“Right.”

“I want to get this divorce over with as quickly as possible so we can both go on with our lives. I don’t want this to become a big ordeal. I don’t want any drama. I want it fast and fair. I’ve decided that I don’t want the house so you can do whatever you want with it. All I want is half our savings, and whatever I have in our accounts. That’s all. First thing Monday morning, I’m going to see how we go about filing the divorce peoples, and I’ll call you so we can get started on it right away. Is that ok with you?”

“Yeah. That’s fine. I don’t want any drama either. I’m hurt, and I can admit that, but that doesn’t mean we need to suffer needlessly because of it.”

“Well..I guess I’ll be in touch with you on Monday then…..Actually Arise, there’s something else.”

“What?”

“Are you in love with Sara?”

She looks genuinely surprised that I would ask that. She pauses a moment before responding.

“I wish I was. That would make this so much easier.”

I smile sadly, understanding her feelings.

“Can I ask YOU something now?”

“Yeah. Sure.”

“What is it about Bette that’s so much better than me? For the past year and a half I’ve been trying my hardest to figure that out. So please tell me.”

I was NOT expecting that. I expected questions about where I was living, but THIS? I don’t know how to respond.

“Better than you? I’m sorry that all this time you’ve been doubting how wonderful you are. You are one of the best people I’ve ever met. Even after all this Sara stuff, deep down I still think that. Me seeing Bette has nothing to do with who you are. Honestly, the connection between Bette and I is something that’s hard to explain. She and I just connect on a level that I’ve never experienced with anyone else before. It’s passionate. It’s intense. It’s…love. It took me a long time to realize it, but after a while, I couldn’t deny it. I never meant to hurt you in the process. I know things are really raw and painful between us right now, but I hope that one day we can forgive each other.”

“I hope so too.” She sighs heavily with tears in her eyes. “I just feel like such a fuck up.”

“So it’s not just me then? I feel like I should wear a ‘fuck up’ t-shirt or something.”

She laughs at my attempt to lighten the mood.

“I should get going, but I’ll be in touch next week. Bye.”

She waves and heads back in the house.