“Yes, a date. Just like when a boy asks you on a date. And go out with her acting like, and looking like, a girl who’s on a date. Lucy will do the same thing. You two will make the most beautiful couple imaginable!
“You two will be the couple that Vivian and I could never be. That we could never be in public. But times have changed. You’ll get to be the couple Vivian and I always dreamed of being! You and Lucy are so lucky! You’ll get to date and marry each other. And notice I didn’t mention how much better the sex will be?”
“Stop it mother! But… I’ve never asked anyone out on a date. And I happen to know that Lucy is also straight. She’s my best friend so I know all about her dating history. I realize that because she’s so beautiful she’s had her choice of guys. But she’s never dated a girl. Even though both of us spend most of our time working, I know her well enough to know that she’s 100% straight.”
“Dear, actually you mean that Lucy, like you, thinks she’s straight. Go out with her a few times, get to really know her, and then kiss her once. That’s all I ask. Just give dating her a good faith try.
“Get to know her as a person the same way you’d get to know a boy you go out with. Be in her company, let her know the real you and get to know the real her. And kiss her one time. That’s all I ask. One real kiss. Then we’ll talk.
“You might think you’ll be grossed out, maybe even disgusted, by kissing Lucy. But, my gosh, you won’t be. In fact, you’ll like it. Love it. I guarantee it. But if you don’t enjoy the kiss, if you don’t like Lucy as a person, you don’t have to go any further. Please give it a good faith try.
“Do it for the sake of the family. For your grandfather’s legacy. Do you really want it on your conscience if the company goes bankrupt, and you refuse to go out on even one date with Lucy? Suppose your refusal ends up throwing more than a dozen of our close relatives out of work? And you didn’t even give it a try!”
Allison was too stunned to think rationally. “I… have to think about this, mother. Of course, going out to dinner or whatever with Lucy wouldn’t be a big deal. But my bottom line is that I’m a straight girl and….”
‘Just one kiss, which I guarantee you’ll love. And then you two will start making out. Of course you can stop at any time. After all, Lucy won’t force you, and she knows you won’t force her, so you’ll start and…
Just then Allison’s phone rang “OMG, it’s Lucy calling.”
Claire quickly responded, “Please answer it.”
“Hi Allison, it’s Lucy. I just finished having…a surrealistic, impossible, mind-blowing conversation with my mother. Have you talked with your mother recently… about…”
“Yes. We’ve talked.”
“Great. Well, you know how… persuasive our mothers can be. How they never take “no” for an answer. So I’m calling to ask (Lucy paused) you out on a date. A dinner date, so we can talk.”
After a long pause Allison replied, “We definitely should talk. That sounds great. How about this Saturday night.”
“That’s perfect. I’ll pick you up from your apartment at 7:00. OK?”
“7:00 it is. We have a lot to talk about. See you then. And thanks very much for calling.”
Claire beamed, “That was wonderful, darling. She saved you the stress of making the first move. Of course you could have initiated the date. When it’s two girls there doesn’t have to be any gender roles. You can ask her out or she can ask you out. You can both initiate (then Claire stopped, deciding she’s said enough about sex)… With two girls you’re equals and don’t have to play a bunch of silly boy/girl games, or play by a bunch of societal rules. You can make your own rules.”
When Saturday came Allison was more nervous than she had even been for a date. She had so many decisions to make. Since she promised to try in good faith to make the date work, she decided to dress, not as a girl going out for dinner with a friend, but as she would dress for a date with a boy. Except that a boy probably wouldn’t really notice how well dressed she was. Only that she was gorgeous and sexy.
Allison started with sexy lingerie as her way of telling herself that this was a real date, not just two girls going out for dinner. She decided she’d dress a bit more sexy for the same reason. But not, Allison told herself, because Lucy was a beautiful woman and Allison didn’t want to look schlumpy compared to her.
At 7 pm on Saturday Lucy rang the doorbell at Allison’s apartment. Allison answered the door and saw that Lucy was holding roses and looking very nervous. And very beautiful.
Without thinking Allison said, “Hi. My gosh, you look beautiful. And thank you for the lovely roses.” Then she put the roses in a vase.
Lucy replied, almost shaking, “You’re much more beautiful than I am. In fact, you’re by far the most beautiful date I’ve ever had.”
Allison smiled, “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d ever have a date as beautiful as you.”
Then they both laughed. The tension had broken.
After they calmed down Lucy spoke in a mock formal voice, “Milady, may I escort you to my waiting chariot? Allison replied in the same silly voice, “Of course Milady.”
Then Allison took Lucy’s arm in hers and they walked to Lucy’s car. Lucy stopped and opened the car door for Allison. Then they each thought, “Wow! I’m really going on a date with a girl!”
Dinner, which included plenty of wine and talk, lasted for 3 hours, Afterwards Lucy escorted Allison back to her apartment. There was a pause of silence as they stood just outside it.
“I had a great time,” began Lucy.
“So did I. The most fun date I can remember,” continued Allison.
More silence.