“Let’s unpack that,” Dr. Franklin said. “Do you still feel like you don’t need anyone?”
I opened my eyes, not really wanting to unpack anything. The answer was yes, of course. Because I didn’t. “I want people in my life. I don’t need them.”
“And do you consider that a strength?” she asked.
“Not needing people?” I clarified.
“Yes.”
“I think it’s important to trust myself. And I do.”
“Do you ask for help when you need it?”
“She doesn’t ask for help. Doesn’t want it,” Elijah said. And after I didn’t tattle on him!
“You wouldn’t even let me put a pack of ice on your faceafter I punched you,” I said. “So you might want to turn that statement right around.”
“Just telling the truth,” he said. “And you put ice on my face, didn’t you? I obviously let you.”
“What wouldyousay to your childhood self?” I asked.
“Yes, Eli,” Dr. Franklin agreed. “Let’s finish the exercise. Close your eyes.”
He reluctantly did. We were all quiet for some time. I was surprised Elijah let it be silent for that long. He seemed uncomfortable in silence. But he was deep in his thoughts, and Dr. Franklin allowed the time to pass.
Finally, he said, “You can’t make everyone happy.”
“Explain,” she said.
“I thought I could make everyone happy as a kid,” he said, like the answer was obvious. “Bent myself in a lot of different directions, always trying to police everyone’s emotions. Thinking I could change them by being overly accommodating.”
“And now?” she asked.
He let out an ironic little laugh, most likely thinking about how we were sitting in this room because he was doing his brother a favor. “I probably still need that message.”
Dr. Franklin turned her eyes to me. “Is he a people pleaser? And does he often choose pleasing other people over plans with you, like this week with the homework?”
“No, what? No,” I sputtered out because that suddenly felt like too much, saying he should ever choose me over his real life. “He needs to choose himself.”
“Does he choose less important people over you?”
“No.” Nobody was less important than me in his life. “But I put my work first a lot too.” And wasn’t that the truth. “I get it.”
His hand slid over mine and I nearly jumped from surprise.
“I’m not lying,” he said in a low voice only I could hear.
After a moment, I turned my hand, palm up, and as our fingers laced together, my shoulders relaxed.
CHAPTER 18
“What do you do, Sutton?” Elijah asked as we walked out to the car after that disaster of a therapy session. I had revealed too much. Felt too much. I didn’t like it. “Back home? When you’re not here taking care of your mom?”
It seemed pointless not to answer his questions now. The therapist was never guessing. And we only had one session left anyway. Michael and Elijah were going to win this bet. I felt sorry for Tara, who only wanted to strengthen her relationship. “I own a restaurant in the city.”
“Youowna restaurant in Los Angeles?”
“Don’t be too impressed. It’s been called a lackluster, boring dining experience.”
