“According to the state of California and the County of Los Angeles, you are not a parent to this child until I say you are.  Right now, Ms. Porter, you’re the roommate taking care of your friend’s baby.”

Bette counted to 10.  She counted to 20, then counted to 50.  Her eyes closed.  Second parent adoption would be out of the question if she attacked this woman.  “You know, you-you can minimize my role in Angelica’s life for now, if you must—legally–but please, don’t diminish the relationship I have with Tina by labeling me the roommate.  If I could have married her I would have.”

“I understand completely, Bette.  Unfortunately for you, I guess, same-sex marriage is also illegal.  Let’s move on.”  Collie was not going to argue politics with this woman. 

This was going to be so much more difficult than Tina had anticipated.  Tina had been worried about Bette’s art work, the hipness of their house versus a home that was baby-oriented with bright colors and logic toys.  Tina had wanted to buy a bunch of Fisher-Price toys with all of the primary colors, Mattel Learning games that made animal noises, spongy balls and furry, stuffed animals, but Bette had nixed all of it. 

Bette said to Roberta, “…I really want Angelica to develop an intrinsic sense of beauty.”

“Uh-hmm.  I can tell that’s important to you, Bette.  Presumably, that’s why I don’t see an abundance of brightly colored, stimulating, interactive, plastic toys strewn around the home.”

“Exactly.”

“Roberta, please have a seat.  We can take a look at our papers.”  Bette moved to the table and sat down.  She extended her hand to encourage Collie into the other chair.  Surprisingly, Roberta Collie did take a seat. 

“You mentioned that you’re doing favors in the art world, but aren’t working.”

“Right now I’m looking for that perfect job that speaks to my passions, that will have some meaning and really give me a sense of purpose, in my career as well as making a contribution to the art world and society at large.”

“That’s lofty, but what about your contribution to this extraordinary family of yours?  It doesn’t look like the baby’s mother is going to be doing anything anytime soon.”