dealing with it
Two weeks ago I went to visit a friend who just got out of the military. I've been worried to death about her for two years, and I was thrilled to see her home safe. I expected that she would be a changed person, but I wasn't really prepared. If she was physically injured I think it would be easier to deal with. People have the tendancy to look at scars and say "Wow, that was a close call. You're lucky it wasn't a few inches over...". But what do you say when your friend sitting across the table from you shakes and rubs her arms and without noticing, constantly scanning the crowd as she eats? As you tell her who has been recently married, or who has kids now, she tells you she cannot risk having childen. The unknown chemical agents she was exposed to might cause birth defects, if she can even get pregnant.

I'm still her friend, but the college bond we had isn't there anymore. We talk about past parties, funny stories, or old plans but that is all the past. I'm trying to weave a new emotional bond with her scarred emotions, but I'm just not sure how to recreate the feeling of sisterhood.
- posted by lore @ 8:00 PM
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