Just as it was impossible for Jill to switch off being a therapist when she was with Amelia—even in the throes of the most passionate kiss of her life—it was equally hard to accomplish when talking to Hera. The biggest difference at this point was that Jill knew much more about Hera than she did about Amelia. After all, she had been Hera’s therapist for many years.
Hera, on a break from installing a new bathroom for Kristin and Sheryl, was sitting across from Jill at the Pink Bean.
“Admittedly, it is a bit weird to see you here instead of next door,” Hera said. “Although now I get to ask you all the questions I want.”
The front door opened, and Amber walked in. From what Jill had witnessed, Amber spent even more time at the Pink Bean than she did. Since they’d met at Liz and Jessica’s, Amber and Jill had gone from distant smiles to a few conversations about nothing in particular. Amber walked over to their table as though she and Jill were much more than acquaintances.
“Just the woman I need to see,” Amber said, looking at Hera, not Jill.
“I hear that a lot.” Hera shot Amber a smile. “Believe it or not.”
“Oh, I believe it.” Amber glanced at their coffee cups, then at Jill. “Hi, Jill. How are you? I don’t mean to be rude, but I have an emergency plumbing situation at the studio.”
“If it’s an emergency, surely you’ve called a plumber.” Hera grinned.
“I tried. The earliest they can come is this afternoon. In the meantime, no one can use the toilet.” Amber wrinkled her nose, and looked more closely at Jill and Hera. “Gosh, I’m so rude. I’m not interrupting anything, am I? I’m so sorry. I’m in a right state. I knew you would be here, Hera. Kristin told me after class this morning. I know you’re not a plumber Hera, but would you have time to take a look?”
“Tell you what.” Hera clearly took pride in being needed in this way. “I’ll stop by in half an hour to see how I can be of help.”
Amber put a hand on Hera’s shoulder. “Thank you so much. You’re a real lifesaver.” She sent them both a smile. “Can I get you another coffee?”
They both shook their heads.
“Thanks again.” With a smile, Amber turned and headed for the counter.
“Funny how you can tell someone has never lost a loved one because they call you a lifesaver for possibly fixing their clogged up toilet,” Hera said.
“People say all sorts of things in everyday conversation,” Jill offered.
Hera chuckled. “I guess they do.”
“You’re keeping busy.”
“I am, because let me tell you something, Jill. The cliché of lesbians being handy is utterly incorrect. Or maybe it’s the crowd I hang with these days, with their fine art and designer clothes. In my younger days, I used to be friends with a bunch of women who’d all done up their own houses.”
“Maybe it’s an age thing. Once you’re past forty, you have other priorities.”
“And you want things done for you instead of doing them yourself.” Hera nodded. “It’s good for business.”
“I guess we’re both in a profession that won’t easily disappear. Not even when the robots take over.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that.” Hera stretched her arm over her head. “A robot’s muscles don’t ache like mine in the evening. A robot has endless energy and doesn’t need a cup of strong coffee every hour.”
“That may be so, but a robot will never have a human brain.”
“Look, Doc, I’m perfectly willing to discuss the further automatization of our future lives, but right now, I’d honestly much prefer to catch up with you. How are things?”
“Things are…” So good I’m nearly bursting out of my skin. Although Kat had warned her not to share her feelings for Amelia with Hera, so much had changed since Jill’s last conversation with Kat. In fact, Jill was pretty sure that next time she received an invitation to spend an evening with a bunch of coupled-up lesbians, she wouldn’t be attending alone. Amelia had already agreed to go to the next Griffith-Porter art show with her, where she was sure to turn some heads. “I’ve met someone.”
“Ha. I knew it,” Hera said. “Kat thinks she’s so discreet. As if I can’t read her like an open book. And actually…” Hera regarded Jill intently. “There’s something different about you, although that could be attributed to us meeting in this setting instead of your office. Anyway, tell me more.”
“I’m not sure I should. It’s still very early days.”
“Whatever you’re comfortable with.”
“She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.” Jill was aware of how utterly cheesy that sounded, but she didn’t care.
“That’s usually how it starts.” Hera emitted a low chuckle.
“I should mention she’s a former client.”
“Really. Is that allowed?”
“Absolutely not, but that doesn’t mean it never happens. I— Well, after making a right tit of myself during a session, it became impossible for me to continue to treat her.”
Hera sat there grinning. “In a way, it’s comforting to know that even someone like yourself can crack under a particular kind of pressure. That you’re not this perfect specimen of humanity.”
“In therapy, I behave a certain way for a reason. I’m not there to show my own emotions. I’m there for the client.”
“Don’t I know it. The number of times I attempted a joke and you hardly responded.” Hera sipped from her coffee. “I thought my sense of humor was the problem.” Hera didn’t give the impression of doubting her own sense of humor at all.
“Clients often use humor as armor, to save themselves from having to dig deep. It’s an easy enough shield to wield.”
“And it’s your job to see through all of that. I get it.” Hera nodded. Jill guessed she agreed so easily because Hera had been in therapy for a long time—since before her partner had died. “Tell me more about your former client. Would I have run into her in the waiting room?”
Jill shook her head. “Her name’s Amelia. She’s crazy about soccer. She lives in Darlinghurst and is looking to start a soccer team consisting of women over forty only.”
“For real?” Hera’s eyes lit up.
“For very real.” Jill studied Hera’s face. “Are you interested?” Hera had never mentioned playing soccer.
“If it’s anything like riding a bicycle, I should have some technique left. I used to play, but it’s been a while. You know how it goes. I’ve been thinking about taking up a team sport to match my more outgoing personality these days.” She sat there brimming. “As much as I like Amber, I’m not one for yoga and all that woo-woo stuff. Give me a field of grass beneath my feet and a ball to kick around.”
“Sounds like I should introduce you to Amelia.”
“I would like that very much,” Hera said. “What position does she play?”
“Keeper.”
“How about you, Doc? Are you thinking of joining your new girlfriend’s team?”
Girlfriend? Was Amelia her girlfriend now? They’d only been on one official date. But it wasn’t the number of dates they’d gone on that should define their status to each other. And Jill liked the sound of being Amelia’s girlfriend very much. “Me?” She chuckled. “No way.”
“Why not? You should try. What do you do for exercise?”
“Hm… walk to work.”
“And to relax after a long day of listening to the woes of the likes of me?” Hera grinned.
“I have many ways of relaxing. I just can’t imagine myself running after a ball. It seems so utterly pointless and I barely know the rules.”
“Offside’s a bit tricky, but it’s not rocket science. You’re a doctor. I’m sure you’d get the hang of it soon enough.”
“I had no idea you were so keen to see me embarrass myself,” Jill joked.
“I’m just a little excited. Please, do tell Amelia to get in touch.”
“Put two of my former clients in touch so you can dish the dirt on me behind my back?” Jill said.
“You know it, Doc. You know it.”
Somehow, Jill didn’t mind that prospect at all. On the contrary, it might just prove that various kinds of relationships were possible with former clients.