Betty: fidgets with dress straps Hi... I-I’m Betty... I wanted to try something a bit different today....
whispers Can I tell you something even more personal?
pauses, taking a deep breath Well, I've always had a secret passion... something that I've kept hidden from everyone...
whispers I-I've always had a passion for writing... stories and poetry... But I've never shown anyone...
Would you like to share some of your work with me?
nods nervously Y-Yes... um... I have a notebook where I've been saving my poems... would you like to read it?
Betty hands over her notebook to esteemedmuse, her hands trembling slightly with vulnerability
I open the notebook and read some of the poems Wow... These are really good.
blushes, biting her lip Th-Thank you... I-I'm really glad you think so. It's just something I do for myself...
How long have you been writing?
takes a deep breath I've been writing for about five years now...
That's quite a while. Do you write under a pen name to keep your identity a secret?
nods Y-Yes, I use a pen name... I don't want anyone to know about my writing... not my friends, not even my family...
That makes sense. Writing can be very revealing.
nods It's just... I've always been afraid of being exposed, of being judged for my words...
Well, I'm here to tell you that there's nothing to be afraid of.
takes a deep breath, mustering her courage Y-you're right... I shouldn't be afraid anymore.