Angel and Gina

[palaceangelina]

Angelina stood on the porch and knocked on the door. She was aware that it was late enough in the day that Gina was more than likely passed out by now either dead drunk or still in an incoherent stupor. Angel reached for the doorknob when the door was suddenly opened and Gina’s surprised face peered out at her.

“Angel.” The older woman said and let her gaze rake down Angelina’s form. “Nice.” She said acknowledging the beige silk suit the woman on the porch was wearing.

Angelina nodded, smoothing her hand across the skirt. “A little treat for enduring labor pains.”

Gina snorted. “Most people just get a baby. Apparently you’re a better bargainer.” She stepped back. “Do you want to come in?”

Angelina looked at her and cocked her head. “You’re different.” She stated.

“Different how?” Gina responded softly, wanting to reach and run her hands through Angel’s dark hair, she curled her fingers under and tucked her hand into her side.

“You’re sober.” Angelina said, the words coming out almost an accusation.

Gina raised her chin defiantly and smiled. “Yeah, how the fuck’d that happen, huh?” She turned and walked back into the cool of the house, surprisingly unconcerned if Angel would follow her or not. “I’ve only backslid a few times.”

Angelina walked into the house and looked around. “You’ve cleaned up.”

Gina laughed. “Christ Angel. It’s been, what – ten months? Even dead assed drunk I managed to drag the garbage out every so often.” Gina snapped and then took a deep breath. “What do you want, Angel?”

“I have a daughter.”

“Congratulations, but wouldn’t it be more appropriate to say the King has a daughter. You performed a service.” Gina felt a small sense of satisfaction as she saw the barb hit its mark by the barest of twitch in Angel’s eyelid. “What did he name her?”

“Ariene.”

“That’s pretty.”

“It was his mother’s name.” Angel said and shifted her stance.

Gina waited, patiently, silently, smiling slightly at the other woman’s discomfiture.

“I just came by to see how you were doing.” Angelina said.

“No, you came by to show me your clothes, your watch, the bags of clothes in the car outside and to tell me where you were headed off to. I’m not stupid Angel; I never was – drunk and pitiful – yeah – but never stupid.”

“Fuck you Gina.” Angel spit out, her lips curling up.

Gina stood looking at the beautiful woman in front of her, the woman that had been her entire life for fifteen years, the woman that she loved and suddenly she realized that that love now tasted like dust in her mouth. Gina smiled and in a quiet, but firm voice said. “No Angel, you won’t.” She turned and started out of the room. “You can show yourself out. You’ve had enough practice leaving, you know the way.”

Half an hour later when Gina walked back into the living room it was empty and the door stood open. She closed it with a weary sigh and walked to the kitchen to make dinner.