Tina walked into Henry’s house and for a moment she felt disoriented.  There was the possibility that she could live here soon.  It was not home.  The house she had shared with Bette was home.  It was quiet and she was grateful to have a few minutes to herself before Henry would arrive.  He had given her a set of keys and welcomed her to use them.  She had not returned the intimacy and given him a set of keys to her apartment.  She was not quite ready for that yet.

           It was easier when Mikey and Angelica were with them.  She could lose herself in the fantasy that they were just another straight couple trying to blend families.   Mikey would be with his Mom for the next few days and Angelica would be with her other Mom.  It would be the ideal arrangement to have quiet time with her lover while her daughter was with her other mother.  The thrill of adult time did not hold the appeal that it should.  Henry was a gentle and eager lover.

         She still had trouble adjusting to not being with Angelica on a daily basis.  She got very little support from the gang with this complaint last night.  She was pointedly reminded that she was not the only parent who missed having their daughter on a full time basis.  Tina did not know why she did not acknowledge how hard it was for Bette as well.  She just felt like being perverse. 

            Hi, hon. Henry greeted her as she stood in the kitchen trying to decide what to do about dinner.

            Hi yourself.  She greeted him with a kiss.  How was your day?

            Good.  It’s better now seeing you.  You were out late last night.  I missed you.

            Sorry about that. I’m glad that Shay is home safe and sound.  So many bad things can happen to a young child out there alone.

            Yeah.  Henry agreed.  I would be nuts if Mikey were out there alone.  I would have been happy to help you know. 

            I know.  It just would not have gone over well right now.  They are still getting used to me being with a man.  Give me a little time. 

            Why do you care what they think Hon?  Are you ashamed of being with me?

            Don’t be ridiculous.  Tina felt her temper rise.  It’s just that we are talking about very different worlds.

            What do you mean? Henry warmed to the topic.  Are you saying that your friends will not accept me in your life and you plan to keep us separate?  

            I wouldn’t go that far Henry.  I took you to Shane and Carmen’s almost wedding and that was hard.  I’m just saying that it is going to take a little while to integrate our worlds.  

            Integration seems to be the word of the day Tina.  Henry mused aloud.

            What are you saying?  Tina was suddenly on the alert for any disparaging comments on her daughter’s heritage.  First Henry opposed Bette’s adoption now she was very wary.  If race became a factor Tina would end this here and now. 

            What do you think of us throwing a mixer for our straight and gay friends?  That way we can just get it over with all at once?  We can integrate them.  Henry looked at her hopefully. 

            Tina smiled and let out the breath that she was holding.  She liked the idea.  She rewarded Henry with a kiss.