White Offerings by Ann Roberts

“Look, Molly, we’re in a tough position. We’re women, we’re gay, and we’re in a career filled with men. We do what we need to do to fit in and advance. Who wants to be isolated?”
    “You’re gay?” Molly’s jaw dropped and she instantly tried to recover. Rarely did her gaydar fail her, but she never would have pictured Rasp at a pride parade.
    Rasp smiled slightly and hopped off the stool. Her eyes wandered up and down Molly’s body. “Yes, I’m a lesbian. And we’re both taken.”

Chapter Twelve

    Sunday, October 15th
    6:40 PM

    Once the movie credits ended, the house lights ensconced the old theater in a warm glow and drew the patrons back into the real world. Ari watched the moviegoers around her hustle to the parking garage, but she was in no hurry. She allowed herself an additional few minutes to stare at the magnificent stage and proscenium of the oldest theater in Phoenix. It was actually Molly who had discovered that the Orpheum showed movies on Sunday afternoons, and they enjoyed ending their weekend with a huge bucket of popcorn and a black-and-white classic. The silent movies were especially entertaining when the grand pipe organ played along with the action. Sitting in the quiet of the theater after everyone else left was their ritual, and although Molly was stuck at work today, she encouraged Ari to go downtown for both of them.
    Ari’s fascination with the old theater preceded her relationship with Molly. She remembered her parents bringing her to the Orpheum to watch Broadway plays as a kid. Her favorite was
Annie,
and she glanced toward the sixth-row center, at the seats where she had sat with them as they remained mesmerized for two and a half hours by the incredible singing and dancing. At one point, her mother had become fraught with emotion and began crying. Ari remembered her father reaching for his handkerchief and handing it to his wife. A year later their lives would again bend to fate and tragedy would strike—her mother’s cancer.
    The sound of the ushers talking and sweeping told her it was time to leave. Molly would be sorry she missed
To Have and Have Not.
It was one of their favorite Lauren Bacall movies. On a whim she decided to stop at the store near Molly’s apartment and buy the DVD. The two of them could watch it later, snuggling in bed. She checked her watch. It was almost seven, and Molly wouldn’t be home for at least another hour. She decided to swing by Jane’s apartment and try to catch her before her date with Isabel. She was curious to know if Biz had learned anything more about Aspen’s visit to Smiley’s.
    She was certain that Aspen had been spying on Jane, but the question was why. As she made her way down the freeway, she considered the possibilities. The obvious reason was that Aspen, like so many other women, had succumbed to Jane’s sexual charms, which were rumored to be legendary. Although Ari had no firsthand knowledge of Jane’s bedroom, she’d overheard enough conversations inside the Hideaway bathroom to know that Jane was revered for her ability to create carnal pleasure. If Aspen wanted more than a good time in bed, though, she would be disappointed, and perhaps she already recognized that and was seeking revenge.
    Ari frowned when she pulled up in front of Jane’s condo. The lights were out, which meant Jane had already left for her evening with Isabel. She pulled out her phone and dialed Jane’s cell.
    “What?”
    “Is that the way to greet your best friend?”
    “I’m getting pissed. We were supposed to meet at seven and Isabel’s late. I’ve already been here fifteen minutes, and she’s not answering her cell phone. She made such a big deal about this date.”
    “She might just be stuck in traffic. She’s not
that
late. Give her at least fifteen more before you give up on her.”
    Jane swore under her breath. “I hate that I’m wasting Biz’s time. She’s on the clock.”
    “So she’s with you?”
    “At least I think