Originally, Laurie showed a friendship towards me, but I was not too eager to trust her, and it took a LOT of time before I would “let my guard down” to her—to where we could share some pretty serious things with each other. For awhile, we had a “minor” friendship, where I would talk some to her when she did my hair, but I STILL did not really “open up to her”, until last fall, when I came back to that salon(after NOT having been there for several months, due to some remorse over a HS friend passing away early last summer), and Laurie seemed to pull closer to me, and was quite instrumental in helping me to “get over” the feeling that I had not “done enough” for Rodney while he was still alive. She then began giving me those nice, long, warm hugs I now get EVERY time I see her, and showing more interest in things going on in my life. By Christmas, we had a couple of semi-political discussions, dealing with trying to ban Santa claus, and people of other religions and pagan beliefs and such trying to “force” their beliefs on us(and she WAS TOTALLY on the “right side” in all of it—in fact..she taught me to say “have a BLESSED Christmas” instead of “merry Christmas”.) Still, up to this time, we only saw each other at the salon about once a month, sometimes a bit more often. She had requested that I email her sometimes, but I never did, for fear of another “Holly” situation arising.
Then, in January, when Mom got sick, and I had to have her rushed to the hospital, and after it was all over and mom was back at home and Ok(but quite weak for awhile), I had no one to talk to, could not sleep much and generally felt like I would “lose it” Laurie saw that SOMETHING was seriously wrong, and I tried to hide it,(I was not sure how she would handle things) but she was not fooled and I completely opened up to hr about things. She was SO comforting and reassuring to me, and such and offered to BE THERE TO TALK TO, whenever I needed it—through email or phone calls. I was not sure if this was ok, but she ASSURED me that it would not cause trouble for her in any way—as long as I did not call all of the time, or write her all of the time. That REALLY touched me—and I FINALLY relented, and began writing her once in a while to let her know what was going on and such—and she responded with gentle, caring encouraging responses.
Also, in Feb(Valentines day night) I had her do my hair that night and that time SHE needed ME to “be the listener”. This has happened a couple of times since. Being able to help her, made ME feel better, about being alone for V-Day.
And then too—she has been VERY encouraging towards me about my idea I am working on—and in the near future, we BOTH may be working together on an Idea of HERS. Perhaps, I may even be involved in some "fun" activities with her and her husband in the very near future, like outings and such. I would LOVE that--as I typically have NO ONE to do ANYTHING fun with right now.
Throughout it all--NOTHING inappropriate has been said, or hinted at, by her towards me--nor have I done so towards her. She is attractive, and has told me I was too(in reminding me that I am NOT unattractive, like I often think I am.) No doubt there may be some "feelings" there, but she suppresses them, as do I- we are BOTH Christians--and plan to keep it that way. If, in the future, I "find someone", I hope that she will not mind my friendship with Laurie. She has been more of a friend towards me than just about ANY woman I have known, and any future girlfriend had better not find our friendship a problem--otherwise, that WOULD be a problem for me and the girlfriend.