#mcwitham

Falling in love with Kate was easy, as easy as opening a door. She was soft and warm and open, the kind of woman who brushes her arm against yours when you walk together, the kind of woman who takes your hand when she's excited or scared or happy, full of easy affection that you take for attention, you take for reciprocation. So her reaction when you kissed her - you followed the script, nice and subtle, and she eagerly slept in your bed, eagerly danced with you, eagerly returned affection - was all the more devestating.

Being friends with Gladys wasn't easy, not at first. She was all glamour and class and clean nails and clear skin and clipped, precise words and silk stockings and boys boys boys and at first you resented her. But she grew on you, slowly, as you realised how genuine she was, how much she cared, how different she was to other women in her position. After Kate, she knew, she was the only one you could bear to tell, the only one your could bear to hold you. She knew everything and she still wanted to be in your life and you wonder how you managed to overlook such a gem. She sleeps over, secure in her friendship with you, and wakes curled around you as though she's protecting you, even in sleep. It's the only time you feel safe.

Falling in bed with Teresa was easy, and simple and uncomplicated and very, very fun. Gladys gives you knowing little smiles and Kate flowers at you from across the hall. Teresa is like spring after an endless winter, and the problem with spring is it never lasts. But that's part of the beauty of it as well.

Coming back to the factory, to Kate and Ivan and Gladys and Lorna and Marco, all static after so much had changed for you, was hard. Gladys is soft and warm, as always, and she's the first to sleep over in your new digs, rats scratching in the walls and you catch up all night, falling asleep eventually, tangled together as always. When you wake up, Gladys is curled around you as usual, her open mouth pressed to your clavicle and you think you remember how this felt before, and you're sure it doesn't feel the same now. When Gladys wakes she fixes her soulful eyes on you, and you know for sure as she leans in to press her mouth against yours.

my top faves: friendship edition (1/3): betty + gladys (mcwitham)