The nurse left, and I cursed out loud.“Shit.”What was I going to do now?
Bill’s enormous eyes were searching my face, his tongue lolling.
“She’s going to make us stay with him, isn’t she?” I asked Bill.
It made sense, though I didn’t want it to. My townhome was toast for the foreseeable future. That much I was certain of based on all I’d recalled. I didn’t like the idea of having to move into a temporary apartment somewhere, in a building full of people I didn’t know.
The idea of staying withNashthough?
I felt my hands tremble. This was a lot of trauma to process, and I didn’t like the uncertain future ahead of me.
“You can do this, Sybil.You have to do this,”I whispered to myself. “We’ve gotten thisfar; you can’t give up now.”
CHAPTER 19
Nash
The hospital door clicked shut behind us, and I followed Catherine as she led us down the hall to a small sitting area.
My hands remained in my pockets as I felt the gaze of the office staff following me. This was the first time I’d emerged from the room, but I hadn’t missed the whispering at the door all night. I’m sure our little animal circus was entertaining.
Reaching a set of chairs, she gestured for me to sit. I sat, knees spread as I leaned forward and scrubbed my hands over my face. I was exhausted.
The little woman took a deep breath before talking. “I’ve heard all about you, young man.”
I tried to sit up, though my muscles protested, trying my best to be polite.
“All good things, I promise.” She squeezed my knee. “Thank you for offering to take Sybil in. It’s very kind of you.”
“I assure you,” I hurried to establish my merit, “my sister and I can give her space, whatever she needs.”
She put her hand up to silence me, allowing me to relax back in my chair.
“Sybil is not your average woman, as you may have noticed,” she said frankly.
I nodded.
“She’s been through a lot—parents can really set the tone for your life, good or bad. Hers were more of the latter, unfortunately.”
I nodded again.
“Sybil has been my patient since she was around fifteen years old. I am a clinical psychologist and therapist, and her parents hired me to “handle” her, as they put it. Not long after, her parents died in an accident. Where I was already caring for her emotional wellbeing, it was a simple decision for me to take her in and become her guardian. She’s relied on me since.” A sigh escaped her as she gazed at her hands, at rest in her lap.
I didn’t interrupt, knowing there was more.
“I’m embarrassed to say my affection for Sybil has hindered my performance regarding her issues. I was likely too lenient. Her anxiety had many aspects to address before her withdrawal. I’m concerned I’ve unintentionally enabled her social anxiety for quite some time.”
I nodded.
She straightened her posture slightly.
“Having you and your sister is going to be very new for her, but it’s a near-perfect situation we’ve found ourselvesin—despite the extreme circumstances. Her comfort zone is about to shift dramatically, and I want to take advantage of it. I know this is a lot, but would you be willing to assist her with this challenge?”
She was looking me in the eye. Her eyes glimmered with hope. She already knew my answer.
There was a long silence, and I realized she was giving me the room to speak.
“My mother. She—” I trailed off, unable to suppress the emotion on my face, but I motioned in agreement to her challenge.
