“I’m sorry, I saw the light on and I thought you were Eric.”

“So you don’t knock?”

“Not usually. Besides you’re supposed to be in the guest room” Bette responds defensively.

“I couldn’t sleep. I can’t sleep without Eric.” She replies almost sheepishly.

“Well, I’m sorry that I scared you. Truly.” Looking around, Bette continued, “Well, are you up for some company? I can’t sleep either. I’m a little wired from my interactions tonight.”

“Alice and that other girl?” Bette nods. “She’s cute. You going to go for it?” Bette cocks her head to the side, not really sure how to answer. “I mean it seemed like you guys had some sort of chemistry.”

“Very astute. We went out for a while in high school. But she has a girlfriend. It’s better this way anyway.” Bette answers while taking a seat to the now sitting Melinda.

“So you’re not going to sleep with anyone while you’re home? That doesn’t seem like you.” Bette is thrown off by this statement and her face reflects so. “I’m sorry,” Melinda starts. “Eric told me that when you come home, you usually bed 3 or 4 women, so it’s just a little surprising that we all leave in a few days and you haven’t done anything.”

“Wow. That is a lot of my business that just tumbled out of your mouth.” Bette counters. She covers herself with her blanket to cover herself, in a way of protection.

“Hey, wait. I didn’t mean to call you out or anything. It’s just the way Eric talks about you, I just figured that I wouldn’t really see you this week.”

Bette laughs. It’s true that her intention was to spend very little time at her father’s house. But so far the pickings had been slim and Bette was getting a little antsy. At school, she would have a new girl in her single room at least 3 times a week. This trip home was becoming a disappointment. “Well you got me there.” was the only thing Bette could think to say.

 “I think that Eric is a little worried about you. He said that he saw you pacing the other day. Said you were pent up.”

“Jesus. Is there anything that he didn’t tell you about my sexual self?” Bette says actually curious.