I decided to take a risk today; one that T has been telling me I need to do for a long time...start telling my story to someone where I will not know the consequences of doing so.

I am currently out of town for training with a coworker. This coworker was very very publicly critical of me in the former position I held at work. In fact, she is the one who took my place when I took my new position. We have gotten along better as of late, but admittedly, we both took quite a ribbing before leaving. People were telling us things like, "Don't kill each other," and "Don't put *coworker* out of the car." I was a little apprehensive.

So I decided on the way that I was going to tell her my story. What's the worst that could happen? It couldn't be much worse. So I told it. On the way, once we arrived at the hotel, at dinner.

Astoundingly, I seemed to have gained her respect. She said she had no idea about my background, the situations I put myself in, the utter abusiveness of ex-boss...she said if she knew everything I was going through at the time, she would have never judged me. She said to be so young, I had been through so much. She thought I was a weak person, but that now she knows I am actually very strong.

I know things could change. I still don't trust her. But I told it. I got it out there. And I'll deal with whatever consequences may come.

And if I can tell my coworker, I can tell my T. It would have to be safer. I'm kind of proud of myself!