Page 13 of From the Courtroom to the Court
"Mom," she says in a serious tone. "Do I seem unhappy to you?"
Natalie looks at her wife as if asking for help, and Anne, in response, picks up her wine glass to take a sip. She has no intention of helping her out of the hornet's nest she's gotten herself into.
"No," the woman vehemently denies. "I actually think you're happy."
"Then why do you insist that I leave Stella?" inquires Leah. She's not upset, but she fervently wishes her mother would put this topic aside once and for all.
"I don't know, honey, it's just that I'd like you to share your life with a woman who really gives you more time, with whom you could truly have something solid. Stella is at a point that you've already lived through, and as you've said, right now her goal is training and championships."
Leah nods as her mother explains her point of view once again.
"I'm fine this way, and so is Stella. What I want, mother, is for you to put this topic aside. I understand your concern, but this is what I've chosen; when we don't feel good anymore, we'll end it. Meanwhile, this situation works well for us. We see each other, talk, and share exactly what we want. Okay?"
Natalie doesn't answer immediately, though she knows she'll get a good scolding from Anne, who is tired of asking her not to interfere in Leah's life in that way. She finally nods, smiles, and puts on that look that the family already knows, the one that says she's sorry, although she doesn't really feel completely sorry because she's a woman who can't stop saying what she thinks.
"Topic settled," Anne speaks, looking at Natalie with a gesture in her eyes, "let's eat before it gets cold, and I want to watch that movie you promised me, on the couch with another good glass of wine."
All three smile and start serving their plates. Leah knows Natalie is right and understands clearly that the relationship with her girlfriend has an expiration date that's approaching more and more. She decides to stop thinking about that; she wants to enjoy the family Sunday until, suddenly and out of nowhere, a clumsy girl crosses her mind, like one of those speedboats that travel at a frightening speed cutting through the water, and Leah can't help feeling her heart skip a beat.
Chapter 7
Leah takes one last glance at the threatening sky before entering the main building. The day dawned alternating between clouds and clear skies, but as the hours passed, the clouds gained ground and now, in the late afternoon, the sky is completely covered with dark gray tones that leave no doubt that, at any moment, they'll drench the city with a blanket of rain.
Leah likes days like this because she appreciates not training under the scorching sun when she has to do it on one of the outdoor courts, but the downside is that the stuffiness becomes unbearable and the humidity seems to multiply.
"Did you call Emily?" she asks, leaning her elbows on the counter in front of her mothers.
"Yes," Anne responds, "she says she's not canceling the class."
Leah raises her eyebrows, but a smile escapes her when she hears it. In moments like this, when rain seems imminent, clients who have classes on outdoor courts usually call to cancel them, but Emily hasn't done so, which is why Leah asked her mothers to call and confirm.
"Did you tell her all the indoor courts are occupied?" she asks to make sure.
"Yes," her mother confirms, "but her response was that, as long as not a single drop falls on her, she wants to make the most of it."
"She must really love tennis," Natalie mutters, distracted while reorganizing the week's schedule.
"She sure does, especially considering how clumsy she is," Anne laughs after checking they're alone.
Leah immediately regrets having told her mothers about Emily's awkwardness, but she ends up laughing too.
"Well, she's clumsy at playing, because apparently as a lawyer, she's a lioness," Natalie blurts out.
"And how do you know that?" her wife asks.
Natalie stops what she's doing and removes her glasses.
"I looked her up on Google."
"What?" Leah asks, perplexed.
"What's the problem, honey? I was curious, it's not a crime, after all, the information is out there," she says and shrugs without further explanation.
Leah looks at her other mother and they both burst out laughing.
"Well," Anne says, "since you've snooped around, what else have you found out?"
"And now I'm the gossip," Natalie complains.
