on the front wall crashed to the floor.

Jody lay on the floor and struggled with her emotions and conscience until her back began to hurt. When she finally stood and glanced at the clock, she was surprised to find it was almost eleven.

She changed into shorts and went for a run. She was halfway through her route before her mind began to clear and she was able to think.

Eighteen years on Wall Street had taught her to trust her instincts, and Ellen felt right. If she and Ellen continued to see each other, they had to ensure that Denise would not be hurt. Jody needed to talk to Denise right away. Maybe she could find a way to explain things so that Denise would understand.

She completed her run and took a long, hot shower before dialing Denise's home number. She breathed a sigh of relief when Ellen answered.

"It's me. Jody."

"I've been worried about you. I wasn't sure you would call. How did it go?"

"We decided it would be best if we didn't see each other anymore."

"Are you sure that's what you really want?" Ellen asked.

Jody thought about it before replying. She wanted to be sure she could make Ellen understand. "My relationship with Sharon wasn't about love or forever. It was two people having a good time while it lasted."

"Did Sharon feel the same way?"

Again, Jody hesitated. "I don't think Sharon was ready to break things off, but I believe she would have been soon."

Silence hung between them.

"Where's your mom?" Jody asked to break the tension.

"She's still at work."

Jody shook her head as she glanced at the clock. "Of course. I must be losing my mind. It's not even one yet."

"You took so long in calling, I was afraid you had changed your mind," Ellen said.

"I've been thinking."

Ellen remained silent for several seconds. "And?" she prompted.

"I want to see you. I don't know what's going to happen between us. I don't have a very good track record in relationships, but I want to try."

"Jody, I want to make love to you." The statement raced through the wires like a flash fire.

Jody knew she should say no but found herself saying, "Leave your mom a note and come over."

"Okay. I'll be there in half an hour."

After hanging up, Jody got dressed and started putting her house back in order. Girlfriends sure played havoc with her housekeeping routine.

Jody and Ellen spent the remainder of the afternoon making love and talking. Afterward they went to a small, neighborhood restaurant that Jody recommended and enjoyed a quiet dinner of seafood.

After the waitress brought them coffee, Jody sat back in her seat and said, "I think it's best if we tell Denise right away. The longer we wait, the worse it will be for her."

"I agree, but do you think she's going to be that upset? I mean, you're her best friend. It seems to me, she'd be happy."

Jody shook her head and fidgeted with her silverware. For the first time in years, she wished she hadn't quit smoking. Everything was happening so fast. She hadn't had time to come to grips with her mercurial emotions. How could her feelings for Ellen be so strong in such a short time?

"I honestly don't know how she's going to react, but I don't think we should expect her blessing for a while. She's going to need time to adjust to the idea."

"When are we going to tell her?" Ellen asked as she pushed her empty coffee cup away.

Jody sighed. "I guess there's no time like the present." She took her time in counting out a large tip, hoping some brilliant line of reasoning would come to her. All she got for her worrying was a smile from the waitress and a severe case of heartburn.

There were three cars parked in front of Denise's house when they arrived.

"s.h.i.t!" Jody hissed. "I forgot she was playing Bunco tonight." Denise got together with her Bunco club once a month to roll the dice and eat. The few times Jody had attended as a sub, there was a lot more eating and gossip than playing.

"It'll keep," Ellen said, placing a hand on Jody's arm. "Do you want to come in?"

"No, it's getting late. I'd better go on home. Can you come with me?" She ran her hand through Ellen's hair.

"I could. But should I?"

They both looked toward the brightly lit house.

"I'll come over tomorrow, and we'll tell her then." Jody kissed her softly. "Call me when you get up."

Early Sunday morning, the phone pulled Jody from her sleep. Her first thought was that she needed to start unplugging the phone before going to bed. Then, maybe she would be able to sleep.

Her palms began to sweat when she heard Denise's voice, and for an instant she feared Ellen had already told her.

"Sweetie, I'm sorry to wake you, but I just received a call from my cousin. Aunt Alice died. I have to go to New Jersey." Her voice broke.

Jody sat up. "What happened?"

"Remember? She's the one who was diagnosed with breast cancer a few months ago. She refused all treatments. She told the doctors she was seventy-four and didn't want to go through the agony my mom did. Jody, sometimes I get so scared."

"Denise, don't think about it."

"First Mom and now Aunt Alice. You know they say breast cancer runs in families."

"You've got nothing to worry about. Things have changed a lot since your mom died, and you're always good about doing your self-exam and going to the doctor."

"I guess, but I still get scared. I have to go," Denise said. "Oh, I almost forgot. I managed to get everything ordered for Mother's Day. It'll be delivered on the Thursday prior to that Sunday, but I'll be back by then. Sweetie, I'm really sorry to leave you alone with the shop again."

"Don't worry about it. Just do what you have to do. I can handle the shop," Jody said. She breathed a guilty sigh of relief that she had been given a reprieve in telling Denise.

"I'll probably be gone a few days," Denise explained. "She made me executor of her will, and I have to get all of that taken care of."

Realizing she wouldn't be able to see Ellen for several days, Jody experienced a slight pang. She tried to hide her disappointment. "Don't worry about the shop. Eric will be there, and I'll arrange for a temp to come in if things get too crazy. Is there anything you need for me to take care of at the house while you're gone?"

"I don't think so. Well, maybe you could do something to keep Ellen company. She's not going."

"She won't be attending the funeral?" Her heart soared.

"No, since she's just started this new position we thought it best she stay here. I really have to go. Ellen is going to drive me to the airport. I managed to get an early flight out. I'll call you as soon as I know how long I'm going to be gone."

Less than two hours later, Ellen stood in Jody's doorway. "I hope you don't mind my dropping by."

Jody took in the long tanned legs and smiled. "You can drop by any time you want." She pulled Ellen into the living room and closed the door. "I'm sorry about your aunt." She hugged Ellen.

"I feel bad for Mom," Ellen said. "I should have gone with her."

"Is it horrible of me to say I'm glad you didn't?" Jody pulled back and gazed at Ellen. "I've missed you," she admitted as she kissed her deeply.

"I missed you, too. I came by to see if you would go to the zoo with me."

"I haven't been to the zoo in years."

"It's time you went. Come on. It's going to be a beautiful day."

"I need to run by the shop first and spend a couple of hours there, but I could probably break away this afternoon."

Ellen tilted her head and smiled. "A half a day is better than nothing. Pick me up when you're ready." She gave Jody a quick kiss. "Hurry up and get to work so you can rush back to me."

It was a beautiful afternoon. They arrived at the zoo a little after lunch and as usual, Jody started feeling sorry for the animals and had to leave before making it halfway through the exhibits.

"I'm sorry the animals upset you," Ellen said as she took Jody's arm.

"It's not the animals that upset me. It's the cages. It's cruel to lock the animals away like this. They look so defeated." Jody took a deep breath and decided not to let her sadness ruin their afternoon. "We'll find something else to do."

"Let's go ride the train," Ellen insisted as they pushed their way through the zoo's revolving exit door. "I've not ridden it in years."

They rode the Brackenridge Eagle miniature train through Brackenridge Park twice before buying hot dogs and sodas from a vendor. They found a vacant picnic table by the river. While they ate, they watched a group of kids feed the ducks.

"I've had a great day." Jody wadded up the paper from the hot dog and leaned forward on the bench. "Thanks for inviting me."

"Spend the night with me," Ellen said as she caressed Jody's hand.

Jody's stomach did a series of somersaults. "I wouldn't feel comfortable being in Denise's house," she admitted. "Stay with me."

"I want you," Ellen whispered.

Jody felt her body respond and jumped up. They quickly gathered their trash and headed for Jody's Jeep.

The estate proved much more complicated than Denise had antic.i.p.ated. It took her nearly two weeks to clear things up. Eric came in between cla.s.ses, and between the two of them Jody and Eric were able to keep up with the orders.

While Denise was gone, Ellen spent most of her free time at Jody's, only returning home early each morning to shower and dress for work.

On the Sat.u.r.day morning that Denise was due to return, Jody and Ellen lay in bed talking.