Page 139 of Reaper

“Nah, not right now.” Colt shakes his head.

“Alright we’ll meet again in a few days. Everyone stay safe and don’t do anything stupid. Meeting adjourned.”

* * *

It’s been a little over a week since everything with William went down. The dust is finally starting to settle around us and everyone is getting back to their lives. Including me by picking back up with my therapy sessions. I wanted to cancel, but Harrison was adamant that I work it all out with her without giving her too many details.

“The last thing we need is for the therapist to go to the cops,” Harrison tells me.

“I think it’s time,” the therapist says, bringing me back to the present. “You’ve made progress when it comes to your family, but I think there is one last thing you need to do to completely move on.”

“And what’s that?”

“I think you need to confront them. You could visit them in person, or you could call, or even write, but I think you need to lay it all out for them. How you forgive them for being absent and letting you down. Say whatever you want to them.”

“I don’t know.” I frown as I shift in my chair. “I wouldn’t even know where to find them.”

“I think a simple Google search would give you that answer. If you don’t want to do it yourself, ask one of your friends. I truly think this is the only way you will completely move on and let that go.”

“You really think so?”

The therapist smiles as she adjusts her glasses. “I do. You’ve made your peace with them and your ex. I’ve told you what to look for in a healthy relationship and from what you’ve said, you’ve found that. On top of that, you’ve created your own family. It’s truly remarkable. You’ve managed to do something that takes others years in mere months.”

“Are you saying you think I no longer need therapy?”

The therapist laughs. “Everyone needs therapy. Some more than others. I don’t think our time is over yet. Now tell me, will you do it?”

I nod. “I think I will.”

“Alright. Next week I expect you to give me an update on how you feel about it.”

“Okay.” I smile. “Bye.”

As soon as she signs off, I sigh.

I don’t even know what I want to say to them, but I know I need to. Not just for me but for Harrison.

Reaching forward, I grab a notebook and find a blank piece of paper. Grabbing a pen, I set it on the paper and I begin to write.

Mom & Dad,

My therapist encouraged me to write to you. Said it was the last thing I needed to do before closing that chapter of my life. I’m only doing this because my partner and the family we’ve created deserve the very best version of myself. You do that for those you love, but you wouldn’t understand that.

All I ever wanted as a child was to be seen and heard by you, but I never got that. You made me feel like an inconvenience. You didn’t ask about my day or what I was interested in. If I tried, you told me I talked too much and walked away.

When I first moved away, I was desperate for love. I fell into the arms of the first man I found only to end up in an abusive relationship. He beat me and demanded I be seen and not heard, just like you. I got myself out though.

I found a man and a family who love me for me. They encourage me to be loud and speak my opinion. They always stop and listen when I talk. I have their complete attention and devotion and they have mine.

I’m happy now. I know what a healthy relationship looks like thanks to some of our friends. My partner shows me every day what love looks and feels like. I hope you know what that feels like and if you don’t, well I hope you find it.

I wish you nothing but the best, but please don’t reach out.

Goodbye,

Natalie

With a shaky hand, I set down the pen and reread what I just wrote. I’m tempted to go back and rewrite things and add to it, but these are my thoughts and feelings in that moment. They deserve my raw, unfiltered honesty.

---