Take turns.

Bernie put her arm around Gary's shoulder and hugged him. She sighed. "That's what I needed to hear. But I have a confession too. I was with someone else while we were together."

"That's okay," Gary said. "Just tell me and we'll figure it out."

Bernie laughed. "So who goes first? Or do we not want to spoil the movie?"

Gary laughed. The last several rows were empty. Apparently even the heat wave hadn't been enough to fill the movie theater. Or maybe "That Love Thing" just wasn't a big draw. Even Lil, at the center of the front row of their section, had an open seat to one side.

"What, for us?" Gary said. "No, we can talk."

They looked at each other.

"Take turns?" Bernie suggested. "Just who, not the whole story?"

"Okay," Gary said. "Peter Walker. We, we've been doing stuff for a couple years."

Bernie nodded. "Me?" she asked.

Gary nodded.

Bernie said, "Um, my cousin Ben. When I went to visit him at college. We've, you know, experimented together before. To try new stuff together."

Gary nodded. "Uh-huh." He swallowed and cleared his throat. "Sonia Rubin," he said. "I've been doing chores for her this summer. Her husband... her husband is my doctor. He kind of set us up. I think. She really likes anal."

"Oh," Bernie said. She took a breath. "Tell me more later," she said. "M-my turn I guess," she said. "Habiba. Arab girl from college. Old times' sake. I think she was getting back at her new girlfriend Raquel. She likes anal too."

"Oh," Gary said. He knew Bernie used to date girls, but it seemed like they were still turning her head. "Okay. Um. Me. Last week. Stuart, the guy with the van?"

Bernie raised her dark eyebrows. "Uh-huh?"

"Before he took off for his surf trip. My, um, my first time. With him. And my first time receiving. You know. But he always uses a condom," Gary said.

"Good," Bernie said. Her eyes were still wide behind her glasses in the dark theater. "I guess you know. Me and my mom. Masturbate together?"

"Yeah," Gary said. "I picked that up. And today before I read your letter. She and I masturbated together."

"Uh-huh," Bernie said. Her voice sounded a little more relaxed. "She likes you."

"She said that," Gary said. "She thinks we're good together."

Bernie laughed. "I hope she's right. She had completely zero sense about my girlfriends," she said. "Is that everyone you've had sex with since we've been together? Peter, Sonia Rubin, and Stuart? Um, and my mom?"

Gary laughed, then took a deep breath.