’ ‘Course she wouldn’t. Who else could love that feckless witch as much as I do?’ We had coffee together and were still drinking when Ali got ...n. No jokes about ‘caught you’ or anything, just a long hug for Kate and soft kiss for me, and I went home and they went to bed. I thought again how secure their relationship was and how mine had felt like that. Poor Sasha, I knew some of what she felt. Neither of us had mentioned our late relationships. Perhaps we might as things develop. ‘There are no. "Of course I do. She was wearing a gorgeous halter neck gown in ivorywith a drop waist and the most darling little silk slippers and matchingbag."Mark looked at me and grinned, "You're not getting into this girl thingmuch are you?"I playfully punched his arm and pretended to pout. "Would you rather Iplayed soccer, stopped shaving my legs and took to wearing slacks everyday?" Yeah like that would happen in Blacktown. You would be labelled a queerand sent packing to the isle of Lesbos! Anyway. These people would not defeat me. I'd get back what I'd lost. Anger wasmy friend. My motivator.I approached the wall and tried to climb it. My fingers ached and slid.I forced myself, exerting every bit of will. My fingers stuck. I didthree pull ups. Then my fingers gave out. Still forming? Must be. But itwas coming back. Small victories.When Blain returned he found me stretching again and seemed amused. "Canyou walk?" He asked condescendingly as he dropped my 'jewellery' infront of me. I smiled. I don’t know but I guess I really wanted to love a woman before I made love to her.’ ‘Does that mean what I think it means?’ Kris asked. ‘I guess so.’ They left the restaurant hand in hand. Exiting the elevator they had to cross the casino floor. ‘Come on, Kris. One time, give it a try.’ Matt led her to the roulette table. He got $20 worth of chips. ‘Go ahead, pick a number or a color.’ Kris hesitated and then put $10 on red. The croupier spun the wheel. ‘Black 6.’ ‘See, I told you,’ Kris said.