Roxanne stepped out onto the porch, being careful not to disturb Julie. The woman seemed so at peace, so relaxed, while she, herself, was a total mess. Her little freak out at the bar had probably nearly gotten her slapped. She wasn’t hysterical now, but she wasn’t calm either.
"How do you do it?" Roxanne crossed her arms over her chest. Her voice still had that moist sound from all her crying. "How do you stay so calm?"
Julie looked at her, face flat, but Roxanne could see the caring in her eyes.
"I don’t know." She turned, leaning her back against the railing. "I mean, I have my moments. Trust me, I have had some major freak outs. I guess, now, knowing that there is no real escape, I have just kind of let it all go."
"You’re giving up?" Roxanne’s voice went up an octave. She took a step towards Julie, her arms flinging to her sides, fists clenched.
"No." Julie smiled. "I’m going to fight."
She could feel her body relax a bit. Julie was right. There was no escape. It was either fight and survive or give up and let those sick bastards cut you up like they did that Harvey kid.
Julie took a step towards Roxanne, her hand gently stroking Roxanne’s cheek. Their eyes met.
"I know you’re scared, but you’re not alone in this." Julie hugged Roxanne, her arms holding her tight.
In all her life she had never felt as safe in someone’s arms as she did at that moment. Roxanne could actually feel her mind relaxing, and her heart rate slowing. She hugged Julie back.
The let each other go, and for a brief moment they looked into each other’s eyes, then Roxanne leaned forward, gently kissing Julie’s lips.
Before Julie could even relax Roxanne backed up, her eyes on her feet, her hands behind her back, as if she was ready to be scolded.
She had never done something that bold before, at least not with another woman. With men it was easy. She felt nothing, and so there was no risk in getting involved. With Julie it was different. She couldn’t explain it, but at that moment a whole new fear took over. She feared that she had damaged whatever they had been forming between them over the last couple of days with one simple kiss.
Then she felt Julie’s hands on her shoulders, pulling her close. She looked up and their lips met. Roxanne’s eyes closed tight, and she seemed to vanish into the kiss. For the moment their lips were joined the world and all it’s problems didn’t exist.
It was one of the few perfect moments in Roxanne’s life
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