Holly:  Yes, it does. Maybe I can find some clean wipes to clean the phone and the computer screen?

Bette:  Get two of them. One for me and one for you.

Holly went through how to retrieve and transfer phone calls.

Bette:  Generally, I will only be receiving personal phone calls from my wife Tina, or my son Daniel or upon rare occasion my daughter Angie. Should any of those three call, you are to interrupt me and tell me they are on the line. Anyone else, if I am with someone or on the phone, you will take a message. If I am not on the phone or with someone, generally, I will take the call.  Give me the message as soon as you can. We may have to go over that voice mail system again. I will give you my cell number, but I would really rather that number not be distributed to the public.

Holly:  You’re a lesbian?  Wow, I couldn’t tell?

Bette: Why? Could you not see my label?

Holly:  No, no! That is not what I mean. I just mean you look so feminine, so well groomed, with perfect makeup and you’re pretty.

Bette:  So, lesbians are generally sloppy and unattractive? Holly does me being a lesbian bother you?

Holly:  No, Professor Porter, I don’t care one way or another whether you are gay or not. I’m your assistant and I’m going to do my best to do a good job for you. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you. I guess I just got hung up on the stereotype of lesbians.  I’ve only known students who were lesbians and they all seem to be sloppy and not very well groomed. In fact, most students seem to be sloppy, but the lesbians tend to wear more clothing associated with men. And they seem to purposely try to make themselves unattractive.

Bette laughed: Holly, lesbians come in all shapes and sizes and all colors and all ages and all manner of dress. They are in all walks of life and they generally do not have a single trait that identifies them as lesbian except the fact they prefer women to men in a romantic relationship. And believe it or not most have tried both and prefer women. In every other way, they are just like straight women – they dress and make their appearance as they desire, they fall in love and form relationships, some form long term relationships and have families, they eat the same foods, sleep in beds and have sexual relationships. They live and die just like every other human. So, think about what you say before you say it, and we will get along just fine.