“Bette,” I said, “I’m sorry…I wanted to…”

“You wanted to what, Helena? I can’t believe you lied to me! You’re my best friend, and you fucking go and lie to me! How could you, how could you!” she screamed, “Why are you doing this, tell me, why? Do you need money? Are you doing drugs?”

“I’m not,” I replied, close to a whisper, afraid to speak up in case she exploded even more, “I’m not a druggie.”

“Then what, Helena? Have you been so desperate that you had to turn to prostitution?”

“No,” I replied.

“Then what? Don’t tell me you enjoy this.”

I kept quiet and bit on my lower lip, how could I possibly explain this to her?

“Oh my gawd,” she let out, as she sat on the sofa and put her head into her hands.

“Bette…” I called out, walking towards her as the tears ran down my cheeks.

She looked up at me, her face tear stained. She violently wiped them away and looked at the direction of my bedroom, “Is that where they go? Is that where you have your appointments?”

“Bette, please don’t…”

She stood up and walked towards me, “What else have you been hiding from me, Helena!!! WHAT! Tell me!” she screamed, shaking me violently. I felt as if my entire body could have snapped into two.

“Bette, stop, please stop,” I sobbed, “I’m sorry, gawd, I’m so sorry.”

“How could you lie to me, how could you lie to me!!!”

She let go of me and I collapsed onto the floor. I didn’t hold back anymore and started wailing, sobbing, sniffing. My body trembled with sadness and frustration.

I saw her moving towards the door and I crawled towards her, reaching out and grabbing her leg, “Bette, please don’t go, please…” I screamed through my tears.

She looked down at me, pulling my tightly wrapped fingers off her leg. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked into my eyes, “You broke my heart.”

Her words pierced through my heart; the pain was excruciating. I wanted to die. 

She flung my hands away and stormed out of my apartment, leaving me in a pathetic heap on the floor.

I cried out to her, hoping that she would turn around and walk back to me, but all I could do was watch her leave, unable do anything to make her stay.

“Bette! Bette!” I called through my sobs, “Don’t leave me…”

My voice slowly reduced to a whisper, “Bette, don’t leave me,” I looked down onto the floor, sobbing harder and clutching my heart, “Don’t leave me…I…I love you.”