"If you can do this you will be able to perform anytime, anywhere without a problem," Marina said.

"I think you will fall in love with it," Bette said, "there’s no bigger thrill than getting up on that stage and performing with all that musical passion you have no other way of expressing."

I melted at her words. Bette was always so poetic.

"And that brings us to Bette," Marina said.

"I assume you have something else in mind because I will not sleep with a man," Bette said looking nervous.

"I would never ask you to sleep with a man," Marina said, "and not because you’re a lesbian, but because you don’t hate men. You hate what was done to you, but you don’t hate men. You are incapable of that. Your heart loves James and he was a man. You love your father, who is the very definition of man. You love Jimmy and he will grow up to be a fine young man. What those pricks did to you didn’t affect that or any new relationships you may have had with men."

"Yeah like your friend Ryan from your piano class," I said.

"Or my graduate professor, Dr. Thomas," Bette said smiling.

"Your problem is not with men, it was their actions," Marina said, "now I don’t know if this is gonna work, but if confront what they did and surpass it perhaps you won’t have those dreams anymore."

"That’s a good idea," I said.

"Yes, but how would I do that?" Bette asked.

"I was thinking Tina could dress up like a man and wear a strap on," Marina said, "I know it’s crude and unconventional but it may work. Have you ever used one before?"

Bette looked completely stunned so I answered, "yes. Bette’s used it on me, never the other way around."

"Well now it’s time to switch it up, this may be the key for Bette to come to terms with what happened to her," Marina said.

"And if it doesn’t work?" Bette asked.

"I’ll think of other things, but I’m really leaning on this one," Marina said.

"Look baby," I said grabbing her hand, "I don’t have a choice in my case because Marina already set it up and it’s for my graduation, but you do have a choice. You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to."