“Hi.”
“So, what are you doing after your session?”
I shrugged. I wasn’t entirely sure how to answer that.
“We should go out. Just you and me. Grab a bite to eat. Maybe go see a movie,” he rambled.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll have to pass for now.”
“Ah man, why?”
“Neither of those options sounds appealing,” I admitted.
“Well, then we can do whatever. I don’t mind going back to your place, if you get what I’m saying.”
“No thanks.” Gross. I wanted nothing to do with him. “I’m going to be late…”
“Oh. Right. Well, maybe a raincheck then?”
“Don’t count on it,” I said under my breath as he moved out of the way for me to enter. I ignored his hurt look. It was as if I had just kicked his puppy.
After checking in, I took a seat on one of the chairs and pulled out my phone. With a deep breath, I opened the latest text.
He can’t save you
I looked out the window behind me and didn’t see anyone that seemed to be looking or watching this building.
Why was this person constantly bothering me?
“What was a normal day with Alan for you?” Dr. Mayes asked as soon as my butt touched down on the couch.
Get right to the point, today, why don’t we?
“I’d wake up,” I said.
“Before or after Alan in the mornings?”
“Before. He’d want me to have breakfast on the table before his alarm went off. Then after he’d eat, I’d clean up whatever mess there was and get ready for the day. If I was lucky not to be hit or yelled at, it’d be a good day. Most of the time, he’d make sure to show me who owned the roof over my head. On school days, I’d go to school like anyone else, and then come home and make dinner, clean, and be his personal punching bag.”
“Did you eat regularly?”
“No. Only when I could sneak food here and there. I had toearnmy food and my keep.”
“Do you still feel like you follow that setup now?”
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I make sure to eat.” Three meals a day most of the time, but sometimes it was only two.
“I can tell. You’ve filled out over the summer. You came into this room like a scared kitten, and now you don’t even bat an eyelid when I ask about Alan or anyone. Except for Caesar.”
“I’m working on that,” I mumbled.
“Are you? The last time I saw you at group, you wanted nothing to do with him.”
“I sat down with him afterwards. I think we came to an agreement, sort of. He promised to not push me more than I can give him. He understands that I will never see him like a father.”
“What do you feel about that agreement?”
“I don’t know. I do know if I push him away and don’t let him have anything to do with me, then I might end up losing everyone. And I don’t want to risk that.”
