We did not count on having Melissa as an ally. That was a subliminal coup.

“So, you’re okay with homosexuality?” I asked Melissa.

“I am, I really am,” she said.

“And what about you Chuck?” I asked.

“I don’t ever think about it until I have to, like what happened at school between those kids or when I’m face to face with my teacher friend. Then the reality of it hits me but I see it as just one more minority, like being black.”

“Bette is black.” I said.

Both Chuck and Melissa did a double take, Chuck more obviously than his wife. They both looked at Bette with searching eyes.

“I’m sorry,” said Chuck. “I hope that didn’t offend you.”

“Not at all,” said Bette. “My father was black and my mother is white. Irish, in fact.”

“That’s a fascinating combination,” said Melissa.

“Actually, you just hit on two of the so-called minorities I fit into,” said Bette, to both husband and wife.

For a moment they looked confused.

“I’m black and I’m gay and I’m very proud of being both,” Bette added.

While they looked surprised at the first bit of information, their reaction grew into shock at the second disclosure. It was a double whammy and before they could comment, I thought I would jump in to support Bette and quit the cat and mouse game.

“Well, I may not be black like Bette,” I said, “but I am gay too. She and I have been living with each other for six months now as a couple.”

Melissa was the first to recover. “No kidding. You’re not kidding are you? No, it’s nothing to kid about. Wow! Who knew? Our Sissee,….is gay. Whoa. After all those years with Howie and three kids. Whoa! And Bette’s gay. You two are a couple and all this talk about being gay. I guess you had a point.”

“It’s about time I told my family,” I said. “Bette and I have a long history together. When we weren’t being lovers we were friends. Yes, we’ve had serious relationships with other people but it was inevitable that we would wind up with each other and that‘s just the way it is.”

“And you might as well hear the rest of it,” added Bette. “Sissee‘s had her kids and now I want to have one of my own too. One that I can share with her.”