Page 300 - Reason To Sing by Kelita Haverland

Reason To Sing

I tuck into her well-worn couch as she hands me a hot cup
of herbal mint tea. It feels so good in my hands, like a cup of
liquid comfort. Chloe, her sweet black cat, purrs and sometimes
swirls her tail behind me as I pour out my heart. The words
tumble out of me like a rain-drenched waterfall until all the
gory details have been revealed. I am once again drained.
My friend attempts to sooth me with delicious homemade
comfort food. “Kelita, you need to eat something.”
“I know I do but I have absolutely no appetite.” I have
lost weight and know my body needs nourishment, but food
really doesn’t interest me right now. That does not deter my
friend. She is a born caregiver and won’t take no for an answer.
She goes to the kitchen and returns with a small plate of her
shepherd’s pie. It smells divine and tastes even better. I devour
my meal surprisingly quickly and then wrap my arms around
the chef. “That was delicious. Thank you. I so appreciate you,
my friend.”
And I do. To be with someone so loving and nurturing
after living with Gord’s rejection for so long is a most welcome
change. Judy disappears to light scented candles and then leads
me to her oversized tub for a healing soak. I find a pleasing sense
of calm in the warm water and sink to my earlobes, allowing
the stillness to envelop me. When I’m done, she wraps me in
her fluffy white bathrobe and we resume our positions on her
couch.
A beautiful glass of cabernet is soon placed in my hand
and it warms my belly much like her shepherd’s pie. My friend
is such a good listener. I continue to divulge the entire torrid
mess and by the second glass I become increasingly animated
as I process my disdain for Lenora.
“She had the audacity to start using MY therapist when
she’s having an affair with MY husband! And listen to this.

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