The next morning

Katie: Hi Tina. (Giving Tina a hug and a kiss) Good morning. Youre early.

Tina: Morning

Katie: have you thought about volunteering?

Tina: Im totally impressed. But . (hesitating)

Katie: But what Tina?

Tina: Im not sure if Im capable of doing it.

Katie: what do you mean? You were great yesterday.

Tina: I dont know if I can give my best

Katie looked into Tinas eyes and saw the pain shes heartbroken about something. Katie wants to reach out to Tina the same way Tina had done for her.

Katie: If you want to talk Im here. Someone once said to me sometimes talking helps. (She smile at Tina and Tina smile back)

Tina: I I lost my best friend too.
Katie: (Katie walked over to Tinas and hugged her and then she whispered to her) Im sorry. Im really sorry I have been so insensitive. What happened?

She let go. Willing Tina to talk some more.

Tina: I left.
Katie: Sorry? (Katie not understanding what Tinas saying. She thought Tinas best friend died) You left? How?
Tina: Weve been together 7 years she had an affair I left (trying hard to hold the tears)

Katie understood now for the first time. Now she knows why Tinas eyes are always sad. Yes, that explained it. Shes heartbroken. Poor Tina.

Tina: I dont know if Im capable of helping anybody

Katie: When it hurt the most, its often the best time to reach out to others because helping others helps us to heal. Trust me Tina, I know.

Tina: I dont know if I can

K: Tina, in the short time I know you, you are the kindest and most caring person I know apart from JD. You reached out to me when I was hurting. You offered your friendship even though you didnt have to.
I know youre hurting. I can see it in your eyes. But dont lock yourself in. Dont become a prisoner of your own pain.
Tina, give it a try. You dont have to commit long term. When its too much you can stop. I need all the help I can get. Especially with the Dream House project. You can help me set it up. Well be a team.

T: I wish Im as sure as you are but okay, I suppose I could help once a week.

K: When do you want to start? This is my number. Call me anytime. Would next Thursday be any good?

Tina have been volunteering at the Dream Centre now for a month now. She loves it there. Sometimes she would help out on Fridays too. The work at the Dream House has started. There are endless things to do. The house needed a total overhaul. The work is hard but the environment and people were wonderful.

Tina has been surprise at how much she enjoyed working with a church Organization. After Bettes horrible encounter at the hand of Fay Buckley she thought every church goers hated them. Katie and the people at Dream Centre were really kind and caring people. Often working late hours and with very little pay just to help the poor and the disadvantage. They were not like Fay Buckley. It made her realized that in every religion there are always fanatics. The fanatics are vicious and cruel. But the average church goers are actually quite normal people that love people and loved helping people.

Tina has grown really close to Katie. They both enjoyed working together. Katie is like a younger sister to Tina. When the gang get-together Tina would invite Katie to join them. Soon they all got to know her better. Alice said she cant believe that God believing people would want to hang out with them. The gang often tease Katie about being a holy joe – but Katie is not offended. She never acted holier than thou or judge them. They find it strange that Katie never find their lifestyle offensive. In fact she had never spoken anything bad about them. So, they have come to like her a lot.

Its nearly two months since Tina met Katie. But Katie still has no news about JD. No calls. No emails. No letters. Its almost heartbreaking seeing her waiting and waiting. But she never gave up. Come rain or shine shes waiting at the Planet.

Tina had just finished her work at Dream House for the day. She was having dinner with Katie at the Planet – their usual practise every Thursday. They were discussing some of the work in Dream House when Marina came over.

Marina: Katie, theres a letter for you. It came this afternoon.
Katie: Thanks.

Katie took the letter. She looked at the sender. She was shocked. Staring at the letter. She didnt know what to do. She stared at the letter for ages. Tears stream down her face.