Pate de Fois Gras

Water crackers

1 Magnum of iced Veuvre Cliquot

2 ounces Sevruga caviar

1/2 pound belgian truffles

Pastries from the health food store (for Fran)

St. Andre triple creme cheese

Fresh Strawberries

Wine glasses, old plates from Pottery Shack, antique white napkins, my favorite old blanket-- and the boom box.

*****

Eric, Fran and I were off to the Huntington Library in South Pasadena. They don't allow picnics but I knew a secret place in an orange grove behind the old Huntington's Mausoleum. It was a stunning day and I was so glad we'd all taken the day off.

*****

Fran was in high spirits, thank goodness. Things were still so strained between me and Eric, it really helped having a "third" along for this picnic. The counseling had been a good idea-- but we realized we had so far to go and much repair work to get to where we both wanted to be.

Fran was a big help.

I brought up why I had planned the picnic.

"Eric," I said. "Dr. Katz made a suggestion to me yesterday... something she thought we should try."

Eric bristled. I knew he didn't care for Marge Katz. He resented her-- thought she was always on my side and that she was just some new-age touchy feely broad trying to soak us for a few thousand dollars.

"Oh, what's the suggestion? Aroma therapy? Do we need to check-in with our chakras?"

I glanced at Fran. And spoke: "The Rainbow Weekend Retreat for Gay and Lesbian Couples."

SILENCE.

"No," he said. "Those are nothing more than organized orgies and I think we can all agree that's the last thing you and I need in our relationship, Andrew."

I looked at Fran and she froze (thanks a lot, Fran).

"Eric, they have a 95% success rate for couples in trouble. You said you would do anything to save this marriage and this is something I believe in. I want to do it."

This time it was Eric that froze.

*****

It took two more hours but by the time we had dropped Fran off at home and were back in West Hollywood-- Eric agreed to do the weekend.

"Look, don't think you're the only one who's nervous about this, Eric," I confessed. "I'm scared as hell. But I want this to work. You and me.

He smiled. And took my hand. We were committed to making this work.