Chapter 14
"This is my bedroom." Serena said nervously.
"It's beautiful. Just like the owner." Bernie smiled.
"I wish you wouldn't keep saying that."
"Saying what?"
"That I'm beautiful. When I'm clearly not."
"Stop it. Come here." Bernie pulled Serena to the full length mirror in the corner of Serena's room.
"No, please don't." Serena said as she began to back away.
"Just look at yourself."
"No."
"Serena, please believe me when I tell you that you are absolutely beautiful."
"I CAN'T." Serena shouted as she sat on her bed and started to cry. Bernie walked over to the bed and put her arm around Serena.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
"It's not you. It's me. I am so fed up with feeling like this. I want to be the Serena I used to be." Serena sniffed as she wiped her eyes. "I used to be so happy and confident until."
"Until Shannon knocked it out of you."
"Exactly."
"I've told you. You need to ignore everything that she ever said to you. It's her who has the problem, not you."
"It's not as easy to forget. When I'm reminded of it every day."
"What are you talking about?"
"If I show you something, will you promise not to be angry with me?"
"I could never be angry with you." Serena picked up her phone and took a deep breath before handing the phone over to Bernie. As Bernie scrolled down Serena's phone tears began to roll down Bernie's face. Bernie had read enough. She put the phone down and wrapped her arms around Serena and held her tightly. As they both sobbed in each other's arms.
"I have never read anything as hurtful as that in my life." Bernie said as they eventually let go of each other. "How can anyone say those things about you?"
"It's what she saw and thought about me." Serena said.
"But there are hundreds of them. Did she just constantly text you?"
"Yeah. If I didn't message her right away she accused me of seeing someone else. Or she would just call me a slag and a bitch for no reason."
"Does your Dad know about these messages?"
"No and you mustn't tell him,Bernie. please"
"Serena, you do know this is abuse don't you. What she has said and written in these texts is wrong. She was controlling you, Serena."
"I know."
"Delete them."
"What."
"Delete the message."
"I can't."
"Why can't you? You don't still love her do you?" Bernie asked nervously.
"No I don't. You have to believe me"
"Then delete them. You've just said that you want to be the Serena that you used to be before you met her. But that's never going to happen while you have these on your phone, as a constant reminder." Bernie held Serena's face in her hands. "Baby none of those words are true. Please believe me when I tell you that you are one the nicest, caring, most beautiful women I have ever met. And I really want to help you. But you have to trust me. Please baby delete them." Bernie picked up the phone and Serena nervously took it from her. “You can do this.”
"I can, can't i?" Bernie nodded her head as Serena took a deep breath and clicked delete all messages. "I did it. I did it Bernie." Serena cried.
"I'm so very proud of you." Bernie hugged Serena tightly. "Are these happy tears?" Bernie asked as she wiped Serena's tears gently with her thumb.
"Yes, they are happy tears. I never ever thought I would ever pluck up the courage to do that." Serena said as she rested her head on Bernie's shoulder.
"Shall we get ready for bed?" Serena asked as few minutes later.
"Yes. Can you lend me a nightie?"
"Of course." Serena stood up and pulled Bernie a nightie out of her draw. "Will this do?"
"Yeah." Bernie said as she took off her top.
"I'll erm, I'll just go and get undressed."
"Ok,babe."Serena picked up her pyjamas as she went into the bathroom. When she came out 10 minutes later she saw Bernie sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Are you ok?"
"Yes I'm just waiting for you."
"I've put a new toothbrush on the sink for you."
"Thank you. I'll just go and brush my teeth." Serena pulled back the duvet and climbed into bed. A few minutes later Bernie came out of the bathroom.
"May I?" Bernie asked as she stood at the side of the bed.
"Of course you can." Bernie got into bed and immediately pulled Serena into her arms.
"How are you feeling now?"
"I'm OK. Thanks to you."
"Nobody is ever going to make you feel like that again, not ever. I want to look after you. If you'll let me."
"I'd really like that. Where have you been all my life? I wished we had met years ago."
"So do I. But I promise my darling I am always going to be here for you from now on."
"You're a very special person, Bernie Wolfe."
"So are you Serena Wendy Campbell." Bernie kissed Serena lovingly as they both closed their eyes and went to sleep.