Page 82 of The Soul Never Forgets

My mother taps her perfectly manicured nails against the table. “Well, I’m going to need to know the name of this new therapist so I can set up an appointment to accommodate both of our schedules.”

“Your presence is not required nor is it welcome,” I say to her.

“Caroline––”

“I mean it, Mother. I don’t want you to ever be present in one of my therapy sessions or have contact with my therapist.”

“You need someone the therapist can speak to about your care.”

“My therapist will speak to Jude if the need arises.”

“He is not your family.”

“He will be my husband soon, and I trust that he’s more than capable of handling any situation that might arise since he himself is a licensed therapist.” And you are not.

She scoffs. “I don’t understand why you’d want to marry her when you know that she’s mentally ill.”

Dawsey reaches for my hand. “I love this woman, and I don’t want to live a day of my life without her. That’s why I want to marry her. And it’s sad that I must explain that to you.”

“You won’t have a voice if you marry him. Is that what you want for yourself?”

Is she kidding me? “I finally have a voice, and that’s because he helped me find it.”

“I can see that you aren’t going to hear anything that I have to say. He’s brainwashed you.”

“I’m the healthiest and happiest I’ve ever been. My mind has never been clearer. And I’m in love. This man is perfect for me, and we are meant to be together. I’m sorry you can’t see that. I’m sorry that you can’t be happy for us.”

“I’m sorry this man was able to do such a splendid job of manipulating an impressionable young woman who suffers from a severe mental illness. You’ve taken advantage of your position,Doctor. How dare you use your authority to coax my unstable daughter into a sexual relationship with you.”

“Jude hasn’tcoaxedme into doing anything.”

“I’m going to take this relationship to the board and have your license revoked.”

“You can try, but you can’t prove wrongdoing when there has been none. Jude did everything by the book as he was supposed to.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“Look on the bright side, Mom. I’ve always been a thorn in your side. Now you’re free of me. You don’t have to concern yourself with my care any longer.”

“Don’t come running to me when he tires of taking care of you.”

“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t dream of coming to you for anything.” Ever again.

“Don’t bother sending me an invitation to the wedding. Or your brother. We won’t be attending since we don’t support this marriage.”

WE won’t be attending since WE don’t support this marriage.You’ve got to love the way she takes it upon herself to speak for others. First me and now my brother. Not that my brother should ever speak up and express his opinion. He’s an idiot.

“I’ll be sure and scratch both of your names off the guest list when I get home.”

My mother gets up and leaves, saying nothing else.

“Well, that went just as I thought it would,” I say.

“I’m sorry, my love.”

I shrug. “It’s okay. I’m used to it. It’s exactly what I expected.”

“It’s okay to admit that it hurts.”

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