It was one of the largest stores in the area, the bedding department alone covering almost an entire floor. Riding the escalator up, Laura kept her eye on Toni, and Toni kept hers on the customers milling about.

When they reached the second floor, even though Toni didn't say a word, Laura could sense her relief. The aisles were spacious, eliminating the possibility of a stranger's accidental touch, and the racks of shelving were low enough for even Laura to see over. Noticing that the customers nearest them seemed intent on their purchases, paying little if any attention to the two women standing just off the escalator, Laura tugged on Toni's sleeve, and slowly they began to shop. Less than an hour later, they rode back down, their hands filled with bags containing sheets, drapes, pillows, and one scrumptiously soft quilt.

Their plans had included shopping for clothes, but the stores were getting busy, and Laura knew Toni was on edge. After dropping their packages into the boot of the car, Laura gave Toni the option on whether to go home or continue.

Between the clothes she had purchased with Krista and those she had kept of the old, Toni knew she'd have enough to make it through a week without having to do laundry, so she almost asked to go home...almost. Remembering the dire straits of the few undergarments she had remaining and knowing that the socks inside her trainers were filled with holes, she sighed. "Could we get lunch first?" she asked quietly. "Build up my strength, so to speak."

"That's a great idea. I'm starving," Laura said, looking up at a signpost to get her bearings. "You know, there's a small bistro up the street. I've never been there before, but I've heard the food is good. We could walk if you'd like, unless you prefer we drive?"

"How far is it?"

"If we walk? Less than ten minutes."

As much as Toni would have preferred to drive, seeing Laura's smile made it impossible for Toni to suggest it. "Okay. Let's go."

"You sure?"

"No, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Yes?"

"That's what they say."

"I hope they're right."

The tiny bell over the door chimed as they walked inside, and spotting a table in the corner, they went over and sat down. Scanning the menu, by the time the waitress appeared, Laura wasted no time in placing their order. A few minutes later, two rather large salads were placed on the table.

Leisurely crunching away, Laura asked, "Can I make an observation?"

"Is there any way of stopping you?"

"You could always...what did you call it, wig out?"

"No, I'm not in the mood," Toni said, popping an olive into her mouth.

"Good to know. Actually, it's not really an observation. It's more a question."

"Okay."

"I watched you today, and you seemed much more comfortable when we were buying the linens than when we were picking out paint. I noticed there were no men around in the bedding department, so I'm thinking it has something to do with the fact that you probably trust women more than men...because you're a lesbian, I mean."

Stopping mid-chew, Toni stared back at Laura. "How did you-"

"Kris told me ages ago."

Pursing her lips, Toni took a moment to ponder Laura's question. "So along the same lines, you're saying that you trust men more than women because you're heterosexual?"

As soon as the last word slipped from Toni's lips, Laura felt her cheeks redden. Hanging her head, she raised her eyes to meet Toni's. "Is that your way of politely telling me that I just asked a really stupid question?"

"What do you think?"

"I think I just asked a really stupid question."

"I'd have to agree."

"Should I change the subject?"

"That depends."

"On what?"

"On whether you want to continue down the road of stupid or not."

Smiling, Laura snatched the check from the table. "Why don't I take care of this, and we can get out of here?"

Watching as Laura scampered away from the table with cheeks still ablaze, Toni grinned. "Nice out."

The sun had been replaced by the moon when Laura finally awoke from her nap. Nestled in the corner of the sofa under a tartan throw, she tried to decide if getting up was really necessary. The light coming from the kitchen enabled her to see the bags still piled on the floor, put there a few hours earlier by two women, one of whom was exhausted from shopping, and the other, from stress.

By the time they returned to the store, the afternoon shopping rush had begun, and they barely had enough time for Toni to find some jeans, T-shirts and undergarments before her anxieties kicked in. Although they managed to get through the check-out line without issue, after trekking through the crowded store and down the busy sidewalk, Toni was gasping for air. In a cold sweat, she sat in the passenger seat of Laura's car, listening as Laura calmly soothed her fears with words of encouragement until finally, she could breathe again. Closing her eyes to the world, she reclined her seat and listened to the sounds of the traffic as Laura drove her home.

It took three trips to the car to bring their purchases inside, and after agreeing they could both use a short rest, Laura prepared some tea, and they collapsed on the sofa together. Sitting in opposite corners, they sipped their tea quietly, and before the liquid had a chance to cool, they had both fallen asleep.

As Laura lay in the dimly lit lounge, she noticed a scent hanging in the air, and sniffing again, she glanced over at Toni's door. Seeing light streaming out from underneath it, she tossed aside the throw and went to investigate the smell of fresh paint. Slowly opening the bedroom door, she squeezed her eyes shut to block out the brightness of the stark naked bulbs from the overhead light, and when she finally opened them again, she saw Toni rolling paint on the wall, her old red T-shirt now marred by streaks of blue.

"What are you doing?"

Turning toward the sleepy voice, Toni said, "I'm fairly certain it's called painting."

"What time is it?"

"A bit after nine, I think."

"Nine? What the hell are you doing painting at nine o'clock at night?"

"I woke up a few hours ago and thought...why not."

"Why didn't you wake me?"

"Um...because you were sleeping."

"You know what I mean. I could have helped."

"You were exhausted."

"So were you."

"True, but I woke up feeling fine, and since I can't put away any of my clothes until this room is done, I broke open the cans."

"Did you eat anything?"

"Not yet, but we have that pizza from last night. I thought I'd just heat it up."

"I'll do it," Laura said. "Beer or wine?"

"Beer would be good. Thanks."

Trotting up the stairs, Laura changed her clothes, splashed some water on her face and headed back down. Turning on the oven, she slid the leftover pizza inside, grabbed two beers from the fridge and went back to Toni's room. "What can I do to help?" she asked, stepping inside.

"How about handing me that beer?" Toni said with a grin as she put down the roller.

As she gave Toni the bottle, Laura looked around the room. "Wow! This looks great."

"Thanks. I figure I can finish the walls tonight and then do the trim and the bathroom tomorrow."

"We didn't buy any paint for the bathroom."

"I know, so we'll have to go back out. I mean, if that's okay?"

"It's fine, Toni," Laura said, a smile spreading across her face.

Noticing Laura's expression, Toni asked, "What?"

"Nothing."

"You're smiling like a bloody fool. Now come on, out with it."

"It just seems to me that you're enjoying redecorating my house."

The grin faded from Toni's face. "I'm sorry. I overstepped my bounds."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I shouldn't have started anything without first talking to you."

"Oh, Jesus Christ," Laura said, rolling her eyes. "Toni, we both agreed that this was your room. Remember?"

"Yeah, but-"

"And you're giving me something to help cover bills and food, aren't you?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"So, that means you can do what you want in here."

"It's still your house."

"Look, let's make a deal, shall we? This is your space, and in it you can do whatever you'd like. My bedroom is my space, and the same thing goes. The lounge and kitchen are community areas, shared by both, so if you want to read a book or cook a meal, feel free, and if I want to watch the telly or burn a meal, I can. And if either of us wants to bring a guest home, the other will make herself scarce. Agreed?"

"I don't see that happening."

"What? You don't think I can pull?" Laura said, placing her hands on her hips.

"I wasn't talking about you."

"Toni, trust me, there'll come a time when you'll want a woman's company again and when you do, I'll sequester myself in my room, and you won't even know I'm here."

"That part of my life is over, Laura," Toni said flatly. "And I know this arrangement won't last forever, so when I start getting underfoot, let me know, and I'll ask Krista to find me another place to live."

"That's a bit cynical, don't you think?"

Toni shrugged. "It's just the way it is, and speaking of the way it is, you do know that you're burning the pizza, don't you?"

Sniffing the air, Laura's eyes widened. "Shit!" she said, running out of the room.

Toni picked up the roller and turned back to the task at hand, covering old paint with new and trying not to think about a life she'd never have.

Chapter Nineteen.

"I've missed you."

"Really? I thought you'd like not having to babysit me anymore."

"I never ever considered it babysitting, and you know it."

"I know," Toni said. "Speaking of babysitting, why aren't you at home taking care of Robin?"

"You couldn't have possibly forgotten how whiny she gets when she has a cold," Krista said with a titter. "Besides, she told me to come over. She knows how much I love your lasagna."

"To be honest, I wasn't sure I'd remember how to make it, but it didn't turn out half bad," Toni said, pushing away her plate. "Remind me later and I'll pack up some for you to take to her."

"She'll love you forever."

As Toni began to clear the table, Krista pulled the cork from the Chianti and refilled their glasses. Putting the bottle aside, she asked, "So, where's your other half?"

"Sorry?"

"Laura. You know, the woman you live with."