Page 39 of From the Courtroom to the Court
Alison jumps on her and hugs her with the impetuosity typical of her age. Leah holds her breath; the stomach hit burns.
"Don't get dramatic," she says, laughing while returning the hug. "We still have to see each other many times."
After saying goodbye to the young woman, she enters the office and goes straight to her mothers.
"Did Emily cancel again?" she asks, though deep down, she already knows the answer.
"Yes, she called fifteen minutes ago," Anne responds.
Leah can't hide her disappointment and lets out a sigh while looking out the window toward the trees at the club entrance.
"Did something happen with Emily, Leah?" Natalie dares to ask, consumed by curiosity.
Her daughter turns to her and finds both her mothers watching her expectantly.
"I'm asking because this is the second lesson she's canceled, and well, it seems a bit strange considering how enthusiastic she always was," Natalie insists.
Leah considers telling them she has something to do and leaving, but she needs to let it out, so she grabs a chair, drags it behind the desk right next to her mothers, and drops into it, crossing one leg over the other.
"The night I went to Emily's house to tell her about Mia, she kissed me," she explains without preamble, and her mothers' jaws drop almost simultaneously.
The tennis player omits that first kiss the lawyer gave her on the court. Although it left her stunned, she considers it unimportant, just something born from Emily's excitement.
"I kissed her back," she continues, shivering at the memory. "I wasn't expecting it, and I liked it so much that my brain shut down. Then her phone rang, and I took advantage of her answering the call to go home."
"And you haven't talked about it?" asks Anne, very serious.
"I'm not finished," says Leah.
"Of course, honey, I'm sorry," her mother apologizes.
"She came to the next lesson, and we both acted like nothing had happened, but afterward, we went to my office because she had to discuss something about Mia's case, and it happened again. She kissed me again, and although my entire body begged me to continue, I stopped her and told her I was with Stella."
Leah clears her throat and massages her stomach right where Alison's ball hit her.
"I can't define what happened then. She seemed a bit stunned, but she didn't react badly or make a scene. She just said she had to leave, and that's all I know about her."
"She's canceled her lessons since then," Anne completes.
"Yes."
Silence falls between the three of them. Leah prefers it; she needs those seconds of mental peace while her mothers look at each other. Their long relationship allows them to communicate without needing words. Though it seems twisted, they're both delighted with the situation because neither approves of Leah's relationship with Stella. However, they've perceived the chemistry she has with Emily since day one.
"What are you going to do, Leah?" Natalie probes, affectionately placing a hand on her knee.
Leah looks directly into her eyes, and her mother feels proud seeing determination in them. Leah has always been very level-headed and correct, even in the most complicated moments.
"I need to talk to Stella. I mean, I'm going to break up with her. It's obvious that what we have doesn't work. I've always known that, but I was content with what we had because I didn't need more."
"But Emily has appeared," says Anne.
"Yes. And it doesn't matter that it's Emily, mom. It could have been another woman. The point is that it happened, and I don't want to deceive Stella. One thing is settling for something superficial, and another is this."
"Have you considered that Stella might be cheating on you?" asks Natalie, unable to contain her thoughts.
"Natalie," Anne scolds her.
"Let her, mom," Leah smiles. "Of course I've thought about it. In fact, sometimes I'm convinced of it. I know what it's like to travel constantly, going from tournament to tournament. Women approach you, you meet other colleagues, it's inevitable. And that makes this even worse because I've suspected it many times and don't care. I've always been indifferent to what Stella might do out there as long as I didn't find out. Anyway, that's not the issue. I'm going to leave her. As soon as she returns to Tennessee, I'll catch a flight and go talk to her."
