Just One Question (1/1) Betty x Kate, Kate/Gladys friendship
Chapter One
Kate needed to ask Gladys a question. She’d been thinking about this question for a couple of weeks (all right, months, but intensely in the last two weeks), and had very little doubt as to the answer, or what that answer might mean. However, she just needed to hear it from someone else. She would normally have asked Betty, who was her go-to gal for nearly everything in this life, but she was hesitant on this one topic. She needed a more neutral party.
Kate gave one last glance over at Betty, who was unceremoniously flopped on the bed to her right, mouth open, and drink still in hand. She figured this was as good a time as any. She stood and walked over to Gladys, who was smiling at her almost mischievously, and swaying to the music. Gladys raised her eyebrow, and her glass, as Kate settled against the wall in front of her.
“Gladys, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure thing, fire away.” This was all very curious, Gladys thought. She had not gotten remotely as drunk as Betty, and had been watching Kate consider something for the last five minutes, looking back and forth between her and Betty.
“But…I’d prefer you reserve any kind of judgment. It’s hard for me to ask. I just-“
“Kate, dear, you witnessed my father trying to drag me off the line in front of the entire factory, you knew all about my…soldier situation, and when I slept with James, and when James cheated on me with Hazel, and even that she gave him VD! Where on earth would you get the idea I would judge you?”
A few months ago, Kate would have cringed at Gladys rattling off that list of ‘personal business,’ but she’d grown used to the frankness of her friends, and even found that she appreciated it.
“Okay, okay,” Kate said, making a ‘settle down’ gesture with her hands. “So, you’ve had a lot of female friends, right?”
“Yes. “ She paused. “That question did not live up to my expectations of the question. Which makes me suspect it’s not the question.”
Kate huffed at her, shaking her head, “No” she drew out the word, “That was just the context. So, here is the question. Did you ever wonder what it would be like to kiss one of your friends?”
Gladys was caught slightly off guard by the lack of subtlety, but she guess she’d just asked for such. She didn’t know if it was the devil or the gin in her that made her want to give Kate a playfully hard time about what she’d said. Possibly both. “Are you trying to tell me you want to kiss me?”
Kate narrowed her eyes at Gladys, “Why must you always be wise? You know it’s not you I’m talking about.” Okay, that last piece was possibly more than she’d wanted to say. They both looked over at their still unconscious friend, and then back at each other.
“I’m sorry…I thought a little joke would lighten the mood.” Gladys shrugged, and touched her friend on the arm, to show her that she hadn’t meant it as a joke on her. “So, why not ask her?” Gladys nodded her head in the direction of Betty.
“Because… I know she’d either worry about why I was asking, worry that I was worried about her intentions toward me, then deny it and,” Kate rolled her eyes and shook her head, “bolt from the room or something, or, she’d just say yes, because…well, she likes girls.”
Gladys was unsuccessful in keeping her eyebrows from raising to her hairline, Why didn’t Betty tell her she’d told Kate? “She told you that?”
“Yes, one night as we were walking back from the Tangiers. A couple of weeks ago. I was asking her questions about that woman she’s friends with-the one you called hep, remember? And she told me. Not sure she really meant to, because then looked at me like a scared little kid, and started to babble. She was asking me not to tell anyone, and saying that it didn’t mean anything about our friendship and she would never want me to be uncomfortable when we’re sleeping together and how-“
“Whoa there! Sleeping together?”
Kate blushed, as she realized how this sounded, and put her hand to the back of her neck, turning toward the window, “Just…I have nightmares, so…we just sleep…in the same room. Bed. Because then I don’t have nightmares.”
Gladys was nearly dying to ask additional questions about this, but restrained herself, wanting to hear the rest of the conversation Kate was relaying, and figuring she’d have time in the future to grill Betts. She was just finding out so many interesting things tonight!
“Okay, that’s…sweet, go on. So, she told you all of this and then got nervous…”
Kate nodded, “So afraid of my reaction. I told her I didn’t care, she was my best friend. Honestly, Gladys, it wasn’t that much of a shock. I’m not…I hear whispers of the other girls. What they say about her, especially after that movie. Even if they like and respect her as a worker, they still talk.” She looked over at Gladys, “You don’t seem shocked either, but I thought you’d know, otherwise I wouldn’t have said it.”
Gladys shrugged, “Same as you, I heard things, and then one day, she told me. But didn’t get scared, she just stared me down, daring me to say something,” Gladys laughed at the memory, “I just gave her a big hug, to make her stop staring. She told me to stop making a scene, and then bought me a drink. Our friendship was forever solidified.”
“Why…why was she so much more afraid of my reaction?”
“Probably because you were sleeping with her,” Gladys said smartly, and then clapped her hand over her mouth, “I’m sorry, I didn’t even mean to joke again.” She paused, “Why do you think?”
“Well, as much as that comment was unnecessary, it’s probably partly true-she thought I would misconstrue her kindness. Plus my upbringing. I’m sure she expected I’d be judgmental. But I’m not my father, and I don’t believe what he does. I like this life, and I like my friends. I believe love is good. And I told her as much, so she finally calmed down. I wanted to tell her-I wanted to tell her that I’m like her. But I wasn’t sure. Not…well, not completely. I was pretty sure, but I didn’t want to say it and then have to take it back, because that would be a terrible thing to do to her, and-
“My dear, now you’re babbling.”
“Sorry, I just, I needed to make sure. I needed to ask someone else if the things I feel are what all the girls feel, or…not. And you never answered my question.”
“Oh. What?” Gladys was trying to process all of the information Kate had just thrown at her. Gladys had suspected, sure, but she hadn’t given Kate enough credit. She didn’t think the girl would have been able to admit it to herself. Well, she proved her wrong! Okay, now, what was Kate saying? Ah, the question. “Right. True, I didn’t answer it, I apologize. Well, have I ever wanted to kiss a friend?” Gladys stopped to think it over, wanting to make sure she was honest with her friend, though she was pretty sure Kate had already come to the conclusion she was looking for when she began the conversation anyway. She shook her head slowly, “No, Kate, I don’t think I ever have. I used to wonder what it was like to kiss boys, but not girls. Did you ever wonder about boys?”
The face Kate made was almost comical, like Gladys had asked if she’d even thought about eating gum she’d found stuck under a table in the break room, “I…no, well, in a curious way, I suppose. In a…’why does everyone think it’s so great?’ way. Which lets me talk about it with the other girls and pull it off like I really care. Not that I was trying to be purposefully deceitful, but--” She cleared her throat, “but it’s different than the way I look at women,” She shrugged, and looked at Gladys, “I guess I just needed someone to say that out loud to, and make it real. I’m not sure I wanted it to be real.” She looked at the floor, and said quietly, “ I don’t want people whispering about me, judging me.”
“Kate, let me try to be as delicate as I can right now. You know what they say about Betty, and…you’ve been sleeping in her room? Honey, they’re not going to whisper about you any more than they already have been!”
Kate looked at Gladys, and for a moment Gladys was worried she was going to cry, but instead she burst out laughing. “I hadn’t even thought of that! Oh, I’m so naïve sometimes! I can only imagine what they’ve been saying!”
“Oh who cares!” Gladys said, laughing along with her, “ You know they’ve been gossiping about me and James and Hazel for the last three months too! At least you’ve given me a break!” She snorted, entirely undignified, “Hold on, how long have you been sleeping in here?”
“A month!” Kate yelled, bursting out in a new round of giggles, whether from actual amusement or sheer relief at having finally told someone this secret, she wasn’t sure.
I took them a full three minutes to finally get themselves under control, and Gladys needed several tries before she was finally able to ask Kate seriously, “So, Betty then, you like her? She’s one you’d want to kiss?”
“Well, not just kiss…” Kate trailed off and looked over at Betty.
“Kate Andrews!” Gladys yelled in a scandalized manner, smiling.
“What? I love her!” Kate yelled back, starting to laugh again.
They both clammed up immediately as they heard a groan from the bed, followed by Betty half opening her right eye to glare at them.
“What is the ruckus?”
“Kate’s drunk!” Gladys said, pointing, “and being loud.”
“I am not drunk! I had one drink three hours ago! Gladys is just harassing me!” She yelled indignantly, pointing back at her friend.
Betty opened her eyes, solely to roll them, before muttering, “Stop bothering my girl, Princess,” and then rolling over and falling back to sleep.
Gladys looked at Kate, who was wearing a dopey smile.
“She just called me her girl.”
“Yes, she certainly did. I’m sure she would be mortified if she realized that.” Gladys pressed her lips together for a moment, “Are you going to tell her she doesn’t have to be mortified?”
“Yes.” Kate turned to look at Gladys, “Of course, Gladys. But not right now, she’s…look at her. She probably wouldn’t even remember.”
“Of course. That would be tremendously poor timing. So…I suppose I will just leave you to your little sleepover-are you going to put on her pajamas?”
“Gladys! No, I just…take off her boots, usually.”
“So nice that you have a little routine to your domestic evenings.” She bumped Kate’s hip with her own, “So, then, again, I shall take my leave of you, and I thank you for the lovely evening.”
“Thank you Gladys. I’m so lucky to have such a wonderful friend.”
Gladys gave her a crushing hug, and kissed her noisily on the cheek, “I love you, Kate Andrews, and the two of you make a lovely couple. You’ve got me on your side forever, all right?”
“All right,” Kate said, still smiling, “And you, us, if I may speak for Betty. She really thinks the world of you.” She said this last sentence in an exaggerated stage whisper.
Gladys laughed, “Yes, I suspected as much. Tell her I said goodnight.”
“I will, get home safely.” Kate locked the door as Gladys left them, and turned back to look at Betty. She looked a mess, one leg hanging off the bed, face crushed into the pillow, jacket rumpled on the bed next to her. And my, how Kate loved her. She wasn’t sure how she’d ever had any doubt, or why she’d needed her interest confirmed, but she wasn’t inclined to question herself, now that she’d arrived, ready, at this new understanding. She quickly changed into her nightgown, then took Betty’s boots off, and helped her under the covers, before climbing in beside her. They usually simply slept next to each other, not touching, but tonight Kate wrapped an arm around Betty’s middle, pulling her close.
Betty woke up briefly, making a small noise of surprise, before relaxing again, and whispering goodnight to Kate.
“Goodnight Betty,” She drifted off to sleep almost immediately, thinking that she couldn’t wait for tomorrow to come.
The End
Kate needed to ask Gladys a question. She’d been thinking about this question for a couple of weeks (all right, months, but intensely in the last two weeks), and had very little doubt as to the answer, or what that answer might mean. However, she just needed to hear it from someone else. She would normally have asked Betty, who was her go-to gal for nearly everything in this life, but she was hesitant on this one topic. She needed a more neutral party.
Kate gave one last glance over at Betty, who was unceremoniously flopped on the bed to her right, mouth open, and drink still in hand. She figured this was as good a time as any. She stood and walked over to Gladys, who was smiling at her almost mischievously, and swaying to the music. Gladys raised her eyebrow, and her glass, as Kate settled against the wall in front of her.
“Gladys, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure thing, fire away.” This was all very curious, Gladys thought. She had not gotten remotely as drunk as Betty, and had been watching Kate consider something for the last five minutes, looking back and forth between her and Betty.
“But…I’d prefer you reserve any kind of judgment. It’s hard for me to ask. I just-“
“Kate, dear, you witnessed my father trying to drag me off the line in front of the entire factory, you knew all about my…soldier situation, and when I slept with James, and when James cheated on me with Hazel, and even that she gave him VD! Where on earth would you get the idea I would judge you?”
A few months ago, Kate would have cringed at Gladys rattling off that list of ‘personal business,’ but she’d grown used to the frankness of her friends, and even found that she appreciated it.
“Okay, okay,” Kate said, making a ‘settle down’ gesture with her hands. “So, you’ve had a lot of female friends, right?”
“Yes. “ She paused. “That question did not live up to my expectations of the question. Which makes me suspect it’s not the question.”
Kate huffed at her, shaking her head, “No” she drew out the word, “That was just the context. So, here is the question. Did you ever wonder what it would be like to kiss one of your friends?”
Gladys was caught slightly off guard by the lack of subtlety, but she guess she’d just asked for such. She didn’t know if it was the devil or the gin in her that made her want to give Kate a playfully hard time about what she’d said. Possibly both. “Are you trying to tell me you want to kiss me?”
Kate narrowed her eyes at Gladys, “Why must you always be wise? You know it’s not you I’m talking about.” Okay, that last piece was possibly more than she’d wanted to say. They both looked over at their still unconscious friend, and then back at each other.
“I’m sorry…I thought a little joke would lighten the mood.” Gladys shrugged, and touched her friend on the arm, to show her that she hadn’t meant it as a joke on her. “So, why not ask her?” Gladys nodded her head in the direction of Betty.
“Because… I know she’d either worry about why I was asking, worry that I was worried about her intentions toward me, then deny it and,” Kate rolled her eyes and shook her head, “bolt from the room or something, or, she’d just say yes, because…well, she likes girls.”
Gladys was unsuccessful in keeping her eyebrows from raising to her hairline, Why didn’t Betty tell her she’d told Kate? “She told you that?”
“Yes, one night as we were walking back from the Tangiers. A couple of weeks ago. I was asking her questions about that woman she’s friends with-the one you called hep, remember? And she told me. Not sure she really meant to, because then looked at me like a scared little kid, and started to babble. She was asking me not to tell anyone, and saying that it didn’t mean anything about our friendship and she would never want me to be uncomfortable when we’re sleeping together and how-“
“Whoa there! Sleeping together?”
Kate blushed, as she realized how this sounded, and put her hand to the back of her neck, turning toward the window, “Just…I have nightmares, so…we just sleep…in the same room. Bed. Because then I don’t have nightmares.”
Gladys was nearly dying to ask additional questions about this, but restrained herself, wanting to hear the rest of the conversation Kate was relaying, and figuring she’d have time in the future to grill Betts. She was just finding out so many interesting things tonight!
“Okay, that’s…sweet, go on. So, she told you all of this and then got nervous…”
Kate nodded, “So afraid of my reaction. I told her I didn’t care, she was my best friend. Honestly, Gladys, it wasn’t that much of a shock. I’m not…I hear whispers of the other girls. What they say about her, especially after that movie. Even if they like and respect her as a worker, they still talk.” She looked over at Gladys, “You don’t seem shocked either, but I thought you’d know, otherwise I wouldn’t have said it.”
Gladys shrugged, “Same as you, I heard things, and then one day, she told me. But didn’t get scared, she just stared me down, daring me to say something,” Gladys laughed at the memory, “I just gave her a big hug, to make her stop staring. She told me to stop making a scene, and then bought me a drink. Our friendship was forever solidified.”
“Why…why was she so much more afraid of my reaction?”
“Probably because you were sleeping with her,” Gladys said smartly, and then clapped her hand over her mouth, “I’m sorry, I didn’t even mean to joke again.” She paused, “Why do you think?”
“Well, as much as that comment was unnecessary, it’s probably partly true-she thought I would misconstrue her kindness. Plus my upbringing. I’m sure she expected I’d be judgmental. But I’m not my father, and I don’t believe what he does. I like this life, and I like my friends. I believe love is good. And I told her as much, so she finally calmed down. I wanted to tell her-I wanted to tell her that I’m like her. But I wasn’t sure. Not…well, not completely. I was pretty sure, but I didn’t want to say it and then have to take it back, because that would be a terrible thing to do to her, and-
“My dear, now you’re babbling.”
“Sorry, I just, I needed to make sure. I needed to ask someone else if the things I feel are what all the girls feel, or…not. And you never answered my question.”
“Oh. What?” Gladys was trying to process all of the information Kate had just thrown at her. Gladys had suspected, sure, but she hadn’t given Kate enough credit. She didn’t think the girl would have been able to admit it to herself. Well, she proved her wrong! Okay, now, what was Kate saying? Ah, the question. “Right. True, I didn’t answer it, I apologize. Well, have I ever wanted to kiss a friend?” Gladys stopped to think it over, wanting to make sure she was honest with her friend, though she was pretty sure Kate had already come to the conclusion she was looking for when she began the conversation anyway. She shook her head slowly, “No, Kate, I don’t think I ever have. I used to wonder what it was like to kiss boys, but not girls. Did you ever wonder about boys?”
The face Kate made was almost comical, like Gladys had asked if she’d even thought about eating gum she’d found stuck under a table in the break room, “I…no, well, in a curious way, I suppose. In a…’why does everyone think it’s so great?’ way. Which lets me talk about it with the other girls and pull it off like I really care. Not that I was trying to be purposefully deceitful, but--” She cleared her throat, “but it’s different than the way I look at women,” She shrugged, and looked at Gladys, “I guess I just needed someone to say that out loud to, and make it real. I’m not sure I wanted it to be real.” She looked at the floor, and said quietly, “ I don’t want people whispering about me, judging me.”
“Kate, let me try to be as delicate as I can right now. You know what they say about Betty, and…you’ve been sleeping in her room? Honey, they’re not going to whisper about you any more than they already have been!”
Kate looked at Gladys, and for a moment Gladys was worried she was going to cry, but instead she burst out laughing. “I hadn’t even thought of that! Oh, I’m so naïve sometimes! I can only imagine what they’ve been saying!”
“Oh who cares!” Gladys said, laughing along with her, “ You know they’ve been gossiping about me and James and Hazel for the last three months too! At least you’ve given me a break!” She snorted, entirely undignified, “Hold on, how long have you been sleeping in here?”
“A month!” Kate yelled, bursting out in a new round of giggles, whether from actual amusement or sheer relief at having finally told someone this secret, she wasn’t sure.
I took them a full three minutes to finally get themselves under control, and Gladys needed several tries before she was finally able to ask Kate seriously, “So, Betty then, you like her? She’s one you’d want to kiss?”
“Well, not just kiss…” Kate trailed off and looked over at Betty.
“Kate Andrews!” Gladys yelled in a scandalized manner, smiling.
“What? I love her!” Kate yelled back, starting to laugh again.
They both clammed up immediately as they heard a groan from the bed, followed by Betty half opening her right eye to glare at them.
“What is the ruckus?”
“Kate’s drunk!” Gladys said, pointing, “and being loud.”
“I am not drunk! I had one drink three hours ago! Gladys is just harassing me!” She yelled indignantly, pointing back at her friend.
Betty opened her eyes, solely to roll them, before muttering, “Stop bothering my girl, Princess,” and then rolling over and falling back to sleep.
Gladys looked at Kate, who was wearing a dopey smile.
“She just called me her girl.”
“Yes, she certainly did. I’m sure she would be mortified if she realized that.” Gladys pressed her lips together for a moment, “Are you going to tell her she doesn’t have to be mortified?”
“Yes.” Kate turned to look at Gladys, “Of course, Gladys. But not right now, she’s…look at her. She probably wouldn’t even remember.”
“Of course. That would be tremendously poor timing. So…I suppose I will just leave you to your little sleepover-are you going to put on her pajamas?”
“Gladys! No, I just…take off her boots, usually.”
“So nice that you have a little routine to your domestic evenings.” She bumped Kate’s hip with her own, “So, then, again, I shall take my leave of you, and I thank you for the lovely evening.”
“Thank you Gladys. I’m so lucky to have such a wonderful friend.”
Gladys gave her a crushing hug, and kissed her noisily on the cheek, “I love you, Kate Andrews, and the two of you make a lovely couple. You’ve got me on your side forever, all right?”
“All right,” Kate said, still smiling, “And you, us, if I may speak for Betty. She really thinks the world of you.” She said this last sentence in an exaggerated stage whisper.
Gladys laughed, “Yes, I suspected as much. Tell her I said goodnight.”
“I will, get home safely.” Kate locked the door as Gladys left them, and turned back to look at Betty. She looked a mess, one leg hanging off the bed, face crushed into the pillow, jacket rumpled on the bed next to her. And my, how Kate loved her. She wasn’t sure how she’d ever had any doubt, or why she’d needed her interest confirmed, but she wasn’t inclined to question herself, now that she’d arrived, ready, at this new understanding. She quickly changed into her nightgown, then took Betty’s boots off, and helped her under the covers, before climbing in beside her. They usually simply slept next to each other, not touching, but tonight Kate wrapped an arm around Betty’s middle, pulling her close.
Betty woke up briefly, making a small noise of surprise, before relaxing again, and whispering goodnight to Kate.
“Goodnight Betty,” She drifted off to sleep almost immediately, thinking that she couldn’t wait for tomorrow to come.
The End