“Girl, you need to get a hold of yourself.  You’re out of line.  There is no pleasing you and Melvin, is there? 

Another knock at the apartment door sent Kit scurrying to answer.  She let Ivan in, but before she could return to the living room, Ivan had pulled her close, bent her dramatically, then bent over her to drop a long and passionate kiss on her lips that left Kit dizzy and with a hungry look in her eyes.  When Kit straightened, she stared into Ivan’s eyes a long time, focusing entirely on her new lover.  “We’ve got company.”

Ivan turned, saw Bette and gave a sheepish grin.  “Sorry, I didn’t know anyone was here.”  She nodded in Bette’s direction.  “How’s it going, Bette?  Are you going with us?”

“Umm, no.  I didn’t realize you had plans, Kit.  I’ll just go.”

“Why don’t you go with us?”

“Where are you going?”

“The Palms.  Saturday night, it’s going to be packed.”

Bette looked at her sister and sister’s lover.  The Palms was just so predictable.  A bigger butch/femme bar didn’t exist.  “That’s okay.”

“No, no, Bette.  Come on out.  Please.”  Kit pleaded and Bette knew her sister meant it. 

“All right.”

* * * * *

Bette had been nursing a sparkling water for two hours while she watched Ivan and Kit alternate between a series of hard-driving dance rhythms and a string of slow, seductive songs meant to be the foreplay for an evening of hot *****.  Bette found herself wallowing in loneliness.  She watched them laugh, gaze into each other’s eyes, and touch each other intimately as they swayed to the music.  The club was filled with couples in various stages of love or lust.  Some couples like Kit and Ivan couldn’t keep their hands off of each other.  Other women lost themselves in the eyes of their partners, while others just sat quietly, held hands, drank, and soaked in the atmosphere. 

“Did not expect to see you here?” a voice whispered into Bette’s ear causing Bette to jump and spill some of her water.

Candace picked up a napkin and wiped the table, and then sat next to Bette.  “What are you doing here?”  Bette said.