The Banquet part 2....finished
Disclaimer on part one.....
Blake didn’t like not knowing how she felt, which was exactly how she was feeling right now. She needed to do something but what. Well the most obvious answer would be to go over to Doris and Miranda and then what? That is as far as she got in her plans, but her feet had made other plans as she found herself walking over to the couple who had just sat down after dancing three straight songs.
“Blake hello, are you having fun?” Asked Doris as she fanned herself with a napkin and wrapped an arm around the back of Miranda’s chair. Miranda’s eyes bounced between the two woman and could see the attraction dancing in Doris’ and also in Blake’s but Blake was also jealous. Of her. Miranda swallowed a smirk and leaned a fraction of an inch into Doris.
“Yes, I am. I came with Frank. I guess he couldn’t get a date and I was his fallback.” Blake mock pouted and Doris raised an eyebrow.
“Oh don’t feel bad I dragged this one all the way from New York to come to this with me.” She motioned to Miranda and smiled at her. Miranda nodded back and extended her hand for Blake to shake, “Miranda Priestly.”
“Blake Marler, nice to meet you.”
“Yes come Doris I want to dance,” and she pulled Doris off onto the dance floor. “What are you doing? She likes you.” Miranda demanded as she fell into Doris’ and let her lead. Doris’ really was a good dancer.
“That may be true but more likely it is just a fad and she will toss me aside for, oh I don’t know, Frank. And if that weren’t bad enough she is the gossip queen, every little thing I do behind closed doors from what I eat for cereal to what color my pajama’s are would be all over town.”
“You don’t wear pajama’s,” added Miranda helpfully and at Doris’ face she continued, “right not the point. But I still say that what she feels for you is true. If I had listened to you when you gave me advice about my love life I would be in a better place. I just don’t want you to give up on what could be a real shot at true love, or whatever they are calling it nowadays.” Miranda said as she looked up into the eyes of her best friend. She knew about the sacrifices that Doris had made to get where she was today and while she was extremely proud of her she wanted to see Doris achieve the whole package.
But Doris refused to ask Blake to dance feeling that it would be wrong to leave Miranda alone as she had come all the way from New York to attend this party. The rest of the party went smoothly and the next day Miranda and Doris said goodbye and Doris watched as Miranda’s car drove off. She thought back to what Miranda had said, could Blake really be attracted to her?
Not sure where to go from here Doris did the only thing she could think to do, run the problem by Ashlee. Coming out to Ashlee had poised several problems but once she realized that Ashlee wanted her to open up and share their relationship became more close. Now for the first time in her life Doris finally felt that she had someone she could turn to. So with that thought in her mind she turned on her heel and headed off to the park where Ashlee said they would meet for lunch.
“Mom, hey how was the banquet?”
“It was very nice Miranda came and wrangled me into the most beautiful dress the pictures will be back tomorrow and you’ll see then. But while we were there she mentioned something strange. She thought that Blake was attracted to me and that she was jealous of Miranda. Can you believe that Blake, attracted to me?!?!” Doris let this all out in one breath and watched as Ashlee did the unthinkable, nodded her head. Surely she couldn’t agree with Miranda. Surely she wasn’t so blind that she didn’t know when Blake was flirting with her or at least checking her out, would she?
“Mom I thought you knew.”
“What you knew when, how, what?!?” A large stream of questions came shooting out of Doris’ mouth and she tried to not spit coffee all over her daughter.
“When you were helping me pick out an outfit for my date with Coop, which went well by the way.”
“Oh my god, I totally forgot I’m sorry,” said Doris unable to believe that she had forgotten her daughter’s anniversary date with Coop.
“Don’t worry about it you seem to have a lot on your mind. So what are you going to do about Blake?”
“Do, who says I’m going to do anything?”
“Mom!” Ashlee was stunned, it was clear that Blake at the very least had the hots for her mom but Doris didn’t seem to want to act on it.
“I just well its been a while since I have had to try to start a meaningful relationship with anyone and I’m not sure if I can do it.” And there it was the root of the problem, Doris was afraid to fail afraid to look weak. Ashlee knew there was nothing she could say so she just put her hand over Doris’ and smiled. This was something her mother would have to come to terms with on her own.
Blake was wiping down the counter in Company after the morning rush, lost in thought. What was wrong with her? She couldn’t and shouldn’t be attracted to Doris Wolfe. This was the same woman who called her the Marler nit-wit. Was this really the type of person she wanted to start a relationship with? And less she forget the main reason she should be running for the hills, Doris was a woman. Blake had never been with a woman, she didn’t know what to do. But no matter how many times she tried to talk herself out of it she couldn’t. She was attracted to Doris Wolfe.
As soon as Blake made this conclusion she heard the door to Company open and in walked Doris Wolfe. Are you serious thought Blake as she threw her rag down and rolled her eyes skyward. Why did she have to walk in right now and why was she looking at her like that?
“Blake, are you alright?” Doris asked as she looked at her strangely.
“Yes I’m fine.”
“Good, can I have a cup of coffee then?” Doris asked still looking unsure that Blake was alright but smiled when Blake handed her the coffee and left. The minute the door closed Blake’s head hit the counter. Well that was productive now not only did Doris think she was a nit wit but now she was a stupid nit wit. Just great. As Blake was mentally pounding her head on the counter she failed to notice the door open again and Doris reenter.
Doris stood apprehensive for a moment before steeling her resolve and marching up to Blake and taking her by the shoulders and spun her around. She paused for a second to take in Blake’s surprised look before kissing her squarely on the mouth and prayed she was right. She was and Blake began to kiss her back as the coffee in Doris’ hand fell to the floor as she opened her mouth to try to deepen the kiss. Blake granted the insistent tongue access and she clung to Doris’ shoulders when she felt her knees buckle.
Finally though they were loathe to admit it breathing was important and forced them to separate. Panting heavily Doris whispered, “have dinner with me,” into Blake’s ear and smiled when she felt Blake nod.
The End