Intimate Equations (10 page)

“
This has to be one of the most romantic
Friday nights I've had in a long while.” Jules nuzzled Sam on the cheek as they
cuddled on the couch, sipping wine by candlelight.

“
I believe this is the best Friday night
I've ever spent. I can't imagine a better meal. You know how to grill a mean
steak, Jules. I wouldn't have considered coating the raw meat with coffee
grounds. It was perfect!”

“
I'm glad you enjoyed it. I managed to get
that grill to cooperate this time. It needs a complete overhaul: New hardware
and a good cleaning.”

“
It was a very tasty steak. You are a mean
woman with the barbeque and very hot in bed; an excellent combination. By the
way, I might be able to help you with that grill. I have the parts.” He grinned
and kissed her on the hair then took her small hand in his, kissing the back of
her hand and her slender wrist.

He turned her hand over and kissed her fingertips
delicately tasting her skin with his tongue. “I think I’m still hungry.”

Jules turned to him and kissed his lips hard. “I don't
know how you could still be hungry. You've had steak, salad and hash browns
followed by two helpings of Almond Mocha ice cream plus watermelon. It was
super watermelon too by the way. Oh let's see: You've had me – twice. You
should be exhausted.”

“
I'm still a growing boy, Jules. Feel this.”
He placed her hand down on him until she felt him rise underneath it. “I will
always be hungry for you. I will always want you. You stir my soul.”

Sam bent towards her. She felt his tongue and lips on
her. She felt him touching her shoulders and hair. She felt his passion rising
again as he strained towards her, the muscles tightening in his legs and
thighs. She felt him reach to pull her towards him. She felt him undo her
bathrobe and push her down onto the couch. She felt him sigh and part her legs,
touching her wetness. She felt him come to her, she felt as he lifted her legs
to enter her once again. And once again she felt home.

Saturday was brilliant. Saturday was as warm as it had
been so far that Spring. Saturday Jules spent out front in the flower beds in
one massive attempt to wrangle some order out them. She weeded and planted a
few items she had picked up at the nursery yesterday. She wanted the front
entrance to at least have the appearance of civility when Sam brought his sister
over tomorrow. All it needs is a little color and no weeds. That simple task
took her all morning. While Jules took a break inside to get a drink of water
her friend Amanda called.

“
Hi, how's it going? Did Sam spend the
night? Are you nervous about tomorrow? What are you going to fix for lunch?”

“
Hi Amanda. I’m beginning to understand why
your students don't do so well on your Mid-term English exams. You ask too many
damn questions.”

“
Well, Jules I know you are busy so I'm just
trying to be efficient. You can answer all or none of the above; it's your
choice. And, just for the record my students are morons. If they could
intersect each sentence they write with “like” or “dude” then they would. You,
my dear, are not a moron and I trust you are fully capable of answering my
questions.”

“
Okay, thanks – I guess.” Jules laughed into
the phone.

“Um let's see… just fine. Planting flowers, for the
first. Yes, for the second. Not particularly, for the third; Asparagus
Artichoke Salad with grilled chicken for the fourth. That's it; how was it, did
I pass?”

Amanda laughed: “Splendid. I just wanted to let you
know I was thinking of you. Good luck tomorrow. Let me know all the juicy
details later, or else.”

“
Mandy you crack me up. You need to stop
living vicariously and find yourself a husband again.”

“
Oh God, don't throw a curse on me like
that. Avert! Not for me. I'll butter my bread on both sides before I get
married again. Talk 'atcha' later. Love you, girl!”

“
Love you back, Mandy. Thanks for calling.”

Jules was grinning as she put the phone down. What
next? There was a lot to do. She went out on the front porch to scrutinize the
flower beds again, looking for vagrant weeds. The wild Geranium had nearly
taken over and their roots grew straight down for miles. Jules had planted a
mixture of Snap Dragons Nasturtium and Coreopsis. She wasn't too concerned
about the flowers being perfect; she only hoped they would survive through the
month. At least for tomorrow they would look nice.

From the little Sam had said, his sister was not at all
a frilly, domestic sort. She might be a little rough around the edges having to
assume the responsibilities of an adult before she was really an adult herself.
Jules just wanted her place to look safe and welcoming. Sam had said more than once
that his sister had been through a lot.

After Jules trimmed up a few things in the yard she
went for a bike ride in Forest Park. She meandered casually along the trails
for most of the afternoon. People were outside enjoying the great weather once
again. Springtime was the season to breathe in and enjoy life before a busy
summer arrived. The trees, the birds, the water all sparkled with newness.
Jules heart was singing. She knew she was in love but she couldn't verbalize it
yet. This part of her life she didn't want to over think. She didn't want to
break the spell or ruin the charm that had surrounded her days since she met
Sam. Instead, she biked along the path under the giant trees with a smile on
her face.

That night she went to bed early after reading over her
lesson plans for the following week. She was very tired. Trying to juggle her
job; meetings, lectures, lesson plans, students plus mixing in a new
relationship with a man who wanted to make love all the time was exhausting.
Jules crashed into bed and fell into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning she picked up around the house and
vacuumed. Then she headed for the kitchen to prepare ahead for lunch so she
would have time to visit with Sam and his sister without having to assemble a
meal while trying to chat. She did not excel at this type of multitasking.

She was just putting the chicken breasts into a light,
sweet oil and garlic marinade when there was a knock on the back door off the
kitchen. Jules set the chicken aside and wiped her hands. She caught a glimpse
of someone through the window that sent her heart to her throat.

“Oh my dear lord.” Inside her head a cacophony of
shrill bells was going off. Jules exhaled, stood a moment and tried to steady
herself. She opened the door while the shrill noise in her head shattered her
thoughts into tiny glass shards.

Sam was at the door smiling at her when she opened it.
He stepped forward and gave her a warm kiss on the cheek.

“
Jules, I'd like you to meet my sister Cora.
Cora, this is Jules.”

Chapter Nine: Silver Lining

Sam knew that something was amiss when Jules opened the
back door. Her face had gone white and her eyes were showing shock as if she'd
seen someone she knew who'd long been dead standing before her. Sam turned to
Cora whose one eyebrow was raised. He recognized that expression in his sister
and it wasn't a good sign. She had a wry smile twitching at the corner of her
mouth. Sam knew that look all too well. Cora broke the silence first.

“
Hello Jules. It's good to see you again.”

Jules stole a panicked look at Sam. She had absolutely
no idea what to say.

“
Jules, Cora do you two know each other?
What the heck? What's going on?”

Jules backed into the kitchen like a cornered mink. She
watched the slight figure of Cora who stood there bemused yet silent. Jules was
poised for the floor to open up under her so she could disappear.

Oh God, no! How could this be? How could
this be possible?

Cora was making no attempt to explain the situation.
She looked Jules right in the eye without flinching. At that moment Jules knew
that Cora had planned this meeting in advance. Cora knew ahead of time who Sam
was going to introduce her to. Jules made a weak attempt in face of the awkward
silence.

“
I... we. Yes, Sam we know each other from
several years ago. Please, come in.” Jules recovered enough to remember her
manners.

Cora took a step in the door first. “Nice digs, Jules.
I had no idea you'd become a home-owner quite so soon.”

Jules gave Cora a sharp look. “It was more prudent
financially to buy rather than trying to rent.”

Jules softened her tone a bit and shrugged. “I just
fell in love with the house, that's all.”

“
It's great, actually.” Cora said. “It must
be a lot to take care of though. I'm happy for you.”

Sam was puzzled and closely observed the two women during
this exchange. He could tell that Jules was not happy Cora was here. Cora
seemed amused by the whole encounter.

“
Okay, what's going on you two? How do you
know each other?”

Cora decided to jump in.

“
We met at Cornell five years ago while I
was there. You were already working Uncle Hector's business in Salinas.”
Without asking, Cora pulled out a kitchen chair and plunked down studying her
toes, looking at neither Sam nor Jules.

Cora wore blue jeans and flip flops with a
tight-fitting long-sleeve T-shirt. Her hair was cropped short as before. Jules
observed that other than a few more lines around the eyes Cora hadn't changed
much. She was still just as pretty but seemed more worn out than what Jules
remembered. The Cora she remembered was full of energy and enthusiasm. This
Cora seemed burdened and exhausted.

Sam had mentioned that she'd been having a tough time
and it showed. She always seemed to indulge in the booze a lot even when they
were at Cornell. There was a long silence; Jules wondered if the two of them
could hear her heart beating.

Sam finally said: “Well, this isn't exactly what I
expected, but that's cool. It would have been nice if someone would have filled
me in.” At this he looked straight at Cora. She responded with an impudent
shrug. There was more uncomfortable silence which Jules couldn't bear.

“
Sam, we need to talk.” Jules looked at Sam
with a note of panic in her voice. As soon as she'd opened her mouth she wished
she hadn't.

“
Okay, yeah obviously.” Sam shifted his
weight. Jules could tell he felt awkward. At this Cora sprang out of the chair.

“
I'll go out and sit in the sun. I haven't
been outside much.” At this Cora nonchalantly opened the back door and went
into the yard lifting her face towards the sunlight as she walked around in the
grass.

“
Sam, I had no idea that Cora is your
sister. I don't even remember you telling me her name. She doesn't use Lopez? I
had no clue!”

Sam considered Jules' frightened expression trying to
make sense of the situation.

“
Cora took our mothers name when she turned
eighteen. She's still mad as hell at Dad for leaving. Well, it's no big deal
that you two know each other, is it? I mean seriously, is there something the
matter? You should have seen your face when you answered the door. What's
wrong, Jules?”

Jules turned away from him and grimaced. She felt like
a fly trapped in an elaborate web which had required weeks to weave being the
sole prey. She ran her fingers through her hair and began to pace. Jules turned
to face Sam again this time with a determined tone to her voice.

“
No, it's fine that we know each other. In
fact we knew each other well. We spent a lot of time together as study
partners. We became quite close, but what you don't know is that we were...”
Jules face was pained:

“Sam, I don't know how to say this any other way: Cora
and I were together for nearly a year before I left for grad school. I was in
love with her.”

Sam looked perplexed as if unable to comprehend her
words. He rubbed at his forehead.

“What do you mean you were “together”? You mean you two
were roommates? She's never mentioned you at all. Usually Cora tells me
everything.”

“
Sam, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. You have
to understand tt was a long time ago. If I'd known that Cora was your sister ….
I would have told you.”

Jules was close to tears. “No, we were not roommates.
We were lovers.”

There was a silence heavy as a hundred degrees on a
muggy day.

“You mean you slept with my sister?” Sam stood still
for what seemed five minutes staring at Jules in disbelief with his lips
parted. Jules was frozen in place not knowing what to do.

Sam stared at her then snapped out of it. He shook his
head and turned away. “I need some air. I gotta' go, I'm sorry Jules. I gotta'
go.” At this Sam turned and bolted out the door.

“
Sam, wait. Please listen. Don't go like
this! Sam!.”

Jules ran to the door and tried to stop him but Sam had
stormed through the yard and jumped in his truck which was parked in the alley.
He started the engine, put it in gear and peeled out onto the street leaving
Cora and Jules standing in the grass watching him drive off.