“Why does Bebe call you her wife? You’re gender neutral about most things, but not that.” They pursed their lips in thought before answering. “I like the word ‘wife.’ It appeals to me in a way the other words for ‘spouse’ never could,” Kade said. “Bebe and I have imbued it with a kind of magic, I think. Words are just symbols, and a symbol can mean whatever you ascribe to it. I don’t think you need to be a woman to be a wife. Even men could be wives, if they tried hard enough.” They cast a dry look in Mel’s direction. “Most of them don’t. But there’s always hope.”
