Page 123 of Unexpected Redemption

Well, the standing and stepping are metaphorical since we were seated. And if you were paying attention, you’d have figured that out by now.

Sorry for snarking. I’m a tad butthurt over being relegated to the lobby.

To be frank—whomever he is—I’m unsure how I got here.

Hold up. That sounds dumb as a doornail. I walked out on my own two legs.Duh. But I suspect she used the power of compulsion to get us to agree without resisting.

It might have been some type of Jedi mind trick. She has Yoda energy. Bet she’s doing the backwards sentence thing in there right now.

Trauma you have.

Discuss much we will.

Oh well. No sense bellyaching about not having a front row seat to his healing. After all, he’s entitled to all the privacy in the world to work out his issues, the same as I am. Yet he wanted me there.

Until he didn’t.Because of the Yoda therapist.

Now I’m sitting on a cozy couch beside Sammy and listening to her heavy breathing. I can’t wait until I’m at theI can’t breathestage of pregnancy.Looks totally fun.Eye roll.

Sawyer’s seated on a chair across from us. He was sitting where I am until I got unceremoniously kicked to the curb. After jumping up to ensure all was well, he took a walk around the building to look for trouble and told me to keep his seat warm. When he returned, he insisted I stay put since the couch is comfier than the stiff-looking chair.

I suspect he’s buttering me up to make peace. He seems like a nice guy, probably undeserving of most of my attitude. I just can’t tolerate someone being mean to Tomer. Knowing it wasn’t malicious bullying, I’ll give him another chance. Especially since this couch is comfy as all get out.

Sammy props her feet up on his knees and says, “You look pissed. Got anger issues? Jaynie can help with those.”

“Who me?” I chuckle, shaking my head and pointing a finger at my chest. “Nah. My problem is I’m too nice.”

Her eyes widen, and she tilts her head knowingly at me. “Sure, Jan.”

Sawyer pumps his fist and whispers, “Nice impression, princess.”

Grinning at them both, I cover my reddening cheeks with my palms. “Fair. I was a bit of a bitch earlier today. Busted. However, that was just a blip. I’m a lifetime people pleaser who was taught never to make a stink. And lately... well, you can imagine why that might have changed a bit for me.”

Sammy pats my knee twice, her eyes twinkling with mirth. “Welcome to theLook What You Made Me Do Club for Trauma Survivors. We grab life by the balls and know how to punch a throat without chipping our nails. Meetings are on the first of the month. You’ll be in charge of bringing cookies because I bet that’s something you’d like to do.”

Questions blast through my mind, giving my squirrel far too many ideas to process at once, but I’m stuck laughing at her sincere delivery.

“Not everyone goes full rage, princess.” Sawyer rubs her swollen ankles in soothing circles, drawing my attention there. “Lettie, if you join, order your T-shirt a size up. They tend to run small.”

Once the hilarity of the moment passes, I catch Sammy’s eyes and lower my volume. “Did you have um... trauma like mine?”

“Not exactly the same.” She nods solemnly. “Some glaring similarities, I’d imagine.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” I tell her honestly.

I hate the idea of another woman hurting like me. Unfortunately, it seems all too common.

“And I’m sorry for what you went through.” Her tone, normally sarcastic and playful, turns warm and motherly. “If youever need to talk, I’m here. Or if you want to let out some rage, I’m always game for a smash room.” She tips her head toward the door to the psychologist’s office. “Jaynie has great tactics you could try. Are you gonna see her too?”

I exhale with an animated flap of my lips. “Probably not. We’ll see. I quite like this woman named Simone I started seeing at the Langley women’s shelter.” My lips purse, and I glance at the ceiling. “Come to think of it. Simone is a waif of a woman too. Is it an unwritten law that therapists should be small? Maybe it’s so they’re less intimidating.”

Sammy’s head rears, and she scoffs. “Don’t let Jaynie’s size fool you. She’s tough as nails when she needs to be.”

“For now, I’ll let Tomer have her. I’m doing great with Simone.”

“As long as you’re getting help. That’s what matters.”

Sawyer chimes in. “Remember when it used to be taboo to talk about therapy? Glad those days are behind us. Drive-thru law firms, memes for every occasion, on-demand movie theater new releases at home, plus therapy for everyone. What a time to be alive.”

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