After finally locating a parking place for my little BMW sports car in the jammed full Newport Fashion Island parking area, Rachel and I headed for the Gap.

The minute we walked in I grasped Rachel’s arm and whispered in her ear. “Look at her. She really is ugly.”

Rachel whispered back, “No, she's not. She's cute. It's her grungy, gothic getup, all black with black nail polish, blackened eyes, black lipstick and stringy black hair that's ugly.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’m positive.”

“But look, she’s pudgy.”

“It’s her baggy goth clothing. I agree her clothes are ugly but she’s not. Yesterday in her wife beater shirt and camouflaged pants she had a darling figure. She just has no fashion sense.”

“She did for us. She helped me pick out some darling things. You too. Why doesn’t she pick out clothes for herself like she did us?”

“Who knows? Do you still want to take her to lunch?”

I nodded. “More than ever.” I sauntered up to Lexi and stuck out my hand out. 'Hi, you probably don't remember me, but I'm Chloe and this is my girlfriend, Rachel. You h—”

“Of course I remember you; I helped you and your Rachel yesterday.” She shook my hand. “My name is Lexi. I see you're wearing one of the outfits I sold you yesterday. Your friend too, but I don't remember the skirt.”

“That's because I gave it to her.” I glanced around and spoke low, “Lexi. Can I ask you a personal question?”

Lexi frowned. “What kind of question?”

Making sure no one was interested in us, I continued. “We both want to know if you are…you know—”

“Queer?”

I looked at Rachel. “Do people even use that term anymore?”

Lexi slid over between us. “How would she know. I'm the one who said it.”

“Are you?”

“What's it to you?”

“If you are...never mind. Do you have time to meet us for lunch?”

Lexi glanced at the wall clock. “You want to take me to lunch? Why?”

“We'll tell you that at lunch.”

“Okay, there's a hot dog and burger place around the corner. Order me a Suicide Dog with curly fries and a large iced tea. I'll meet you there in fifteen minutes.”

Rachel frowned. “What's a Suicide Dog?”

Lexi snickered. “Their name for a dog with everything: mustard, relish, onions, chili sauce and sauerkraut.”

“Sounds more like a Heartburn Dog to me,” I ventured.

“You'd think so, but it's pretty good.”

Rachel grabbed my hand and said, “Okay, Suicide Dog, curly fries and iced tea coming up. We'll see you their in fourteen minutes.”