Page 44 of After Everything
That was Emma. That was who she'd always been. The person who put others first, who showed up when people needed her, who did the right thing even when it was hard.
The person I'd taken for granted for eight years.
I put my phone down and pulled up Maria's file. I needed to prepare her for the appointment, make sure she knew what to bring, and reassure her that Emma would take care of her.
But first, I let myself sit with the reality that I was going to see Emma again. In three days. In her space, her clinic, where she was the expert and I was just the lawyer who needed her help.
Exactly how it should be.
I calledMaria that evening to tell her about the appointment.
"She can see me?" Maria's voice was thick with relief. "This Thursday?"
"Thursday at three PM. Riverview Women's Health." I gave her the address. "The nurse practitioner's name is Emma Peterson. She specializes in working with domestic violence survivors. She's going to take care of you."
"How much does it cost?"
"Nothing. She's doing it pro bono for the case."
Maria started crying. "Thank you, Mr. Harrison. Thank you so much. I was so scared?—"
"I know. But we're going to get through this. You're going to get that restraining order, and you and your kids are going to be safe. Okay?"
"Okay." She sniffled. "I trust you."
After we hung up, I sat on my couch inthe quiet apartment and thought about Thursday.
I'd see Emma in her element. In the career she'd built without me, the one she'd given up medical school for but found her way back to anyway. I'd watch her do what she was born to do: help people, heal people, be the kind of medical provider everyone wished they had.
And I'd stay in the waiting room. Where I belonged.
Dr. Reeves would probably say this was good for me. A reminder that Emma had moved on, built a life, become someone extraordinary. A reminder that the world didn't revolve around me or my guilt or my desire for redemption.
A reminder that sometimes the best thing you could do for someone you'd hurt was to respect their boundaries and stay the hell out of their way.
I pulled out my phone and opened my notes app. Added to my list.
Things I need to work on:
Letting go of the past
Accepting that Emma has moved on
Believing I deserve happiness too
