When the Phoenix Rises

Kim comes over

The next day

Hetty was sitting on the porch swing, feeling confused about what went down the night before, when she saw Jennifer Kim walking up the stairs.

'Let me guess, Dad is feeling too cowardly to face me, so he sends his daughter to say what he is too scared to say?' She asked, cynically.

'Not really, but that is a good point. May I sit down next to you?' Kim replied.

'Sure.'

1 minute later

'He really is sorry about leaving you. He wanted to spare you because he cares about you.' Kim started.

'It's not just him leaving that bothers me, it's that he didn't want me to take care of him when he thought he was dying! I wanted to take care of him, no matter how much time he thought he had left. Because that's what friends do for each other.' Hetty replied, straight forward.

'It's also what people do when they're in love with each other, and it sounds like you love him.'

Hetty then got really uncomfortable.

'You do love him, right? Because from all the stories he's told me about you, it sounds like you're both really special to each other.'

'Uhhhh, I, don't really know anymore! There was a time when I was sure of my feelings, but now. I don't know.' Hetty stammered.

'Hmm. Understandable. And it also sounds like you did love him!' Kim pointed out.

'Since when do you care so much on whether or not I love your father? We've only known each other for a short while!'

'True. But from what my dad has told me about you, you mean something to him. And I think you know he means something to you.'

'Damn it. She's even as smart as him.' Hetty thought in defeat. 'Look, he does mean something to me. But with everything that has happened in the last 4 months, I'm more confused, and honestly, more miserable then ever before. I don't suppose he told you what I've been through in the last few months?'

'He did, and I'm really sorry. I know you're trying to recover, but maybe, reconnecting with him can help with the process?' Kim asked.

'Or it could hurt me again. Look Kim, I know you might want us to get back together because you might have daydreams of me being your step mom, but. I don't know if I'm ready to open myself up again.'

Looking at her sad face. 'Okay. But, maybe he came back into your life for a reason. Think of that sometime.'

Then Kim went home.

Clutching her pillow. 'Sigh. I know she means well, but, after all of this, I don't know if I can handle getting hurt again.' Hetty unhappily thought.

Then she looked and saw a note next to her. She picked it up, and read it.

'Friends can help when we're hurting. Call him!'

'Sigh. If you insist...' Then she picked up her cell phone and dialed a number.

'Owen? Are you up for meeting me sometime soon?'