As the two sat at the dinning room table eating, it struck Dana how normal this felt for her eating a nice meal at the table. She like it, having Alice there while she ate, not her rushing through her meal to go meet everyone later that night. This felt nice, she thought.

Alice looked up at Dana after finishing her meal. “Dana we need to talk.” So much for the nice feelings thought Dana. “What do you want to talk about?” Alice decided the best way to do this was just to say it.

“Dana, I can take care of myself now, my ribs and lung are doing great. Most of the bruising is starting to fade. I know I’ll probably keep these shiners for a while. But all in all I’m ready to take care of myself. I think tonight we need to sleep in our own rooms, so I can start preparing myself to move out.”

Dana picked up the plates and headed toward the kitchen. “Why are you ***** bent on moving out Alice, I thought you felt safe here?”

*****! thought Alice, she’s running. “Dana come back and sit down.” Dana turned around and sat back down at the table. “Alice, why are we having this conversation again. I don’t want you to move out yet. I don’t understand why you are so anxious to move. But I through fighting you about it, if you want to move out, well you know where the door is.”

Alice placed her hand on Dana’s then waited until Dana looked at her. “Dana I don’t want to move out, I need to move out. I don’t want us to get into a co-depended type of relationship and I just feel strongly that is what we are headed for. I want us to go back to being normal again, not me needing you to take care of me and keep me safe. But me taking care of myself and still having my best friend who is always there when I need her.”

Dana turned her hand around to squeeze Alice’s hand. “OK, we’ll give it a try. But Alice, if you do move out, know you can come back if you need to. Plus can we agree I can call as much as I feel the need to, because this isn’t going to be easy on me either?” Alice smiled at Dana squeezing her hand in return. “Agree, and I’ve always known I’m welcomed in your home.”

DANA’S JOURNAL

Alice is moving out tomorrow if she has her way. I’m still not sure if now is the right time, but she seems to be determined to move on beyond the assault and I know I shouldn’t stop her. I just wonder how it’s going to be for me. I probably should have told her that I don’t know how I’m going to sleep once she’s gone, not being able to check on her. The only reason I’m writing now is because I can’t sleep. I’m fighting the urge of sneaking in her room and laying by her bed. I know this is crazy Alice and I have slept alone and in our own apartments for years, but for some reason I’m fighting the idea of things going back to normal. I’m going to try to be strong for Alice, I just hope I can do it. 

TBC

Sorry it took so long to post and for the short chapter again, life has caused me to have a few delays in writing lately. Hopefully it won’t be so long until the next chapter. 

Thanks again for all the feedback,  and on a personal note you chickened out Jac LOL, maybe next time. 

All you Danish readers have been wonderfully supportive and you are the reason I keep writing.  Deb