Chapter Text
It was 7:15. Barbara arrived early at Abbott. Melissa had the same idea.
“Hey you! What are you doing here so early?” asked Melissa.
“My girls were here this weekend; I had no time to work.”
They stopped in the breakroom to take coffee.
“And you?” Barbara asked back.
“I had a rough weekend.”
“Girlfriend – you have to be more specific!”
“Friday evening, Gary and I went out and he made a huge declaration. You know a much I hate that.”
“And?”
“I freak out, so I leave. Saturday, he came to my place, but I wasn’t alone. I don’t know how this happened.”
“You don’t know how you ended up with someone in your bed?” Barbara’s eyes were wildly open. She cannot believe what she was hearing.
“I think I went to a club. I found receipts in my pocket.”
“Was he cute?”
“This is not the question Barb!”
“Please, finish the story! What did Gary say?”
“He didn’t know, but I broke up with him. I can’t be with him if I sleep with the first hot woman I flirt with. He’s a good guy. He doesn’t deserve this.”
Barbara was shocked. Her best friend just came out to her and she didn’t even notice it.
“I have to go Mel! I’m very late and I must prepare for my class! I want to know the rest of the story at 10!”
Barbara ran away. Melissa didn’t notice. Without her coffee, she’s still asleep. She only remembered what she said to Barbara when Jacod mentioned that he watched Twilight with Zach and that he always knew Kristen Stewart was lesbian. She spent all morning thinking of what she had said. Barbara didn’t react, at least she didn’t see.
Barbara didn’t prepare for her class. She couldn’t. She sat on the chair and waited. At first, she waited the arrival of her class, but she changed her mind. She needed to know the end of the story. Barbara went back to the breakroom. Melissa was on the couch. She was watching videos on her phone. She was laughing. This laugh. Barbara loves it. Yes, she loves her laugh—only that.
Since Melissa and Joe’s divorce, the mission of the kindergarten teacher was to make miss Schemmenti laugh. She was pretty good at it. It’s been 3 years. But lately, she was so stressed by her daughter and Gerald that she managed Melissa to date Gary. But after the beginning of their relationship, Barbara started to feel a new feeling: jealousy. She was alone most of the time at home. For the last 3 years, she would drive to Melissa's and spend the day with her. Now, every weekend is for Gary. "Gary and I are going to the stadium" "Gary and I are going to visit his family"
The truth is she regretted having this idea. Now that they broke up, she astonished herself to be relieved. Next week, if she feels lonely, she will go to see her favorite redhead. Her redhead. She thought she was knowing her. After 20 years, this is how she found out about Melissa's sexual orientation. To be completely honest, it was kinda obvious that she wasn't straight.
It was 9:56. Barbara couldn't handle the waiting. She dropped her class in the playground and ran to the breakroom. Melissa wasn't here. Miss Howard went to her colleague's classroom. She wasn't here.
"Jacob, where is Melissa?"
"I saw her go outside, near the garden"
"Thank you, son"
Melissa was sitting on the stairs, a cigarette in her hand.
"What are you doing? I thought you were quitting cigarettes 7 years ago!"
"I was, but I have too much to deal with."
"You didn't finish your story earlier, I want to know the end!"
"That's all, Barb. I left him."
"Because you hooked up with a girl ?"
"Oh my god, I really said it! I was hoping I was dreaming"
"Why? That's ok Melissa!"
"Because I never know how you would react."
"You can tell me anything!"
"I wanted to be sure before telling you this"
"How long you'll be waiting?"
"Since my divorce"
Barbara couldn't hide her surprise.
"After my divorce, I dated a woman named Helen, and another named Cheryl. And before Gary, I was dating Michaela."
"Your nail tech ?"
"Yes"
There were sitting on the stairs. Together. Without a word.
The bell rang the end of the break. Melissa stood up and helped Barbara. Barbara kept her hand, pulled her to hug her, and whispered "I love you as you are, I'm sorry to be so judgmental"
They went back inside the building.
"You want to go out with me next weekend?" Melissa asked
"I dreamed of it!"