RELATIONSHIPS

This discussion starter is geared for  parents, teachers, counselors, friends and teens sixteen and older. Come back in March for a new story dealing with a different topic.

By Vanessa Winters, January 3, 2008, 1:00 PM CST

Felicia and Annie were the best of friends. When Felicia was divorced four years ago and left with the care of two young sons, it was Annie who had stood by her. She and her husband, Chester had given Felicia money, babysat her children and bought groceries for them when they didn't have food. Annie had also been a great emotional support during those sad and lonely times. Lately though, things had changed. Annie's younger sister, Beatrice and her live-in boyfriend, Barry had moved in with Annie until they could find a place of their own. Barry had to find a job first though. They had come from Los Angeles, California to Milwaukee to get away from the crime in LA. Before their move, Annie and Felicia spoke daily on the phone and got together over a drink or just to visit once or twice a week. During the five weeks that Beatrice and Barry had been in town, Felicia had spoken on the phone with Annie only twice and they had not visited even once.

Beatrice was eight months pregnant and complained of being sick most of the time. Annie cooked for her sister, took her to doctor appointments and stayed with her whenever Barry was out job hunting. Having two children of her own and the added care of Beatrice, Annie found herself busy and tired most of the time.

During this time Felicia had met Frank, a man who had been taking her and her sons out for pizza, drive-in movies, and spending fun evenings with them. She wanted to share her good fortune with Annie and decided to give her a call. As they talked about Frank, they decided to get together at Felicia's house. Annie asked if it would be alright to bring Beatrice and Barry so she could keep an eye on her sister who was overdue. Reluctantly, Felicia agreed.

When they all arrived, Felicia and Annie were overjoyed to once again see one another after such a long time. They embraced for a long, misty-eyed hug. The kids all ran off to play while Felicia introduced Frank and Annie introduced everyone else. Beatrice let out a long, loud moan as she slowly lowered herself down into a chair. Annie, who was already seated, jumped up and grabbed her sister's arm. "Are you alright?" she asked with concern. Beatrice was moaning and making faces as though in great pain. Felicia offered to help. "Is there anything I can do or get for you?" she asked. "Maybe a pillow for your back would help." She started off to get the pillow when Beatrice snapped at her.

"No, I don't want a pillow! I know how to ask for what I want." Felicia stopped suddenly and stood looking around at everyone. Beatrice's response had taken her by surprise. It was Annie who broke the silence. "Would you get her some water please. I think that would help."

After the incident, the rest of the evening went pretty well. It ended with Frank agreeing to pick Barry up the following day to take him job hunting. Everyone left except Frank. He stayed and bedded the boys down, telling them a story first while Felicia cleaned up from the party.

Later, Frank said goodnight and promised to stop by the next day.

The following day when Barry's job search was over and Frank had driven him home, Barry invited Frank in for a beer only to discover there wasn't any. Barry asked Frank to wait with the girls until he ran to the corner convenience store to pick up a six-pack. While Barry was away, Frank decided to show to Annie the engagement ring he had purchased for Felicia. It was then he discovered that both Beatrice and Annie were a little drunk. At the sight of the ring, they looked at one another and fell backwards with laughter. Annie slid off the sofa onto the floor laughing histerically. In confusion, Frank looked from one to the other, and when the laughter had died down, he calmly asked if he could be let in on the joke. Annie, acting as though she were having a hard time regaining her composure, answered. "You can't be serious about marrying Felicia." Frank knew Annie had had too much to drink, but that didn't explain her reaction to his news.

"And why not?" he asked, a little disgusted at her behavior.

"Because everybody knows what she once was."

"And probably still is," Beatrice added with a giggle.

"She used to be a prostitute, Frank," Annie answered. "And I just think you deserve better." Beatrice had risen and snuggled close to Frank when they heard Barry's key in the lock. Without explanation, Frank walked out past Barry and drove straight to Felicia's. When she answered the door, his expression told her that something was wrong. After a very short conversation, in which Frank revealed the contents of the earlier conversation he had had with Beatrice and Annie, Felicia knew why Frank had been so disturbed when he arrived. He had shown to her the ring and stuck it back in his pocket, which was an indication to Felicia that he believed their story. After a long silence, Frank stood up and said, "I'd like some time to think about things." They said good night and Felicia felt she'd never see Frank again. That night she cried herself to sleep. Since Beatrice had arrived, Felicia had lost both her best friend and the man she loved. She felt only hatred for Beatrice.

A few days after the party, Felicia passed Beatrice coming out of a small grocery store near her home. Beatrice started through the narrow alley along side the store on her way home. She glanced over her shoulder to smirk at Felicia when she lost her footing and landed hard on the icy pavement, knocking herself unconscious. Felicia went into the store as though nothing had happened. She made her purchase, came out, took a look at Beatrice lying motionless and went on home.

Beatrice was found some time later. she recovered, but lost her baby. Beatrice brought charges against Felicia for failing to assist her or call for help.

QUESTIONS:

1. What would you have done at the time of Beatrice's fall? Why?

2. Did you believe the accusation made by Annie and Beatrice to Frank regarding Felicia's past reputation?

3. What's your opinion of Frank and his behavior. How would you have reacted? Why?

4. It's obvious that Beatrice's behavior towards Felicia was an attempt to sabotage Annie's and Felicia's friendship, whatever the reason. Do you feel that Annie was aware of her sister's tactics and just chose to look the other way refusing to admit even to herself that Beatrice could be so malicious or was she truly ignorant of the situation?

5. What, in your opinion changed Annie's long time loyalty towards Felicia?

6. When Annie, in her drunken state accused Felicia of having been a prostitute, what in your opinion motivated her to make such a statement?

7. Should an individual be required by law to give aid to an accident victim in which they wre not directly involved in the accident?

OR

8. Should each individual be lawfully allowed to determine for themselves whether or not they want to give assistance?

TO ORDER THE BOOKLET, MISSION: Conflict Resolution for $6, please visit the Homepage of: www.HeavenlyManna.net

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Please read the above story and send your answers to me at: HeavenlyMannaVanessa@juno.com no later than March 8, '08.