The most memorable times of my youth were telling secrets with Bridget. We would tell secrets during our sleepovers when Kevin went out to get drunk and I went over to Bridget's house. Bridget would tell me all about Samantha and the messes she had to take care of, including the various hospital visits. Samantha was rarely at Bridget's house, which made secret telling easy, especially when it was about her.

Bridget would also tell me about her adventures with Ben. They would sometimes travel on the weekends to exotic places or take road trips to places like Philadelphia, New York, or Annapolis. She said she always had fun, even at night. I don't know if I will ever know what that feels like. Bridget actually enjoyed her time in the hotels on these getaways with Ben; I never understood how anyone could enjoy such a violation of a woman's body.

I would tell Bridget all about my bruises and how I got them. I told her how ashamed I was to walk around with them. She always told me that I should stand up to Kevin and go to the police about him. Bridget said that I would be helping not only myself but Jillian as well. I was too afraid to tell anyone but Bridget though, and Bridget would never tell my secret. Bridget always understood me and was the only person who protected me.

During our sleepovers we would also talk about my dream. Bridget had her own dreams too. She wanted to marry Ben. If she did, I was going to be her maid of honor. I told her that this made me nervous because the dress that a maid of honor's wears shows skin where my bruises were. Bridget said it was a dream, and in this dream I would no have any bruises. Bridget never cared about my bruises and always told me that I was beautiful no matter what anyone said. She told me that she wished that I could see the beauty in me that she saw. I think I understand how Bridget feels about me, because it's the same way I feel about Angel.