“She was back in New York ten days later, but she never even contacted me.  She just wanted out.”

“What was wrong with the relationship?”

“Boring, boring, maddeningly boring.  She taught at one of the local P.S.s and I was the director of New York City’s literacy program.  We were busy with our lives and no time for each other.  We talked just enough to get together in bed, then we stopped having *****, then stopped sharing any of our lives.  We went out with our own separate friends; we were barely roommates, only passing each other in the apartment.  The thing is that we had been so connected and so wild for each other when we first got together.  I’m convinced that humans aren’t meant to be mated permanently.  Serial monogamy works because we need some sort of rule, but that forever after stuff is a pile of *****.  If I can be honest with you?”

“Yeah, I hear what you’re saying, but I don’t agree.”

“How long have you and the boyfriend been together?”

“Ash and I met in early October of ’83.  We started dating exclusively in January ’84, so it’s been nearly two years.”

“And it’s still just as magical?”

“We didn’t really start off with magic and fireworks.  We were friends and it just evolved into more.”

“So you’re still having this really awesome ***** and you’re constantly hot and bothered when he walks into the room?  Must be nice.  I miss that.  I’m nearly climbing the walls here.  A woman has needs, you know what I mean?”  Gail laughed, embarrassed that she spoke so frankly.

Bette’s heart skipped a beat and she didn’t know why.  She was unable to respond.

“So, the ***** is awesome?”

“It’s good.”

“Just good?”

“We’re in school now.  We’re very busy, but I love him and he loves me.  You see, Ash and I are both driven people and have some long-range goals.  Sexually and in every way, we’re right for each other.”  Bette was nervous.  She never talked about ***** with anyone.  Her sister, Kit would occasionally pop in her life to ask her if she had any questions.  There was no way Bette would ask Kit anything no matter how curious she was.  Last Christmas, Kit had gotten Bette alone in the upstairs guest room and had asked if she and Ash were doing it.  Bette was appalled and refused to answer, yet here she was in this public coffee shop with someone that was close to being a stranger and telling her so much more.