Every day, in every way, better and better

Bernie woke up with warm skin radiating at her from front and back, lying alongside her on Gary's bed. Gary was in front. She knew him by feeling, by scent. Behind her... Peter? Yes.

Bernie had drifted awake, thinking about something her mother had told her.

"All love is self-love," Joyce Bernstein had said to her daughter.

Bernie thought her mom was full of herself when she said that. Mom was just like that, making big declarations that didn't mean anything. But maybe Mom was right. All love is self-love. And maybe that was okay, because it made her a bigger person to love Mom and Gary and Peter and Sandy.

To love Peter who had wished on his first orgasm having anal intercourse with Bernie, to never ever make her cry.

To love Sandy who had told Peter to wish that.

Bernie suppressed a giggle. It was funny, the morning after.

She lay quietly, soaking in the love she felt from warm, close touch, while she waited for her lovers to wake.