Rose looked at all the raised hands. She seemed lost. Who could she possibly choose?
And then she gasped, and pointed to a spot in the crowd. "I want Yasmine!"
Everyone fell silent then started mumbling. Who? Wasn't that a woman's name? A hand went up. "Me? Are you sure?"
Rose smiled. "I couldn't be more sure".
"Come on up, you've been chosen!" says Lesley encouragingly, beckoning to the stage. Yasmine was a chubby, olive-skinned woman in her late 30s or early 40s, about the same age as Rose had been. She had long wavy black hair in a ponytail and was wearing glasses, comfortable Capri pants, and a shirt. "So, I believe you two know each other?"
"She's my best friend", said Rose, hugging Yasmine. "I can't think of anyone I'd rather have as the parent of my child".
"But..." said Yasmine, confused.
"Isn't that sweet, everyone?" said Lesley. "What a great decision!"
"Um, actually...?" said Yasmine awkwardly.
Rose poked her playfully. "And she's still single and is bicurious, so she's ideal!"
"There's just one thing?" said Yasmine.
"Excellent!"
"Can I get a word in edgewise?" said Yasmine, raising her voice. Rose and Lesley turned to look at her. "Um? I mean? That sounds great, but, have you looked at me? I'm a woman! How am I supposed to, um..." She looked at Rose, who winked at her, making her blush.
"Oh, is that all? We can fix that easily", said Lesley, raising her crystal to Yasmine's eye level. Her eyes widened as she stared at it. "Now then, Yasmine, let's prepare you for your role..."