Sapphic Voices General Fiction

Letting Go

"I can't let go. I'm nothing without you," Marla cried grabbing Robin's hands. "Why? Just tell me what I can do to make you stay. I'll do anything!" she pleaded not ashamed that she must look pathetic to Robin.

Robin carefully disengaged her hands from Marla's then gently placed her own hands on Marla's slender shoulders softly pushing until Marla was seated on the edge of their king sized bed. She knelt before her and looked up into Marla's face. "It's not your fault. Please remember that."

Marla pulled her hands away and swiped at the tears splashing from her eyes. "What is it then?" she gulped. "Is it another woman?"

Robin's eyes apologetically drifted from hers.


"It is another woman, isn't it?" Marla cried swallowing the lump in her throat. "Who is she?" she weakly asked. "Do I know her?"

Robin inhaled deeply. "I never meant for it to happen."

Her breath caught in her throat. "I need some answers. I deserve that much at least."

Robin avoided direct eye contact with her. She fumbled with the button on her shirt. "Do you remember last Fourth of July?"

Marla pulled a shaky breath. "Of course I do. We both had a little too much to drink and spent the night at Jamie's."

She nodded slowly. "Something happened that night." She rammed her hands into her pant's pockets. "You were already passed out and I couldn't sleep so I went into the living room to watch some TV." She uncomfortably shifted her weight. "It shouldn't have happened."

"What shouldn't have happened, Robin? If you're trying to tell me that you slept with someone else, then tell me."

Her eyes glistened with fresh tears. Robin nervously chewed her bottom lip, but kept silent.

"Why do you assume we have to break up over it?" She swept a shaky hand through her hair. "We need to talk it through. I don't want to throw three years away. We have a history together, Robin."

"It wasn't only one time," Robin quietly answered.

Marla's eyes widened. "What are you telling me?" she asked in a raspy voice.


Robin sucked some air into her lungs then slowly let it out. "I've been seeing her ever since that night." She looked down at her shoes. "I've fallen in love with her."

Marla's lips trembled. "That was almost six months ago. You've been seeing her all this time?"

She nodded. "I'm sorry, Marla. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you."

"So this is it? You're going to walk away from three years for a fling?"

"It's not a fling. If it were then I would have tried to work it out with you."

Marla swallowed hard as she composed herself. Her pain slowly began to be replaced by anger. "I guess I don't really know you at all, do I?" Her eyes searched Robin's. "What happened to the commitment you and I made? Were those just shallow words to you with no real meaning?"

Robin shrugged. "Life happens, Marla. This wasn't intentional. If there was any way to soften the blow for you I would do it in a minute," she feebly replied.

"It wouldn't have happened if you had respect for me, Robin. Commitment and honesty are the most important virtues to me."

"Marla, please understand. A part of me will always love you. Jane and I want to explore what we've found together."

"Jane! You've been sleeping with Jane? She was my best friend for over ten years! I introduced you two."

Robin bent her head in shame. "I'm sorry," she whispered.


"I am too, Robin. I'm sorry that I ever knew or trusted either of you." She wiped the remaining tears from her eyes and pulled herself to her feet.

Robin picked up her suitcase and walked to the door, then turned and looked back at her. "Marla, if things don't work out between Jane and me then maybe you and I can get together and try to figure things out."

Marla couldn't believe she'd heard her correctly. Her mouth fell open in disbelief. All the love she'd felt for her drained out of her body. She slowly walked towards the door.

Robin shot her a weak smile.

She walked past Robin and placed her hand on the doorknob. She turned back around facing Robin. "No thanks," she said as she held the door for her.

THE END

If you have enjoyed Kira Chase's "Letting Go", then please be certain to e-mail her at  KiraChase[at]aol.com  and thank her for posting this Story.

Click here for a list of all of Kira Chase's Stories and Poetry at  Sapphic Voices Authoresses.