Bent, Not Broken(37)
“Yes.”
“Why have you missed your last appointments with him?”
“I didn’t think I needed them. I’ve been doing better. Much better.”
“Amy, you can’t stop going now.”
“But I’m doing so well. We’re together, and I feel happy.”
Joker closed the distance between them, cupping her face. “Look at me, baby.”
She looked up at him.
“I love you. I love you with all my heart and soul. When I decideded to take the next step with you, I did it, knowing you were not completely fixed here.” He pressed fingers to her head. “And here,” he pressed his hand to her chest, right over her heart.
“What?”
“What that man did to you, it’s a miracle you’re able to be with me.” Joker pressed a kiss to her lips. “Those appointments are important to you. I love you and that’s never, ever going to change.”
“But I feel fine.”
“Now, you feel fine now. That could change in a couple of weeks. Don’t stop going, Amy. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
“You still want me to go?”
“Yes.”
Nodding, Amy shrugged. “Then I guess I should go.”
“Good, now feed me woman.”
“I’m pleased you decided to come back and see me, Amy,” Gregory said.
She took a seat in the chair across from him. Her hands were sweaty and a big part of her didn’t want to be there. It reminded her of why she’d had to see Gregory in the first place. Joker had taken care of her father. She was never going to see him again, and that made her fixed.
“I see you don’t want to be here.”
“I just don’t feel I need this anymore.”
Gregory removed his reading glasses to look at her. He only ever used them to look at the chart he was writing on.
“And why do you think that?” he asked.
“I don’t have nightmares anymore. I’m sleeping through the night, too. I’m in a committed relationship. I’m growing up.”
“Amy, being here isn’t about being a grownup. You’ve had to grow up faster than a lot of women your age. This is about talking and dealing with the problems that you’ve faced.” Gregory tilted his head to the side. “You’re in a relationship?”
“Yes, Jo-Reese, my… friend.” Her cheeks heated thinking how gross it would sound if she said step-brother.
“I know who Reese is. I’m not here to judge you, Amy. I’m here to help you so that you can overcome some of your anxieties and fears.”
“I’m doing much better.”
“And I want you to continue with that progress, Amy. This room, I don’t judge you here. You talk freely about everything going on in your life. It hasn’t been long since you lost your mother, and a new relationship can add to the stress.”
Amy rubbed at her temple, wishing she could express more clearly how much she didn’t want to be here.
“I can see you’re still not happy being here.”
“I just—I want to be with Reese. His name’s Joker. He’s part of a club. I love him, Gregory. I love him with my whole heart and I want to be everything he needs and loves.”
“I imagine Reese loves you very much. Is he aware of your past?”
“Yes.”
“How would you feel if I invited Reese in to talk with me?” Gregory asked.
“Wait, what?”
“I’d like to get to know him a little better. I want to help you, Amy. Your mother, she cared about you very much.”
“I don’t think that’s—”
“You’re nervous about this aspect of your life. In order to build a successful relationship, you must be willing to open yourself up. Reese needs to know how important it is.”
“He does.”
“Would you object to me talking with Reese?”
The more she thought about it the more she decided her protests were silly. “No, I don’t think he’d have a problem.”
“Excellent. I was thinking on your Thursday appointment. I’d like the opportunity to talk with him separately and then with you.”
“I don’t like this,” she said. Over the years she’d come to trust Gregory so that she could just say exactly what she was thinking and feeling.
Gregory put his glasses back on. “You’ve got nothing to be afraid of. I’m more concerned about your absence the past couple of sessions. From the look of you, I can see you’re doing great. This is one of the reasons I want to see Joker. I’ve never seen you looking this happy before, Amy. In all the years I’ve known you, you’ve never once entered this room with a smile on your face or your eyes twinkling. The change within you… it’s beyond my comprehension. I’m a doctor and I like to see my patients are well taken care of. Brenda, she was a friend of mine as well as a client. I’m here for you,” he said.