The Pastor's Sister Ch. 02: Resistance

Welcome to chapter 2 of Lena and Daphne (and Shay).

Please favorite, rate, comment and shoot me some feedback if you are so inclined.

***********************

It was Tuesday morning, almost 9am and I was outside Shay's house waiting. This would be the fifth day Daphne and I ran together. Church the other day was uneventful. The previous runs also. No coyness. No almost flirting. Just normal church and the diner and running. It was utterly boring, yet I continued to showed up.

We talked a little bit here and there as we ran, but not as much as on the first run. I was getting to know more about her. She was 32, never married, lived in this tiny town her whole life. She worked from home in medical coding. She was nice. In a different reality, we may have been good friends. In this reality, every footfall of these runs was near agony for me. Of course, I kept showing up, ready to run, because I apparently, liked torture.

Shay had another bad evening the night before. I was tired, but not tired enough to cancel. Shay was happy Daphne and I were becoming friends. I loved the crap out of her, but she was such a naïve person sometimes. I would keep my promise to her though. I would just continue to torture myself in the process.

I saw her turn onto Shay's street. I couldn't resist watching her bounce as she approached. Sometimes being such a good friend was difficult.

"Hey." Her hair was up in a ponytail today.

"Morning." I so wanted to add, 'you sexy beast', but refrained. My self-control was much better than it used to be. Shay's parent would be proud of the way I've matured from the fly-off-the-handle act-before-I-think teenager I once was. She's still in there, she just wasn't coming out to play here in Small Town USA. At least I hoped. Life was measurably more fun when she was in control, but also included more peril. That version of me had gotten in more hot water with woman than I could remember.

"Ready?"

Beyond ready. "Yep." I let her start before me by just a couple of seconds, so I could watch her from behind for a few feet.

I caught up and we fell instep together, snaking our way through the town. I was still amused at the amount of people that waved as we ran. I knew about 4 of them, yet that never stopped them from waving, even when I ran without Daphne. Small towns.

"You look tired today Lena."

"Is it that obvious?" I was hoping the run would counter some of the lack of sleep.

"A little."

"Shay had a rough night. I really would like to cap Jason's knees." I had learned last night that he had cheated on her a few times. She was too forgiving and naïve. He was lucky I didn't know where he was.

"I never really liked him." She slowed her pace a little, I matched.

"Really? I didn't know him very well. I'm regretting that now. I should have shown up more for her when they were together." Maybe then I would have seen the signs and run the fucker off before he did this to her.

It was warm today. Unseasonably warm for January in the northeast I had a tank top on under my long sleeves. I slowed to take off the top layer, the sun on my skin felt great. I tied it around my waist then picked my pace back up, enjoying the view as I caught back up. I pulled up alongside her.

"Oh... wow." Came out of her mouth.

I looked at her. She was looking at my left arm. I had forgotten no one in this town had seen my tattoos. I had half sleeves on both arms, plus a few others not currently exposed. My left arm was all black, circuits boards with code 'scrolling' around. It extended over my shoulder and partway down my back and chest. I loved it for its clean lines. One of the tiny circuits was a pride flag. It was the only color in the piece.

I wondered if anyone in this town even had tattoos. I wondered if Little Miss Pastor's Sister had any she was hiding. That's a game of hide-n-seek I would play very willingly.

I realized she wasn't next to me anymore. I stopped and turned my head. "You okay?"

She started running again. "Yeah. Just wasn't prepared for that."

I could tell she wanted to see it closer, she kept glancing at me as we moved. I picked up my pace just a little bit more. She was going to have to work for it, if she wanted to see it. We were about half way through what had become our normal loop, before either one of us spoke again.

"Did that hurt?"

I knew she meant the ink. Of, course it hurt. It's like a hot razor running through my skin, but there was no color, so it didn't hurt nearly as bad as some of my other ones. "Not really." I shrugged as I replied.

At this point, I turned and jogged backwards for a few so she could see the right arm. That one was all flowers. Not a centimeter of my shoulder or upper arm was without ink. Now this set really hurt. I loved the pain, it reminded me I was alive. I was overdue for something new in fact.

I was back running forward now that she had seen both arms. I let my mind wander to showing her the rest of my tattoos. fulya escort I almost tripped over a damn pothole I was so distracted.

I stumbled a little, she reached over to make sure I didn't fall. Her hands touched me, sending electricity through the circuits on my arm. I pulled away, "thanks. I'm such a klutz sometimes." Yeah only when I'm daydreaming about you seeing me naked. Ugh, I needed to stop running with her. Yeah, that's what I needed to do, but there was no way I going to do what I needed to.

The rest of the run was quiet. We ended where we began, in front of Shay's house. She was home from work today. Last night had taken too much out of her. The front door opened as we approached.

"Daphne!"

Shit. I knew what was coming next. Shay ushered us both inside for tea. "Shay, Daphne isn't done running let her go." Please go, so I can watch you jog away.

"No, it's fine Lena. Tea sounds great." She walked by me as she entered the house, she was so close I could feel the air moving, smell her shampoo.

Great.

Inside, I excused myself and threw on a hoodie before I went back into the kitchen. Shay already had the water boiling. She looked a little better than she had when I left. I went over to her, "how are you?"

"I'm fine Leens. Promise." I gave her a hug anyways.

I made my tea and sat next to her at the kitchen table, Daphne was across from Shay. I listened as they chit chatted. Shay looked better, but tired. I could barely keep my eyes open.

"Lena, Leens."

My head shot up. Shit, I had dozed off, sitting there at the table. "Yeah? Sorry."

"Girl, you were starting to snore." Shay laughed. Daphne giggled. I turned bright red.

I stood up, brought my cup over to the sink and washed it out. That woke up me, at least for a few minutes. I was facing Daphne now and stood there like an idiot. Shay and Daphne were talking about some fundraiser that was starting at their church. I was trying not to stare at her. It wasn't going so well. She made eye contact with me, held it for a little longer than needed. I broke away first.

"Well, I don't mean to be rude, but I'm going to go shower and get some work done." I needed to get out of that kitchen.

"Bye Lena, see ya tomorrow for another run?

Oh, I'll see you in the shower, as I turn that powerful shower head on, your face is all I'll be seeing. "Sure! See ya then."

I walked down the hall and into my room. Closed the door. It was a damn good thing little thought bubbles didn't form over my head.

After my shower, I sat down at my computer, trying to work. It wasn't happening. I gave up and went out to make some lunch. Shay was on the couch. She looked sad. I took a deep breath and sat with her.

"How was I so stupid Leens? Why didn't I see what a jerk he was?"

Because you are the kindest, most trusting, sweetest naïve human I have ever known. "I don't know hun, maybe he was just good at being a lying ass?" I put my arm around her and pulled her close. She sighed and leaned her head into me. She fell asleep a few minutes later. I turned the TV on, planning to let her rest while I watched. Instead, I woke up a few hours later, she was still sleeping up against me.

"Shay." I gently tried to wake her up. It was no use, she wasn't budging. I moved, laid her down and covered her up with a blanket. I went and got my laptop and cranked out a little work before my stomach started to complain. Shay was still out cold and there was zero chance I was attempting to cook.

I got my shoes and jacket on and drove over to the diner.

"Hey Lena! Where's Shay?" Ruby greeted me as I walked in.

"Sleeping. Long night." I yawned.

"I never liked the looks of that guy."

Okay, so that's 2 people in this town that 'didn't like' Jason. They lived here together for 5 fucking years. Why didn't someone do something? My irritation with this place was starting to grow.

"She'll be fine, eventually. She's also going to be hungry when she wakes up and I can't even heat up canned soup." Actually, I could heat up canned soup, I just didn't want to tonight. I needed more than that for food if I was going to meet up with Daphne again in the morning. There was no way I wasn't running tomorrow.

Ruby laughed. I ordered then sat there waiting. A few minutes later I heard my name again. Entirely too many people knew me here now. I didn't like it. I turned to the voice and it was Daphne.

"Hey." Her whole face was lit up. Why did she have to be so damn attractive?

"Hello." She had changed since our run, which made sense. Skirt, baggie sweater. I liked her running clothes better, but at least I knew what those baggie clothes were hiding. I may have bit my lip as I said hello. Get it together Lena!

"She still not good?" She genuinely cared.

"Sleeping. She's going to wake up hangry. And no one wants me to attempt to cook."

She laughed. I watched as her head went back with her laughter. Her neck bomonti escort was yummy looking. "That bad?"

"Worse." I was laughing with her. Dammit Shay. Why did I promise you anything? Her milky white skin was so appetizing looking.

Ruby came over again, taking Daphne's order. "Lena, your stuff will be up in a few."

"Thanks Ruby." No rush, it can wait, I rather like sitting next to Daphne... I enjoy it entirely too much.

I realized that Daphne had just asked me something. "Sorry, what?"

"How long do you think you'll be here with Shay?"

Too long. Not long enough. How long do you want me to stay? Ugh, seriously Lena get it together.

"I don't know. She's so up and down right now. This really did a number on her. I don't want to leave her until she's ready, but I also don't want her to become too dependent on me. I'm worried when I have to leave again in a week."

"Yeah. Where are you off to this time?" She put her hand on my arm.

Shit. Don't do that. I didn't move away like I should have. Her hand was warm, and soft. That's twice today she's touched me. Twice I felt sparks fly under my skin. Fucking Jason.

"Philly, so not far. I'm hoping to only be gone a couple days, but it could be a week." This was a new client, so it was going to take more time to set-up everything for them so I could work remotely.

Ruby was there the next second with my bag of food, so her hand moved off my skin. "Thanks Ruby." I turned to leave the counter.

"See ya in the morning still?" She was smiling, it filled her face. Her eyes.

"Yep." And tonight, in my dreams, I will see you. All of you.

When I got back to Shay's, she was awake, still sitting on the couch. I brought the food into the kitchen and we ate. She was quiet. Too quiet. I knew by the way she was holding herself this was more than sadness. She was angry tonight. Anger was good. Anger was more productive than sadness.

I let her have her anger, didn't poke or prod her. After we ate she started cleaning the kitchen, then the living-room. I knew from experience that she was channeling her feelings into the process. The house would be even cleaner than it usually was by the time she crashed tonight. I left her alone to work out her stuff.

"Lena!"

"Lena!" My door flew open.

"What the heck Shay?" She was standing in the doorway staring at me as I sat working on my computer.

"I need to vacuum in here."

"No. Nope you do not."

"Yes, I do."

"Shay. I love you dearly, you know this, but my room is off limits to your angry cleaning."

She looked at me then stomped away. I didn't follow her out, I didn't try and smooth things over. I was exhausted and tumbled into bed moments later. My dreams were filled with a certain bouncing pale redhead.

********

I stumbled, half asleep, out to the kitchen the next morning. The whole house smelled beyond clean. Shay was dressed and leaving for work.

"Morning sleepyhead." She looked good, like she worked some shit out while she scrubbed the house into submission. "I'll see you after work. Have a good run." She was already heading out the door. The clock said it was 8:30. Shit.

25 minutes later I was outside stretching, waiting for her to turn down the street. No tank top for me today. In fact, I had a hat on. The changes in temperature from day to day in this place were ridiculous. She had her North Face hat on, her pale red hair flowing down her back under it.

"Good Morning." She flashed me a wide smile.

It is now. "Morning."

"Was thinking about maybe going a different route today. If you're okay with that." Her eyes twinkled as she spoke.

I eyed her. Different route eh? Does this one go right back in the house and to my bed? If so I'm 100% okay with it, you don't need to keep those leggings on. At all. "Sure. I'll follow you." Anywhere. Absolutely anywhere. Shit.

She started and I fell in line quickly. Instead of going right at the top of Shay's street she went left. Left went away from town. Soon the road we were on was tree lined and quiet. No one was coming or going from town.

"How's Shay today?"

"Better. She scrubbed the house last night. It's a good sign." She was eying me as we ran. "She cleans when she's angry. Anger is good, it's better than sadness."

She shook her head in understanding. We continued along the road. It was nice to see something besides the usual houses, storefronts and waving townspeople. It was just trees and more trees right now, but the change was nice.

"Any issue with us going through the park? There's a nice pond on the far side."

I had driven by this park a few times. Never saw a pond. "Sure." My willingness to follow her blindly was a bit unsettling, yet I still did it. Like a lamb to slaughter.

We were on a dirt path that was winding around the small park. More trees. I wasn't a big tree outdoorsy person. She told me she runs through here on her way to Shay's. kurtuluş escort That she lives on the street on the other side, not far from the pond. Oh, Daphne what game are you playing today? Showing me where you live. We got to the pond and she stopped.

"Side stitch."

I stayed jogging in place, she slowed her breathing in an effort to get it to go away. A few moments later she started moving again. We went around the small pond and through a yard. The yard spilled into a street I had never seen. She hung a left and went another couple hundred yards then pointed to a small grey house. "That's mine." She slowed down. And now I knew where to find her, anytime I wanted. Shit.

"Cute." I wanted to know if she lived alone. Did she have a roommate? Did she want one. Stop Lena! "You don't have to go all the way back to Shay's. That's a lot of extra running. I think I can find my way back."

"Want to come in for coffee?"

No. No no no but yes yes yes. And dessert. Please and thank you. "I shouldn't. I have work I really need to finish." I started moving again and she was right with me. I looked at her.

"I'm caught up on work, so I don't mind the extra running."

We headed down her road and she led me back to Shay's. I probably would have gotten slightly lost if she hadn't come with me. "Thanks Daphne." We were cooling down and stretching in front of Shay's.

"Are you coming tonight?"

"Um. No. I think Shay is finally ready to tackle bible study without me." I had told her the other day I was done going to church. I meant it this time. Really.

She looked disappointed. "Oh. You've been a nice addition. A new voice. It's the same people week after week year after year." The look in her eyes almost had me telling her I would go every week for the rest of my life. "Well it was very nice to have you there."

I smiled and said thank you. Then before she turned and left she gave me a hug. She smelled so fucking good. And was soft. And warm. I couldn't stop myself from hugging her back. I told her goodbye. Tore myself away. Knew I was going to need a long shower as soon as I got inside.

"9am tomorrow?"

"Sure. Why don't I meet you at the park? Then you're not doing all that extra running every time?"

She agreed.

***

Shay went to bible study alone, texted me saying I should meet them at the diner after. I declined.

"Lena. Why?" She started in on me as soon as she got home.

"Shay. I went for you, because you needed me there, you don't any more. I don't belong in that church."

She wasn't stupid. She knew damn well why I didn't go to the church I grew up in any more, or any other church until I came here. I only indulged her while she was bad. She wasn't all better, but she was better enough she could do this stuff with her local friends. I knew I should have gone to the diner though. I should have met them, but I was already spending too much time around Daphne as it was.

Her eyes got sad. "I'm not ready for you to leave me Leens. I'm not." She was crying.

I closed my eyes as I sighed. "I'm not leaving you Shay. Not until you're ready. I promised you that and I don't break promises. You know that." I didn't. As much as sometimes I was tempted to, I didn't, not ones I made to her at least. She still needed me, and I wasn't going anywhere. But I also didn't plan to step foot in that church again. I had her wrapped in my arms. "I'm not going anywhere hun."

She peaked up at me through her blonde hair, "movie?"

"Yes. Just let me go get changed. Make popcorn."

***

Mother Nature needed to take a damn Zoloft. It was back sunny and warm, well warm for mid January. I had running shorts and high socks on today, tank top and a dri-lock zip up I didn't think would stay on long. It was almost 50 degrees and not even 9am. Another tattoo was exposed, at least partly. The Phoenix started on my left thigh with its fiery tail going down the side past and under the front of my knee. I got this one after I was kicked out of my house on my 18th birthday. I had finally told my family my truth and it did not go over well. At all.

I moved into Shay's house that same day. Her parents gave me a safe place to rise from the ashes of my own 'family'. They had known for years about who I really was, never batted an eye. Even when I would sleep over more nights than not. They never worried I was corrupting their daughter, or at least that they ever let on. Without them in my life then, I'm not sure where I would be now. Losing them both 4 years ago was horrible. For us both.

I had always been good with computers and Shay's parents pushed me into IT, to go to college. Gave me a chance at a future. I owed them everything. I took care of Shay, would always. Should have done it better over the last few years.

I couldn't help but grin wondering what her reaction would be to this tattoo when I saw her approaching. Shit. She had shorts on too, and a tank top, no zip-up. Not playing fair today I see.

"Hey!" She yelled as she jogged up. "It's so warm today."

It wasn't that warm, but I was okay with the view. More than okay. She wasn't tall. Maybe an inch taller than me and I was 5'7". But her legs. Wow. She did a wow herself when she got a look at the part of the phoenix that was visible.