The Graduate, Part 5

Part 5: The Pick Me Up
Karrie spent the better part of the next few days in her room. Joyce tried to
get her to come out and talk about things, but Karrie refused. Karrie only
left when Joyce was not in the house, or when she had gone to bed. Joyce
resorted to writing letters and sliding them under her door. They were
apologetic and unangry, and begged forgiveness. They spoke of Karries
sexuality, and how Joyce just wanted her daughter to be happy.

Ashley called a few times and spoke to Karrie. Karrie relayed the story and
tried to explain she was just trying to cope, and that sooner or later she'd
come around. Ashley, being a good friend, gave Karrie the space she asked
for.

Three days later, at 7:00 a.m. sharp the doorbell rang. Joyce was startled by
the noise and thought it was a dream. She lay back down only to have the ring
persist again and again. She finally sat up and made her way to the door. She
opened it to find Ashley standing there with a gift bag. She was crushing a
cigarette under her foot and exhaling when the door opened. She offered Joyce
a smile.

"Mind if I come in? I've come to drag your daughters ass out of bed," she
said plainly.

"No, not at all Ashley. Come in. Pick up that butt though, the front step
isn't a garbage can. I'll make coffee." Joyce said.

"Oh, sorry Miss Jens," Ashley said, and picked up the butt and carried it in.

Ashley sat at the kitchen table while Joyce made the coffee.

"I assume she's told you what's going on?" Joyce asked.

Ashley was lighting another cigarette, but made an audible "mm hmmm" as she
drew.

"Did she tell you that she told me about she and you?" Joyce asked.

"No," Ashley said, looking embarrassed. She exhaled and continued. "I guess
she left that part out."

"We'll, I was a little shocked I guess. But not entirely surprised. You're
both attractive young women. If it's just a curiosity thing, fine. If your
both true lesbians, that's fine too. I know she cares for you. She told me
more out of spite than anything else. Anyway, feel free to act anyway you
wish to around the house." 

Joyce poured two cups of coffee and sat across from Ashley. She looked around
for her own cigarettes and couldn't see them anywhere. "Can I bum one of your
cigarettes Ashley? I don't have the strength to walk upstairs..."

Ashley gladly slid her pack and lighter across the table to Joyce. Joyce
extracted one of the long 120's from Ashley's pack and lit it. Its flavor was
a nice departure from her Marlboro Lights. Joyce shared the lie about stocks
or investments to Ashley who as usual, listened well. 

When Joyce was finished, Ashley spoke. "I can appreciate everything you've
said, Joyce. I know Karrie can forgive you. Just give her the space and time.
She'll come around. I've come to try and speed up that process. You'll have
your daughter back, I promise." She stood and picked up her gift bag.

"Get me another mug would you, I'm going to go wake up sleeping beauty."

Joyce smiled and followed Ashley upstairs with a fresh cup of coffee. She
placed it by the door and retired to the bathroom to shower.

Ashley set the bag down on the floor as well and began pounding on the door.
"Get your ass out of bed Sun Shine!" She waited five seconds before beginning
a constant rap on the door. "I'm going to keep doing this even if my knuckles
start bleeding!" she yelled.

She knocked for about one minute before the door opened. Ashley burst out
laughing at the site that lay before her. Karries hair was every which way.
She had no makeup to speak of and dark circles clung to her eyes. Ashley
reached forward and hugged her friend and continued to laugh. When she was
done, she lifted her chin and kissed her lightly on the lips.

"We gotta get your ass cleaned up!" she laughed.

Karrie scowled and pouted, making Ashley laugh harder. "In the meantime, I
got some goodies for you." She reached down and picked up the gift bag and
coffee. "The coffee is compliments of your mother."

"Tell me you brought me some cigarettes. I ran out yesterday at 3:35." she
said dully.

Ashley reached into her purse and handed her a fresh pack of Marlboro Light
100's. Karrie eyes shined and then a smile broke through.

"You smell like shit." Ashley added. They both broke into laughter at this
and then headed into Karrie's bedroom to begin the cleaning process.


Karrie took a long hot shower after Joyce was finished. She even said hello
to her mother when they passed in the hall. Joyce mouthed Ashley a "thank
you". Ashley just smiled sweetly. Ashley took it upon herself to start doing
some of Karrie's laundry. Her room smelt stale and rotten. She opened all the
windows in her room and sprayed Lysol. She stripped the bed and put on fresh
sheets. She even picked out Karries next change of clothes. She felt like
Karrie's mother, and it was fun for her.

At 9:30, Karrie walked downstairs and into the kitchen. From the looks of
her, you wouldn't have known she'd been a hermit for the last three days.
Joyce was vacuuming. Karrie walked up to her directly and hugged her. Joyce
and Karrie began sobbing. Ashley stood aside and began crying too. Joyce saw
this and motioned for her to join in. Ashley wiped the tears from her eyes
and joined the hug. To anyone else it would have looked like a football
huddle for sissies.

Karrie looked towards Ashley and gave her a kiss on the lips. Joyce gasped
and then giggled. The three of them laughed till they began crying again.

When the 'cry fest' was over Karrie and Joyce spent a private 15 minutes
talking on the back porch. No more tears were shed and they seemed to come to
an amicable truce. When they were done, Ashley drove Karrie to Paul's Pancake
Parlor for a late breakfast. They still allowed smoking and the food was
good.

As they finished, the waitress came and 'warmed up' their coffee's. Both
ladies pushed their plates forward and eagerly lit up fresh cigarettes.
Karrie drew and then held her cigarette propped near her face. The sunlight
through the windows highlighted their smoke in a mystical way. It danced and
moved with the air currents or swirled when someone walked by.

"So, I don't think I'll be going to college with your right away Ashley..."
Karrie said, trying to milk a bit more pity.

Ashley sat back in the booth and drew deeply and thoughtfully. As she
exhaled, she sat forward and spoke.

"How much do you like Bill?" she asked.

"Where did that come from?" Karrie asked, surprised.

"Just tell me, do you see he and your mother in a long term thing?"

"I guess he kind of creeps me out a bit. I think he just likes her for her
smoking. Tell me why you asked." Karrie pressed.

"I got a similar vibe from his as well. " Ashley began. "He's a lawyer right?
Pretty good one?"

Karrie nodded as she inhaled more smoke into her body.

"Give me ten minutes, uninterrupted, to tell you something I've been thinking
about. We might get you into college this semester yet..."

Intrigued, Karrie leaned forward with anticipation. "OK, it's a deal." Karrie
promised.

Ashley drew hard on her cigarette for a little more courage, and finally
spoke. "He was watching us the other night from the top of the stairs..."

Ashley spoke, telling her tale, and Karrie kept her promise. She laid out a
rough plan to Karrie. The details were sketchy and rough, but Karrie finally
agreed to going through with it. It would be complex and difficult to pull
off. It rode on Bill being susceptible to dark temptation and suggestion,
which they both decided, was true.

They left the cafe hand in hand, drawing stares from the locals. Both were
giddy with anticipation and couldn't quit talking about the details of what
they had to accomplish. They returned to Ashley's house and made love to each
other in Ashley's room. When they were spent, they used the remainder of the
day charting the course of the next few weeks.

End Part 5

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