“… and she’s buying the stairway to heaven.” the final notes faded from the still air inside the club. The crowd, Spencer included, stared at Ashley who sat there with her head bent over her guitar. After a moment she looked up through the curtain of her hair and her eyes pinned Spencer where she sat.

            The club erupted in violent applause, but Ashley just raised her hand and walked to the stool where the blond sat. She bounded forward off the stool and caught Ashley in her arms. The other girl went brutally stiff and Spencer was instantly contrite and pulled away. Ashley stared at her as she pulled away. After a second their eyes met and again Spencer saw the mirrors fall away to reveal deep pain and sorrow.

            Again they remained open for a second; long enough for a tear to escape and roll free down her cheek. Then the mirrors snapped down again and the brunette’s hand snapped up to dash the tear away. Spencer caught the hand and wiped the tiny drop of sadness away. This time she left her hand cupping Ashley’s cheek and the other girl didn’t complain.

            Ashley felt the girls hand both on her cheek and on her wrist. For a second she reveled in the feel of the other girl’s soft skin on her own then she jerked back. The moment was broken and Spencer quickly looked away.

            Kat, the bartender, had started the music again as it became obvious that the show was over. People came over to express their gratitude for the set and Ashley nodded to each of them. None tried to touch her however, they had learned their lesson. The two of them got a table near the back where it was quieter and ordered some bar food for dinner.

            Spencer ordered them onion rings and Buffalo wings. Ashley appeared startled when the food came.

            “What’s wrong? Is the food not what you wanted?”

            “No it’s perfect. I just haven’t eaten her since my dad and I used to. I guess I just forgot or suppressed the memory that they actually serve food here.”

            “If you don’t want to we can leave…”

            “No Spencer, its fine. We can eat.” She smiled and the smile seemed as natural as any that Ashley had seen on her face. But again it didn’t reach her mirrored eyes. It seemed to almost get there then fall short.