"It’s been a long time since I have been to a party
this fun." Bette informs, obviously delighted. "Thank you for inviting
me."

"Well… thanks for coming. For a moment there, I was
worried you won’t be able to make it."

"How could I miss this…" Bette polishes up the
small plate of boobs cake, taking slow sips of her drink. "I like this…a
lot."

"Well..it’s rowdy and it could get very NC-17 rated if
Alice drinks more and starts taking her top off and gives everyone a lap dance."

Bette nearly choke in mid sip. She takes a few beats to
recover then smiles."It’s warm and friendly. It’s not
pretentious."

"I nearly forgot…you and Helena travel in a very
different circle to this."

"Yeah… our parties are….well…"

"Classy? Expensive? Luxurious?" I tease.

"All that and…boring." She rolls her eyes.

"Next time when I throw a party like this again, I’d
like both you and Helena to come. You need to show her how the other half of
the world live."

I keep bringing up Helena in our conversation, a harsh
reminder to myself that Bette is off limit.

"Thank you in advance then. I am sure my better half would
be delighted to come if she can make herself available."

I am sensing mood shift in Bette.

I touch her arm. "Helena doesn’t like me." I do
not make this statement a question. I know that much from my very first meeting
with Bette’s wife at the clinic.

Bette looks sincerely into my eyes. "It’s not important
how Helena feels about you right this moment. It’s your birthday today. It’s
all about you. Don’t let anything else take that away from you today. Let’s not
talk about my wife anymore tonight, okay?"

I allow myself a small smile and I feel very touched that
Bette is making the effort to feel make me feel good. "Okay." I say
simply.

For the rest of the evening we keep our conversation light
and steer clear of talking about Helena, fully occupied ourselves watching the
crowd and laughing at Alice’s silliness.

*************

I say goodbye to the last of the guest except one. Bette is
lounging near a pile of gifts, nursing another glass of alcoholic beverage. I
trudge over and slump down next to her, surveying the war zone. Empty bottles
lying everywhere, food bits and party stuff scattered all over the place.