“Like what?”

“Well, she said that now is a bad time for me to be dealing with packing up and moving and trying to get our house ready to sell,” Tina said.

“That’s true,” Alice nodded.

“And that by living apart, we’re wasting our assets on separate living arrangements when we’re going to need that money for our two down payments once this financial stuff is divided and settled.”

“Also true,” Alice said.

“It’s a practical solution, I just don’t know ifI don’t know if, emotionally, I can,” Tina struggled.

“Yeah. I hear you.”

“I mean, we’ve hardly been able to talk to each other, let alone try to live together.” Tina looked up to meet Alice’s gaze.

“It sounds like you were able to talk to each other last night.”

“But don’t you think it’s a littleunorthodox? Ex-lovers living together?”

“That’s the beauty of living an alternative lifestyle. You can have alternative solutions,” Alice smiled. “You and Bette can make this ex- thing up as you go along. She and I did, and look, we’re much better at being friends than we ever were at being lovers.”

“So you’re saying this makes sense?” Tina asked skeptically.

“I’m saying that it’s worth another conversation with her. Figure out some ground rules. Boundaries. If you can agree on some basic parameters, then why not try it? It’s definitely one way to start building a friendship with her, right?” Alice asked.

“Ground rules?”

“Yeah. You know, like who takes out the trash and who washes the dishes. And how you handle the wholeovernight guest situation,” Alice said.

Tina frowned, busying herself with her fork once again. “Is she seeing someone?”

“I’m talking about Helena, T,” Alice said.

“Well, I’m not going to ask Bette’s permission to see Helena,” Tina said, her tone stubborn but her expression relieved.

“I’m not talking permission. I’m talking hanging a scarf on the bedroom door to indicate “action within” so she doesn’t interrupt you while she’s looking for a pair of socks,” Alice said drily.

Tina smiled and shook her head. “I see.”

“Yeah, I’ll bet you do,” Alice said. “Where’s she taking you this weekend?”

“We were going to Carmel, but II think I have too much to do at the Center. Oscar wants to organize some voter registration outreach, and I’m putting together an awareness raising campaign,” Tina said.

“Oh. Too bad,” Alice said. “But hey, Carmel’s not going anywhere, right? Unless there’s some kind of tragic natural disaster, and then you may have missed your only chance.”

“Thanks for listening,” Tina said, leaving money on the table as she stood up. “I’ve gotta go.”

“Call me, will you? Let me know what you decide. And hey, let’s get together for a meal you actually eat next time, okay?”

Tina wasn’t even all the way out to her car before Alice was speed dialing Bette.

“Bette Porter.”

“*****, I tell you to call her and you drop by. I tell you to ask for another chance, and you ask to move back in. Not only are you not listening to me, but you clearly don’t need my help,” Alice said, motioning to the waitress to get a refill on her coffee.

“You told me she was dating. I can take a hint, you know,” Bette said with a smile that Alice could hear all the way across town.

“Well, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you. For both of you,” Alice said. “I saw her for breakfast. She’s definitely considering it. Just remember, Bette. She’s thinking roommates, here. Like The Odd Couple only more…odd.”

“At this point, that’s probably more than I deserve.”

“Chin up. Stay strong. Don’t take any wooden nickels. Fill in the clich of your choice, okay?”

“Right. I have a meeting to get to.”

“Go on, go. I’ll talk to you later.” Alice disconnected the call, but not before Bette could hear her say, “Yessss!”