The word just slipped out. It broke over Gail like a wave and she began to cry into Holly’s shoulder, great silent sobs that threatened to tear her apart. Holly pulled her in tighter, holding her as she could not remember ever being held. They stayed there for a long time, Holly rocking her gently and stroking her hair until her sobs subsided. Somewhat embarrassed, Gail pulled away.

”I’m sorry. I’m such a mess,” she stammered still sniffling slightly, unable to look at Holly.

Holly cupped Gail’s chin in her hand and turned Gail’s face toward hers. ”It’s ok” she said leaning in to briefly kiss Gail on the lips with such tenderness it took Gail’s breath away. Letting go of Gail, Holly said ”The bathroom is over there if you would like to freshen up,” directing Gail to an open door across the room, ”There are towels on the left side of the sink, and a new toothbrush in the medicine cabinet”

In-spite of feeling like the walking dead, Gail stepped into the shower, giving herself time to think. She let the hot water wash away her tears and the emotional rollercoaster of the past few days. Through it all, no one was like Holly, no one. As she thought about it, it scared her because she really didn’t want to fuck this up.

Stepping from the shower, there was a soft knock on the door. She briefly thought about answering it naked, but wrapped herself in a towel instead. Holly was there wearing that smile again, holding out an old t-shirt and shorts. ”I thought you might be more comfortable in these” she offered.

”Thanks!” Gail smiled back, accepting the soft cotton and closing the door to put them on. Reaching for the fresh toothbrush, Gail was struck by a bolt of hot jealousy as she thought about why Holly might keep one on hand.

Holly waited in a state of nervous impatience in her living room, pretending to read a book at first, but now pacing around the room. She knew she should put Gail on the pull out couch in her office, but she didn’t want to. As Gail emerged from the bathroom, Holly stopped pacing and said,
”There is a fairly comfortable pull out couch in my office, or you can…”
”Yes,!” Gail interrupted stepping forward.
Holly took a deep breath, heart racing, and lead Gail into her bedroom. They slid silently into the big low platform bed. Pulling Gail to her, Holly said, ”You know we are going to have to talk about this, but not tonight. Go to sleep.”
Gail began to protest, but Holly kissed her softly, saying ”Ssshhh, sleep.”
And finally, Gail let exhaustion win, wrapped in Holly’s arms, feeling truly safe for the first time she could remember. Holly listened to Gail’s breath against her shoulder become relaxed and even as she lay there stareing at the ceiling, aware of every inch of Gail’s body pressed up against hers and the trust she knew that had brought Gail here.