“I survived a broken heart,” Brandy said.
“I g-g-g-got through th-th-th-this w-w-w-w-week.”
“I survived a plane ride,” Brody said.
“I survived being kidnapped,” I said, just barely above a whisper.
“I think you have us beat here, then,” Brody laughed. I glanced over at him, seeing him slouched in the chair with his ankles crossed.
“I survived losing a piece of myself years ago,” Caesar said. I felt his gaze on me.
“What are some ways everyone has worked to overcome what we have survived?” Dr. Mayes asked next.
“Kept to myself,” Brandy said. “My ex was a dipshit, so he shouldn’t deserve my time wasted on him. But he was in my life for so long.”
“I had no choice but to be on a plane if I wanted to visit Ireland,” Brody said. “Tiring, but so worth it.”
“Making new friends and trying to make a lasting impression,” Sawyer said. “This is the first town I’ve stuck to for longer than three months, and it’s really growing on me.”
“The town or your friends?” Dr. Mayes asked.
“Friends. If they leave, I’m going with them. I just hope they don’t decide to travel in different directions. But I’ll make it work. I’m not going to lose either of them.”
“Friends are important,” Dr. Mayes agreed. “So is having family.”
“I’m working on trying to make my wrongs right,” Caesar said.
“That’s always hard to do. I’m sure many of us here can agree on that.”
Many of the group members made noises of agreement.
“What do you see in your future? What do you want to do?” she went on.
“To keep exploring my limits.” Brody was the first to answer. “My parents left me enough money to last a lifetime twice over. I want to visit every country I possibly can. And do as many things as I can think of. Like sky diving.”
“I want to find a place I’m truly happy to live,” Brandy said.
“I just want a reason to keep living,” Stephanie said.
“I-I want to st-st-st-stop st-st-st-stuttering.”
“I want my daughter back, any way she’ll have me,” Caesar said.
“Sounds like you two need to sit down and talk things out,” Dr. Mayes said.
“She wants nothing to do with me,” he said. I was looking anywhere but at him. It didn’t stop the feeling of his gaze seeing deep into my soul.
“Did you think that maybe she’s going through some stuff herself?” Brandy spoke up. “I don’t have a good relationship with my dad, but that’s because he beat the crap out of me over and over. Now, I want nothing to do with him, even though he’s dying from cancer.”
“I guess I may have hurt her unintentionally over the years, but I have never raised a hand to her.”
“Maybe find something she enjoys to connect with her,” Brody said.
“Did you think about what she wants?” Sawyer said. “And don’t say you know what’s best, just because you’re a father. Her wants are different than yours are, I’m sure.”
“Maybe she doesn’t know how to connect either,” Dr. Mayes said. “It’s hard for someone who has been beaten down so far to open up to new relationships. Trust is extremely important, wouldn’t you say, Scarlett?”
“Sure,” I mumbled.
