Bette: I just can’t believe it. He leaves my Mom and 7 months later he moves in with someone else. It’s not that I don’t like you all but it feels weird.

I: I know I feel almost the same. It’s weird for me to. My Dad died 6 years ago and my mother has never been happy again… until she met your Dad. These last 5 months I heard my Mother sing and laugh again. I’m just happy she is happy again. But I understand that you feel bad.

Bette: I… I… I feel so alone sometimes. I miss my mother when I’m not with her.I want to be in a normal family, you know?

I don’t know what to do to calm her. The only thing that I think about is hug her and so I do. I pull her close with one arm and she lays her head on my shoulder. With my other hand I rub her arm.

I: It’ll all be okay, Bette.

She just sighs and closes her eyes for a few moments. I look at her. All I want to do is make it all better for her. Suddenly P-J walks out of the restaurant and he crouches in front of his sister.

P-J: Are you okay, B?

Bette sniffs and I search in my pocket for a clean nose-rag. I give it to the brunette.

Bette: I’m okay…

P-J: Let’s go home and discuss this with Dad in the morning. You can drive with me on my motorcycle, so you won’t have to sit with Kit and Dad in the car. Okay?

Bette: Uhu, thank, P-J. I’ll be there in a few.

P-J rubs his sister’s knee, stands up and walks away. Bette and I stand up also and she looks at me.

Bette: Thanks for… you know… be there for me.

I: It’s no problem, really.

She moves closer to me and hugs me tight. It makes me feel like I can’t breathe. Not because she is almost pushing all the air out of my lungs but because I get this weird feeling in my stomach now even stronger. After a few moments she lets me go.

Bette: I guess I’ll see you around. Bye.

I: Bye…

She walked to her brother and in a few minutes she was gone. I walk over to my mother’s car and get in waiting for my Mom to drive me home.