Chapter 8 Live Music

We arrived almost an hour before the live music was to start. The band tonight is a cover band that covers musicians made famous in MN: Prince, Lizzo, Bob Dylan, The Andrews Sisters, and a few lesser known performers. Putting our blanket down a few rows back, we decided to go for a walk along the river to kill some time and help our meal settle before sitting down. The

temperature was beginning to drop, but was still warm for a September evening along the Zumbro River. People not living along the water often don’t realize how much it can affect the weather. There can literally be several degrees difference on or next to the water versus downtown. The same goes for the beautiful bluff tops in the area. Most Minnesota natives learned to dress in layers at an early age, so you are always prepared for whatever Mother Nature should throw at you. It has been said that Minnesota is one of few states where you can start out the day with the furnace on and by afternoon, have to turn on the air conditioning because of the extreme difference in temperature. Both Kam and Eli had grabbed coats from their vehicles before heading to the park. “So what do you like to do in your free time?” Eli asked Kam as they walked side by side along the paved path. Kam’s plump, shiny lips turned up slightly and she looked up toward the sky briefly before answering, “Well, I’ve always tried to stay active but activities here are slightly different than where I grew up in Green Bay. In the winter I do a lot of reading, watching movies, and have to go to the gym a few times a week to keep my girlish figure.” Kam moved her hands seductively from her breasts, slowly down her ribs and over her hips while giggling. “And what a nice figure it is,” Elise said just loud enough for Kam to hear, and winked at her. “Did I just say that out loud?” Eli puts her hand over her mouth and blushes. How is it I’m so bold around this lady? I’m usually shy when I’m interested in someone... Continuing to smile, Kam nods her head before she finishes, “In the spring, summer, and fall, I like to be outside. I’m on a Summer Recreation Co-Ed softball team, I ride bike on the paths, walk, fish, and really try to enjoy the leaves as they change color in the fall.” Pointing out a couple of trees, “Aren't they gorgeous? These are just starting to change color. If you ride along the Mississippi and the bluffs in the next 2-4 weeks, the colors will be absolutely breathtaking.” The couple had stopped in front of a fairly young Cottonwood tree whose leaves were beginning to change color and were a beautiful gold color on maybe a quarter of the tree. Kam asked, “Eli, can I get a picture of us in front of this tree?” Kam smiles brightly looking at Elise, waiting for her to answer. Eli didn’t quite understand what Kam asked, being too busy watching her full lips while she spoke, but knew she was expecting an answer the way she was smiling up at her. Kam clued her in when she held her cell phone up with the camera turned on and wiggled it back and forth “Oh, a picture? Sure, that’d be fine.” Kameron grabbed Elise’s hand and both stood in front of the Cottonwood tree. Instinctively, Elise slid her arms around Kam’s waist from behind, rested her chin on her shoulder, and smiled. Kam raised her right arm away and above their heads, with her cell phone in hand to take the picture. Kam took several pics, hoping she would get at least one good one. Before Eli could ask, Kameron quickly texted her the best picture with a message saying: “Now you won’t forget what I look like.”❤ Elise felt her phone buzz, pulled it out of her pocket, and smiled at the picture of the two of them with the beautiful green and gold tree as a backdrop. The couple then headed back to take a seat on their blanket and await the music to start. Elise couldn’t ever remember being this attracted to someone else and feeling so at ease with them at the same time. Why did I have to meet her now when I’m so busy with college and

work? Is it possible she is interested in me too, or is she a player? She definitely seems like a flirt, unless it's just with me? Kam studied Eli as she sat there quietly, deep in thought. Did I do something wrong? Do I make the first move or wait for her to? What is it about this girl that draws me to her? She is attractive, but it’s something more than that. After Ashley, I’m so afraid to get my heart broken… Eli finally realized Kam was watching her and looked in her direction. Kam had a piece of hair hanging down loosely on her cheek and Eli pushed it back behind her ear before realizing what she was doing. “Sorry Kam. You had a wild hair trying to break free.” Kam grabbed the hand of Elise’s that had just pushed the hair behind her ear and smiled while holding her hand, “You don’t have to apologize for touching me. It’s really okay. I like you Eli, and I’m not sure why… other than you are very pretty, but I’m attracted to you. I find myself wanting to touch you too.” Eli smiled in response, but felt she should come clean, “It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a date. I’ve also never had a date where I was actually attracted to the other person. This is new to me. Honestly though, I find myself drawn to you as well.” Eli’s free hand came up to cup Kam’s cheek as she slowly leaned over and down and stopped about an inch from Kam’s mouth, looking into her beautiful blue eyes. Eli’s eyes flicked down to Kam’s plump lips, then back up to her eyes, making her intention clear. Before Elise could close the distance, Kam moved the final inch and met her lips. As soon as their lips met, drums could be heard and a male voice saying, “check, check.. Welcome to our monthly concert series, ‘Music By The River.’ We are excited to see so many of you here tonight and hope you enjoy our Minnesota music tonight. Kam and Eli broke apart smiling at each other as the crowd cheered. They let go of one another, turned toward the front and cheered along. The first set was music by Prince. The second set, one of the female backup singers took center stage and sang several songs by Lizzo and the Andrews Sisters. The third and final set was a combination of vocalists and was a compilation of Bob Dylan songs. Everyone cheered, many danced, and most sang along to the well known songs with roots from Minnesota. Immediately the crowd began to disperse. Eli grabbed the blanket and began to fold it, but Kam grabbed the other end and they worked together to fold it in half repeatedly until it was a more manageable size to carry. Eli put the blanket on her arm furthest from Kam, laced their fingers together, and both began to walk slowly back to their vehicles. They had parked several blocks from the park, near the restaurant they started at. Both were quiet and somewhat somber on the walk back. Once they reached Kameron’s car, Eli handed her the blanket as she popped her trunk with the key fob. Once Kam closed her trunk, she stepped back up on the sidewalk and leaned against her car, facing Elise. Eli moves closer, placing her hands on the roof of the car on either side of Kam’s shoulders. “I have to admit, I don’t remember when I had this much fun. Thank you Kam, for inviting me and for supper.” “It was absolutely my pleasure. I enjoyed myself too. I know you are busy, but can I see you again?” Kam asked as she raised one eyebrow, hoping against all hope she wouldn't turn her down, but also scared Eli would accept as well. “I would really like that. Next time though, I get to pay for the meal. Eli said and made eye contact with Kameron.

“Okay, if it’s important to you, but I don’t mind. I know how broke college students are.” Kameron laughed and moved her arms from accross her chest to Eli’s hips and gently encouraged her to move closer. For the second time that night their lips met. This time on the sidewalk in front of a busy street and restaurant. Both were so caught up in each other and the kiss, they forgot they were on a public sidewalk. Kameron deepened the kiss and ran her tongue along Elise’s bottom lip. Elise willingly opened her lips and met Kam’s tongue with her own. Elise’s arms had slid from the roof of the car to one on Kam’s upper back and the other on the back of her head. Kam’s hands were caressing Eli’s middle and low back as they continued to explore each other. This continued until a loud male voice was heard yelling in a slightly slurred fashion, from across the street, “Get a room ya lesbos!” Then male laughter could be heard and both women looked in the direction of the rude comment and laughter. Another male in the group then said snidely, “Better yet, come to my house and we will make it a threesome. Of course some of this dick,” he said crudely while grabbing between his legs, “ and you’ll never go back to another woman again.” More laughter could be heard as the men walked slowly down the street. Like the saying goes, ‘Instant jerk, just add alcohol.’ “ We’d better go. I’ll call you,” Kam said as she touched Eli’s cheek before ducking under her arm and to the driver’s side door. Eli was not at all happy about the comments made by the rude pigs across the street, but knew they were outnumbered and people drinking alcohol could be unpredictable at times, so it was best to leave it alone. Eli stood up straight, chin in the air, “Okay, sounds great. Please text me when you get home safe. Thanks again Kam!” Kameron got in her car, started the ignition, and headed toward her apartment. Eli walked down a few cars and got into the cab of her truck and drove off in the opposite direction toward home. The whole drive home, Elise contemplated her feelings about the rude comments made by the young jerks across the street. Why do people have to be so hateful? How does my liking another woman hurt them in any way? It certainly wouldn’t be better for me to be with a man I’m not attracted to, that’s no way to live. Those prejudice comments are exactly why I’d never acted on my being gay in the past. Man oh man, what a cluster. I hope Kam is okay and it didn’t hurt her too much to hear those awful comments. Eli arrives home about 10pm, grabs her water bottle from the cupboard, fills it up, and heads up to her room. After changing, brushing and flossing her teeth, using the restroom, and washing up, Elise slides into bed. Her phone buzzes as she forgot to take it off silent, and she sees a message from Kam. Nurse Kameron: I’m home safe. Thank you for a wonderful evening! Eli: The pleasure was all mine and thank you. I hope those rude guys didn’t upset you? Nurse Kameron: Nah, I’ve grown a pretty thick skin. It just makes me nervous when a group of guys makes comments to two women who are alone. I never want to see anything happen to you. Eli: I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you either. Eli: I think you need to know, when I say I haven’t dated in a while, I mean since high school. In high school I dated males; I’ve never dated another woman before. I hope that’s okay? Nurse Kameron: That surprises me. You seem so self confident and not at all shy. I mean I know you are young but…

Eli: Thanks I think… I certainly don’t feel confident. To me, you seem confident. Nurse Kameron: Since we are sharing... I wasn’t planning on dating yet because I just came out of a bad relationship a few months ago, but I just couldn’t ignore my attraction to you. So I’d like to take it slow anyway. Eli: Thanks for telling me. As long as you aren’t with anyone else now, I understand and am okay with it. I think as long as we are honest and communicate it’ll be okay. Nurse Kameron: Agreed, sleep tight Eli! 😘❤ Eli: Sweet dreams Kam. I know I’ll have sweet dreams of you. 🤗 Both ladies put their phones down, and after a little tossing and turning, thinking of each other, drifted off to sleep.