Chapter 25

            Rosanna swung her Jaguar XKR convertible into the driveway of Kay’s house.  Her car was one of the few luxuries that she allowed herself and enjoyed.  She was a top down driver when the weather permitted.  She loved the sun on her face and the wind in her hair.  The car was a pleasure to drive. She named her car Theresa which was her Hawaiian lover, Kelika’s name in English.  

            Theresa was her first love; she was the woman who taught Rosanna the difference between loving someone and being in love.  She learned that when you are in love with someone you love the whole person.  She not only liked Theresa she loved her completely without reservation.  She did not want to change her only to be with the woman who was.  In previous relationships she would say I love you but I want to change this, and this and this.  Theresa showed her there was love without a but…and that there was “more to love than making love, and making love was just that, making love.”  Theresa also broke her heart. 

            Kay opened the door and gave her a quick kiss.  Walking through the sprawling ranch they wound up in the kitchen as was their habit.  Rosanna pulled up a stool at the counter, wine, or tea?

            “Wine, I can’t take anything with a T in it these days.”

            “I assume you are going to explain that comment or is it a private joke?”

            Kay immediately thought of a T that she almost lost her friend to.  Theresa, once the love of Rosanna’s life who walked out on their relationship of three years because being with a woman was too hard for her.  It wasn’t a question of love anyone looking at the two of them together could tell that they were crazy in love.  Theresa left Rosanna for her husband who she was estranged from when the two met.    

            “No joke.  Sometimes I don’t like the letter T.  Speaking of T’s where’s yours?”

            “Tim is working late tonight.  Did you hear from Theresa?”

            “God, no.” 

            “Well all the T references and all, I had to ask.”

            “No.”  Theresa would call her from time to time and they would get together.  It was a bitter sweet dance they had participated in for years now.  They couldn’t let go and they couldn’t move on.

            “You seem different” Kay regarded her friend “At peace.”

            “Do I?” Rosanna brightened.

            “Yeah” Kay replied.

            “God help me but I think I’ve found her.”

            “Found who?”  Kay asked puzzled.

            “The love of my life.”

            ‘Tell me everything.”