Mark, who had been watching the scene unfold in the kitchen chose this moment to speak. “Wow you guys are a happy bunch today.” The three women said nothing in response to him and he felt himself starting to get depressed for them. “OK, now, you’re starting to make me wish that I had a gun. Enough with the depression.” Three pairs of eyes turned and looked at him. “I’m taking you guys out.” Mark clapped his hands together and looked expectantly at all of them. “Come on, no excuses. All of you go home and shower and get ready to go.” Mark glanced at his watch. “Seriously.” He said when none of them moved. “OH come on you can’t tell me that you guys don’t want to go out and get wasted after the day that you’ve all had.” Mark looked at them expectantly and smiled when Dana and Shane both looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. “Great.” He said. “Now everyone go home and get dressed and meet back here at six. That gives us all like three hours. And then I am going to take you all to dinner and then we are going to go to my favorite bar. And yes it is a straight bar, but that’s just what you guys need. No romantic, or sexual complications. Just us, and all the alcohol that we can handle.”

“Ok call me crazy, but does he make a little bit of sense?” Dana looked over and asked Shane stabbing her thumb toward Mark.

“A little, yeah. I think he’s making sense. And who doesn’t love a straight bar anyway. I certainly do. It’s more of a challenge.” Shane said warming up to the idea. “I think I’m in. And if I’m not mistaken, D’s in too.” She added looking at Bette in anticipation.

“Guys hello, the baby.”

“Let Tee take care of it for the night. Bette you need to get out before you explode and ruin any chance of you and Tina making it this time around. So you’re going.” Mark said persuasively.

“OK, but I have a feeling that this is not going to make Tina a happy camper.” The small group got up from the table and started off in all directions to go and get ready for a night that would hopefully take their minds off whatever was troubling them. Mark smiled and went after Shane to fight her for the bathroom, but as soon as he approached the door he already heard the shower running. Mark turned around and walked out to the living room to wait for his turn to get ready.