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I furrow ape at the cat, who stares back atwhether or not to trot over and hork up a hairball on ay?"

"A lesbian, yes Don’t tell s I don’t know is long and illustrious "I had no idea! How do you know?"

"I’ve ether for years Portia and anization We’ve seen the down, because if I were standing I ht have already collapsed and cracked ay Which means she isn’t in love with Michael Which means my theory about why she’s always been a bitch to hborhood

"Wow I honestly had no clue I wonder why she never brought her girlfriend to any of the holiday parties or summer picnics?"

There’s a short pause "I think she was concerned hoould be viewed by the staff"

"What do you mean, ‘viewed’? You think she’s worried she’ll be discriainst?"

"Well, naturally"

"I don’t understand Why ‘naturally’? I know a dozen gay people at Maddox who are out, and no one gives therief The company culture is very inclusive, but even if it weren’t, we have written policies against discrimination And there’s federal law--"

"No one in a position of authority is openly gay in the coives er on what I’ain, his voice is back to nored her to take a leadership role in that regard, of course, but she doesn’t feel comfortable And it isn’t my place to insist I respect her wishes to keep her private life private"

"Yes, of course, if she’s not coh about Portia," Michael interrupts "Let’s talk about you Have you been working out? Because I noticed you seehter of late"

So this is what I have to look forward to when I hit nite the entire kitchen In the space of a few heartbeats, I’ out," I adbetter, and you know, he’s a professional athlete, so"

"That’s great, Joellen!" I can’t tell if his enthusias out or because he’s relieved to finally discover the basis of my relationship with Cam "I’m very happy for you I love to work out, too Maybe we could work out together! Do you like squash?"

"Oh, sureI love squash" I really hope he’s talking about the vegetable

"Great! When I get back fro to London?"

"Yes I leave to to tell you, but I haven’t had the chance I’ve got s with some of our European distributors, but I’ll be back on Saturday the twenty-third"

Suddenly I’m filled with cold dismay "That’s the day of the office holiday party Are you still going to make it?"

His voice warms "I wouldn’t n "Okay Uone? You know, just to keep in touch?"

"I’d like that," he murmurs "I’d like that very ot to talk"

I whisper, "Me too"