Title: Vignettes: Chapter 1 Author: fareast  [ Send a Private Message ] Copyright: mine Content Rating: PG Disclaimer: not mine Author's Note: Thanks for all the comments and encouragement. Summary: Six years apart Total Views: 5370 times. Vignettes: Chapter 1 by fareast Page 1 Print This Page Previous page | 1 | Next page

Shane woke early and quietly crawled out of bed trying not to wake the sleeping woman next to her. Yawning, she stepped into the bathroom and looked into the mirror. Her face still looked young but subtle lines around her eyes revealed a maturity that developed over the years. She ran her hands through her short hair and put on a bathrobe before heading to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. A thud on the front porch let her know the paper had arrived, and she opened the door, letting a warm breeze blow through the kitchen. Some papers ruffled on the refrigerator and rustled to the ground and around the room. Shane grimaced and quickly shut the door, tip toeing towards the bedroom to peek inside. The woman was still sleeping soundly, long brown hair contrasting the white pillows, and her slight snores proved to Shane that she was resting thoroughly. Relieved, Shane slowly closed the door and poured herself a cup of coffee, sitting at the bar in the kitchen, opening up the paper. She skipped past the world news and looked through the local section, skimming through articles and browsing the headlines. She was about to flip by the sports section when something caught her eye. Grinning, she leaned back and shook her head. How long had it been since she saw a tennis match like that? The picture showed a woman swinging her racquet at an approaching tennis ball, look of determination on her face. The caption underneath read, Dana Fairbanks of West Hollywood knocks the competition off her feet in LA at the start of this years tournament. Shane ripped out the picture and put it on the fridge then stepped outside on the patio, sitting in a lounge chair in the sun. She closed her eyes and thought of a time when her life was different. Before the move to San Diego and before settling down with her lover and before the closest group of friends she ever had split apart and went their separate ways. Her memory was vivid as she recalled leaving LA. Tina had been the last person she had seen, although Tina didnt know it at the time. They were at the Planet enjoying a cup of coffee and chatting only three months after Tina found out about Bettes affair. When Tina stood to leave, Shane captured that image of her friend, her hair blowing gently in the breeze. Shane sat at the table and never took her eyes off Tina, still staring down the sidewalk even minutes after she disappeared around the corner. After that, she drove south, not stopping until she reached Sand Diego where she started a new life. She didnt even call and tell her friends until days later. Now, nearly six years later, she was too deep in thought and nostalgia to hear the footsteps behind her, but she felt the hand rest on her shoulder, causing her to open her eyes. Shielding her face from the bright mid-morning sun, she looked up. Penny for your thoughts. The woman said. Hey... youre up so early. I wanted you to catch up on some rest. Shane said, pulling her down to sit in between her legs, wrapping her arms around her belly. Shane patted the round swollen stomach and craned her neck around the womans body to speak to her belly. You wanted your mommy to sleep some more, too, huh? Maybe if you didnt keep her up all the time she wouldnt be so tired. Shane kissed the side of the belly then ran her fingers through the long brown hair in front of her. fred, promise me youll do nothing today except relax. Only if youre here with me. If thats what it takes to get you to sit still, Ill stay in and wait on you hand and foot. Shane said, lifting Freds hair to kiss the back of her neck. I saw that picture of Dana you put up. Fred said. Shane laughed. I couldnt believe it when I saw it. Amazing that shes still got it in her after all these years. You should give her a call. Nah... I dont know. Its been a long time. Shane replied wistfully. Fred shifted in the chair so that she was facing Shane, her hand protectively holding her pregnant stomach. Baby, do you remember when we first found out I was pregnant? Shane nodded. We were both so excited and one of the first things you said was you wanted to call your old gang of friends. Remember? You wanted to get everyone back together. I remember. I was caught up in the moment. They are like your family, Shane. Were... they were like my family. Those times are long gone, Fred. I wish you had known them. Me too. Fred clumsily stood up, somewhat rolling off the chair, trying to hold her balance with the extra weight while Shane helped her up. Fred pushed her back down in the chair. Stay here and enjoy the morning. Im going back to bed for a while. Shane nodded and kissed her hand. A minute later Fred came back out and handed Shane her cell phone and an old address book. She winked at Shane and walked back into the house, shutting the slider door behind her. Shane closed her eyes again and tossed the phone from hand to hand, contemplating. Finally after many minutes of thought, she opened the book and finding a number, started dialing.

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