Tina: “Jesus Christ, Bette.Bette.”

Bette: I am pleased with myself that I still have the touch and know how to please Tina. We are lying in front of the fire and Tina has passed me back my wine. She has been lying with her head on my belly while I play with her hair and she studies the fire, sometimes we talk and sometimes we do not. Tee makes her way up her to be leaning on her elbow face to face. I smile at her.

Tina: “Did you enjoy that?”

Bette: “What was not to enjoy?” and I smile. “Did you?”

Tina: I flash Bette a broad grin. “I enjoyed it very much.” Bette puts her wine glass down and I have her full attention again. I put my hand over her lips indicating I wish her to listen and not speak. I command her entire attention, letting her know there is something I want to tell her.

Tina: “Bette, if you ever, and I mean ever cheat on me again, you will never have me again, as your wife, your lover, your friend. Do you understand what I am saying to you? No second chances Bette.” I look straight at Bette, my eyes not moving of hers as she takes in what I say. My tone is harsh. I remove my finger from Bette mouth and wait.

Bette: What a time to bring this up I think. “I promise Tee.”

Tina: “You promised when we got married Bette.” And I am still harsh because I ***** well mean it and Bette better grasp it. “I am raising it now Bette, so you can remember how long it took us to get here tonight and how good it was. I want it to be fresh in your mind, heart , your soul and ***** Bette what you will be throwing away.”

Bette: Oh my God I am so taken aback how crass Tina was, how direct. I start to get up and Tina grabs my arm and pulls me back.

Tina: “You are not going anywhere. I mean it Bette. What do you have to say?”

Bette: I bite my lip as I try and remain focused on what to do or say next. I clear my throat and look at Tina, conveying more strength and determination than I have. “Tina, I am 100% committed to you, to you, me and Laurel being a family. I made a mistake, I accept the consequences of that mistake. I know things have to be different. It is not a mistake I will make again. I want you as my wife, my lover, my best friend. I lost that once and I will not do it again, ever.” I say it with determination. “If there is something I can do, something you need me to do, I will, you just tell me what it is and it’s yours.”

Tina: I think about Bette’s response and I believe as I always have that Bette means what she says, I also have faith that Bette and I have better coping skills and that we have learnt from our previous mistakes. “There is something.” I say it a little wickedly and playfully, leaving Bette a little confused.

Bette: I swallow. “Anything, tell me, it’s yours.”

Tina: I reach out and put my hand on Bette’s hip. “Lay face down, I want you from behind.”

Bette: I raise my eyebrows in surprise at her aggressiveness. “What?”

Tina: “You heard, lay face down. I want you to know who you belong to.” And I pull Bette towards me so that she is laying face down.