Tina eyed the gift that she had unwrapped. She blinked rapidly turning it over and then flipped back to the front again. The cover screamed “The Ultimate Guide to Secret Sex Positions.” She blinked again, trying to process what she was seeing. She peered over at Eric who seemed to be studying his toes while sneaking glances at her for ‘approval.’ Tina was at a loss of words to say the least.  
 
Alright, they did not make love as often as they used to and Tina was not particularly into it but Eric seemed satiated whenever they did, much more than her, no? Was he trying to tell her that she needed to do things differently in the bedroom? Tina cleared her throat. Eric took a look at her and signaled that she should open the next one before commenting. 
 
Setting the book beside the new expensive and sexy lingerie that Eric had bought her, she reached for another box, much bigger than the past one. Tina unwrapped and opened it slowly and she found herself staring at a ‘leather bungee’ with pictures of a couple engaging in various sexual positions with the woman hanging on the bungee cord while the man entered her in different ways. This was the last straw. 
 
Tina snapped. “Eric! What is the meaning of all this?” 
 
Eric looked sheepish. “I thought we could spice up things in the bedroom. I thought it might be fun, you may like it. That’s all.” 
 
“In other words you bought me lingerie, books with insane sex positions and some bungee cord to fulfill your egoist male fantasies?” Tina was seething. 
 
“No Tina, you are getting it wrong. It’s just…” Eric stammered and chose his words carefully, “we haven’t been making love as often as I would like to so I was just trying to figure out how to deal with the issue. Obviously, this was the wrong way and I apologize.” 
 
Tina softened a bit. “You could have just tried to discuss it with me…” 
 
“That’s just it Tina, I don’t know how to talk to you anymore. I don’t want to appear insensitive and only think of my needs. Fuck Tina…you are so sexy. I have to take so many cold showers and take care of business myself and I just don’t know what to do. I know how much you are hurting because we cannot seem to start a family together but you should know, it doesn’t make me love you any less. I don’t need children, all I need is you.” 
 
Tina frowned. “You don’t want to have children?” 
 
“No, that is NOT what I said. Are you even listening to me? We can adopt later but right now, I would like to have you all to myself.” 
 
“So when do you want to adopt Eric? 6 months from now? 1 year? 2 years? 5 years? Never?” Tina said through unshed tears, her lips quivering with emotion. 
 
“Honey…please don’t cry. I just…I don’t know. We need to work on our issues first.” He said, running his fingers through his hair, getting increasingly frustrated. 
 
“You mean sex and having your wife like a trophy around your arm at your social events. That is all a relationship means to you, right Eric? Someone to fuck, cook and clean for you and be your prized possession to show to the world!” Tina replied sharply, got up and ran into the bedroom. 
 
Eric followed her. “Tina…listen to me…” 
 
He approached the bedroom only to have the door shut and locked on his face. 
————————————————————————————————- 
 
“Yes!” Alice squealed and jumped into Bette’s lap, flinging her arms around her and kissing her hard. 
 
Bette laughed and hugged Alice back. It felt good to have Alice back to her fun-loving energizer bunny self even if momentarily. 
 
“Now now break it up children. I don’t wanna have nightmares of my baby sister in that position with anyone.” Kit said from the kitchen, amused by the sight in front of her. 
 
Alice was too excited, “Not just anyone Kit, the name is Pieszecki, Alice Pieszecki!” doing her best James Bond expression and reducing