9 comments/ 20317 views/ 31 favorites Abby's Ghost By: Myhands316 Author's Notes: I want to thank all of those who have messaged me with their wishes for my continued writing. It means a lot when you want to write, but can't. I was able to squeeze a day of writing in, and this is what came out. Counter to what the name implies, this is not part of the Halloween writer's contest. Thanks again for all your support and enjoy. * Abby was doing the dishes when the phone rang. "Hey, you sexy thing you." She smiled as she answered her lover. "Hey yourself." Lindsey replied happily. "So, what are you cooking for our eighth anniversary?" She smiled at the happy tune she could hear her mate humming under her breath. "Cooking...? Cooking, hell... you're supposed to take me out to wine and dine me, so you can get lucky." Abby teased back. "Oh, I've already got lucky... I got you babe." Lindsey laughed. "Even my boss couldn't bring me down today sweetheart." She sighed. "I still say you need to cook, that way when I can't wait anymore I won't embarrass or bare your sweet ass in public." "Oh, the horror... I don't know dear, it's been awhile since we've been arrested for indecent exposure. Who knows, they might like a floor show. Only three more days." She burbled, giddy at the thought. "It's hard to believe it's been eight years already." Lindsey sighed. "I can still remember when you seduced me away from that jerk I was going out with." "Oh, you mean... umm what was his name? That arrogant jock, super stud; who treated you like shit!" Abby smiled at the memory. "And Sweetie, it was you who seduced me." She added as she stirred the pot of homemade chicken soup and checked the loaf of sweet bread in the oven, for dinner. "Let not argue about who seduced who." Lindsey said in a very bad British accent. "I'll be home soon babe. I better get going before I have a wreck." Lindsey sighed. "Okay sweetheart, I'll be here waiting for you. Love you!" Abby spun around, making her dress flair out as she danced to the music in her head. "Love you too....OH SHIT!" Lindsey screamed. "Lin... Sweetie, what's wrong." Abby stopped spinning and tried to listen. "No, no, NO...!" Lindsey screamed. Abby was screaming. "Lin... Lindsey. What's wrong? Answer me baby, please answer me." She listened and heard the screech of breaks and the sickening sound of ripping metal right as the line went dead. "LINDSEY...!" Abby fumbled with the phone as she tried to push the buttons. She hit the buttons for Lindsey's number. "The cellular customer you are trying to reach is not in the service area or has turned their phone off." "Fuck!" She hit the end button three times until the thing shut up and tried again. "The cellular customer...." "Goddamnit...! Don't do this to me Lindsey. Answer the fucking phone. I have to know you are alright." Abby paced the kitchen of the home they had restored together. Five hours later, the burned bread and dry soup were still where she left them when her friend came and got her and took her to the hospital. No one would tell her anything. Not the cops, the emergency room people, no one. Abby was tired of hearing. "We can't divulge any information unless you are her family or spouse." She tried to tell them they were together, but since they were not married, all they would repeat was. "I'm sorry ma'am, but we cannot...." Before she would slam the phone down and scream. By the time she found Lindsey, it was too late. Abby shuttered and collapsed on the couch, ignoring the smell of the ruined dinner. She wanted to forget the last five hours. "Are you going to be okay Abby?" Tracy, Lindsey's old roommate and friend asked, wiping her own eyes. "I... I don't know." Abby said and buried her head into one of the fancy pillows Lin demanded for their off-white couch, to give it some color. "I'm so sorry honey. I know how much you loved her. You were all she would talk about. It drove us mad most of the time." Tracy said as she tried to give comfort in her own grief. Abby was numb. She couldn't feel anything but the huge hole in her middle. Her heart was gone. She wanted to lay down, close her eyes, and never wake up until she found her Lindsey again. It had to be a lie. Lin couldn't be dead. Her car was barely dented. From the side, you couldn't tell it was in an accident. Lindsey had to be playing some sick joke. Five days later, Tracy tossed out the stinking pot and brick hard loaf of bread. She couldn't tolerate the smell as she and her sister forced Abby into a shower. Abby was almost catatonic. She had her sister give her a shower while she cleaned the house. They knew it was going to be bad, but never expected to find Abby right where she left her when she brought her home from the hospital. It took both of them to get Abby dressed. All Abby would do is cry and wail as they had to tighten the small belt, trying to make the now too large dress fit. They tried to force some food and water into her. They had to get her through this day. She had to be at the funeral, even if Lindsey's parents didn't want her there. They held her tight as Lindsey's mother spewed hurtful things. She said things like. "I dressed her in my wedding dress since she will never get married now. She will never know they joy of having children, the joy of finding true love and happiness. I hope I gave her some of the dignity she could never find in life." Her mother never accepted that Lindsey decided to live with her lesbian lover and mate. She always hoped she would find her way back to a normal relationship. **************************** Kari wondered if it would have been easier to just die, than sit there and watch them together. She wondered what the fuck she ever did to deserve this shit. She watched as the person she thought was always going to be with her, frolicked with her brother. 'Fuck them both anyway.' She thought bitterly. She was supposed to be my girl, not have that asshole seduce her and get her pregnant. 'What the fuck did I do to him to have him do that to me?' "Come on Kari, this is fun." Trevor said, as he spun his pregnant wife in circles. "Come on, join the fun." She could hear the laughter in his voice. "No thank you." Was all Kari said, as she tried to leave. She didn't get ten feet before her mother stopped her. "What the hell is your problem?" "My problem...?" She asked, shocked that her mother was so clueless. "Oh, I don't know mom. Maybe I'm pissed that my lover and my brother, bumped crotches behind my back and fucked me over. Maybe I just can't sit there and eat shit as they play the happy couple. I don't know. Maybe, just maybe I expected some member of my family to see just how fucked up this is." She spat at her mother. "But, what the hell. They're happy so I should just paint a smile on my face and act happy for them." She shook her mom's hand off her arm. "What do you mean?" He mom asked confused. "You introduced them. She was your friend...." Her mother never accepted the facts. "No mom, she wasn't my fucking friend." She pulled her hair back in frustration. "She was my lover. I'm Gay, remember! I love women. I loved her before she betrayed me. We were supposed to get married when they legalized it next year." She ranted at her obtuse mother. "But... but... but." Her mother sputtered. "I thought that was just a phase." "No mom... it wasn't a phase!" Kari was tired of the whole mess. "Fuck this, I'm out of here." She found her purse and grabbed it before her mother could stop her. "Tell them I hope they're happy." She seethed. "But, never invite me to anything they will be at. I won't come. I hate fucking cheaters, so that means I hate them!" Kari spun away before the building emotion could escape again. "What's wrong with her?" She heard her brother ask, as she slammed the door behind her. "I won't cry. I won't break down. I won't give them the fucking satisfaction!" She told herself as she got into the car and started it. Less than a mile out of the neighborhood she grew up in, Kari had to pull over because she couldn't see for the tears. ******************************** One year later Abby put the last of her stuff into the big moving truck. "Are you sure this is what you want to do? You've done so much to the house. You'll never get all your money back out of it." Tracy said sadly. "Yeah, I just can't be here anymore. I'd rather see it go to someone I know will appreciate it, than some stranger. It will be a good place for you. It has room for a growing family. I just can't stay. The memories are killing me." Abby put her hand on Tracy's arm. "I can still smell her, feel her, and hear her. I just can't. It's been a year and I still can't." She sniffed back her tears. "Are you going to be okay?" Tracy asked, tearing up also. "Yeah, I've accepted that job out west. It will be the new start I need. I might even learn how to ski." Abby tried to smile. Everyone knew, besides her dancing, she was a major klutz. "You take the house. Have babies, send me pictures and be happy." She kissed Tracy's cheek and pressed the house key into her hand. Tracy and her husband waved as she pulled away from the drive. He rubbed the growing bump. "We can never thank her enough." He said emotionally. "We couldn't have gotten into a house for years if it wasn't for her." He added as Tracy buried her head into his shoulder. "I know..." She sniffed. "I hoped that... but she's right. All she did was mope around. Maybe she can find happiness out there." Tracy knew she was overly emotional. She knew the date and knew this couldn't have been easy for Abby. Tomorrow would have been their ninth anniversary. In the cab of the rental truck, Abby had on her music so loud she couldn't hear her own sobs as she drove away. She missed Lindsey so much it still felt fresh and new. She had to leave or die; and her friends refused to let her die. She hoped over the next few days of driving, she could find some peace. **************************** Kari looked around her new apartment complex. "What the fuck is with all the adobe?" She sighed. She started her new job and ignored all the looks. She had become the master of how to ignore things over the last year. She ignored her mother, her brother and her ex-lover. She ignored the baby pictures, and she ignored the phone calls from the people who called themselves her friends. She ignored it all. She was finished with all of them. Let them live in their fantasy world. She rather live cold and alone, than a lie. She only once wondered how long it would be before Trudy cheated on Trevor or Trevor cheated on Trudy. 'What a fucking joke. Trevor and Trudy just like a comic strip.' She scoffed then realized what she was doing. She bitched herself out for a month over that lapse and started looking for an out of state job. It wasn't perfect, but it was out of state. She thought long and hard as she flew into Denver airport about the big move. Should she just move on? Or should she fight for her place in the family. She looked at the invitation to the baby's birthday party and made up her mind. It was time to move on. She negotiated what she thought was a fair deal and signed the contract. It didn't matter that she had stopped teaching in a classroom. The money was okay and it was the clean start she needed. She could look at going back into a supervisory job later if she wanted. She didn't leave her contact information. She made a clean break. She had just enough time to get moved, find an apartment, and get her curriculum set up, before school started. After that she was too busy to even worry about her past and that is exactly the way she wanted it. ************************** Ten months later. Abby had come to love the stark beauty of her new state. She wished everyday that Lindsey was there to share it with her. She kept thinking that it would have been ten years if only.... She would sigh and have to stop that thought. It didn't matter that most marriage didn't last that long. To the hateful world, she was still just a single woman. Since she stopped dancing for exercise, she started running. There were so many good places to run. If she wanted to see the plains, it would take her five minutes to get there. If she wanted mountains, that would take fifteen minutes. If she wanted woods, a half an hour. If she just wanted privacy, well that took the same half an hour but in the opposite direction. She didn't realize that four times out of five, she automatically headed for privacy. The open park had a two, five and ten mile loops, all depending on your determination and how alone you wanted to be. Abby found a second loop that it seemed that had been hardly used and ran on that one. It kept her away from the leering looks, the overly friendly 'Hello's' and the eyes of the guys as they watched her breasts bounce with every tread. Abby didn't notice her eyes following the shapely figure in front of her. She just listened to her music and tuned out the world. Abby didn't know why she picked up her pace. She figured it was just her feet following the rhythm of the music. She hoped she didn't overdue, as her heart picked up the pace as she got near. Kari heard the person running behind her. She knew it had to be a woman or a young person because of the slight footfalls. She had hoped to be alone today. The kids had driven her to distraction and she needed an outlet before she went off on them. She had found this trail soon after she started teaching and it had become her solace and mind saver. She didn't think anyone else ran it regularly, because of its appearance. Abby watched the tiny wiggle of the butt in front of her and felt a tingle up her spine. She ignored it and just picked up another step. She just wanted to get done and get home. Before she knew it, she was beside the stranger. She saw the profile and gasped. She shook her head, smiled and hit her longest stride. She knew she needed some distance between her and the woman who shared her track. Kari heard the gasp and looked. She was stunned by the thin well breasted woman who had caught up with her. She didn't want to think about the hard nipples as they bounced under the woman's sports bra. She didn't want to think about the instant attraction she felt. She knew it would be just another runner who had her boyfriend waiting for her at the car. She didn't need any complications. She liked her simple life. 'The lies we tell ourselves.' She thought bitterly. Abby couldn't help herself. The last half mile she was running like she was being chased by a demon. She was gasping for air as she saw the end of the trail and her small SUV waiting for her. She felt like her life depended on getting away as far and as fast as she could. 'SOTP IT...!' Linsey's voice in her head screamed. She slowed her pace and tried to catch her breath. She leaned against the side of her car and sipped from her water bottle. "God damn it Lindsey, I need you." She told the air around her as she cooled down. Kari's mind was no longer on running. She was thinking about the woman who had left her in the dust. She felt a pull she hadn't felt in a long time. For the first time in over a year she wondered and maybe wished just a little. Her heart rate picked up as she turned the last corner. The blonde was standing next to her vehicle. Kari couldn't keep the smile off her face. For some reason this person just made her want to smile. "Hi...." Kari said and pulled out her own water bottle and took a big drink. "Hi." Abby replied automatically. "Well, I better get going." She stammered as she fled. "Yeah, maybe we'll meet again." Kari said as she waved and watched the blushing woman get into her car and leave. "Wow...!" She shook her head and got into her Jeep and headed home to grade the abysmal attempts at an essay her class had turned in. Two weeks later, Kari was stunned to see her again. She was in the teacher's lounge, and her boss was bringing her in. "Mrs. Kari, here is your speaker for today in health education." Stan Womack made the introduction. "Hi again." Kari said automatically reaching out her hand. "Hi... I haven't seen you on the trail." Abby said as she felt the zing go up her arm at the innocent contact. "Well, I'll leave Mrs. Alberta in your hands so you can go over the lesson plan.' Stan said and walked away. "Alberta...?" Kari asked with a raised eyebrow. "Yeah, mom was into weird names. You can call me Abby." Abby blushed at knowing she still had Kari's hand in hers. "Abby works...." Kari said and pulled her hand away and rubbed the warmth against her skirt. "I'm Kari." She smiled. "So, what do you know about sixth graders?" "Um, they're loud boisterous and hard to keep their attention." Abby smiled. "Well, I don't think that will be your problem today. I have mostly boys in my class and they have yet to learn how to act around girls." Kari smiled cynically. "Well, tell me when they do. Most are into their sixties before they learn." Abby grinned. "I've done this before." "Okay then... we're doing a block on basic first aid." Kari went over what she had covered so far. "I can handle that." Abby said, confident she was ready. An hour later she sighed as Kari made her introduction. "Okay class, we have a guest speaker today. I know you will show her the respect she deserved for coming here and talking to you." She smiled at one boy in particular. "That means you Mr. Roberts.... Yes Ma'am...?" "Yes Ma'am." The class intoned as Abby walked in. "Look at those tits!" The boy blurted out as Kari blushed. "Mr. Roberts... Office now...!" Kari pointed. "What, it's not my fault she has big tits. They're even bigger than yours" He snickered as he grabbed his stuff. He didn't want to stay for the stupid lecture. He wanted to go home and get high off his dad's pot stash. "But smaller than your rude mouth." Abby added. The rest of the class just kept silent. Abby looked at the red faced Kari and asked. "Should I come back after school and give him his lecture then?" Knowing the boy had made a scene to get out of it. "I'll let you know." Kari said as she walked behind the boy. "Okay class. I'm Abby. I'll be teaching you how to save a life so please pay attention. What I'm going to teach you is as easy as A B C and 1 2 3...." Abby started her presentation. After the second presentation, Kari asked Abby. "Can I get you something to eat for your trouble?" They watched the sullen boy walk out of the class. "You don't have to do that." Abby answered automatically. "My treat since you put up with my class." Kari smiled her invitation. She wanted to spend more time with Abby. There was something about her that just made her feel good. "Okay... Pizza?" Abby gave in. "I was thinking Chinese takeout, but whatever." Kari said and then asked. "Your car or mine?" "Oh, I'll just follow you." Abby blushed. "I wouldn't want...." She stammered to a stop before she could put her foot in her mouth. Kari wondered about the blush as she drove to the pizza joint. She knew she was attracted to the woman, but not why she was so attracted to her. She wasn't her usual type. Abby followed and talked to the air. "What do I do Lin? She looks just like you. She even has the same sassy twinkle in her eye. I miss you so much." She held back the tears and parked next to Kari's Jeep. "Have I got a treat for you." Kari smiled. "This place has the best food this side of the great divide. They don't mind special orders either." "Get whatever you like, just no onions or bell peppers please." Abby smiled at the enthusiasm. It was so familiar. "Okay, you asked for it." Kari smiled at the young girl behind the counter. "Large chicken ranch with avocado and tomatoes." Kari ordered as Abby looked on stunned. "A pitcher of Sprite, since you don't have sweet tea." Kari added as the girls scribbled as fast as she could. Abby's Ghost Abby didn't know what to do. She was overwhelmed. "Sorry", she said, as she bolted to the bathroom. She locked the door behind her and left the light off. She held her hands to her mouth to stifle the sobs that caught her in the middle and forced their way out. She couldn't believe it. There couldn't be two people who like the same mishmash on their pizza. Lindsey loved sweet tea; the sweeter the better. She couldn't be... was this Kari, Lindsey, coming back to her or just another torture to live through. It was so close to their anniversary. It hurt so much. Abby flinched at the knock at the door. "Just a minute." She gasped out. She turned on the light and did a hasty repair to her makeup after washing her face. She didn't want to confront the pretty brunette. All she wanted to do was run home and hide. "Quit being a Silly Billy." She heard Lin's voice in her head again. "Are you okay?" The voice was in her ears. That same voice. "Yeah, I just had a moment." Abby answered hesitantly. "Do you want to talk about it?" Kari saw the red rimmed eyes and knew Abby had been crying. "Did I do something wrong?" She put her hand over Abby's and felt the same warmth go up it again. It happened every time they touched. "No..." Abby sighed. "Just memories." Abby looked down at the long fingered hand and wondered where the jade ring was. The ring that she bought Lin.... She shook her head trying to clear it. "What... what's wrong?" Kari pushed. For some reason she needed to know. "I never knew two different people could like the same Pizza." Abby looked up knowing she wasn't making sense. "Oh, that. Sorry, it was something I heard once. It sounded interesting, so I ordered and tried it. The guy asked if we were sisters. We thought it was funny and winked at him as we took out boxes out and waved at each other. "You knew my Lindsey?" Abby asked shocked. "No, not really. Lindsey, I never knew her name." Kari looked at the love, hurt, and pain in Abby's eyes and just knew. "I'm so sorry I never knew. How long?" "It will be ten years...." Abby started. "Here you go... enjoy." The girl set the pizza down in front of the two women. "I'll be right back with your drinks." She looked at the two women and hoped that someday her girlfriend was brave enough to hold hands like that in public. "If you rather..." Kari said, not paying attention to anything but Abby. "No, I haven't had this since before she... died. It just took me by surprise. How did you end up out here if you lived back there?" Abby refused to allow the sorrow overcome her again. They sat and ate. They talked about Kari's past and why she moved. Before they knew it, the pizza was gone and it was getting dark outside. "I missed my run." Kari said breaking the tension that had been building. "Yeah me too. Thanks for dinner." Abby smiled as she stood up. "I was nice meeting you Kari." She said as they walked out to their cars. Abby knew she had to get out of there or she would crack. Kari didn't want to let Abby go. She wanted to take her home and make all the hurt go away. She never felt this way with anyone else. The memory of Trevor and Trudy didn't even make her mad, as she told Abby about them. "Oh, just kiss her already." The girl from behind the counter laughed. "I need to close up and you two are steaming up my windows." Kari thought that was a great idea. She leaned in and moaned as their lips touched. She could feel Abby start to hyperventilate but couldn't pull back. "Damn, some girl is going to get lucky tonight." The voice shattered the mood as the two pulled back. "I've got to go." Abby said and got into her car and pulled away. She needed to get home, she needed to hide. ********************** Three weeks later, after a very long and hard day, Abby forgot to avoid that running spot. She automatically headed to the solitude of the long loop. She bit her lip when she recognized the Jeep parked there. "Damn it." She swore, but she needed the run too bad. "Maybe she'll be gone before I get finished." She tried to convince herself as she did her stretches. She was torn between taking her time so they wouldn't meet on the trail or hurrying, so Kari couldn't be done before she left the parking lot. She raced to the first curve, so she wouldn't be in sight of the vehicles. "You're being a Silly Billy again." The voice in her head laughed. "No I'm not." She hissed between her teeth. "I'll never love anyone like I loved you again." She slowed her pace. "Especially if you keep running away from it. When did you become such a chicken shit?" The voice scolded her. "I'm not...." Abby insisted. "Yeah, right...." Lindsey's voice said in total disbelief. They argued as Abby ran. The good thing was she completely forgot the pressures of work. The bad, she also forgot that there might be someone waiting for her at the end of the run. "So, have you been avoiding me?" The voice said as she rounded the bend to the parking lot. Abby had to shake her head. She could have sworn that voice wasn't in her head. "Alberta... earth to Alberta." Kari touched her arm. "What..?" Abby asked stunned. "So have you been avoiding me?" Kari asked as she jogged next to Abby the last quarter of a mile. She had stopped as soon as she saw Abby's car and waited. "No... not really." Abby came as close as she ever had to lying. "Uh huh..." Kari smiled. "And who are you trying to convince?" Kari asked, seeing the confusion. "I've been hoping to see you here again." Kari felt like a fool. She had been there every day in the hopes of casually bumping into Abby. Today was going to be the last day. If they didn't meet, then she would just get over it and move on. It was something she had learned how to do. "Sorry... I've just been going to some of the other great places to run lately." Abby shrugged, know Kari could see through her feeble excuses. "I'm afraid of how I feel." She added, knowing she wouldn't have to explain. "About...?" Kari's heart beat harder. "You... me... Lindsey. Everything...." Abby sighed and slumped against her car. "Ah, I see." Kari did see. "It scared me too. I haven't... with anyone since... and yeah." She didn't complete her thought. She didn't have too. "I'm not Lindsey." Kari said with sad eyes. "Oh shut up!" Abby didn't know why, but she lurched up and kissed the woman she unknowingly hurt. Abby held Kari's head still with one hand as she feasted on her mouth. She wanted to go deeper and deeper. Abby other hand grabbed her tight bottom and pulled her as close as they could be with clothes on. Kari was stunned by the fierce kiss. She felt it from her spinning head to her toes that were curled in her shoes. She didn't fight it, she didn't move, she did grab Abby and filled her hands with her butt and thighs. She wanted to strip her right there and make love to her. The fire that had been simmering since they kissed last time flared ready to consume them. The horn shocked them apart. "Sorry folks, it's time for me to lock up." An elderly man said from the Ranger's truck. "The park closes at dark." "Follow me." Kari told Abby, not allowing for any argument. Abby just nodded her head and did what she was told as the Ranger watched them get into their vehicles and drive out of the park. Abby didn't know what to expect as she pulled behind Kari in the well lit parking lot. She was nervous and afraid. Did she just cheat on her beloved Lindsey? Why did she kiss Kari like that? What was she supposed to do now? "Okay sweetheart. Here are some ground rules." Kari looked at the confusion on Abby's face. "Don't ever do that again, unless you mean it." She smiled. "Because I do." "You do what...?" Abby asked, looking at her mouth. "Mean it." She leaned down and kissed Abby, this time with her in control. Her control almost broke as she felt Abby moan into the kiss. She could feel the hard nipples dig into her breasts and could feel the sweat even in the cooling night. Kari knew she had to pull back before.... "Alright... none of that here. This is a respectable place." A deep male voice said behind them as he flicked on a bright flashlight. "Sorry...." Abby giggled. It has been years since they had.... 'That's right sweetheart. Isn't she fun? I love you.' The voice in her head said softly. "Damn, can't a person ask someone out in peace around here?" Kari complained exasperated. "Not looking like that... you might want to put some more clothes on. Something a bit less revealing maybe?" The deep voice said with some humor. "You might also want to find a room before I have to take you in for indecent exposure." He laughed as he turned off his flash light. "Yes officer." Abby smiled and blushed. "That's twice in one night." She told Kari with a grin. "Yeah... okay, fine. Friday night. The Robin's Nest at six." Kari said, wanting to kiss Abby again. "Okay..." Abby said in a small voice. In the back of her mind, she knew what date it was and wondered. "Oh, and we need to swap phone numbers please." Kari pulled Abby into a lose embrace, knowing instinctually that she was ready to bolt again. Abby let her head rest on Kari's breast and heard the heavy thud of her heart. The sound reverberated into her soul. She remembered listening to Lindsey's heart every chance she got. It just felt like the right thing to do. Pulling away was the hardest thing she had to do since selling their house to Tracy. Kari knew if they didn't separate, everyone would get a show they would never forget. She wanted to feel Abby's skin next to hers and to have her fall asleep in her arms. "We better get going before that cop comes back." Kari sighed as Abby pulled away. "Yeah...." Abby shrugged. "I'll see you no later than six on Friday." Kari said after they exchanged numbers. "I'll call you if I have time between grading papers and stuff." She promised. "Okay... if I'm at work, just leave a message." Abby said as she climbed into her vehicle and drove away. ********************** They played phone tag all week. Kari would call just to hear Abby's voice on the recording. Abby fought with herself, thinking how she couldn't disrespect Lindsey's memory like this. Both of them were wound tight by six. Abby looked at the calendar and knew she had to stop this before things got out of hand. "Tomorrow will be ten years my love." She said as she walked out of the room. She looked for Kari in the crowded bar. She was ready to bolt when she felt a soothing calm come over her. She knew Kari was behind her. She could feel her step close. She willed Kari to put her arm around her middle and hold her together. "There's my girl." Kari said automatically, not knowing where the words came from. "Am I really?" Abby said with a lilt in her voice. This was an old game. "If I have my wish you will be." Kari finished and nipped her neck playfully. "Hi Kari..." Abby smiled. "Yeah, I know you're not Lindsey, no matter how much you remind me of her." She sighed. "That's good." Kari answered. "Let's blow this joint." She grabbed Abby's hand and pulled them against the stream of people. "I thought you wanted too...." Abby said as she followed Kari to her Jeep. "I changed my mind and decided to take that cops advice." Kari said and held the door for Abby. "We'll come back and get your car." She said as she climbed in and started the engine. "Where are we going?" Abby asked, knowing she couldn't give the little speech she had worked on all week. "Your place or mine, it doesn't matter as long as we are alone." Kari looked at Abby with anticipation. "You're driving." Abby lifted her eyebrow. "Fine, mine this time." She put the Jeep in gear and headed to her apartment. Ten minutes later, she pulled up and parked her Jeep in her space. "It's not much, and I hate all the adobe, but its home for now." Kari said as she opened Abby's car door. Abby looked around, not knowing what to say. She started the evening thinking she would give Kari the polite brush. Now, she didn't know what was going to happen next. "It's not bad...." She said trying to make conversation. "Oh shut up." Kari said and did what she has wanted to do since she met Abby. Once kiss led to two. By the third, no words were needed as they started taking each other clothes off. By the time they made it the ten feet to the couch, both of them were only in their bra and panties. Abby turned Kari and forced her to sit under her. Abby straddled her lap as Kari fought the clasp of the bra. As soon as they were free, she guided Kari's head to her nipples. "Oh yeah." She moaned as Kari captured a nipple and started suckling her. Abby cradled her head as the first orgasm in two years ripped through her body. Kari spent as long as she could, kissing and sucking Abby's offered breasts. She could feel the heat and dampness in her lap. She knew if Abby was naked, her legs would be covered in her fluids. She took her time as her hands explored the precious person in her lap. This was too perfect to rush. This was just the beginning. Abby shuttered in another orgasm and knew it was time. She pulled Kari's sweet mouth away from her breast and started her long journey down. Every time Kari started to say anything, she would kiss her quiet. By the time Abby had her lover laying naked on the couch, she couldn't stand it any longer. She needed to feast. She softly opened the petals of the flower in front of her, looking for the musky center. Once she dipped her head down, time stopped as she gave the attention Kari deserved. "OH GOD PLEASE...!" Kari screamed in climax fifteen minutes later. "Oh shit, oh god, oh, oh...OOOHHHHHHH!" She shuttered as her body clutched and released in a rhythmic climax. She had never felt the things Abby made her feel. It was so perfect. For the first time she found true bliss. "Baby, baby... you have to stop... I can't take... OH SHIT!" She fought Abby off her over sensitive sex. "Get your sexy ass up here." Kari demanded once she caught her breath again. "It's my turn sweetheart." She announced and she started kissing and licking every inch of the moaning Abby. Kari was in heaven. This is what love is supposed to feel like. Not hidden kisses and blushes if someone sees. This is what she has been looking for. She prayed that once they were done, that this would, could, should; happen every day. This was more than good sex. This was... wonderful. They ate cold pop tarts and muffins for dinner, before Kari pulled a very eager Abby into her bed and they started again. Kari screamed as Abby found her spot and worked it until she gushed in exquisite release. At one in the morning, they lay exhausted in the middle of the damp bed, trying to catch their breath. Even they knew they couldn't go on any longer, but their hands continued to stroke and caress soft subtle skin and looked for pleasure spots. Kari or maybe it was Abby, finally pulled up the comforter as they cuddled. Abby woke up to go to the bathroom at four. Kari didn't let her go back to sleep until after five. Kari woke up at ten, but they fell back asleep at noon. The phone jarred them both awake. They looked at each other as Kari answered the phone. "Hello...?" "It's about time. Love her well and enjoy the gift you've been given." The husky voice said and the line went dead. "That was Lindsey." Abby gasped. "I recognize her voice." The pounding on the door woke them up. Kari had the phone in her hand and tossed off the bedding as she groaned. "What...?" Kari groused. "I'm coming." She shoved her arms into her robe. She opened the door a crack. Looking at the manager, she asked. "What...?" "I told you no loud parties." The cranky old man said. "There have been complaints about the noise last night." "I didn't have a party. I had a friend over for dinner." Kari scowled at the old busybody. "Who is it dear...?" A sleep rumpled and very naked Abby, walked out making the manager blush and look down. "There is a package for you." He shoved the box of school supplies into Kari's hands and left in a hurry. "Who was that?" Abby asked and hugged Kari from behind. "The manager... I'm sure to hear about this when I pay rent next." Kari wove her fingers into Abby's hand that was wrapped around her waist. "You need a robe, or do you always walk around the house naked?" "Why wear something only to take it off." Abby pulled Kari's robe tie and opened the front. As soon as Kari's reddened nipples came into view, she leaned down and softly kissed and suckled them. "Oh man that feels so good... we need a shower." Kari gasped and moaned. The water was past cold by the time they felt clean and sedated. "So, what do you want to do tonight?" Kari said after she finally convinced Abby they needed to get dressed and get her car. "Go to my place where I can really let my hair down and see who can make the other scream the loudest." Abby nuzzled her way into Kari's arms. "Let's go before you start something and have the manager banging on the door again." Kari pulled a reluctant Abby behind her and held her door to get in the Jeep. Half way back to the bar, Kari had to ask. "So, did I dream that phone call...?" Abby thought about that question as Kari followed her home. She did have some strange dreams, but never knew what was real. All she could remember was the feeling of love as they made love. Abby knew it was so much more than just sex. She never climaxed during sex. She could only do that when she made love to Lindsey. When they pulled up in front of the fixer upper Abby was buying, Abby went to get the mail. With the assorted flyers, advertisements and usual junk, there was a small package from her old address. She wondered what Tracy had sent her this time. "Wow, this place needs some work." Kari said as she looked around. "Yeah I know. That's why I bought it. That way I can make it mine. I have just about enough to start in the kitchen." Abby shrugged. "It has good bones and everything works. It's just ugly." "So what you got there sweetheart?" Kari saw the package and the frilly script. "Must be something from Tracy. She was Lindsey's best friend. She bought the house we lived in." She opened it and everything fell out of her hands. "No way...." She breathed. "What's wrong?" Kari asked, instantly there. Abby held out the package and the note that surrounded it. It read. "This is for her. Happy Anniversary; Lindsey." She opened the small box and found the jade ring she had been looking for on Kari's hand. "I need to sit down." Kari said stunned. "Is this some kind of sick joke? First the call last night and now this?" Kari was looking at Abby. "I, I don't know. It might be Tracy, but how would she get your number?" Abby sat next to Kari. "I just don't know." "Oh quit being so fucking stubborn Abs'. Do you know how hard this was for me to do?" Abby heard in her head. "I can't help you any longer my sweet. I love you. It took me a long time to find her. She already loves you." Lindsey told Abby. Lindsey knew it was time to go. Abby had found someone to love and she knew it was a forever love. She would see them again and welcome them both with open arms. How could she not? Abby sighed. Lindsey was the only person who called her that. She looked at the calendar and knew. "So what color do you think we should paint the kitchen? I'm having hickory cabinets made." Abby leaned against Kari. "Oh, and Lin said this is yours." She pulled out the ring and slipped it on her finger, knowing it would be a perfect fit. "Happy Anniversary love." Abby kissed the confused look off Kari's face. ****************** One Year later: "Hey sexy, whatcha cookin." Kari asked over the phone on her way home. Abby's Ghost "You'll have to wait and see." Abby teased back. "Well as long as its home cooked. I'm tired of eating out. How is the new stove working?" Kari smiled as she knew Abby would be dancing around the kitchen naked or as near to as she could get away with. "Fantastic." Abby checked the bread and turned off the oven so she could put the melted butter on the sweet bread. She turned the chicken noodle soup to simmer and spun in the middle of the kitchen, making her dress flair out and giving her a breeze on her newly shaved mound. It was a surprise for Kari for their anniversary. "Okay honey, I better get off this thing before I have a wreck." Kari laughed then shouted. "OH SHIT!" "What's wrong? Kari.... KARI!" No, no this couldn't be happening again. She heard the squeal of breaks and her heart stopped. "Hey asshole; watch where the hell you're going!" Kari yelled. "Sorry sweetie, some idiot on a bike, just about became road hamburger. I'll be home in a few... love you." "Love you too. See you when you get home." Abby reached in and pulled out the bread before it burned and shut off the chicken noodle soup so it wouldn't go dry. "She isn't going anywhere, you Silly Billy. Happy Anniversary." She heard Lindsey's voice in her head for the first time in a year. End. Post Script: I have to be completely honest. I found the impetus to write this story by reading a submission by Kaelac62, 'To find Love Again'. I've tried to contact the author to gain permission to use the plotline and or devices, in my story. Unfortunately I haven't received any response from the author. So, since I am not breaking any copy-write rules, I am posting this and giving credit where it is due. If you read the other story, you will see I have used some of the plot devices in a different story. For me, this is a much shorter story than I am known for writing, but I hope you enjoyed it all the same. Once again, since I am still in the process of doing home repairs, (hopefully I getting to the end of this... I'm very tired of working on the house), my wife is the only editor I have been able to use. All the mistakes that might have slipped through, are mine alone. As always, please feel free to comment and vote.