”“After what I did last night ... You didn’t hear how I yelled at her, Mel. I know she says she understands and we’re all right now, but she c...n’t help but look at me differently. Or me to look at her differently. It wouldn’t surprise me if she and Wendy got married. Only I’m afraid that their marriage wouldn’t include me.”“Ain’t gonna happen.”“I hope...” What did I hope? I’d expected Melody and Lissa to get married eventually. If Washington hadn’t passed its law, I was sure they’d go to. I suppose I expected a tall, dark and handsome man to be waiting for me," she finished lamely."And so he shall ... that is if you really want a man." What!" Liz exclaimed, ready to panic."Please, let me explain," Zara said holding up her hands as if to ward off a blow."I was going to suggest..." Zara began, "Um, it's been my experience that our mature women, and by that I do not mean elderly. That our mature women often find solace and enjoyment if they begin with a younger woman."Zara searched. But I can handle a couple of brews and I felt like I needed them to unwind.As I usually did, I found a corner booth and sat where I could see everything in the bar. That had been a habit I got into a long time ago, part of the lack-of-trust issues that arose out of my breakup with Jeanette.I was nursing my second beer when she walked in. I cursed silently that she would show up the one night I'm at the one bar I'm going to patronize the one time I return to my hometown.I knew immediately it was. . just waiting for the official divorce notification paperwork to arrive the day after Christmas.She had nothing to do now except sit and rock away in the little desk chair. Even the old vintage television set was broken and the surly motel clerk showed no signs of replacing it anytime soon or even moving her to another room with a working one. Or a room where the faucets didn't also leak and the electric heater was only barely putting out enough warmth to be felt a few feet away, at most. She.