Page 5 of September

“I know the likelihood of that isn’t great, given he’s not at the best soccer school by far, but starting there will give him good practice if he decides to transfer. He’s hoping to use this season as a springboard for another school; a Division-I school, if he can get in. I just want him to get a good education, and if soccer works out, great.”

“So, where are we going?” Gwen asked.

“I was thinking the Lavender Line,” Elisa replied.

“Look at you, embracing your full gayness and hitting up gaytown, New Orleans-style,” she teased.

“I’ve been there before. You’ve taken me,” Elisa noted, referring to the part of Bourbon Street where the gay bars were located.

“I remember. But this is your first time with a girlfriend, right?”

“Yes,” Elisa said, laughing.

“Good for you,” Gwen replied, bumping her shoulder playfully.

She had brought Elisa to the French Quarter when Elisa had first moved to town, more to give her the full experience of what it was like to visit the packed, touristy part of town than anything else, but she wasn’t a big fan of the Quarter herself when it was packed. She did come out here every so often for a change of scenery and because sometimes, she could see a hot tourist whowouldn’t be frequenting one of the local bars in another part of town.

They walked down the street, which was busy, but not nearly as busy as it had been even a couple of weeks ago. Tourists would always flock to the Quarter at night, but the college students were mostly back at school now, and the summer tourists had all returned home to their jobs and lives. That meant that the off-season was coming, and the locals would get at least some of their city back. Yes, places like the French Quarter and Jackson Square would still be busy all year round, but at least there was a little space to walk between drunk people tonight.

Gwen hadn’t grown up in New Orleans, but after college, she had moved here, despite her parents telling her to move back into their house until she could find a decent job or a wife because, in their mind, those were the only options. Of course, they would’ve preferred a husband, but Gwen had made it clear that wasn’t a possible outcome, so they tolerated her being a lesbian. In fact, they were more okay withthatthan they had been with her deciding that she wanted to walk dogs for a while until she decided what she wanted to do for a career, and they’d really hated it when she had decided to walk dogsasher career.

“Hey there.”

Gwen looked up and saw an attractive woman with a blonde pixie cut standing next to her at the bar. Myra and Elisa had gone to find a table while she had been sent to get them all drinks, which hadn’t been planned to get her away from the couple to find someone for herself, but if it worked, she would take it.

“Oh, hey,” she replied.

“I’m Jen.”

“Gwen.” She laughed. “We rhyme.”

Jen laughed as well and said, “Jen and Gwen. Nice. It’s like we have our ship name ready to go.”

“Gen with a G?” Gwen asked, trying to figure it out.

Jen laughed again and asked, “Can I buy you a drink?’

“Oh, sorry. Thanks for the offer, but I’m–”

“With someone?”

“No. Well, yeah. I’m here with my friends.”

“And they wouldn’t want you to get a free drink? Some friends you have there, Gwen,” the woman joked.

“Yeah, they’re the worst.” She laughed a little and then added, “Another time, maybe? We’re out celebrating some things tonight.”

“You’re a local?” Jen asked.

“I am. You?”

“No. I’m in town for a conference. Work thing.”

“What do you do?”

“I sell insurance. It’s boring.”

“So, you were just looking for something for the night?”