”Right.  Good point.  You’ve been entombed with Bette and your new baby.”

”And…your point?”

”None, you rang me, remember?”

”From my tomb, according to you.  So listen, I need to know something and I can’t use Bette’s computer.”

”Shoot.”

”Do you know anyone who’s gotten married in Massachusetts?”

She sniffs officiously at my question. ”I’ve been a guest at many of the Kennedy’s and Shriver’s weddings.”

”Fuck!  I mean recently! Since they made it legal for gay people.”

”Oh that!” Helena says. ”Hang on a minute, Tina, I’ve got two shopping bags, my purse and Alice is handing me a coffee.”

”No. No. No.  Don’t say anything.”

”Hi Tina!”  Alice’s voice comes on the line at the moment I catch my reflection in the nursery mirror with a huge ’Oh Fuck!’ look on my face.

”We’re at the Bev Center a few blocks away.  We could come over and see the baby.  Have you seen the baby yet, Helena?” Alice asks, dripping with innuendo.

”Don’t come here.  I’ll meet you.”

Thirty minutes later –

Threading my way through the crowds of shoppers at the Beverly Center I search for Helena and Alice on the second tier.  I know Alice can’t keep a secret and soon this marrying in Massachusetts idea of mine will get out. I do want to talk to Bette about it.  First, I need background and intel.

Once they’re in my sights we wave and head straight into the Apple Store.

Side by side we line up in front of the latest wizardry from Apple and begin to type in the search words  ”gay marriage Massachusetts” to see what we find.  The website for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts pops up and the first link I click is, Apply for Marriage Licenses.  When the page loads with their state flag waving next to a rainbow one I sigh with tremendous relief.

Alice says, ”I’m ahead of you searching for wedding reception venues, just promise me not the Boston aquarium.  Lots of slimy fish, zero sex appeal.”

Helena adds,  while tapping her screen, ”You could marry on the Cape and honeymoon in P’town for a few days.”

Alice warms to the idea of ruining my honeymoon. ”Helena, look at renting one of those big summer houses on the Cape.”