Nell came by 2 days later, and Hetty couldn't have been more happier to see her.

'Ohhh! I'm so happy to see you!' Nell exclaimed while giving Hetty a really big hug.

'I missed you so much! A part of myself worried at some point that I was never going to see you again!' Hetty emotionally replied.

After the 2 ladies eventually let go of each other, they sat down on the couch.

'So, how have you been? I've been too busy to stop by.' Nell asked.

'Relieved to be home. And thankful to be back in my won bed.' Hetty replied.

'Can't imagine the full extent to what you've went through. You must have been really scared.'

'Not exactly. I'm not the type to get scared easily.'

Nell went into the kitchen to make them some tea. When she brought the tea out, she saw Hetty blowing her nose and sniffling.

'You okay, Hetty?' She asked.

'Oh! Um, yes. Just a little runny nose.' Hetty replied, embarrassed.

Putting the tea down. 'Hetty, if something's wrong, you know you can tell me, right? I won't tell anyone else if you don't want me to.'

As much as she was too embarrassed to just drop all of her feelings on anyone, she knew she had to confide in someone or the pain would continue. Plus, she knew she could count on Nell to listen.

'Everything feels so messed up! Being locked up, abused, escaping, getting sick, now trying to readjust to being free, it feels too much! I've been sleeping a lot, but I still feel tired. I feel paranoid, vulnerable, and sometimes I just want to cry out of nowhere! I don't feel like myself at all, and it scares me!' Hetty said, trying her hardest not to unravel.

Silence.

'Well, you went through a terrible ordeal. It's natural to feel a little weird for some time afterwards. ' Nell said, trying to help.

'Except feeling like this is not normal for me! Everyone looks at me and expects to see this has-it-all-together-at-all-times leader and not this emotional mess.' Hetty replied.

Putting a hand on her shoulder. 'Hetty, no one looks at you like that. We may see you as this tough and sometimes scary eader, but we also see you as our friend. And we all understand when you need to be emotional.'

'You sure of that?' Hetty asked, doubtfully.

'Of course! You look at everyone else with kindness and understand when they need to be emotional, right?'

'Well yes, but.'

'Then no need to worry! We're all very happy to have our friend home safe and sound.' Nell finished.

'Ohhh, now I think I'm going to cry again!' Then Nell leaned in and gave Hetty another hug.

'Shh shh. You are so loved, and it's okay to be emotional.' Nell said in a soothing voice.

That night

After Nell tucked Hetty into bed, she started telling her of a date she and Eric went on a couple of weeks ago.

'We weren't really paying attention to how the food costed. Then when the bill came, his eyes got so huge when he saw how high it was, I thought they were going to pop out of his face! He was so embarrassed, it was really funny. Oh, should I stop because you're falling asleep?' Nell asked.

'(Yawn). No no! I'm fine, keep going.' Hetty sleepily insisted.

'Well, we both ended up having to split the bill even though Eric kept insisting to pay it. And we've been too embarrassed to go on another dinner date. (chuckle).' Then Nell turned and saw Hetty had fallen asleep.

Smiling, she gave her a good night forehead kiss, turned off the lamp, and laid down next to her.

'Sleep well.' She mumbled.