She rolls over and gazes at me with clear eyes. Her voice is calm. “Do you want to know what saved me?” “What?” “Natalie. My best friend. My only friend. I wanted to kill myself so many times during those years. The only reason I didn’t is because of her. Over and over again, she saved my life. You know what else?” “I don’t know if I can take it.” “She never knew about the pregnancy. Except for the nurse who gave me the test at Planned Parenthood, no one knew. I was too ashamed. You’re the only living soul I’ve ever told. I want you to understand what that means.”
