Ch. 13 Every Two Minutes
Andy took a deep breath as she walked up to the wooden door. It was a little after five. She had just arrived at the building where the support group met.
She looked at the poster that hung across from the door. It read "Every two minutes another woman is raped."
Maybe she wasn't as alone as she felt. Taking another deep breath, she finally mustered up the courage to open the door.
Sitting right across from Andy was Lu. She had a coffee cup in her hands and was talking to the woman next to her.
Lu looked up and saw Andy standing there. "Andy? What are you doing here?"
Andy's mouth flopped open. She wasn't expecting to see anyone else here. "I... uh..." She pointed behind her. "I should go..." Andy closed the door and walked away.
"Who's that?" The woman who had been talking to Lu asked.
"That's Andy Campbell. The friend I was telling you about." Lu got up and chased after Andy.
"Andy, wait!" Lu finally caught up to her. "Why'd you run off like that?"
"Sorry. I just wasn't expecting to see you here."
"Same here." Lu smiled.
Andy gave Lu a weak smile in response. "I thought coming here might help."
Lu nodded. "It does, a lot. I came here after it happened to me for a couple of years. Every now and then I come back to see how everyone's doing and stuff."
Andy looked closely at Lu. There was something she wasn't telling her.
"And for occasional advice on how to help one of my best friends deal," Lu smiled again.
This time, Andy gave Lu a real smile as they hugged.
"That's sweet Lu, but this is something I need to get through myself."
"Alright, but if you need anything, I'm here."
"Thanks. That really means a lot to me."
"No problem." Lu stood next to Andy and put her hands on her shoulders. "Now let's introduce you to everyone." Lu led Andy back into the room.
"I have to find Peter," Andy told Lu as they were leaving.
"Don't you go breaking any hearts now!" Lu joked as they went their separate ways.
Andy laughed as she got in her car.