In the ensuing silence, Bette added, “But that isn’t the end of this story.”

“No?” Diane asked, intrigued, like the rest were, by Bette’s impromptu, but poetic, science lesson.

“No,” Bette answered, “Because now we have fire.”

She paused dramatically, pointing at the fire, as the others waited patiently.

“Fire throws the process to reverse from what photosynthesis does.  This fire, for example, means that carbon atoms, that had grown so stuck to the hydrogen atoms, are being torn apart right now.”

“And we do the same thing when we breath, when digest the food we eat … we undo photosynthesis in a form of oxidation, albeit in a gentler way than fire.”

“Quite simply, for every joining of carbon atoms to hydrogen through photosynthesis, there is oxidation.”

“That’s what fire and photosynthesis are: what one process does; the other undoes.”

“We oxidize, and we need this destruction to breath, to live, to move. Less intensely than fire, of course. But even the coals that now burn in front of us — that arrived here, carbon atoms clinging to hydrogen, across millennia, unoxidized.”

“Their bonds have been undone by this fire. A fleeting fire, yes, and that’s the irony. But nothing’s immune.  That’s fate. The necessary cycle of life.”

The group fell silent, looking at the fire with new eyes.

After a few minutes, Logan muttered, “So that’s why divorce leaves such a burning sensation. It’s like fire. Undoing the photosynthesis of marriage.”

The group chuckled sympathetically, in response.

Half an hour later, the group disbanded, and started heading back up the wooden staircase, wishing each other good night as they walked up in smaller groups. Brom offered to drive Marissa and Lauren back to Marissa’s place, while Tom did the same for Sarah and John.  It had been a long day for everyone, but they’d all enjoyed it.

Bette and Tina finally staggered into their room, after seeing most of their friends off, tiptoeing in, as Angelica lay fast asleep, snoring gently.

Tina hugged Bette from behind as they stared at the sleeping form of their daughter, “Well … we experienced our own fire, baby. And look … we’re still stuck together.”

Bette leaned back against Tina, lightly clasping her beloved’s arms, which encircled her tightly.   So lucky to have you, T.

After a few minutes, she murmured, “Jodie was here earlier T.”

“I know, baby.”

She paused, “Are you okay, honey?”

“Yes, T. Thanks for asking. And more grateful than you can imagine for being with you.”

Tina chuckled, “That bad, huh?”

Bette smiled.

Then she frowned slightly.

Jodie had talked about Scott so knowingly. As if the two had somehow found each other at some point.

It was time she saw that jackass.

She knew that Jodie had received her message clearly.

It was time she found out what that loser had said about Tina.

Then she’d give Scott a message also.