Taking the cup from Monica’s hand, Keesha swallowed a sip of the cool beverage. When the task was done, she placed the cup on the end table next to her and released a drawn out sigh.

"You want to tell me what’s going on?" she asked, handing Keesha a tissue.

Keesha shook her head and blotted the tears that blurred her vision. "No, I really don’t. I should go, I’m supposed to be meeting with Simone."

Monica stopped her before she could get up. "Look, Simone got called away to an emergency, so you don’t have to rush. Besides, you are very upset. I’m not going to push you, but I think it would be good to talk about whatever is bothering you."

"Talk about it? How do you talk about something you don’t understand?" Keesha shifted uncomfortably. "And I don’t mean any harm, but you’re probably the last person I should be talking to about this."

"Hmm," Monica murmured as she took a seat on the couch next to Keesha. "Well, is it okay if I talk and you listen?"

She nodded. What could it hurt? "Sure, I guess I can do that."

"I’m no busybody, Keesha, but I’m pretty perceptive and I try to keep aware of things. I’m like that now, but years ago it was a different story. I wouldn’t say I was flighty, but I made some mistakes. I was married to a wonderful man, Jeff, and I was happy with him. But even when I didn’t want to admit it to myself, I was harboring feelings for someone else. This other man’s name was Rick Webber, and he was my husband’s brother."

"What?" Keesha whispered.

"It’s a very long, and very complicated story, but the biggest lesson I got from all of that is to be honest. Had I been honest with Jeff, Rick and myself all those years ago, it would have saved us all a lot of heartache."

"Monica, why are…."

"Keesha, like I said, I’m perceptive, or I guess the better thing is to say, I’m not stupid. I’ve been in the position you’re in now."

She felt herself becoming defensive, something she had been feeling a lot lately. "There’s no position, Monica. Are you accusing me of something?"

Monica covered the younger woman’s hand with hers. "No, I’m not, and I would never judge you; that is not what this is about. What I’m saying is I know what it feels like to be torn. I think the first thing you need to do is admit something is amiss here. The next thing is to figure out exactly what your feelings are and whom you’re feeling them stronger for."

Keesha’s voice was shaky. "I know what my feelings are, Monica. Why are you telling me stories about your past involvement with two brothers?"

"Because I see the sins of the mother being passed on to the sons. Keesha, you can pretend all you want, but I see what’s happening here. I kind of blame myself, because I asked that you go along with this belief that AJ had of you two being a couple, even when I saw that Jason had concerns. Now there is a real reason for concern. AJ had a checkup with Tony today, and I suspect you ran into him in the cafeteria. This would also explain why you ran out of there like it was on fire. You and AJ have always been friends, but since he was released from the hospital, I never see you spend any time with him."

"You think I should spend time with AJ? I think that will make things worse." Keesha lowered her head as new tears filled her eyes. "I don’t know how this happened. I don’t even know what this is. I love Jason, I know that, but AJ is…. What am I saying?" she groaned.

"You’re saying what I already know. You’re conflicted, and I’m sorry. One of my sons is going to be hurt because they both fell in love with you. I care about you Keesha and that’s why I’m talking to you, but you have to deal with this. If I figured this out, how long do you think it will take before someone else does?"

"Someone else. You mean Jason?"

"Among others."

Keesha never allowed herself to think of that, but hearing Monica say it put her more on edge.

"If I lead AJ on, I didn’t mean to," she confessed. "I never told him we were a couple. Jason and I decided that I’d just be there, but if he asked, I’d be honest with him. He never asked me, but he realized that Jason and I were together, and he said he didn’t care. He’s got it in his head that Jason stole me away from him and he’s bound and determined to get me away from him."

"Can he do that?" Monica asked.

Keesha pressed the tissue to her eyes and shook her head. "I’m not going to give him a chance to try. That’s why I’m staying away."

"Look, I can’t tell you what to do, or what’s right; only you know that. But avoiding AJ and pretending everything is right with Jason won’t help. When I said avoidance would make things worse, I wasn’t speculating. I know first hand. Someone is going to be hurt. Not dealing with it is only putting off the inevitable."

The sound of Monica’s pager filled the room. She checked the number and stood from the couch. "I have to go. Stay here as long as you like, and if you need someone to talk to, you know how to reach me." She gave Keesha’s hand a squeeze. "You take care."

"I’ll try. Thank you."

When Monica left, Keesha approached the huge mahogany desk for a new tissue, and came face to face with 5 x 7 photos of the two men responsible for her highly emotional state. More tears streamed down her face as she picked up the sterling silver, double picture frame and held it close to her heart. She couldn’t run from this. As painful as it was, she knew what she had to do. Replacing the frame on the desk, she picked up her purse and left the hospital.