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Chapter 2

Bridget couldn't remember the last time she had gone out of the house. As far as she could remember, Eric had done everything. He did the grocery shopping, he picked up his own dry cleaning, and he took the baby to visit everyone. He has completely cut me off, Bridget told herself, he's ashamed of me now so he's completely cut me off from the world. Even as she thought about it Bridget knew it was ludicrous. Eric was always trying to lure her out of the house with promises of fancy dinners, soccer games, even simple things like going to the park. He had tried and tried but Bridget always had an excuse; she was too tired or too busy or she had a migraine. Eric knew that they were all lies but it had become easier to believe her lies than face the truth.

"Get the door!" Bridget yelled out hoarsely, unwilling to move off the couch. It was only after a few minutes did she realize she was the only one in the house. Eric must be out, Bridget thought, curious as to why he didn't tell her. Maybe he did, Bridget thought to herself, reflecting on the morning. She hadn't exactly been up to chatting and had quickly closed Eric out when he had tried to talk to her. He wasn't talking about leaving though, Bridget thought, only briefly remembering what he had been saying. He had spoken about the bills, the groceries and something about her brother. Did he say he was going somewhere? Bridget sighed, accepting the fact that she didn't care enough to expend the power to figure it out.

"I'm coming in!" Before Bridget had a chance to comprehend the words Lena had opened the door and walked inside. She glanced across the room to Bridget who was curled up on the couch, wrapped in a fuzzy red blanket. The only visible part was Bridget's shock of hair that sprouted out from the top like yellow corn silk bursting from the husks. Lena walked over slowly, her shiny black heels tapping lightly over the old wooden flooring. Bridget closed her eyes, sinking slowly below the blanket. She didn't want to see anyone, much less Lena. Lena was always after her, trying to yank her out of the comfortable nest that Bridget had made for herself, all alone, in her home. Carmen and Tibby were always calling her too but their work required them to be on the move more often, and Carmen didn't even live in the same state anymore. Lena on the other hand was conveniently close by. Or not so convenient, Bridget thought lamely to herself, willing Lena to leave.

"Bridget look at me," Lena commanded in a gentle but demanding tone. She pulled a nearby chair over in front of the couch and sat down. When Bridget didn't move Lena reached over and yanked the blanket away. Bridget cringed slightly and looked up at Lena whose eyes showed a mixture of sadness and anger. "You smell awful Bee, when was the last time you showered?" Bridget was caught off guard at Lena's harsh tone but shrugged it away. When Lena continued to stare, obviously waiting for an answer, Bridget sighed.

"I dunno, I showered a few days ago I guess." Lena scoffed openly.

"Look what you're doing to yourself Bridget. You're lazy, you're bitter and you're out of it all the time! You're pushing everyone away from you Bee. Pretty soon you're going to look around and have no one left." Bridget mutely accepted Lena's accusations, glancing warily at the TV. Lena sat there, watching her best friend lose herself in some ridiculous soap opera. How could Bee have fallen so far? Lena asked herself miserably. How did we not see this sooner? I live down the road from her, how could I have been so blind? How could we have let her slip through our fingers like that? How could I have lost her? Bridget had moved from glancing towards the TV to being completely immersed in the program. Lena shifted uncomfortably. It was like sitting next to a doll. The appropriate human likeness was there for all to see but the inside was fluff, meaningless stuffing to fill the emptiness.

"I just don't get you anymore," Lena said softly, more to herself than to Bridget. Bridget mumbled incoherently, flipping through the channels unenthusiastically. Lena wasn't about to give up. "What are you doing to yourself Bee?" Lena asked. Bridget just shrugged.

"I've just been tired Lena. This whole—this whole thing is just so tiring," Bridget said with flippantness to her tone. Lena crossed her arms over her chest, peering quizzically at her best friend.

"What 'whole thing' is so tiring Bridget? Come on, I want to know!" Lena pressed, not willing to let Bridget get off so easy. She knew Bridget; she knew she had to be pushed. She had to be tested. Mostly though, she had to be loved. It was the last thing that Lena could think of. Bridget shrugged lazily, brushing a piece of her hair away from her face.

"You know, marriage, the baby, it's all so tiring," Bridget supposed deftly, wishing that Lena would just leave her alone. Lena looked at her sharply though, her brow furrowing in despondency.

"Bridget I'm sick of this! I have a husband and kids of my own! I have a job! If you would just talk to me for once instead of just lying there like you're dead maybe you would realize that! I need to know that I'm helping you out a little bit!" Lena shouted in exasperation. Bridget kept her eyes glued to the TV screen. Lena stood, smoothing her blouse in exasperation. She stared at her friend for one minute more, hoping in vain that Bridget would come to her senses. When Bridget said nothing Lena slowly walked away. When she reached the door she paused for a second more, turning to Bridget for the last time.

"You know that 'whole thing' that's just so tiring? It's called life, Bridget." Lena said before walking out of the house. Bridget glanced at the door, the pain starting to wash over her again. Turning back to the TV, Bridget slowly pulled the blanket up over her head again.