He squeezed her hand. “Have you started seeing a therapist?”
“Not yet. I have an appointment next week. It’s a video appointment, so I’m not sure how that will go.”
"I'm sure it will be fine. I've done some video appointments, and they are usually good."
She nodded. “I just don’t know even where to start.”
“I’m sure it’s a lot to deliver, but therapists are trained. They’ve heard a lot.”
“I know. I’m just afraid they’ll think I’m lying.”
“Why do you think that?”
She shook her head. “Brent always told me that no one would believe me if I told them what he’d done.”
“He was wrong. They’ll believe you. I believe you, and so do a lot of other people.”
She sighed and closed her eyes. He could tell she was tired, but he wasn’t going to push her to go to bed. If they ended up falling asleep on the couch, that was fine.
Calla woketo someone moving around the kitchen. She had a blanket thrown over her, and her head rested on the arm of the couch.
She sat up, seeing Thario outside with Griz. Guilt washed over her.
When she stood, she made eye contact with Elowen, who smiled at her.
“I guess I kicked him off the couch.”
She smiled. “He liked talking to you. Said it was nice to have someone treat him with dignity.”
“I like him.”
“Good.”
She headed to the bathroom to freshen up before pulling on a pair of sweats and a sweatshirt. After slipping on her shoes, she headed outside to sit with everyone.
“Hey, good morning,” Griz said as he saw her approach.
Both dogs got up to greet her. She scratched both of them, and they ran off together to the other side of the yard.
“Hello.”
“Do you want any coffee?” Elowen asked.
“Not today.” She liked coffee, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to start drinking it every morning.
She sat, and Thario reached over and squeezed her knee. She took his hand and held it for a few seconds.
“Was there any storm damage?” Calla was curious how bad the storm had gotten.
“Not here or at the main house. The electricity came back on around two in the morning,” Elowen said.
"The tree that blocked the road has been cut down and moved," Griz said.
“That’s good,” Calla said. “So when are the guests at the cabin leaving?”
“Tomorrow. That means I need to clean the place up tomorrow afternoon. Someone else is coming in tomorrow evening.”
“Wow, that’s great.”
