I answered the phone, unsure what to expect.

"Hello Lisa, how are you?"

"I can't really believe I'm calling you after all that happened, but here I am. Just so you don't get any impossible ideas, I'm not trying to get back together."

I laugh at this, as I expect she wants me too. "Don't worry I know better then that. I wouldn't expect anything, but it is good to hear your voice again."

Lisa clears her throat, quietly. Like most of her little habits, clean and quiet.

"Anna talked to me. A while ago and I had to talk to you about it."

I wait now. A moment passes and I say, "She told you then?"

"Told me what?" She says instantly with a bit of heat which tells me she knows what I am about to say.

"That Annie knew all about us when she did her bit of seducing."

The shock is evident, even on the phone.

I did tell Annie about Lisa and I, it didn't do much good though. She said she didn't mind and wouldn't be a problem. I think she understood as part of who she was that Lisa and I were not going anywhere.

Two women - more then a first time for me. Beyond anything I thought was possible or right. I got exactly what I deserved for it.

"Why didn't you say anything? I might have..." she trailed off.

"I didn't say anything because it got me out of two bad relationships. Even if I was separated at the time, I know you wouldn't have forgiven me. I hoped that ending it the way I did would help you heal faster. More likely, I was just selfish and took an easy way out. Annie though - she was just a means to an end."

Lisa said,"But Anna said you were playing all sorts of tricks on her."

"The only thing I did was send her husband a book about how to recover from a cheating spouse."

"Interesting." Lisa said.

"There was also the note on the inside cover about getting an AIDS test as soon as possible. I know someone who works at a warehouse."

"Tacky - you should have spelled out some other disease. Something less common." Lisa said.

"You're not surprised. Like with me."

"They both fit. Besides, even you wouldn't believe the rumors floating around her."

I know she can hear the smile in my voice as I say, "Shall we compare notes?"