Not My Father's Daughter

Chapter 2: Sara

Chapter 2: Sara“Oh, God, Sara, you’re not really going to do it, are you?” Ashley pulled off her boyfriend’s Aggies jacket, which was about three sizes too big for her, and tossed it over a chair before coming to stand behind the computer desk. “s**t. You are, aren’t you?”

Sara Peterson hadn’t been quick enough to close the American Airlines reservations page before her roommate had spotted it. Oh well. Ashley would’ve found out about it when Sara asked her to drive her to the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport anyway. Sara swiveled the chair around to face Ashley. “I don’t know what you’re so upset about. Aren’t you the one always telling me I should live a little? That life is about more than just getting the highest grades? That I really need to put myself out there? I don’t understand your objections to this endeavor. What’ve I got to lose?”

Ashley put her arms on Sara’s shoulders. “Your life, maybe?”

“You’re overreacting. There’s nothing so unusual about meeting someone online. Plenty of people do it. It’s very sensible. How is this any worse than you hitching up with Nicholas after he made you the perfect Blood Orange Mojito at Hurricane Harry’s? Were you worried about him murdering you when you went with him to Kyle Stadium?”

“Of course not. There were probably a hundred thousand witnesses!”

“But you let him walk you home. He could have slashed your throat and left your lifeless body in an alley. He had the opportunity should he have desired to do so.”

“For God’s sake, Sara, this is not the same thing! You knew where I was, and I’m sure you would’ve come looking for me if I hadn’t returned.”

“What could I do against Nick? He’s built like a Viking.”

“He’s just a sweet, gentle teddy bear. You know that. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

“We know that now, but you didn’t know that then.”

“Intuition. I knew he’d be a sweetheart.”

Sara scoffed. “You didn’t know any more than I know about Shannon. Actually, I’m quite sure I know her much better.”

“If that’s even her real name.”

“Ash, give me some credit. We’ve emailed hundreds of times and talked for hours. I did my homework. Most of what she’d told me I could—and did, by the way—verify. She said she has a doctorate in music. I Googled her name. Saw her thesis. Not that it was of particular interest to me, but it involved the recent revival of female Inuit throat singing as an example of why Tuvan throat singing by Mongolian women should no longer be taboo, or something along those lines. It gives one something to think about.”

Ashley yawned. “It gives one reason to take an overdose.”

Sara turned back to the computer screen. “Besides, she has a really cute pit mix.”

“Now you’re talking!”

“Anyway, it’s a done deal. I found an excellent fare to the Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco for next month. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. Exams will be done, my thesis defended, and frankly, I could use a little break before I start my externship. I’m only going for the weekend. Then it’s home to San Antonio and life under my parents’ roof for a month.”

“Just be careful, Sara. You’re not always the best judge of people. Remember that vet tech you had the hots for last year that turned out to be a guy? Now, for me, not a problem, but for a lesbian…”

“You would have to remind me of that. God! How did I not know? I mean, she, uh, he, was very convincing.”

“And obviously you’re into facial hair.”

“Shut up. Looks aren’t everything. She…he…could have had polycystic ovarian syndrome, you know.”

“No, I don’t know. I’m not medical, remember?”

“Okay, so I made one little mistake. My mom really liked her. At least when she turned out to be a he.” Somehow Sara managed a laugh, though it still rankled that her mom was not more supportive of her lifestyle. She was thirty-six, for God’s sake. She knew what she wanted. Now she just had to find it. And she would, or with any luck, already had. In less than a month she’d be on a plane to Washington to meet quite possibly the woman of her very logical and sensible dreams.

Not only was the timing perfect, Shannon seemed pretty darned close to perfect as well. They had so much in common: they liked many of the same movies, books, they were both highly educated, loved animals…but best of all was how easily they communicated. She wasn’t exaggerating when she’d told Ashley how much they talked. Even that first call had lasted for over six hours! For someone who hated talking on the phone, that was definitely a record, and enough to convince Sara how right this was. Everything had just fallen into place. Even her mother had told her that ‘you just know.’ Well, this was right. She’d never been so certain.

Naturally she looked forward to actually meeting Shannon in person, but honestly it was merely a formality. As Ashley had put it, “You don’t buy a car without a test drive.” A rather crude analogy, even if it made sense. Sara wasn’t worried in the least. As long as Shannon didn’t have a p***s, everything should be perfect. But Ashley still looked skeptical.

“Ashley, please. I need your help with this. She could be everything I’ve been waiting for, the reason I’m still single. You’ll drive me to the airport, won’t you? It’ll be fun. I’ll even go with you to that modern art museum in Fort Worth if you like. Please?”

“Oooh, the Bradford exhibit. You don’t play fair! All right, all right, I’ll take you. But promise you’ll leave me the full name and address of this person so I can tell your mom where you were headed if you don’t make it back home.”

“She’s not going to kill me, I swear.”

“I just mean if you decide to stay in Washington and throw away that amazing externship at Sea World you’ve been lusting after ever since I’ve known you, the one that you managed to beat out all the other candidates for, all because this incredible woman seduced you with her lack of a moustache and male genitalia.”

“Trust me. You know how important my career is to me, and I’m not going to do anything to mess that up. No one knows better than I how lucky I am to have been chosen for that externship. I’m exceedingly eager to learn more about marine animals.”

“I still don’t understand why you wouldn’t rather spend your days with puppies and kitties.”

She smiled. Ashley had a very high IQ, but she was still so young, and sometimes Sara forgot that. “I have no intention of going into a small animal practice. There’s no money in that, and besides, I dealt with enough obnoxious owners as a vet tech. It was all I could do to keep from telling them off when they’d come in to have their innocent pets put down just because they were no longer cute little puppies and kittens and they’d grown bored with them, or they were moving, or their kids were grown. Disgusting.”

“Yeah, well, I’d hate that, too, and to be honest, you’re not exactly what I’d call a people person. Don’t get me wrong. I love you like a sister, but not everyone is cut out for the same things. You’re definitely an introvert. What did you turn out to be in that personality test that we had to take in psyche class?”

“An INFJ. The rarest of the sixteen personalities. And Shannon is an ENTP, my most compatible personality match. It’s the optimal blend. We’ll balance each other better than any other combination. Science is on our side. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Does this ‘science’ include chemistry?”

“You read too many relationship articles, Ashley. What does chemistry have to do with logic?”

Ashley rolled her eyes. “Not a damn thing. That’s just the point.”

“I don’t get it. If all the criteria for a successful relationship are met, why would there be some sort of aversion to another person, for no real reason? It doesn’t make sense. I mean, even if I were a really superficial person, which I’m not, I’ve seen Shannon. There is nothing in her appearance to put me off. And she seems to feel the same about me.”

“Of course she couldn’t find fault with you, Sara. You’re gorgeous! And that’s the problem. Anyone would lie or misrepresent themselves for a chance to be with you.”

“That’s just stupid. Who decides what structural features—over which I have no control, mind you—set someone physically above someone else? We’re just brainwashed by whatever society determines is ‘in’ at any given time. It made more sense with our ancient ancestors. For example, a man might be attracted to a woman with wide hips because she could potentially be a good breeder. Or a woman would seek out someone who could be a good provider and protector, so exaggerated musculature might attract her. But in this day and age, those things don’t play a role anymore. So there is nothing really to support personal preferences other than conditioning.”

“That’s funny coming from a lesbian.”

Sara felt her face flush. “Okay, okay. I don’t have all the answers. I know I wasn’t programmed to prefer women, so likely there’s a genetic element at play. I’ve given up trying to figure it out and just accept it. But you’re missing the point.”

“No, Sara. You are. Or at least overlooking the importance of it. Chemistry isn’t always practical, but it’s undeniable.”

“For men, maybe. They don’t use their heads. Look at all the poor fools that have tried to get me to go out with them, even after I tell them I’m gay. It doesn’t make sense.”

“Not logically, no. But they can’t deny their attraction to you.”

“Then they’re idiots. I could never respect someone who puts physical attraction ahead of logic. But again, not a problem. Shannon is physically attractive. She keeps herself in good shape and possesses what society deems acceptable features. I have no complaints.”

“Well, my friend, I wish you luck with this Shannon person, and I hope she’s all you’re hoping for. It’s about time you found someone. I’ll drive you to the airport but then you have to name your first child after me. Ashley can work for a boy or girl.”

Sara cringed. “Child? I’m devoting my life to the care of animals. Who needs a child?”

Ashley laughed. “Don’t you want to pass your brilliance on to someone?”

“Unfortunately, it is not genetically possible at this point in time for two females to merge their genetic material. So even if I were to provide the egg, there’s only a fifty percent chance at best that I’d be able to endow the child with intelligence. Far too risky a proposition. So much can go wrong. No, best to stick to animals. Fortunately, Shannon doesn’t want children, either. One more important thing we have in common. I’ll be the doting auntie to your offspring. How’s that?”

Ashley hugged her. “You’ve got a deal. And a ride. But you’ll have to tell me all the sordid details.”

Sara shook her head. “Silly child. Save your romantic delusions for your oversized he-man. But when you tire of his demonstrations of physical prowess and realize you need something more, let me know and I’ll share my foolproof system with you.”

“Thanks, but I’ll put my trust in fate. When it’s meant to be, it just happens.”

“Fate. Poor misguided child. You’ll see.”

“Oh no, Sara. I hope one day you’ll see.”