“Melinda, what are you…” Bette started at a half whisper.

“Call me Mel, please Bette. Seriously. I know that we haven’t gotten along very well. But I’m hoping that changes. For Eric, you know?” Bette just nods. With the blanket wrapped around their bodies, they were closer than ever and Bette could feel Melinda’s breath reaching her shoulder. Melinda sensing the tension in Bette got up and walked over to the record player. She selected a new album and put it on, this time turning the volume up slightly.

“Is this his New Order / Joy Division record?” Bette said not believing that he still had this in his collection.

“Yes, this I know. I replaced it for him when the other one got damaged. Full disclosure, I threw against a wall after an argument.” Bette couldn’t believe her ears. She never thought Eric would keep a girl around that dared threatened his records. She must be something special.

“Wow.” Bette says still trying to comprehend what she just heard. Soon after, they fell into an easy conversation, slowly getting to know one another.

When ‘Bizarre Love Triangle’ came on, Melinda jumped up and started to dance, swinging her hair all over. She was moved effortlessly and quietly around the room, filling the space with contagious energy.

“Come on, get up. Dance with me.” Bette threw off the blanket and was immediately grabbed into a tight embrace. Melinda giggled and moved and Bette tried to remember how she got here. Melinda meanwhile was truly unaware of what the close proximity of their bodies was doing to Bette. To her, she was dancing silly with her future sister-in-law. And was having a great time doing it.

Every time I see you falling

I get down on my knees and pray

I’m waiting for that final moment

You say the words that I can’t say

The song mercilessly ended and Melinda perched herself back onto the bed. Seeing that Bette had not moved to join her, she pulled her down. “Bette, please the moment is over. We’re sitting now.”

Bette wondered what the ‘moment’ was. “Where is Eric anyway?” She asked more for herself than Melinda.

“He said he was going out with some friends. Going to crash there. But I told him he was a fool if he thought I was going to sleep here without him by my side. So, I don’t know. He didn’t tell me when he was coming back.”