Page 58 of Need

Halfway through my bagel, Dr. Cooper cleared his throat again. “As I said earlier, Brianna, I wanted to come by this morning to apologize to you. I won’t pretend that I completely agree with Stephan on this matter, but I can see for myself that you’ve improved over your time here. I can’t dispute that.”

He pushed back from the table a little, and I tensed. I felt Stephan’s comforting hand on my leg.

My gaze met his uncle’s. It was difficult for me to continue to look at him, but I tried. “Stephan has informed me that in my worry for you I’ve caused you distress, and for that, I am truly sorry.”

I swallowed. He seemed to be waiting on me to say something. “Okay.”

Dr. Cooper stayed for another half an hour. He calmly ate another bagel, and talked casually with Stephan. I heard some discussion about the two of us going to Sunday dinner again, but Stephan responded that he’d think about it.

When he got up to leave, he asked Stephan to walk him down to the lobby.

Stephan hugged me and gave me a brief kiss before leaving with his uncle, telling me to go get dressed. I was nervous the entire time he was gone. Dr. Cooper must have wanted to talk about something he didn’t want me to hear. I only hoped he wasn’t trying to convince Stephan that I should leave.

Stephan

As soon as I’d realized it was my uncle calling, I assumed the worst. It didn’t take a genius to realize that by showing up unannounced, he was hoping to get a better glimpse of our lives. I wasn’t sure if he was hoping he’d catch us in the middle of something or just wanted to catch us off guard. Either way, I wasn’t thrilled, but he was my uncle, so I gave him more leeway than most.

Thankfully, he behaved himself. Brianna was nervous—she had every right to be after their last encounter—but she’d done well. Her fear had not gripped her to the point she was unable to react or respond.

I knew Richard’s gaze kept drifting toward Brianna throughout our meal. He was watching our interaction closely.

When he asked me to walk him downstairs, I wasn’t surprised. I was sure he’d have an opinion on this morning.

He didn’t disappoint. As soon as the elevator doors closed, he began. “Don’t you think you’re a little old to be leaving love bites?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. Here I was thinking he was going to comment on Brianna’s reluctance to select a bagel or her waiting to begin eating until I had started, but no. No. He zeroed in on the now-barely-there hickey I’d left on her. “You’re going to lecture me about giving a girl a hickey? I’m not sixteen anymore, Richard.”

“No,” he said. “You’re nearly twenty-five years old with a young woman in there who trusts you to take care of her. And against my better judgment, I’m trying to accept that neither you nor she is willing to seek professional help. But Stephan, do you really think that acting this way is the best thing for her? I’ve done some research into your... lifestyle. It still seems... barbaric to me, but I do see where the rules and structure could be good for her. I just don’t think sexual—”

“Enough,” I said. I kept my voice even, but firm. “What I do or don’t do with Brianna, sexually or otherwise, is not your business. I wouldn’t do anything to her that she doesn’t wish for me to do. You’re just going to have to accept that, whether you like it or not.”

“Surely, you’re not thinking...”

“Let me ask you this. How many years do you think it would take a therapist to get her to the point she is now? You saw her in the beginning. You know how bad she was. Can you honestly tell me that a professional could do better?”

He was shaking his head. I knew he didn’t like what I was saying. “The speed of the recovery is not the point. It is the overall health of the patient that—”

“She is not a patient!”

His face paled. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d raised my voice to my uncle.

The elevator doors opened, and he stepped forward, turning his back against one of the doors to hold it open. “I’m sorry I upset you. It wasn’t my intention. I am trying here, but I won’t pretend that I’m not concerned for her well-being, or what you’re doing with her. She’s vulnerable right now. I won’t say anything else in front of her because, you’re right, it will only upset her. I will not, however, censor my thoughts or feelings from you on the matter.” He took a deep breath and turned to look out into the parking garage. “Your aunt would like for you to come to dinner again. Both of you. I understand if that doesn’t mean tomorrow, but it would mean a lot to her if it was soon.”

He didn’t wait for my answer before stepping out and allowing the doors to close behind him.

The ride back up to my condo seemed to take forever. I knew we couldn’t avoid my family long term, but I wasn’t ready to face dinner with them again. Jimmy and Samantha had been there last week, and chances were they’d be regular guests for the foreseeable future. I was pretty sure Jimmy would leave us alone unless his wife put pressure on him again.

Diane wasn’t a problem. The concern there was more of her smothering Brianna with affection than anything else. Just the thought of my aunt doting over Brianna made me smile. I was hoping Brianna would be in my life for a long time, and it was good that at least one of my family members loved her.

No. Richard was the big hurdle, but I had to admit today’s visit had gone better than expected, even with the talk. I’d asked him not to upset Brianna, and he’d followed my instructions. I had to pick my battles.

Walking through the door of my condo, I scanned the room for Brianna. I’d told her to get dressed while I was gone, but that shouldn’t have taken long.

I headed to her room to see if she was perhaps still getting ready. What I found caused a deep ache in my chest. Brianna was dressed and sitting on her bed, her knees pulled up to her chest. I couldn’t see her face, but by her posture, I could tell she was upset.

The bed shifted as I climbed onto it to sit beside her. I reached for her. At the feel of my touch, Brianna turned and clung to me as if her life depended on it. She was crying.

“Shh. You’re okay,” I said, running my fingers through her hair. She climbed onto my lap, and I held her. As she calmed down, I brushed the hair away from her face. “Tell me why you’re so upset.”

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