Bette pulled into her driveway in a much better mood than yesterday. Today had so far been a series of facts. Getting up, showering, eating, brushing teeth, dropping Paxton off at his office, driving to her own job…do her job there…now driving back into her own driveway. All the weird feelings of mixed-up ***** from yesterday was gone. She got out of her car and took out her briefcase too. Her neighbour was in the yard paying the movers, Bette paused. she should really go apologise for being so rude the other day. Bette walked to her fence and looked over to Tina’s yard, Tina caught her eye and after seeing the movers off she came to Bette. “I uh-wanted to apologise for being so abrupt the other day, i just remembered that something was cooking in the oven” Bette could tell Tina could see through her bullshit, but nodded anyway and smiled. Bette felt a wave of relief flow through her. It was really turning out to be a good day. Silence. Bette leaned her head on her arms, whihc were resting on the fence and didn’t say anything. Tina was picking at a Morning GLory which was crawling up her side of the fence. “Ill have to get these Morning Glories off the fence, before they come into your yard.” Tina said…Bette answered before thinking..”I don’t mind”. Bette felt her stomach drop. God does Tina think im making amove on her??? But Tina only laughed and said ok, Bette felt the tension in her leave again. Why was she antsy around Tina? Was it that book? Then a Ford pulled into the street and a burly man with a buzz cut came out, dressed in a suit and carrying bags of groceries. Tina smiled and said “Hey hon!” Bette felt her stomach drop again. Was there some kind of bowling ball in her stomach? *****.

 After coming into the house Bette opened the fridge and took out the juice. She poured fresh water in there and some concentrated orange juice. Stuck some ice in there and drank. Cool her off. Then she went into the den and turned on the computer. While waiting it to boot Bette thought about her day. Today wasn’t as stressful at work either. One of the great things about being a curator was that she took her orders did her job and when she came home the work usually stopped. She could actually relax at home. Paxton, he was usually working because of his journalist job. He wrote book reviews for the New York Times. Sent his stuff there through the mail. Bette didn’t mind, she always looked forward to reading his reviews. The Book. That was what was on Bette’s mind. She was too chicken-***** to ask about it, but maybe it would be easier now that she knew Tina was straight. Just mention it sometime, maybe…she knew! Tell Tina that she was helping on a show about the leather culture   and S&M. Cuz that what was in the book too. Leather S&M. Bette never thought about that stuff before. Maybe that was why it was on her mind all the time. And Tina straight? Bette didn’t know how to feel about that either? Relieved? Maybe a bit. Maybe even a bit disapointed too. It would have been cool to be friends with a *****.