Read Letting Go for Free Online Page B

Debbie!”
    “I’m not being judgmental about Kelly, I’m being discriminating,” said Jude. “I can’t stand Kelly because I think she just uses women. I’m sure there’s a woman out there somewhere you could spend some other enjoyable time with, who shares your interests and whose brains aren’t located in her pants!”
    Laura looked off into the distance. She twisted the ring on her finger. “Well, there is a woman like that who has suddenly shown an interest in me. It’s taken me by surprise. She’s bright, talented, and it seems we have a lot of interests in common.” Laura looked back at Jude, who was gazing at her in astonishment.
    42
    “Well,” said Jude. “You might as well tell me. What’s the bad news?”
    “She’s twenty-three years old—sixteen years younger than me. That’s the bad news.”
    Jude shook her head in disbelief. “You think that’s bad news, for Christ’s sake? You’re kidding. Who on earth is she?”
    They ordered more coffee, and Laura told her about Kate, their lunch together and the scene in Kate’s apartment. Laura drew on her cigarette. “I was amazed at my reaction to her, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it. She’s probably just infatuated with me—a passing thing. I’m hoping she was just feeling a bit drunk from lunch and that she’s forgotten about it by now.”
    Jude shrugged. “I think you’re bloody mad. Kate sounds wonderful, and since you’ve discovered this attraction for her, why not go along with it?”
    Laura smiled. “For Christ’s sake, Jude, give me a break. I’m just starting to feel like my life’s getting back in some sort of order. I don’t want to start anything that could become complicated.” She glanced at her watch. “Shit, I’ve got to go.” She stood, hurriedly grabbed her shopping bags and kissed Jude good-bye.
    “Have a nice day with Mum,” said Jude, grinning.
    “Yeah right,” said Laura grimly over her shoulder as she hurried away.
    “Aunty Laura!” Olivia squealed, charging in as soon as Laura opened the door. Bending to catch her, Laura swept her three-year-old niece into her arms and hugged her. Olivia covered her face with wet kisses and immediately 43
    began to pull off Laura’s earrings.
    “G’day,” said her twin brother Andrew, kissing her cheek.
    “I’ll put all this in the kitchen.” He strode off holding a box containing wine and a birthday cake. His wife, Jill, greeted her warmly as she lumbered in carrying a huge bag of toys, books and spare emergency clothes for the baby. Olivia squirmed, and when Laura put her down, she immediately raced to the bag her mother had dumped on the floor, dragging out all the contents, scattering them everywhere.
    “Things look different,” said Laura’s mother, casting a sharp eye around the apartment as she strode in.
    “Hello, Mum,” said Laura, kissing her cheek fleetingly. Laura’s relationship with her mother was at best polite and distant, and at worst strained. She had never accepted Laura’s lesbianism, and her attitude toward her relationships was dismissive, refusing to take them seriously. Laura had long grown accustomed to her mother’s obvious pride in her brother, who seemed to have lived up to all her expectations. Unlike Laura, he had rewarded her years of “sacrifice” by settling down in a “normal” marriage, producing a beautiful grandchild. When she was much younger, Laura often argued with her mother about the situation, trying to gain her acceptance, but she had long ago given up on her. She’d decided that she really didn’t need her mother’s approval, and it was easier to take a light-hearted view of her ignorant comments.
    Laura joined Andrew, who was in the kitchen opening some wine. “So you haven’t told Mum yet that Debbie’s left?” he asked.
    Laura stirred a pot on the stove. “No, I was hoping you might have mentioned it to save me the trouble.”
    He handed her a glass of wine, beaming a smile at her