“He was my college boyfriend.”

“The guy you were going to marry until what’s-her-name came along?”

“Yep, that’s him.”  Bette smiled warmly in his direction.

“He’s truly a hunk of burnin’ love, Bette.  He’s totally hot.”

“Some things are hotter,” Bette answered mysteriously.

“So what’s his story?”

“I don’t know what you mean, Al.”

“Oh, I’m sure you know exactly what I mean.  You dated him back in the mid-80s that was like twenty years ago.  He’s obviously still in love with you or he hates your guts and is lulling you into a false sense of security.  Whichever, it’s been twenty years and that’s way too long to be in love with you or to hate you.”

“Again, another beautifully executed back-handed compliment coming from you.”

“Thanks for noticing.  And those ex-wives?  Hundred bucks they either looked like you or reminded him of you.  Anyway, I’d think long and hard about going on your date tomorrow.”

“Dinner with his colleagues.  Hardly a date.”

“He said it, I didn’t.  You know, you’ve only told me dribs and drabs about what happened between you guys.  Why’d you dump him for the woman?  What was her name again?”

Bette’s eyes seemed years away as she thought back wistfully on her first woman lover. “Her name was Gail.  Gail Sturges.  She changed my life in a big way.”

“Duh.  So, you’re going to dish the whole coming out story?  I’ve got all night.”

“If you want to hear it, fine.  We need to go back to my place and get loaded.”  She added, “It’s a long, sordid tale filled with intrigue, passion, and…”

“Bette?  Please.”  Alice laughed.

“Seriously, it’s kind of a sad story because I broke Ash’s heart, but it’s a good story because I fell in love for the first time.  Nothing like what I feel for Tina, but for a first love, it was pretty good.”

“Okay, let’s go.”  Alice started moving toward the steps leading out of the sculpture garden when she turned to Bette and said, “Do you have Sambuca at home?”

“Yeah, and I’ve got Bailey’s, too.  Are you going to be making cocktails?”