There is no doubt that alcohol had mellowed both of them. That plus the fact that they were able to get so much out in the open but there were still some issues, not yet resolved.

“So, after all is said and done, what did Sissee mean to you?” asked Bette.

Howie let out a deep sigh, “Why do you use the past tense?”

“You’re still not ready to throw in the towel?”

“No, I was too busy with my work to realize what I had. We dated for six months or so. We went out whenever we could. Had sleep-overs and don’t kid yourself, we had a lot of chemistry between us, as well as many other interests. In fact, we were at the point where we were talking to each other every day, getting more and more serious.” He looked at her. “But then she ran into you.”

“And how do you feel about that?”

“How would you feel?”

“Like shit.”

“Yeah, it hurts.”

“How bad?”

“If you want to know the truth, I’m not ready to let go. She’s yours for now but I’m a very patient man.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’ll wait.”

“For what?”

“Okay, it’s my turn to be more specific. I just don’t understand how two women can have a satisfying relationship. Something’s missing.”

Bette shook her head in disgust. “Leave it to a fucking man to think so.”

“Well, it’s true.”

“And you think sooner or later she’s going to get tired of me…became that something is missing….and go back to you?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re a patient man so you’re going to wait?”

“Now you’re making fun of me.”

“You are conservative, aren’t you?”

“If that’s what you want to call it.”

“Doesn’t it bother you that she’s with someone else?”

“If it was a man it would.”

“So because I’m only a woman, it doesn’t count?”

“It’s simply beyond my comprehension, especially someone like you and someone like her. It doesn’t make any sense.”

“I don’t know why I even bother to enlighten you but while my father and mother were bringing me up to be a lady neither one of them had any power over what was in my heart.”

Bette glanced at her watch again.

“Getting anxious?” asked Howie, with a smile.

“Of course I am but I’m also wondering how the hell I’m going to get there.”

“Where’s your car?”

“I don’t have one.”

“How’d you get here?”“I flew.”

He asked so she explained about having Terry’s Lear Jet.

“I’ll give you a ride,” he said.