KoL Wedding Preparations 17.59

 
 
“Nearly finished,” she said, patting the hem flat. The scarlet silk shone back at her and Jess admired her stitching.
 
“Happy?” asked Libby from the other end of the living room. She was on her hands and knees amidst an array of silk flowers.
 
“Yeah, I s’pose,” Jess answered, not looking up from her stitching
 
“Jess, we’ve done this before. Is it about your mum?” Libby asked, sitting back on her heels now and looking at Jess more clearly.
 
Jess didn’t answer. She was busy gathering up the bits of cotton she had on the table.
 
“Jess you’ve got to tell her,” Libby was getting to her feet now, crossing the room. “If you don’t tell her, eventually she’ll find out and heaven knows how she’ll take it then.”
 
Yes, thought Jess, that’s exactly it though isn’t it. I was all set to tell her and then, then the letter came.  She sighed.
 
“Jess, you can’t protect her forever, you know that.” Libby came closer, moving in, wrapping her arm around Jess from behind. Jess leaned back against her, black hair and mousey brown, leaning in together.
 
“May be its not her I’m protecting,” said Jess quietly, slowly, her head dropping down to look away.
 
Libby turned Jess by the shoulders to face her, slipping her fingers gently under Jess’ chin to lift their eyes to meet.
 
“Who then? Me?” she asked. “No you,” she answered herself, eyes narrowing. You’re afraid she’ll push you away aren’t you? You are!”
 
Jess turned her head sharply, pulling away from Libby. “Wouldn’t you be?” she demanded angrily. “You know what she’s like. She’ll never understand.”
 
“Oh baby, you know what,” said Libby, moving in close again, “she will have no choice – she doesn’t want to lose you too!” Her voice was warm, deep, showing real feeling and understanding clear. But Libby, for all her slight frame, was firm. She took Jess’ hand and raised to her fingers, kissing the tips of them gently.
 
“You’ve got to give her a chance Jess,” she said. “You’ve got to tell her before she finds out. For you, for me, for Jonah.”
 
She pulled Jess gently towards her, her right arm cupping Jess’ body. As her lips came down to caress her partners, she whispered “Give her a chance Jess, give us a chance.”