After the showdown with Miranda, Flynn and I came back to my place. I wanted to make sure she was actually okay with what happened. I know she has a strong exterior and likes to put up a front. I never wanted her to get caught in the ugliness between me and my ex-wife.
I want to take her mind off things. We spend so much time focusing on her vulnerabilities. She’s always talking and I’m always listening. It’s my job, but the scales always seem to tip heavier to one side. It’s time I’m vulnerable for once and I don’t think Flynn will disagree.
“I want you to come somewhere with me.” Flynn’s curled into my side on the couch, scrolling through her phone and glances up at me at my words.
“Is it to the bedroom?” She and I haven’t consummated our newfound official relationship, but she still hasn’t responded to my declaration of love, either. Not that I’m punishing her, because the last thing I want to do is pressure her, but if she’s not ready for love, then she shouldn’t be ready for sex.
“No, I want you to come to counseling with me.” I tell her and she sits up and turns to look at me.
“Already? I didn’t think we had that many problems to make us go to couples’ therapy.”
“Not couples therapy.” I squeeze her side and she flinches away, ticklish. “To my grief counseling. I usually only go once or twice a year around the anniversary and the holidays, but I want you to come with me.” It’s a huge step, but if I want her to be in my life, she needs to witness every aspect of who I am, including my struggles.
“Then I’ll come with you. Besides, it’ll be nice to be in therapy and not have to focus on myself for once.” I roll my eyes but squeeze her into my side. I murmur my thanks into her hair and kiss the top of her head. “When is it?”
“Tonight,” I tell her. She sits up and looks at me with wide eyes and a slack jaw.
“You could’ve given me a little more notice,” she chastises, but there’s no real heat behind her words.
“It’s not like you need to prepare or anything.” Tonight should definitely be interesting with Flynn by my side.
Later that night, we arrive at counseling. There are a few people I don’t recognize, but Shelly greets me right away. She eyes Flynn but doesn’t say anything. She’s not judgmental at all; she can’t be in her position. She’s just curious. Last time I was here, I was talking about the demise of my marriage and today I show up with someone several years my junior.
We grab two empty seats in the circle. Flynn won’t stop looking around and fidgeting in her seat. She’s uncomfortable here, but I’m grateful for the effort she’s making on my account. It’s a big step for her and a huge display of commitment. I’m proud of her. She’s come a long way since she’s really started trying to be better.
A woman I recognize from my last time here walks through the doors sans the kid she brought last time. My jaw drops at my stupid mistake. She stops and talks to Shelly, and though she’s smiling I can see the nerves in her tight grin and trembling hands. Shelly puts a calming hand on her shoulder and nods, saying something to her with a reassuring smile.
In that same instant, nails dig into my forearm. A hiss escapes from beside me and Flynn turns her entire body toward me, shielding her face with one hand.
“We have a problem. I need to get out of here. Now.”
“What? Why? What’s wrong?” I fake-glance around the room, pretending like I don’t know what she’s talking about.
“That girl over there by the door,” she peeks between her fingers and her eyes go wide when she sees Shelly and the black-haired girl coming closer. “The one walking over here right now is my sister.”
Shit. I put the pieces together the minute she walked in the room, but I was hoping it wouldn’t be a big deal. Clearly, I was wrong. “I realize this is where I knew her from. I’m so sorry I didn’t put it together sooner. I rarely come to these sessions. I wasn’t thinking.” I’m trying to placate her, but she’s visibly distraught. Soon she’s going to draw attention to us all by herself.
“Little late for that, bud.” She grimaces. “I seriously need to get out of here. She can’t see me with you.”
“Why? She doesn’t know who I am to you.” She opens her mouth, but Shelly starts the meeting. “Besides, I think it’s a little late for that,” I finish on a whisper.
Flynn slinks down in her seat as far as she can go. There’s no use trying to be invisible; she’d stand out in the most eccentric of crowds. She’s a light; everyone is drawn to her.
“Hello, everyone, and I’m sorry that you’re here. Tonight, our guest speaker has been through the wringer herself. She suffered a tragedy at a young age and is here to share with you her journey. Carson, the floor is yours.”
Carson—Flynn’s sister—slowly turns in the circle as she begins talking. She stutters and does a double take the moment her gaze drifts over me and lands on Flynn. Though she catches herself and continues talking, her face is screaming with confusion. Her forehead wrinkles as she stares at her sister and her eyes snap between us when she catches my arm behind Flynn’s back.
She goes through her story, from learning of her college boyfriend’s cancer to finding out she was pregnant and then him dying. She talks about
