Did you tell her that you needed to see her grieve for your child?

No. I didnt think I should have to. She should have been in as much pain as I wasbut she wasnt.

You were there when she told me that she didnt need to cryhow did that single statement make you fellthat single sentencecoming from her?

It hurt. I meanhow could she not mourn the loss of our baby? How could she be so cold and unfeeling?

Did you tell her you needed to see HER grieve as wellnot just to grieve yourself?

No.but.

She thought she was helping you by being strong for you.

I guess I can see that, but she stopped letting me in. She used to show me a side of her no one else ever got to see.

What would you say to Bette right nowif she was sitting here in front of you?

I dont know. I guess Id start by tell her she hurt me.

You dont think she knows that?

She didnt seem like it on Saturdayand when she didnt come home last night

Wait a minute. Now Im confused. You said youve been staying withAlice wasnt it? How do you know Bette didnt come home last night?

I went back there yesterday

To the house?

Yes. When I got up yesterday, I called my old job to see if it was still available then I went to see my old boss. He practically gave me the job before I asked for it. When I left there, I knew I needed more clothes so I went back to the houseit was early afternoon, I knew Bette would be at work.

If it was early afternoon, that still doesnt tell me how you know she didnt come home last night.

I ended up falling asleep on the couch in the living roomI woke up this morning.

How did you get to the couch? Werent your clothes in the bedroom?

YesI packed a suitcase in the bedroom andbefore I left the houseI took one last look aroundto see if I forgot anything. Thats when I saw the journal I kept when I was pregnant. Cmon Tinajust keep goinghes been pulling things out of you today. I saw it on the coffee table, so I went and sat on the couch and started looking through it. Thats when I notice that some of the ink had runlike it was wet. I just assumed it was Bettes tearsI could be wrongbut at the timeI just felt this overwhelming sadness race through my body. I lay on the couch and started cryingeventually falling asleep. I woke up this morningand Bette hadnt been home.

Listen, Tinaour time is almost upbut I want you to think about a few things until out next appointmentthat isif you want to schedule another one.

Yes, of course. I dont think I can work through these issues without help.

First, I think you should go to your friend Alices place and tell her how you felt when she told you her news. You need to give her a chance to apologize, for yourself as much as for her. Then you need to start thinking about seeing Bette. Im not saying you have to see her right nowbut you need to start thinking about when you might be ready to talkwith her. You need closure on certain issueswhether you go back to her or move on without heryou need to tell her how she made you feelto release some of those pent up emotions of resentment.

OkayIll try, I say as I stand.

We covered a few things for you today and you let out a lot of emotions. Tina, this is a good start. It WILL take timebut this was a good start.

With his last words I walk out. I better go talk to Alice.

To Be Continued