Chapter One

When I woke up this morning I knew it was going to be a very difficult day. I didnt sleep very well, which was to be expected. I lost a newfound friend yesterday. We only knew each other for as little as one month. But in that month

I felt us form a very close bond. She opened op to me one night, telling me about her life. At first she was very shy, I let her set the pace and rules for our conversations. After all she was the one who was dying, and knew it would be soon, it didnt matter what her parents or friends told her, to keep the faith, stay strong, to keep fighting this dreaded disease. If anyone believes she gave up, they are so wrong. She wanted so much to live and be able to play her beloved Tennis and to coffee Clutch with her friends at the Planet each morning and evening. She loved them all so much. She knew It was very hard on her parents and friends to watch her suffer, and to know that they would lose her soon. One day she asked me for a favor. She wanted to write each of her friends, her parents and brother a letter. And she wanted to dictate her last words to me to write.

I told her I would put aside a part of my evening after each ending shift to do that for her. I had to explain to her, that my Mother was also in this same hospital, fighting breast cancer, and I needed to be there for her too. I was one of the nurses on staff, so I had to divide my free time up between my Mom and my new friend. She was the sweetest woman I have ever met, and I took to her very easily; She had many dear friends and family who came to visit with her and who loved her so much, and always tried to keep her upbeat. I wished the same for my Mom, but she only had me.

My new friend told me many stories about her friends, and how much fun they all had together. I felt a connection with her, and couldnt understand why, this woman became so dear to my heart, and I had so many patients, through out my years as a nurse. Her name was Dana Fairbanks, the famous tennis star and an outed lesbian. I remembered reading a story about her, and how she helped so many young women deal with their sexuality. I was impressed, and in awe of her for doing so. I told her it takes a lot of character to stand up for what you believe in. As Dana and I talked and I wrote her letters, I began to know each one of her friends, She told me stories of their first meetings, their problems, but most of all how they always stuck together, no matter what. After all they were family. I didnt realize it at first; How Dana was going to help me with a quest. I told her about my mother being here in the same Hospital fighting the same battle as her. And how I had just found her 8 months ago, I hadnt had any contact with her, since I was 6 years old. She left my Dad and I for another man, that she had fallen deeply in love with, and was carrying his child. I felt so abandoned by her, but as I got older, I learned to push thoughts of her in the back of my mind. It hurt too much to

Think about her ands wonder why she chose a new family over us. But as each year passed, the hurt lessened and I started to learn to forgive.

Dana and I talked quite freely and she told me there was one special Lady in her group, which she always held in the highest regard and respected her so much. Her name was Bette, as I wrote her letter to this woman, It was hard to explain, the chills and tremors came over me, as if there is something missing. Why did this woman sound so familiar to me? I asked Dana, What was Bettes full name? The answer I received will change my life forever. Elizabeth Porter, the daughter of Melvin Porter, the man who took my mother away from me.