Missing Her Daughter

Sovereign shows up at Lauren’s door with coffee and a promise to help fill the sudden quiet in the house. Lauren smiles, but keeps her distance, making no mention of any plans. Sovereign pushes. Lauren hesitates, choosing her words carefully. The truth finally slips out: she and her step-daughter share more than quiet dinners. Sovereign reels at the picture, yet feels the air shift. When Lauren steps close, fingers tracing Sovereign’s wrist, asking for a single release, Sovereign’s reasons to refuse start to feel paper-thin. Their mouths meet, hungry, uncertain, then sure. Clothes drift away. Sovereign finds herself on her back, legs opening, as Lauren’s tongue seeks and circles with steady intent. The room fills with wet sound and low moans. Later, knees on either side of Lauren’s face, Sovereign rocks forward until both women shake and flood each other’s tongues with release. The mattress cools. They are still breathing hard when Lauren laughs softly, already asking if they might do it again before spring break.