"Regina, is there anything you'd like to share with group today?"
She sat in her chair and tried hiding beneath the sleeve of her sweater. She was embarrassed. The last time she spoke up in group she started bawling for no reason. She was talking about Emma and the emotions just flooded out.
"It's ok Regina," one of her new friends urged, "We all get a little emotional when talking about the triggers that got us here."
"Just remember this is a safe place ok," one of the staff members mentioned, "Everything's gonna be alright."
Regina nodded her head and gave a shaky sigh as she tried to gain the confidence to talk to about her once again.
"You all know the basics of Emma. She was my best friend. We met in the 4th grade, well she was in 3rd. We fell in love, and I thought I was going to marry her. Now she won't accept my pages, calls, letters, nothing. I felt, I feel, lost without her… I don't want to forget her, eventually I will tell her that I didn't mean to leave her, but right now I don't think I can take this much longer. I can't keep going on feeling like this, like if I don't find a way to help her soon I might explode. I've lived with Emma longer than I've lived without her and I just don't know what to do. I feel empty, and afraid and alone… I am very grateful for this program for trying to help me fix myself, even tho my problems are so minuscule and first world compared to what I've heard some of you share. So thank you for helping me," she shared for the first time, out-loud, without breaking down in tears.
"Thank you for sharing Regina. And remember no one's problems are too small."
She smiled hid behind her sleeve again, but not before someone nudged her again. She turned to a smiling girl to her left, "Thanks Tilly. Has your dad come by to visit?"
The blonde nodded eagerly, "He stopped by just before group actually."
"That's good."
"Regina. Tilly. We are not done with group yet, please give everyone else the same respect they gave you."
Both girls mumbled sorry's and gave their attention to the next speaker. As the rest of group went by Regina noticed Tilly starting to daydream. She laughed as she nudged the blonde to pull her back to reality.
"We're almost done Til."
"Hmmm yeah yeah, I know," she said with a laugh as she played with her hands, "These things do go quite long tho."
Regina nodded in agreement before trying to whisper again, "Maybe we can convince the nurses to let us use the media room for another sleepover."
"God I hope so. I love Meridith but I can't take much of her bear talk."
"And that's all for tonight everyone. Lets get ready for bed and I will see you all in the morning."
Regina and Tilly were snapped out of their conversation and nodded as they went to put away their chairs.
"Go ask," Tilly pushed as they cleaned up.
"Me?! Why me?"
"They like you more. You're less crazy than me," she laughed.
"You're not crazy. None of us are. We're all just working to better ourselves."
Tilly laughed again, "You can keep telling yourself that but the rest of the world thinks were crazy."
She shrugged and smirked, "Let them. Regina Mills is a God."
Tilly bit her lip in concentration, "Really? I guess I envisioned you more as a queen."
"Don't let your girlfriend hear you talking about me like that. She might get jealous."
She winked, "I won't tell if you don't."
Regina laughed as they finished cleaning up, "Maybe we are crazy."
"I tried telling you. You gonna ask now?"
She laughed, "Sure Tilly."