“Jacky I am not one of your patients okay so stop lecturing me like this. You don’t understand what I have gone through or what I am going through okay so please don’t assume that you do.” Bette said. But Jacky could clearly make out from Bette’s body posture that the walls were firmly in place, high up and strong.

“Bette you know that I care about you. I might not know first hand how you are feeling or what you are going through but I can understand your pain. I see it in your eyes all the time even if you think you are doing a good job of hiding it. I have seen it since the last five years, since you lost the most precious person in your life. I know Bette. I know what Tina meant, means to you. But this guarded behavior of yours drives me crazy sometimes.”

“Well then, it’s good that you don’t have to spend your life with me.” Bette cut Jacky off but immediately regretted what she said when she saw the hurtful expression on her friends face.

“Jacky I am sorry, I was out of line. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I am sorry.”

“Nevermind. I know you didn’t mean it. Sit down and let us discuss this calmly okay? There is no point in arguing when we both know that you need to talk this through and I am here to listen and help you do that.” Jacky smiled letting Bette know that she was forgiven.

Bette sighed and joined her friend at the table once again as their drinks arrived.

“So have you told her yet?” Jacky suddenly questioned as a thought came to her mind.

Bette hadn’t thought about it since yesterday, until now when Jacky reminded her of it. She would have told Tina but now it didn’t seem like such a good idea anymore. Bette took a deep breath and let it out slowly while shaking her head.

“I don’t think Tina needs to know about it now. Besides I am not even sure about it anymore.”

~~~~