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just to see what they might have in common. It could be a little awkward, but what attempt at asking for a date wasn’t? Awkward was just part of the deal, right? MJ was a big girl; she could handle it. Life was too short to sit around wondering if you should have tried something, said something, done something.
    She wasn’t one for sitting around.
    Tomorrow, she would do it. She’d ask Jenna to coffee.
    Tomorrow.
    The nameless tune came back to her lips and she whistled away the rest of her route.

THE STAY-AT-HOME MOM
     
    “Do you think she wishes she was a guy?” Rebecca asked as Sarah closed the front door.
    “Who? MJ? Why would she wish that?”
    Rebecca lifted one shoulder. “I don’t know. I mean, she’s got to be a lesbian, right?”
    “Why do you say that?”
    Rebecca arched an eyebrow. “Really? Just look at her. She walks like a guy. She’s got a guy’s haircut. And that’s men’s cologne she wears.”
    “So?”
    “So nothing. I’m just wondering.”
    “Just because a woman is gay doesn’t mean she wants to be a man.”
    “I know that.” Rebecca’s expression turned into a wicked grin. “She’s got a really nice ass, did you notice?”
    Sarah couldn’t help but laugh as they returned to the dining room table and their nearly-empty wine glasses. Sheepishly, she said, “Yes, I’ve noticed.” Not a lie. She’d also noticed MJ’s strong hands, the sinewy forearms, the thick shoulders good for holding onto… Sarah shook herself back to the conversation. “She’s so nice too. Always pleasant. Always smiling. I like her.”
    “Me too. Can you imagine dating her? I wonder what that would be like.”
    “I think she’d be charming. You know? Like, she’d bring flowers and open doors. Pull out your chair. That kind of thing.”
    “I bet she’s good in bed.” Rebecca’s voice dropped to a whisper. “They say lesbians are better lovers than men because they focus on their partner and not themselves.”
    “ They say that? Who exactly is they ?”
    “I don’t know.” Rebecca laughed. “ They. Them . The ones that know all that stuff.”
    This was Sarah’s favorite pastime, the thing she loved most to do in the whole world. At least twice a week, sometimes more if their schedules permitted, Rebecca would come over and just spend time with her. They’d talk, they’d watch a movie, they’d take Jessie for a walk, they’d lie in lounge chairs in the back yard and just be together. Sarah had no idea if Rebecca was aware of how much these times meant to her. Frankly, she wasn’t sure she understood why they meant so much. The only thing she was certain of was that she felt best, most relaxed, most like herself, when she was with Rebecca. And while she tried hard not to dwell on it, sometimes it couldn’t be helped.
    And dwelling on it scared the crap out of her.
    “Well, I suppose I’d better get my butt home,” Rebecca said eventually, stretching her arms over her head and groaning loudly.
    Sarah averted her gaze and pretended to play with Jessie’s sock. “Aw, do you have to?” she whined in a perfect imitation of her nine-year-old son.
    Rebecca laughed and stood. “Believe me, I’d much rather stay here and drink wine with you.” She gestured with her eyes at their empty glasses. “Unfortunately, dinner won’t make itself.” She playfully tugged Sarah’s pony tail on her way into the living room.
    “Somebody needs to invent that.”
    “What?”
    “Dinner that makes itself.”
    Rebecca laughed as she gathered her bag and slipped into her shoes. “It would be revolutionary, that’s for sure.”
    Sarah walked her to the door. “Thanks for keeping me company.”
    Rebecca nuzzled the dozing toddler still on Sarah’s hip. “Bye-bye, Jessie. Be a good girl.” She kissed the baby’s head. “You need to put that child to bed.” She placed a quick, chaste kiss on Sarah’s lips and said, “Have fun at the teacher conference tonight. Bye.” And she was