Persistence(3)

"Well, what is it? It can't be bad."

"No, it's not bad, Lola. God, this is harder than I expected. Okay. I'll just start at the beginning. Your mom was a senior in high school when I moved here. I was a sophomore, and we became friends. Well, I was a total jock and wore my dad's old clothes. Some kids, who are now parents of your peers, got the idea that I was a lesbian. Rumors flew about your mother and me, and I think she ended up losing the election for Homecoming queen herself because of her friendship with me. To make a long story short, I was verbally and physically assaulted on numerous occasions by my peers. It's ironic that I am now the sheriff of this town, and they pretend to look up to me, but I know under it all, your mom is one of my only true friends."

"What's this have to do with me?"

"Well, the kids that did this to me are now parents of the kids at your school. I wouldn't want them to be mean to you because of me. You see, I am gay, but I've always tried to keep that as far out of light as possible. I just don't want them to hurt you, because of what I am. Your mother's always known, and we've decided that you were old enough to know as well. If you want to rethink Homecoming, I understand. I personally think you should. We just don't want you to get hurt."

"You're gay, Drew?" Lola asked as they came to a stop in front of her house. Drew nodded. "Why didn't you ever tell me before? I thought we were friends."

"We are friends, Lola. That's why I'm telling you now. You need to know now. You didn't before." explained Drew.

Shaking her head angrily, Lola stated, "I wish one of you had told me! I feel like I don't even know you! For seventeen years you've kept this from me!"

"You were just a child. You're still young, but you're old enough to know this. Maybe you just need some adjustment time. Think about Homecoming some more. I think you should take your mother instead."

"I can't believe this." Lola mumbled opening the passenger's door.

Drew touched her arm, but she shrugged out of it. "Lola, I'm sorry if you're upset."

"I feel betrayed, Drew, by you and Mom!" she yelled slamming the door. Drew just watched her scurry inside instead of going after her.





CHAPTER TWO



THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY night Drew was sitting on her porch watching the setting sun. Looking toward the stable, she saw Lola's yellow Beetle. They hadn't spoken since the previous weekend. Checking her watch, she noted that Lola didn't normally stay that late. Seeing her car and Steve's truck were the only vehicles, she thought about Lola's comment from last Saturday.

An overwhelming urge struck her to check on them, so she set her beer on the table before heading down the hill. Opening the barn door, it was quiet, too quiet for her comfort, so she called their names, heading toward the office. When she was within a few feet of the door, she heard a muffled sob. Yanking the door open, she felt her stomach turn.

There on the ground were Lola and Steve physically struggling, Steve winning being so much larger. Angrily Drew grabbed a wooden chair next to her. "Hey asshole!" she screamed breaking the chair over Steve's head. He landed with an unconscious thud onto Lola's body. Dragging him off Lola, she checked his vitals. "Lola, call 911 for me. Tell them we need the police and an ambulance."

While Lola was on the phone, Drew went to the barn to find some rope in order to tie Steve up until authorities arrived on the scene. Having restrained him Drew turned her attentions to Lola. "Let me look at you. Are you hurt?" she asked raising Lola's face. "Oh God. Look at you. Let me get you some ice for the swelling. You just sit down."

Drew quickly went to the freezer in the stable to grab an icepack. Coming back she knelt in front of Lola. Holding the ice to Lola's cheek with one had, Drew gently brush back Lola's long, golden hair with the other. "You're safe now." Drew whispered kissing her tears away.

When police arrived Steve was still unconscious. "Sheriff Bailey, do you have any idea of the situation?" they questioned. Drew gave them all her information before they questioned Lola, who gave the same account.

Once they were alone, it was past dark. "Sweetheart, do you want me to take you to the hospital?"

Lola shook her head. "No. I'll be fine. It's just bruising. He hit me pretty hard, but I'll be fine."

"Why don't we go up to the house so I can call your mom?"

"No. Don't call her just yet. I don't want her coming over here."

"But she'd want to know something happened to you."

"Please, Drew." Lola pleaded.

"All right. I won't call her just yet. Let's go up to the house. I'll fix you some dinner."

Quietly they had supper before sitting down to a movie. Half way into it, Lola stretched out on the couch placing her head in Drew's lap. Absentmindedly, Drew began to play with her hair for a few minutes before Lola turned onto her back. Their gaze met. Drew was transfixed by Lola's eyes. They were filled with an emotion Drew had never seen on her face before. "You all right?" she asked, her hand stroking Lola's good cheek. Lola didn't answer, but brought Drew's hand to her lips, kissing it softly. "What's that for?"