While I was elated to see everyone, I had no doubt that Steve was up to no good. However, I put my intuition aside to enjoy seeing everyone together and happy.

After champagne we sat and Steve served the appetizer, warm spinach salad with shitake mushrooms, garlic, and prawns. I was starving and it smelled great. He passed down a bottle of chardonnay and we each poured our own glass.

I sipped and took a few bites. Then I stood with my glass of chardonnay. "Hey, I've got a few things to say. Don't stop eating, just let me say this." Everyone was grateful they could eat and listen. "I got fired."

Drew said with his mouth full, "Again?"

"Yes, again. But it wasn't my fault." Suddenly, it didn't sound right. "No, I mean you're right, it is my fault. I, again, wasn't paying attention. I got fucked, yes, but I let myself get fucked. Excuse my French."

Prudence looked up and I heard her whisper to Mike, "Is fuck really French?"

I kept going. "So this is the deal. Greg, while it's great you have found and committed yourself to a gay life, it took time. And nobody has the right to tell you how long that time should take. I know that now and I apologize for pressuring you and not just supporting you in what you had to do. It breaks my heart that I wasn't there for you. Helen was outed and she was not ready or able to cope with it and that's not fair. I'm sorry for whatever role I played in that."

Prudence whispered again, "Is Helen her lesbian lover?"

Mike sharply shushed her.

I continued. "Hey look, all I got to say is it's great to see you all and thank you Steve for having us over. And finally, I need a job so if anybody knows anything."

Eric swallowed, "Well Fran, while we all love and cherish you, but perhaps you're not such a good person to recommend for a job." Everyone laughed, including me. Then all of a sudden I heard this voice, it was Hillary. "You were in wardrobe, right?"

"And a struggling designer, but I'll do anything. My rent's due."

"I'll tell you what, why don't you call me tomorrow and well, I know some people...we'll see."

"Well, all right." Her interest seemed quite sincere. I looked around at all these men and said, "Guess us chicks have to stick together,right Hillary?"

Hillary calmly smiled, taking another sip of her chardonnay, looking mysteriously at Steve and stated, "That's right, Fran."