“I could and I would if I was in a committed heterosexual relationship but I would never consider it in a gay marriage. I’m admittedly bisexual Tina. I’ve enjoyed being with men, but I’m with Dana now and what we have is real. I’m not going back to the dark side. I hope Dana and I will decide to have a family someday and regardless which one of us carries the baby I would want to do inseminations. Even though she’s been with men too I think she would want the same thing. I’m not knocking it. I’m not passing judgment. I’m just saying that for me and Dana I can’t even imagine bringing a man into our bed. I can totally understand Bette’s point of view.”

“You want to come home with me?”

“No Al. Thanks but I really do need to be on my own for a while. I think I’m going to get a room at the hotel across the street. I just want to take a bath and relax and do some serious thinking.”

Alice made sure that Tina got checked into the hotel room and settled in before she left her. She was tempted to call Bette but Tina made her promise that she wouldn’t and for once she kept her word.


***

The next morning Tina arrived at the house after Bette left for work. She had numerous voicemails and text messages from Bette but the battery on her cell phone had died so she didn’t get them until she got home to charge it. They’d made a pact when they first got together never to go to bed angry or to sleep apart if they argued but neither really cared to hold the other to that promise now. Tina slept in the guest bedroom that evening and would have been content to stay there if Bette hadn’t made the first move.