True Love

“You can’t run forever. This is the end of the road; you’ve nowhere to go,” said Ann.

Pulling a knife, Rita put it to her neck, and with a quick slash, blood pumped out in a fountain. Running, Ann bent over Rita’s body; there was a smile on Rita’s face. Rita’s heart pumped blood for five minutes, too long for Ann, she passed out.

Ann awoke screaming. The doctor tried calming Ann, but Ann uncontrollably writhed on the bed. A strong sedative calmed her, but her arms still moved, her fists clenched tight. After a month of screaming, she finally spoke. I killed her. She didn’t understand; we never meant to hurt her, but her love was so powerful she couldn’t let go.

Ann tried to kill herself several times. She had no family. Her only visitor was a woman named Susan. They clung to each other, rarely talking. Very passionate kisses from Susan brought Ann out of her stupor.

After a year, they released Ann into Susan’s care. The two moved to a small town in Wisconsin. They stayed there for only six months because a woman who could have been Rita’s twin lived there and, seeing her kept them moving.

A move to Arizona lasted two years. A woman named Rita moved into their apartment building. Again, they decided to move on once again.

The company offered Susan a position in Norway. The couple loved it there. Two years later, they bought a home.

“Ann, a group of girls at work have asked us to join a group they formed. I think it’s a wonderful idea we’ll be among women like us. What do you think?”

“It’s fine with me. How many women are we talking about?”

“I was told twenty-eight. There is a meeting this weekend.”

“Sounds good. We need a break. Where’s the meeting held?”

“At a gym. They have exercise programs and a large meeting room.”

The next morning, Ann drove past the gym. It was in a beautiful building close to their home. Ann and Susan walked to the place after dinner and had a drink at the bar.

The bartender said, “That’s on me. We have a women’s group that meets here every Saturday. I’m Leah. I joined six years ago, and we’re a fun group.”

Susan said, “See you on Saturday, then we can buy you a drink.”

Leah said, “I’ll be looking for you. We dress casually; many wear gym clothes and work out after the meeting.”

Susan said, “It’s an idea, new people and new ideas, and we can learn more Norse language.”

At Saturday’s meeting, Leah introduced Susan and Ann to the group and asked Ann why she left the US and came to Norway. Her answer shocked Susan and the entire group. She said, “I killed the woman I loved. I betrayed her, and I can’t escape what I did. Thank you for letting me bare my soul.”

Not a word followed. Silence held the group in a powerful grip. Susan broke the silence, clapping and yelling. “You only think she loved you. I gave you more love than she ever could have.”

“Please forgive me. I needed to get that out of my heart. I couldn’t live with myself anymore. Susan, I’ve tried to love you but can’t. Rita’s love went far beyond the physical. It was true love, the love of a lifetime, and I threw it away,” said Ann.

“Well, bitch now you’re alone. Women like you are cheap whores. You want it all. I knew from the start, but I fell for your skinny ass,” said Susan.

“ Don’t make this harder than it has to be. I need time alone, time to heal my heart and get away from what I did,” Ann whispered.

For the next month, they divided all of their goods. With a vengeance, Susan reminded Ann of Rita each time they met.

Ann picked a tiny town to live in with a population of only a hundred and thirty. It filled Ann’s need to be alone. She decided not to work for a time. She took long walks daily and ate at the small restaurant near her apartment.

After six months, she found a job at a tiny clothing store. It was perfect for her; she learned to sew, and it gave her joy to sell things. A winter unlike any she knew slowed the shop to a crawl. Ann started making clothes, blouses, slacks, and dresses. She became a skilled seamstress. After another year, she wanted companionship.

Summer warmed the countryside, and the hills burst into bloom. Two ladies entered the store: a heavy older lady and a woman of twenty-five. Both found clothes they liked and bought many of Ann’s clothes. The older woman asked if they could tailor the clothes. Ann measured each and said, “That’s not a problem; come back next week, and I’ll have them ready.”

Ann’s boss told her she did an excellent job and told her they were from a castle fifteen miles away, owned by a wealthy diplomat. Their family owned most of the town.

A week later, the older woman came back for the clothes. She said we will be back for more. Hilda couldn’t come she’s ill. You fit these clothes perfectly, thank you. She left a large tip and asked if Ann could make men’s clothes. Ann told her she could make any clothes they wanted.

Two weeks later, Hilda returned and said her blouse fitted too tight. Ann measured her again and said she’d have the blouse ready in an hour. On her return, Hilda tried on the blouse. She came out of the dressing room and asked Ann for help. Without hesitation, she removed the blouse and said, “I don’t wear a bra, and it’s hard to find clothes that fit my shape. I’m a thirty-five D, close to your size. You certainly have a beautiful figure. It would be great to see it sometime.”

Ann blushed and said, “Come in for coffee one day when I’m off work, and we can discuss it.”

“I’ll be in tomorrow. Take the day off, OK?”

“I live down the street, thirty-five East Street, apartment six.”

“Will noon be okay?”

“Sure, I’ll have time to clean my apartment.”

Hilda left a big grin on her face.

Ann wondered what she had started and felt slightly guilty about having a customer come to her house. She knew it wasn’t the reason for her doubt. Hilda could be a new partner; she looked good and intelligent. Ann Made cookies and had Irish cream, beer, and soda.

After cleaning her apartment and looking in a large mirror, Ann was comfortable putting on slacks, a loose-fitting Blouse, and no bra.

Her bell rang at noon, and Hilda stood wearing a silk dress. She carried a suitcase and a shopping bag. Hurring in, Hilda dropped the suitcase and handed Ann the shopping bag.

She said, “Make us a drink. I brought my favorite vodka; try it and see if you like it, too.”

Ann, taken aback by the rush, grabbed the vodka, found two small glasses, and poured them a drink.

They sat on the sofa, and Hilda said, “I’m worked up finding a new friend at home. All we have are old people; you’re a gift from heaven. How do you like the vodka?”

“It’s one of my favorites, too. We hardly know each other. Where is your castle, and how long have you lived there?

“Ann, I was born here, and my parents sent me off to school at eighteen. Since my return at twenty-two, I’ve been stuck here. My dad’s eighty-three and rules with an iron fist. I’m almost a prisoner.”

“Why don’t you leave? You’re old enough to do what you want.”

“I’m Part of royalty in the Faroe Islands. My dad thinks it’s two hundred years ago. He hopes to marry me off to a prince somewhere. It’s a crazy idea, but till he dies, I’m stuck. If he knew, I liked women. I can’t imagine what will happen.”

“Oh, when I was at school, I had it made. Lots of friends and partners to take care of me. Now, I hope to have you as a friend.”

“That’s quite a story. I’m a plain girl looking for a life.”

“I hope I’m not too pushy, but I haven’t made love in over a year.”

“The same here. This is just so fast; let’s go slow.”

“I brought extra clothes. I can stay a night or so.”

Hilda started taking Ann’s clothes off and pulled her into the bedroom. They made love, and both said it was ok. Hilda stayed for two more days, and Ann still felt uneasy. Hilda relished their sex and even told Ann she could feel love between them. Ann cried when Hilda left; she needed to get to know Hilda better and not as a sex toy.

Hilda visited every other week and stayed for three days. Ann began to enjoy her visits, and they held hands through town.

One day, Hilda told Ann she wanted Ann to move into the castle for a while. She had told her dad Ann was a girl she met at school and that Ann could stay with them for a month or two. Her dad said it was okay. The idea frightened Ann, but she quit her job and moved into the castle.

Smaller than the English castles, Shoenvant Castle, built into a Cliffside, held Ann in awe. The designers transformed the interior of Shoenvant Castle into Nordic splendor. Ann had never seen a building as luxurious.

The bedroom given to Ann shared a door with Hilda’s room, both furnished with portraits of royalty and plush carpet with oversized furniture.

Ann and Hilda studied the castle inside out, and after three months, they knew every little detail. One day, a new woman arrived. She had been a friend of Hilda’s. Hilda introduced Ann to Diane, explaining they had been friends at school.

The three shared Diane’s memories of school and her love of Hilda. Diane unabashedly asked if Hilda and Ann slept together.

Diane said, “Wow, I haven’t been in a threesome in a long time. This’ll be fun for each of us.”

Hilda and Diane hugged and kissed incessantly. Ann, very unhappy, told Hilda she was going back to town. Hilda said we will make this work don’t worry.

Ann again said she was returning to town. Hilda said I’ll arrange a ride for you as soon as possible. Ann went to bed and dreamed of Rita. Diane woke her by climbing into her bed. In moments, Hilda joined her.

She told them the story of Rita’s death and said get out.

Diane said, “Don’t be a pussy. It couldn’t have been that bad.”

Ann leaped out of bed and said, “Leave me alone. I’ve lived with this too long.”

She took a knife from a suit of armor and put it to her neck,

slashing her throat. As Hilda yelled, “You can’t run forever.”