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Carol Ann’s eyes went wide as she read the letter in her hands.
Carol Ann, my dear,
Chi Chi, Noxeema, and I did amazingly in the pageant! Chi-Chi won, in fact, and when they said her name I thought she was going to pass out, the poor thing! Anyway, we’ve decided to come down to Syndersville for the week to get some rest before our next pageant. I look forward to seeing you this Saturday!
Yours always,
Vida
Things had been tough in Snydersville since Vida and the girls had left. With Virgil gone, Carol Ann had to figure out how to handle things on her own. Luckily, everyone in town had been nothing but sweet to her, bringing her meals and clothes and helping her as much as she needed. But there was still one thing Carol Ann couldn’t get off her mind. Well, one person; Miss Vida Boheme. And now, finding out she was coming back? Carol Ann’s heart felt like it was about to burst out of her chest. Saturday was just three days away, and she knew those days would pass so slowly. She folded the letter and held it to her chest, a sigh escaping her lips. She had so much to tell Vida.
********************
Carol Ann got up bright and early that Saturday morning and sat herself on her porch with a cup of coffee, staring at the road where Vida would be driving in that convertible of hers. She noticed a few others doing the same, her neighbors sitting on their porches with looks of excitement on their faces. Of course Carol Ann had told everyone in town the girls were coming; they loved Vida too. Just… not like she did. Finally, she saw a cloud of dust, followed by the car she’d been waiting to see for over a month now.
Vida was driving, a big smile on her face, her short blonde hair blowing behind her in the wind. Noxeema sat beside her, princess waving at everyone with one hand and fixing her long brown hair with the other. Chi-Chi was in the back, practically standing in her seat, waving wildly, her long black curls framing her face. Everyone got up from their porches and rushed to where Vida parked the car, greeting the girls as they got out. Carol Ann walked slowly over, waiting for the small crowd to part until she saw Vida gazing at her with a warm smile on her face. Carol Ann grinned and rushed over, hugging Vida tight. Vida hugged back, picking her up and spinning her around as Carol Ann laughed.
“Oh, I missed you, Carol Ann!” Vida exclaimed, her hands on Carol Ann’s shoulders.
“I missed you too, Miss Vida,” she replied, tears forming in her eyes. “Things just aren’t the same around here without you.” She met Vida’s eyes, hands moving to rest on top of hers.
Vida’s eyes widened, a slight gasp escaping her lips.
“Carol Ann, I-“ Before she could finish the sentence, Noxeema made her way over. Vida moved her hands from Carol Ann’s shoulders.
“Why hello Miss Carol Ann!” Noxeema exclaimed. “You look lovely, darling!” She gestured to her blue sundress. Carol Ann smiled.
“Oh, thank you. I just wanted to look nice for this special occasion.” Before Noxeema could respond, Chi-Chi came rushing over, wrapping Carol Ann in a hug.
“It’s so good to see you, Miss Carol Ann!” she exclaimed.
“You too, Chi-Chi. I heard you won the pageant. Congratulations!” Chi-Chi grinned.
“Oh, thank you, thank you. It was nothing, really.” Noxeema sighed, rolling her eyes.
“She nearly fainted when they announced her name. It’s a wonder she made it through the final show.” Carol Ann laughed at Chi-Chi’s embarrassed look. “Anyway, Vida, Carol Ann, you two must have some catching up to do, hm?” Noxeema said, putting her hands on their shoulders and glancing back and forth between them, raising her eyebrows. Carol Ann blushed, looking away.
“Well, I…” she trailed off. She glanced at Vida, and she could’ve sworn she saw a blush on her face too.
“I suppose so,” she said. “Would you… like to talk over coffee?” Carol Ann smiled.
“That sounds lovely.”
********************
Vida sat at Carol Ann’s kitchen table, sipping her coffee and trying not to get lost in her thoughts. Carol Ann had been on her mind so much in the past month. Much more than anyone else had ever been. She took a breath as she noticed Carol Ann coming back to the table with a fresh cup of coffee.
“So, how has pageant life been treating you?” Carol Ann asked. Vida smiled.
“Oh, it’s been so lovely! I’ve performed in front of more people than ever before, it’s almost like I’m a household name now!” Carol Ann laughed.
“Well, don’t forget me when you’re famous.”
“Oh, I could never! I’m always thinking about this town when I perform. Always thinking of you.” She noticed Carol Ann look away, her face turning a bit red. Vida brushed it off, assuming it must have just been because of the compliment.
“Well, how have you been, dear?” Vida asked.
“Oh, you know. Getting through it,” Carol Ann sighed. “It’s been a little hard to get used to with Virgil gone. Not that I miss him or anything, but…”
“I understand. It’s a big change.”
“A big change.” Vida couldn’t help but notice a somber look in Carol Ann’s eyes.
“It’s just… I’ve really missed you, Vida,” Carol Ann said, meeting her gaze.
“Oh, dear, I’ve missed you too. I haven’t stopped thinking of you, I promise,” Vida said, holding out a hand that Carol Ann quickly took.
“You and the others brought so much life to this town. You brought so much life to me. When you came here, I… I don’t think I’ve ever been that happy.” Vida’s face shifted to one of concern.
“So why do you look so upset?” Tears began to form in Carol Ann’s eyes, and Vida got up from her seat, rushing over to her.
“Hey, it’s alright, I’m here,” she assured her, resting a hand on Carol Ann’s shoulder. She met Vida’s gaze and stared for a moment. Vida wished she knew what was going on in her head. Before she could think any more about it, Carol Ann stood up and wrapped her in a tight embrace. Vida closed her eyes, returning the hug, holding Carol Ann while she cried.
“I’m sorry, I’m just… seeing you, it’s…” Carol Ann cried against Vida’s shoulder.
“It’s okay, darling. I’m here,” Vida assured her, her hand running gently through Carol Ann’s hair. They stayed like that for a while until Carol Ann’s tears stopped flowing and her breath began to even out. Even then, she didn’t let go. She rested her head against the space between Vida’s neck and shoulder. It felt right, holding each other like this. Vida sighed with contentment, resting her face in Carol Ann’s hair.
“It’s good to see you, Vida,” she murmured.
“And you, Carol Ann.”
********************
Carol Ann finished putting on her red lipstick, smiling at herself in her vanity mirror. She’d been working on her makeup skills since Vida left before, and although they weren’t nearly as good as hers, she still felt proud of herself. She stepped back, looking at herself in the mirror. She wore a red flowing dress like the one she’d worn the day the police had tried to come find Vida and the girls. She’d felt so beautiful that day.
She made her way toward the back door, stepping outside to meet all the other folks from town. They were throwing a party for Vida, Noxeema, and Chi-Chi. It had been Carol Ann’s idea, of course. She made her way through the small crowd, greeting everyone as she went. She couldn’t help but notice Noxeema grabbing a drink out of Chi-Chi’s hands, scolding her for having had too much already. Carol Ann chuckled, shaking her head. She kept looking around until she saw Vida sipping a drink and talking to some of Carol Ann’s neighbors. She wore a pink skirt with a matching blazer and hat. As always, she was much too overdressed for the hot weather. Vida noticed her and excused herself almost immediately, rushing over.
“Oh, you look beautiful!” she exclaimed.
“Well, not as beautiful as you,” Carol Ann replied sheepishly.
“Don’t say that, dear. This is just one of my regular old outfits. You, on the other hand…” she trailed off, seemingly distracted gazing at Carol Ann. Her face went bright red.
“Don’t look at me like that!” she exclaimed, looking away laughing.
“Well, you’re someone who deserves to be looked at like that, dear.” Carol Ann’s heart caught in her throat, looking back at Vida.
“That’s… the kindest thing anyone’s ever said to me,” she murmured, smiling warmly at Vida. Vida smiled back.
“Hey, they’re playing a lovely song. Would you… care to dance?” Vida asked, holding out a hand. Carol Ann smiled.
“Of course I would.” She took Vida’s hand and they moved to the center area where a few others were dancing. She rested her free hand on Vida’s shoulder, and Vida rested hers on her waist.
They swayed to the slow music drifting from the speaker nearby. It was as if they were in their own world entirely. Vida rested her head on Carol Ann’s shoulder, a contented sigh escaping her lips. By the time the song ended, they still stood together, holding each other. They were only snapped back to reality by Chi-Chi leaning in next to them.
“Ooh, looks like we’ve got some lovebirds!” Vida laughed as Carol Ann covered her face, trying to hide her blush.
“As much as I appreciate the commentary, Chi-Chi, it really isn’t necessary right now.” Chi-Chi laughed.
“Whatever you say, mami,” she replied, turning to walk back toward Noxeema, who was looking at Vida and Carol Ann with a warm smile on her face. Carol Ann noticed Vida meet her eyes, and Noxeema shot her a look that seemed to say, “just get to it already!” Vida turned her gaze back to Carol Ann.
“Would you… like to join me inside for a moment?” Vida asked. Carol Ann smiled at her.
“I’d love to.”
********************
Vida’s heart raced, her head swimming with the right words to tell Carol Ann. The way to express just how much she meant to her.
“So… I presume you’ve got something to tell me, Miss Vida?” Carol Ann asked, stepping closer to her until they were only a moment apart.
“Carol Ann, I… I suppose I… well, for once in my life I’m at a loss for words.” Carol Ann smiled.
“Well, how about I go first?” she offered, and Vida nodded. Carol Ann took a breath, and began.
“Miss Vida Boheme, ever since you came to this town, I’ve felt something that I haven’t felt in quite a number of years. Being around you, everything feels easier, lighter, like my world is a little closer to perfect when you‘re in it. I suppose what I’m trying to say is…”
“I love you,” Vida finished for her. “I love you, Carol Ann. I love you, I love you, I love you!” Carol Ann smiled warmly, her hands moving to hold Vida’s face.
“I love you, Vida.” She leaned in until their lips met. Vida kissed back, arms moving to wrap around Carol Ann’s waist. It was pure bliss, so much better than Vida had ever imagined. She would’ve been completely lost in the moment had it not been for the sound of cheering from outside the open window.
“Yes, Miss Vida! Finally!” Chi-Chi exclaimed from outside, a group of Carol Ann’s neighbors cheering next to her. Vida and Carol Ann laughed. Vida couldn’t help but notice Noxeema smiling, wiping a tear from her cheek before quickly pulling a handkerchief from her purse.
“I suppose we have fans,” Vida murmured with a laugh. Carol Ann smiled, looking back at her.
“I suppose we do,” she replied with a laugh.
“Well, why not entertain them, hm?” Vida said, leaning in to kiss Carol Ann again. Carol Ann kissed back, wrapping her arms around Vida’s neck. Vida smiled into the kiss, lifting Carol Ann up and spinning her around as she laughed. Carol Ann pulled her into another embrace, resting her head on Vida’s shoulder.
“I love you, angel,” Carol Ann murmured.
“And I love you, dearest.”
Vida wasn’t sure of many things in this world. Her life was constantly changing, constantly evolving. But there was one thing she could be sure of, and that was Carol Ann. And she knew that wasn’t going to be changing any time soon.