Free Joy Argento - Carrie and Hope by Joy Argento Page A

The food was delicious. There wasn’t enough left on either woman’s plate to take home doggy bags.
    After taking the dirty dishes away the waiter returned with one tiramisu and two spoons. Carrie dipped her spoon into the dessert and took a bite. “ Mmm , this is so good,” she said, her hand covering her full mouth. She took another spoonful and offered it across the table to Hope. “Here eat this.”
    Hope leaned forward and took the bite from Carrie’s spoon. She swallowed before speaking. “Wow, you’re right. That’s good.” Hope used her own spoon and took another bite.  
    They were both very full when they left the restaurant and walked to Hope’s car. She pulled out of the parking space and headed in the direction of the movie theater.
    After buying their tickets and entering the theater, both women passed by the popcorn and candy area without so much as a glance. They were too full from dinner to even think about eating anything else.
    Large movie posters hung on the walls that led the way to room five where their movie would be starting in about fifteen minutes.
    Carrie pulled open the door to the large room. The previews hadn’t yet started so the lights were still on, making it easier for Hope and Carrie to choose their seats. There were still plenty of seats to choose from. “Where would you like to sit?” Carrie asked Hope.
    “Somewhere towards the middle, if that’s all right with you. I don’t like to be too close to the screen.”
    “That’s perfect. I don’t like to be too close to the screen either.” They had only taken a few steps when the room was plunged into darkness. The movie screen lit up with a warning about talking during the movie and turning off cell phones. A dim light bounced off the screen.
    Hope’s eyes didn’t adjust to the change in darkness as fast as Carrie’s did and she reached out and grabbed Carrie’s hand as she realized that Carrie was moving forward without her. They walked like this until Carrie asked, “How’s this? Not too close.”
    “This is fine,” Hope said into Carrie’s ear as music from the first preview filled the room. She was suddenly aware that Carrie’s hand was still in hers. She could feel its warmth and let it go.   She ran her hand through her hair, nervously.   She refused to let her mind think about how good Carrie’s hand felt in hers. They moved into the middle of the row and took their seats, watching the previews until their movie began.
    Hope thoroughly enjoyed her evening with Carrie. The food and conversation at the restaurant were wonderful, and she had even enjoyed the movie. Romantic comedies were her favorites and Sandra Bullock never disappointed.
    She was sorry to see the night end as she pulled into Carrie’s driveway. “Well, here we are,” she said.
    “Would you like to come in for something to drink?” Carrie asked, “Or a snack?”
    “I would love to, but I really should get going.” Hope resisted the urge to spend more time with Carrie tonight.
    “Okay,” Carrie said and leaned across the seat to give Hope a hug. “I had a great time. Drive careful.” Her smile was bright, even in the darkness of the car.
    “I had a great time, too. Have a good night.”
      Hope waited until Carrie had unlocked the door and entered her house before she backed out on the street and drove towards home.     

     
    *****     
    Carrie hung up her coat and took her shoes off at the door. She poured herself the last glass of wine from the bottle that Hope had brought for dinner the week before, and made herself comfortable on the couch. With her feet tucked under her she reached for the notebook with Hope’s poems and short stories and began to read.
    It was two a.m. by the time Carrie looked up from the notebook. She was shocked when she looked at the clock. She had become so engrossed in reading that she had lost all track of time. She put the notebook on the coffee table, rose and stretched to remove the