Page 64 of Fractured Grief
Lyric wasn’t making any sense. “Hey, it’s okay. You’re okay. Take a deep breath for me.” He was starting to panic. We’d all been trained on how to help someone having a panic attack from Lyric’s best friend, Kaydence, who suffered from them for years. “You need to calm your breathing. In… one… two… three. Out… one… two… three. Again.” We continued until his breathing returned to normal.
Lyric extricated himself from my hold and used his shirt to wipe his face. His eyes were still red, and he looked exhausted.
“Have you made an appointment?” I asked.
“For what?”
“To talk to someone. Like Levi?”
“Not yet.” I could get that it must be hard. Levi and the previous practitioners had been forced on me, and I’m not sure I would have reached out to one if it had been a choice.
“Can I make an appointment for you? Would it help if I came with you?” I just wanted to help him.
“That might help. Thanks, Seb.” He hugged me again. “I’m going to take an actual walk to clear my head. I’ll be back in about an hour. Tell them I’m sorry if they saw or heard any of that.” Lyric scratched at the back of his neck awkwardly before turning and heading up the side of my house.
All I could do was watch him go, feeling lost and more worried about him than I had been before.
Chapter 32
Indy
Carol insisted I have Monday off, then we’d reassess. I got Hazel dressed and ready for the day.
“Are you really okay, Daddy?” She asked when we chose her clothes. “Why would you not get better? You have to get better!” Her sweet face was tight with fear, and tears welled in her eyes. I don’t think either of us had fully dealt with losing Lexi and all that came from that traumatic day.
I remembered how Haze had panicked the first time we had to return to the hospital to have her cast removed after the accident. I should have done more for her. I should have gotten her some help. She still wouldn’t tell me what she remembered from the accident, other than it was “the bad day”.
“I am already better, sweetie. You saw the medicine going into my arm yesterday. That has done most of the work; now I just need to rest.” I tried my best to reassure her. “I’m sorry if their words had you worried. Wouldyou like to come with me today and hear the doctor say I’m all okay?”
She paused to think, her little nose scrunching up. “Yes. If that doctor says you are okay, then you must be.”
“Okay, so let’s finish getting ready, brush your teeth and hair, and we’ll head to the doctor’s office.”
“Okay,” she hurried to do what I’d asked.
Once we were ready, we left Seb’s bedroom and found him sitting in the living room, looking pensive. His face cleared when he noticed me, but that expression worried me. “You okay?” I glanced into the kitchen. “Where’s Lyric?”
“He’s gone for a walk. Probably won’t be back for a while.” He rubbed over his thick beard. “We could walk to Doc’s, it’s not far. Do you think you’d both be okay with that?”
Truthfully, I felt more than fine, like nothing even happened, and Hazel was always full of energy. “We’ll be fine. What about you, though? It’s not too far?”
“I should be fine. It’s nice outside, if a little cold, and we can always stop by the café for a break before we head back,” he said, thoughtfully.
“Okay. Do I need to make an appointment, or can we just head in?” I asked.
“Doc’s expecting you, so unless there was another emergency, we should be fine.”
“Well, we’re ready if you are.” Seb nodded in response. I smiled down at Hazel. “Let’s get some shoes on and put on your coat, then we can head out.”
“Let’s go,” Seb said as he made his way to the door to put on his shoes, and we all bundled up in winter gear.
His street was picturesque, with beautiful family homes and snow-covered lawns. Cars and a variety of trees lined the street. I could picture it bursting with greenery and the new growth of spring. It would look like an iconic postcard with the tree canopies reaching towards each other over the road. It all felt very family-friendly with kids’ play equipment and bikes littering many of the front yards. I enjoyed the peace and quiet as we slowly made our way there.
Turning onto Main Street, it was filled with charm, just as I remembered, but now it was covered in Thanksgiving decor. I would have loved to explore all the shops and see what Hope’s Ridge had to offer, but that would have to wait. Seb guided us through the street before turning into a side alley that led to Doc’s practice. He held the door open for Miss Hazel and me to enter and followed us in.
Hazel ran up to the counter, which was unattended, and rang the bell persistently.
“Hold your horses, I’m coming,” Doc called out.
