Pelican's Landing

Chapter Twelve

“So she’d heard rumors, huh?” Jordan flipped the chicken over and turned the gas grill down.

“Yes. And when I told her you weren’t charging me rent, she said that was because you expected me to pay in other ways.”

Jordan laughed. “Well, sure. I expect you to cook.”

Annie pointed at the grill. “You seem to be doing a good job,” she said.

“I’m afraid this is it,” she said. “I’ve done steaks, pork chops, chicken and even portabella mushrooms and squash. Other than that, I’m afraid anything else would have to come out of a box or a can.” She smiled. “Well, I can do baked potatoes.”

“Yes. I saw them in the oven,” Annie said.

She added more wine to her glass, then looked at Annie apologetically as she watched. “Sorry. Would you rather I didn’t drink wine?”

Annie shook her head. “I don’t mind. Besides, I’m the one who’s pregnant, not you.”

“Yeah. Thank God.” Annie had a thoughtful expression on her face, and Jordan arched an eyebrow questioningly.

Annie tilted her head. “When did you know you were gay?”

Jordan wasn’t surprised by the question. She was curious though as to why Annie was asking it.

As if reading her mind, Annie added, “Because you don’t have a gay vibe.”

Jordan laughed. “And you know these vibes how?”

Annie smiled. “I watch Ellen.”

“Ah. Of course. Well, maybe it’s because you’ve seen me in nothing but business suits and dress clothes,” she said. “Maybe now that I’ve got a wardrobe full of shorts and jeans, I’ll butch out a little bit for you.”

Annie reached for her water bottle. “So? When did you know?”

Jordan shrugged. “Subconsciously, I guess I always knew. In reality, it was my junior year in high school. There was a sleepover, a slumber party type thing. After the first football game of the year, Friday night, we all went out for pizza. There were six of us. Then we went over to Beth’s house for the weekend. They had a pool and it was still warm. We played games, gossiped, made a mess of her mother’s kitchen at breakfast. And at night, we lit candles and laid in a circle, playing a vague game of Truth or Dare.”

“Someone asked you?”

“No. Nothing like that. But I was next to Sherry. Sherry Bozart. And I looked into her eyes and felt something that I’d never felt before.”

Annie leaned closer. “Sherry Bozart? The name doesn’t ring a bell. Who did she marry?”

“No clue,” she said. “But after that night, things started to make sense to me. It all came crashing down and I panicked.”

“You didn’t tell anyone?”

“Not a soul. And speaking of Ellen, it was the same year she came out on her show and everybody was talking about it. I was terrified I would say the wrong thing and my friends would find out.”

“Did you date guys?”

“Sure. Had a boyfriend at the time. Like I said, it all made sense to me then. I broke up with him the next weekend.”

“Were you sleeping together?”

Jordan laughed. “No. Doing everything but that.” She gave an exaggerated shudder. “Gross.”

Annie laughed too, but to Jordan’s relief didn’t ask any other questions. Jordan, however, had one for her.

“Are you ever going to tell me who the father is?”

Annie met her gaze. “I suppose I’m going to have to someday, yes.”

“It isn’t Derrick, is it?”

“God, no.” Annie looked startled that she would even suggest that. “I didn’t want to have sex with him when we were married. Why would I sleep with him now?”

Of course, that statement brought all sorts of questions to mind, but Annie pointed at the grill and Jordan turned, seeing smoke seeping out.

“I suppose it’s time to rescue those,” she said as she got up.

“I’ll get the potatoes,” Annie offered. “Or did you want to eat inside?”

“I prefer out here, if it’s okay with you.”

“Fine with me.”

Conversation over dinner drifted to less personal things, and they ended the evening with a quick walk down to the pier.

“I’ve got to do something with this,” Jordan said. “A lot of boards need to be replaced.”

“Have you walked to the end?”

“Yes and it’s a miracle it didn’t collapse on me,” she said. “I want to take the Jet Skis out for a spin too. My father said that Matt had them serviced in March so they should be good to go.” She glanced at Annie. “Do you ride?”

Annie shook her head. “The only time I’ve been on one was at Matt’s party last year. Brandon took me out and proceeded to dump me in the water after one spin. He was quite proud of himself.”

“I’ll take you out if you want,” she said. “It’s been years since I’ve been on one. I’m sure my speed will be more grandmother than teenager.”

“Thanks. That would be fun.”