I was very consciousof my role. Joana loved her child with all her life, like only Latinmothers can do. I complemented her unfettered love with my mil...k and mynursing Manuelito. When I held him in my arms, I always made an effort tobe like his biological mother. The contact between us was a cosmic force,turning me into nothing but a real woman. During the day, as I tended toManuelito, Mustapha's kisses and hugs would then transport me into asupernatural dimension of absolute, unquestionable,. “‘The proof of the pudding is in the eating’, but everyone says it the way I did, so I just used it. OK, Miss Pedantic?”Elyse smiled, “Now that’s the pot calling the kettle black! Anyway, I saw Stephanie with Ed. Is that a serious thing?”I nodded, “He’s going to look for a job in Chicago. Once he gets established here, and she graduates, he’ll ask her to move in with him. They tried this when they were fourteen, and again later on, but they were too young. Now? Maybe it’ll work. In fact, I. Including you." Six guys since 1988? That's one every six years." I was with my college boyfriend for four years, and then with the next one for eight, so that kind of screws up your average. And I've only had three boyfriends since I moved to New York, including Mister Eight Years." I admire your consistency," I say."What about you? Since we're doing the confessional here, how many women have you slept with since your first time?"Shit, I think. I've had sex with twice as many women just since. Helene disappeared round to Michelle’s flat for over four hours on Friday night. When she returned after midnight she had a satisfied grin on her face but it wasn’t till we were in bed she gave me the details.Initially, Michelle was nervous and the two women chatted generally but it was Michelle who eventually said: “How do we start this?”.Helene suggested that as they had previously enjoyed time bathing together that they should start with that again. When the bath was ready Helene undressed.