'Roland already put off Stanford for me at least once,' T'Keyah was saying, 'or partly because of me, anyway. It'd be a terrible idea for him to do it again now that he really wants to go.'

'He stayed for us too the first time,' said Kylie, now slurring her words somewhat. 'It was because of the really good advice I gave him. I told him, there's no hurry. I don't get why people do stuff early like doctorates and crap just so they can say they did. Except Egon, obviously,' she added, looking at Janine. 'It's okay for him because he's, he's, he's, he's like a god or something.'

'Yeah, so, um... Beth,' said T'Keyah, 'did you ever go to college?'

'Just secretarial college,' said Beth.

'What do you mean "just"?' said Kylie. 'There is nothing wrong with secretarial college! Nothing wrong with being a secretary! Nothing!'

'I know, honey,' said Beth, patting Kylie's arm.

'So then you're a secretary now?' said T'Keyah.

'No, not now,' said Beth. 'I'm a housewife.'

'Nothing wrong with being a housewife,' said Kylie. 'Very good... very important... doesn't make you any less of a feminist... your choice... valid choice.'

'Where did you work before?' asked Janine.

'I used to do administration in the Sixth Precinct,' said Beth, 'mostly for the Auxiliary Department. That's how I met Carl – he used to volunteer before he was old enough to be a "real" cop, for want of a better word. Then I got married and pregnant, and after I had Kevin I didn't want to go back to work, so I never did. I guess I probably should have by now, though.'

'Not if you didn't want to,' said T'Keyah. 'It's not like you've been doing nothing all this time. Someone needs to take care of that house. I've only seen it from the outside, but I'll bet it's hard work. I mean, it's pretty big, right?'

Kylie started to giggle.

'I admire you,' T'Keyah went on. 'I hate cleaning – I'd make a terrible housewife.'

'Maybe,' said Beth, 'but you're going to be a doctor. That's, well...'

'Not better,' said T'Keyah, 'if that's what you were thinking of saying. Just different. I might decide to have kids someday, though.'

'Roland wants to have a lot of kids,' said Kylie. 'Like, he wants to have billions.'

'Would you just take a year out each time you have one?' asked Janine.

'Probably,' said T'Keyah. 'But who knows how I'll feel in fifteen years?'

'Fifteen?' said Beth. 'Wow... women didn't have kids at thirty-seven in my day.'

'Things change,' said Janine. 'I'm older than thirty-seven, and I'm only just pregnant with my first.'

'Yeah,' said Kylie, 'but that's because you've been waiting for Egon to pull his head out of his ass.'

'True,' said Janine. 'So anyway, Beth, have you been implying that you want to go back to work?'

'I've sometimes thought about it,' said Beth. 'But who'd hire me? That one job I had was years ago.'

'You need more confidence, Beth!' said Kylie, grabbing Beth's shoulder and shaking her violently.

'Well,' said Janine, 'what I was thinking was, someone's going to have to cover my maternity leave. You don't have to decide right now, of course, but maybe you could give us a call next week if you're interested.'

'Interested?' said Beth, looking and sounding very interested indeed. 'Well... I suppose I might be interested. It's all administrative work, right? You don't go around chasing ghosts and stuff?'

'You could do that, Beth,' said Kylie. 'You could so be a Ghostbuster. Or a doctor.'

'You wouldn't have to do any ghostbusting,' said Janine. 'Think it over, okay?'

'Oh, I don't know,' said Beth. 'Carl wouldn't like it.'

'Well, that doesn't matter,' said Kylie, and Beth gave her a look.

'Why wouldn't he like it?' asked T'Keyah.

'Because he's a pig,' said Kylie. 'The non-cop kind, I mean. No, I mean he is a cop obviously, but... well, he's two pigs.'

Beth turned her look into a frown. 'He is not two pigs. He's not even one. He's just not crazy about the Ghostbusters, that's all.'

'That doesn't mean you can't work for them,' said Kylie. 'You are not an extens... ex, extension of your hus, husband.'

'I gotta agree with Kylie on this one, Beth,' said T'Keyah. 'It's your decision.'

'Work for "them"?' said Janine, looking at Kylie. 'Not "us"? Are you planning on leaving us?'

'Maybe,' Kylie said evasively, then she wobbled up onto her feet. 'I gotta go to the bathroom.'

'Oh, I'll come with you,' said Beth, standing up also.

'Why?' said Kylie. 'When I'm with other women, no one ever needs the bathroom until I decide to go! I mean, God! Sit down, Beth!'

'Um, okay,' said Beth, dropping obediently back into her seat.

'Do you genuinely need to go, Beth?' asked T'Keyah, with some amusement, as Kylie staggered off.

'Actually,' said Beth, 'yes, I do.'

Lucy was woken in the middle of the night by Ella frantically shaking her, and saying in a strangled whisper, 'Lucy, help!'

'What?' Lucy mumbled, rolling over and smacking Ella away from her. 'Where the hell am I? Oh, hi, it's you. What do you want?'

'I have a really big problem! You have to help me!'

'You have a really big problem and I have to help you in the middle of the night?'

'Yes! I just got my period!'

'Oh. Well, didn't you bring anything?'

'No, because I didn't know this was going to happen! It's my first one!'

'Oh!' said Lucy, waking up suddenly and completely, and sitting up on the mattress. 'Your first one? Really?'

'Yes! Do you have anything?'

'No, sorry – it's not my time.'

'Well then what the hell am I going to do, huh? Huh? You tell me that!'

'Don't panic!'

'What else is there to do?' said Ella. 'We're in a house full of men!'

'Look, just calm down. Kevin's mom must have some pads. I'll go take a look in the bathroom.'

'You mean steal them?'

'She'd give them to you anyway if she was here,' said Lucy, throwing off the covers and getting to her feet. 'Besides, we don't have a choice. I'll be right back.'

Beth was drying her hands in the bathroom of the club. When she had finished, she headed for the door, but then hung back and said timidly, 'Kylie, are you still in here?'

'Yes,' said a droopy-sounding voice from behind one of the cubicle doors.

'Are you okay?'

'Fine,' said Kylie, then the cubicle door opened and she staggered out. 'Just discovering I can't hold my liquor. How many did I have?'

'Only a few. Come on – let's take you outside for some fresh air.'

Ella looked up eagerly as Lucy came back into the room, but Lucy shook her head. Ella's eyes went wide.

'Here, use this for now,' said Lucy, thrusting a handful of toilet paper at her companion. 'I'm sorry, Ella – I couldn't find any in the bathroom. She must keep them in the bedroom.'

'So go get them from the bedroom!' said Ella.

'I can't – Kevin's dad's asleep in there.'

'So what? You'll just have to sneak around and find them without waking him.'

'What? No way, I'm not doing that! Look, if it comes to it, I'll wake him up and ask him. But just let me try something else first.'

'Please hurry!' said Ella. 'I think I got some on the top-sheet.'

'Well, that's okay,' said Lucy. 'We'll explain to Kevin's mom in the morning. She's so nice – she will totally understand.'

She gave Ella a reassuring smile through the dimness of the room, then made her way out of the door and down the stairs. When she reached the hallway she put on her shoes, went out of the front door and made her way up to Eduardo's apartment. She knocked on his door, gently at first, but she soon realised she was going to have to be quite loud. Eduardo then opened the door looking half-asleep and very surprised to see his visitor.

'I am so sorry, Eduardo,' said Lucy. 'I came here because I didn't feel comfortable going to your brother.'

'That's completely understandable,' said Eduardo. 'What's up?'

'We have a situation. I don't want to say too much, but... well, it's a code red, if you know what I mean. I guess you probably can't really do anything, but...'

'Say no more,' said Eduardo. 'Kylie keeps some stuff here – I'll get it for you.'

'Oh my God – thanks!' said Lucy, seeming to deflate with relief as Eduardo disappeared into the apartment. Moments later, he came back with a sponge bag and handed it to her.

'You're a life-saver,' said Lucy. 'Kylie will understand, right?'

'No doubt about it,' said Eduardo. 'Come on – I'll see you back inside.'

Beth was sitting with her arm around Kylie on a set of concrete steps underneath a street light, and Kylie was sipping slowly from a bottle of water, looking rather unwell.

'I'm sorry,' she said. 'I don't usually drink much.'

'Kylie,' said Beth, 'you didn't drink more than you wanted to because of me, did you?'

'Beth, come on, you can't blame yourself for everything.'

'You only decided to drink when you knew I didn't want to be the only one. I'm sorry, Kylie.'

'It's not your fault. I might have drunk anyway. I just didn't think about how much I could handle because... well, I wanted you to have a good time, and I just knew you wouldn't drink without me. But that's not your fault – it's mine.'

'Oh, Kylie,' said Beth, giving her a hug. 'I would still have had a good time if I'd decided not to drink. I wish you'd just done what you wanted, instead of letting me influence you.' Then she laughed, and said, 'Doesn't it sound strange, me saying that to you? It's the kind of advice you normally give me.'

'I guess it is,' said Kylie, smiling slightly. 'Okay, lesson learnt. Beth, look... I am so sorry I called Carl a pig... two pigs. It's not really what I think.'

Beth raised her eyebrows. 'No?'

'Well... I guess I sometimes think along those lines... but that was putting it strongly. Maybe I just don't understand the world he comes from.'

'What world is that?'

'Oh, you know... where the man makes all the decisions, and thinks he has a right to control everyone else... I don't know, maybe I'm getting it all wrong. Maybe he's not really like that.'

'If he is a little like that,' said Beth, 'it's because of his father's influence. But I think he's learning.'

'His father, huh?' said Kylie. 'Eduardo isn't like that. But I guess maybe he could be if he'd been much more than twelve when their dad died.'

'Maybe. Carl and I were already married with a three year old by the time it happened, so Al's influence was pretty much ingrained. Mind you, Eduardo always used to fight it more than Carl did. Maybe he would have turned out just exactly like he is, even if Al was still around.'

'Well, not exactly like he is. That would be impossible. But I know what you mean – he might still be someone I could fall in love with.'

'Don't you think you could ever fall in love with a man like Carl?'

'Never,' said Kylie. 'Not that there's anything wrong with you loving him, of course – I just mean...'

'I know,' said Beth. 'We're just different. You know, I don't regret any of the choices I've made, and I'm fine with who I am... mostly. I do sometimes wish I could be a little more like you, though.'

'Like me?' said Kylie.

'Brave, assertive, confident, that kind of thing.'

'Well, you can be.'

Beth smiled. 'Maybe.'

'And maybe I could learn to be soft and gentle like you sometimes.'

'Oh, you're just saying that because you think you have to.'

'I'm not,' said Kylie. 'I probably should try to be more understanding of Carl, at least. I mean, you love him, and you're great, so there must be something good about him. Um, I mean... there must be a side to him I haven't seen.'

'It took you a while to see Eduardo's softer side too, didn't it?' said Beth. 'They're not so different, those two – not in some ways.'

'If you say so,' said Kylie. 'Come on, let's get back inside – I feel better now.'

'How are you feeling?' asked Lucy, as Ella wriggled back down into the bedclothes.

'Okay,' said Ella. 'I just hope I don't get any more on the sheets.'

'Don't worry about that. We can wash it in the morning... maybe get Kevin to turn on the machine for us.'

'You mean tell him?'

'No, he doesn't have to know. But he's good at knowing how to do laundry.'

'If you say so,' said Ella. 'But how will we explain it to him? I mean, it'd have to be some kind of bodily fluid, wouldn't it?'

'Well, maybe we won't need him,' said Lucy. 'If we can find Beth in the morning, we'll be fine.'

'I really appreciate what you did for me tonight, Lucy,' said Ella. 'I don't know what I'd have done without you.'

'Without me, you'd be in your own bed and you could wake up your mom.'

'Yeah, I guess. You were almost as good, though, once you understood. Why were you so surprised when I told you it was my first one?'

'Well,' said Lucy, 'you're so physically mature... and you act like it too... I just kind of assumed I wasn't ahead of you on anything. When you wanted to talk about boys and stuff, I was embarrassed because I thought you must know way more than I do.'

'I'll bet I don't,' said Ella. 'Not way more. I mean, I'm going out with Michael and everything, but obviously we're not... well, you know... like Kevin's uncle and his girlfriend. They don't tell us about that at school, do they?'

'About what?'

'Well, you know... all about our... bodies and stuff.'

'But that's okay, isn't it?' said Lucy. 'I mean, I don't feel like I need to know that stuff yet.'

'Okay,' said Ella, 'but what happens when you do? It's not fair – they tell the boys everything about themselves, but they make out like we're just there to be impregnated. It's so sexist.'

'Yes, well,' said Lucy, beginning to look uncomfortable, 'it's only school, not life.'

'They should tell us anyway. I don't want to ask my mom because it'd be way too embarrassing, and who else is there? I'd ask that Kylie woman if I knew her better. I'll bet she knows what all the fuss is about.'

'Well, she's an adult. We're not.'

'Do you think they're really in love?' Ella persisted. 'I mean, she obviously doesn't just disappear for one week out of every four, or she wouldn't keep that stuff in his apartment. Unless it's just for emergencies, like if she's early or something.'

'I don't know, Ella – it's really none of our business.'

'It's a little embarrassing, him knowing, but better him than Kevin's dad.'

'Don't worry about Eduardo knowing,' said Lucy. 'Kevin's always saying how cool he is, and now I can really see why. Listen, Ella, I'm kind of tired – do you think maybe we can go to sleep now?'

'Okay,' said Ella, 'after I ask you one more question. Why'd you invite me here?'

'Why?' said Lucy, furrowing her brow in thought. 'Well, you know my dad said I had to have another girl, and... I don't really have any girl-friends, and... and well, I thought out of all the girls at school, you were the one I'd get along best with. I mean, I hardly know you, but I didn't like the idea of spending the night with someone like Catherine or Stephanie.'

'I totally know what you mean,' said Ella. 'I don't like girls like that either. I mean, you should have heard them when we were doing our geography project! "Let's make the street lights pink!" "What stores should we have in the mall?" "Let's decorate the front cover with these stickers!" I ended up doing everything! So, y'know... I don't really have any girl-friends either.'

'Well,' said Lucy, 'girls probably aren't all like that.'

'You're not.'

'I guess I'm not. G'night, Ella.'

'Yeah... 'night, Luce.'

In the morning, Lucy and Jandro met when he was coming out of the bathroom and she was dragging an armful of sheets across the landing.

'Morning,' said Jandro, grinning at her.

'Hi,' said Lucy. 'So, how was it spending the night with Michael?'

'It was okay,' said Jandro.

'Really? I hope you're telling me the truth. I mean, he's only here because I chose Ella.'

'So how was it spending the night with her?'

'Oh, well... she was okay too.'

So saying, Lucy smiled secretly to herself and continued on her way with the armful of sheets. Ella then emerged from the spare room, carrying her quilt cover from the night before, and followed Lucy down the stairs.

A taxi pulled up outside the house, and Kylie and Beth got out. Kylie paid the driver, and Beth said, 'I can't believe I actually stayed out all night. I haven't done that in at least fifteen years!'

'Maybe we should stay out a little longer,' said Kylie. 'Those kids'll still be there.'

'Oh, they're good kids,' said Beth. 'Probably all of them; at least the ones I know are. I'll offer to make them breakfast.'

'Aren't you tired?'

'Exhausted. Maybe they'll just want cereal and I can go to bed. Anyway, thank you for taking me out, Kylie – I had a really good time. And I liked your friends.'

'Right,' said Kylie, 'my friends. It struck me when I was feeling nauseous on those steps that I should've asked who you wanted to invite.'

'I was happy with the three of you,' said Beth. 'I don't usually see my regular friends any later than school pick-up time; it would've been weird asking them out to a club. I'll see you later.'

Beth gave Kylie a hug, then made her way into the house. Kylie smiled at her retreating form, then went and let herself into Eduardo's apartment. She found him asleep, partially woke him with a kiss and then made her way into the bathroom.

'Hey,' Eduardo mumbled sleepily, turning over onto his back. 'Did you just get back?'

'Yes.'

'Did Beth have a good time?'

'Yes. Well, she says she did.'

'Did you have a good time?'

'Most of the time, yes,' said Kylie. 'Janine's pregnant, by the way.'

'Oh,' said Eduardo, yawning widely. 'That's nice.'

'Sweetie, where's my wash bag?'

'Oh... you need that?'

When Beth entered the house, she saw Carl standing at the living room window and frowning at the spot where she and Kylie had just been hugging. Then she heard mysterious sounds coming from the utility room and went to investigate, while Kevin, Jandro and Michael came down the stairs and made their way into the kitchen.

'What do you guys want for breakfast?' said Kevin. 'We got cereal or cereal.' He opened the fridge. 'And Go-Gurt. And Sunny D.'

'Whoa, Sunny D!' said Jandro, as Kevin took out a bottle of orange liquid.

The boys were in the process of cobbling together their breakfast when there came a knock at the door. Kevin went to answer it. He found Eduardo and Kylie on the threshold, both looking rather dishevelled.

'Hey,' said Kevin.

'Hi, Kevin,' said Kylie. 'Can we please talk to your mom?'

'Sure,' said Kevin. 'Come on in. She's, um... in the laundry room, I think.'

He turned and made his way back into the kitchen. Eduardo shepherded Kylie into the house, closed the door behind them and then followed her to the utility room, from where Beth's voice could be heard saying in reassuring tones, '...running down my leg at Christopher Street Station...'

'Maybe I'd better leave you to it,' said Eduardo, squeezing Kylie's arm, then making his way back to the front door. He was about to leave the house when Carl's arresting tones stopped him in his tracks.

'What are you two doing down here?'

'Kylie needs to see Beth,' said Eduardo.

'She just saw her for the whole night,' said Carl. 'If she had anything else to say, why not do it when they were out on the street just now? You should've seen them, being all lovey-dovey and whispering and giggling and borrowing each other's lipstick...'

Eduardo frowned, and said, 'What the hell is your problem now?'

As he spoke, Ella and Lucy were leaving the utility room and making their way smilingly into the kitchen. Moments later, Ella could clearly be heard saying, 'Kevin, you have the nicest mom.'

'And I can totally see what you mean about your uncle,' Lucy added. 'He's, like, the coolest.'

Carl scowled. Kylie and Beth appeared in the hallway and made their way upstairs.

'I wasn't that bad, was I?' said Carl. 'I was nice to those kids, wasn't I? I let them laugh at me trying to set the VCR, didn't I?'

'You were fine,' said Eduardo.

'Then why don't those two have any opinions about me?'

'Well, they're girls – they probably just think dads are dads. Anyway, no opinion is better than a bad opinion, right?'

'I guess so,' Carl sighed resignedly. 'Maybe I should call that progress. I'm sure Oscar has a bad opinion of me.'

'Oh yeah?' said Eduardo. 'And what's your opinion of Oscar?'

Carl didn't answer, though Eduardo kept looking expectantly at him.

'What are they doing up there?' Carl said at last, looking at the ceiling.

'Maybe it's actually your wife who's gay,' said Eduardo.

Carl evidently didn't think this was funny, and sent his brother from the house with a menacing glare, just as Kylie reappeared on the stairs with her sponge bag in her hand. She flashed a facetious grin at Carl, then followed Eduardo outside and closed the door behind them.