“That can’t be true.  I know that Tina loved you.  She left me for you.”

“Because you weren’t exactly the woman she thought you were.  No offense, Helena, but you hadn’t exactly proved to be monogamous lover.  She left you for security with me. ”

“You’re right that I wasn’t exactly the most forthcoming.  Still, Bette, she loved you.  And you know what, I know many women who would trade in a lifestyle of glitz and glamour for a chance at granola with you.”

Bette smiled, her head cast down, “Thanks, Helena.”  Helena put her fingers on her chin and lifted her face to her.

“Hey…” Their eyes met, “I’m serious.  And, by the way, I think your biraciality is one of the most interesting things about you.”

“And why is that?”

“Because it makes you so complex.  Sometimes, I think about how you navigate through the world with so much on your back.  Being half-black and half-white and a lesbian, it must be a very interesting story.  I’d love to hear it all one day.”

“I’d love to share it.”

As an hour rolled on, the conversation went from race to politics and then to art, but finally to love.

“I don’t know, Helena, I don’t know if I believe in love, especially true love.” Bette said as she sighed.

“Well, I wouldn’t say that much.  By definition, all love is true.  You can’t say that you’re in love if you’re not truly in love.  So love has to be true, I think.”

“I guess, but do you think people can even fall in love anymore?”

“Of course.”  Helena let the sentence finish itself in her own head.  She wanted to say that she was falling in love—hard—with Bette now.

“I hope you’re right.  If anybody deserves to have someone love them completely, I think it’s you.”

“Really?  You think so?”

“I do.  You deserve to have someone love you.  Every side of you, Helena, should be known.”

“Thanks.  I think you deserve it too.  You deserve someone who will love your arrogance and bombastic aggression as well as your passion and the way you care for the people around you.”  As Bette got up to leave, Helena handed her her jacket.