NO
stay silent
Don't speak
Don't speak of it
It didn't happen
You weren't there
It didn't happen
It didn't happen like you say
You weren't there
No
You weren't there


But I was

elsie

Hey Elsie--wanna talk about it?? Maybe I can help. Ya gotta talk about it.
Vicki

[Mahali]

I am sorry you were there Elsie. Take your time.

[shadowdancer]

((((((((((elsie))))))))))))

we'll talk about it when it's safe. it's okay, we're gonna figure it out and sort it. stay safe and take care. we'll talk soon.

((((((((elsie))))))))

-shadow

She doesn't want to so I'll tell you about it.

She's mixed up cos lots of her friends keep telling her that what happened to her was abuse. I know it was too. But she is confused cos this is people you are supposed to love, you know. And she won't listen to me when I say she has to turn away from them, not be involved.
Me, I'm just mad with them. Mad that they made a little girl be like a parent to them. Mad that they got her to be their gobetween. Mad that they let their anger with eachother out on her. Mad that they ignored her sadness and her confusion.
But she's just confused. She doesn't want us to talk about it. She says we didn't see it how it was. I say we saw it much clearer than she did.
Shula

(((((((((((((((Caroline))))))))))))))
((((((((((((((elsie))))))))))))))))))
(((((((((((((((Shula))))))))))))))))
w_i
Vicki
deedee

Thank you
(((((((((((w_i)))))))))))
(((((((((((vicki))))))))))
((((((((((deedee))))))))

Shula shouldn't have said all that. They aren't bad people. Others keep telling me they did bad things and they were wrong. But I can't explain about how it was so that people can understand. Shula makes me feel like I am complaining and saying they were terrible parents. But it wasn't like that at all.
elsie

[shadowdancer]

it was perfectly okay for shula to say all of that. she has a right to be mad, elsie, even if it's not the response you have. i have to confess to being mad at them as well. however, i understand what you're saying. i know you aren't complaining and saying they were terrible parents...that's one of the last things you'd ever say... i just think that shula sees things a bit differently. perhaps in time your two views will become more reconciled. just know that either way, i care about you and i'm always here if you want to talk. ((((((((((((elsie))))))))))))))))

-shadow

I'm glad you understand Shadow.
I'm all confused and sad by this.
Shula and me can't talk about it cos we jsut get mad at each other. Then she shouts and I cry so that's no good.

I miss talking to you.

elsie

[shadowdancer]

i know you are confused and sad elsie. and i miss you and shula and big C and baby too. very very much. we will have to catch up very very soon! ((((((((elsie))))))))

don't worry though, i am always here even if it's not in time to chat together. take care and we will talk soon, ok?

(((((((((((all of you)))))))))))))))

-shadow