AS THE MOUSE

OVES©

Monday December 25^th 2000
"Let me see it again," Starlene said taking Tiffany's hand and holding it closer to the lamp beside the sofa.
"It's so beautiful" Tiffany said admiring the diamond and sapphire ring that Amir had given her over Christmas Eve dinner last night at his Upper East Side mansion.
"You sure were lucky to meet him.  Do they have many other men like him in New York City," Starlene said in her slow southern accent as she got up and walked to the window of Tiffany's apartment to look down on Washington Square Park.
"Yeah.  They sure do.  Not exactly like Amir though."
"Man I can't believe you did so good for yourself Tiffany. I mean look at this place," she said smiling as she motioned towards the huge living room of Tiffany's apartment.
"It's not my apartment though Starlene.  It's Amir's apartment and he's a married man."
"Tiffany what are you crazy or something?  I mean he explained it all to you.  His wife's a vegetable.  She's on some island far away.  What difference does it make?"
"He didn't tell me before we became involved, that's what bothers me," Tiffany said holding her hand up to the lamp again as she turned her hand from side to side admiring the sparkling new ring.
"He said it was because he thought you wouldn't go out with him if he told you.  So what?  The guys in love with you Tiffany.  He's a multi millionaire and you're picking this apart and making a big deal of his wife," Starlene said walking back to the sofa and taking a seat beside her older sister.
"You really think so?"  Tiffany asked.
"Yes!  He's in love with you.  Can't you see it?"
"It just makes me so nervous.  I don't want to be involved with another man that cheats."
"You're comparing him to Skeeter?" Starlene asked as if this was unbelievable.
"Skeeter hurt me Starlene."
"Skeeter doesn't have any money though."
"Oh so it would be okay if Amir cheats because he has money?"
"Yeah.  I mean…at least he gave you that gorgeous ring.  He took us all over New York in his limo last night.  He lives in that mansion.  That counts for a lot if you ask me," Starlene said.
"It's all nice.  I admit it's wonderful.  It does make me nervous too though.  I mean I've never had money.  How long will a man like that love an ordinary woman like me?"
"How long did a poor man like Skeeter love you?"
"Then you mean you don't think any man will ever love me long?"
"No.  I mean that it's a hell of a lot better to get left by a rich man than a poor one.  At least you get left with something when they go."
"Yeah a broken heart."
"You aren't still in love with Skeeter are you?"
"I can't seem to stop Starlene.  Just when I think I'm over him and I see him again..."
"I thought you were smarter than that," Starlene said surprised at her sister's confession.
"You know how much I loved Skeeter and we're still married Starlene."
"And you're mad at Amir because he's married….Da!"
"It's different.  I told Amir that I was married when I met him."
"Well, all I have to say sister is if you don't want that handsome rich man there are plenty of women that would, including me." she said smiling. "Did he call the ring an engagement ring?" she asked thoughtfully.
CONTINUED TOMORROW. MORE PHOTOS BELOW.