but I like being in my room, and I don’t like being in groups of people.”
“Do you read books or magazines?”
“Chapel and I both liked to read when we were in school. I had just started ninth grade, and Chapel was in seventh, but we didn’t read after we were taken. Storm and Ace, they’ve done so much for us already. Why should we ask for unnecessary things like magazines and books?”
“If reading is something you enjoy, I think you should ask for those things, and it would keep you occupied. “How do you feel about Chapel moving into her own room?”
I drag my eyes up to hers and rub the back of my neck with unease. I’m not sure I like all of these questions. It feels overwhelming. My brows knit while my lips form into a frown. “You have a lot of questions.”
Her face lights up with a beaming smile, and she laughs. “I do. That’s part of my job. If you ever feel uncomfortable, you can tell me to stop. I’m here for you, Haven. Plus, I’m not the club and not Storm, and I’m not reporting back to them. Our sessions are completely confidential and covered by doctor/patient confidentiality. By law, I am not allowed to share anything you tell me.”
My eyes widen in shock. “Really? No matter what?”
“Really, but there are situations where I would have to take the necessary steps to make sure you were safe. For example, if I felt you were a danger to yourself or others, I would need to deal with that accordingly because you and your safety will always be the number one priority to me.”
I accept that and sink further down into her couch. “I don’t like that they took her away from me. We’ve always been together.”
“Storm takes good care of you, though, doesn’t he?
I quietly mumble, “I’m just a job to Storm.”
Her brows furrow as if she doesn’t understand. “What makes you say that?”
My shoulders sag just as my heart has. “He told me.”
“Oh, Haven.” She moves to sit next to me and takes my hand in hers. “You are far from just a job to him. I saw the way he took care of you last week with your feet, and I think it would be good for you to ask for the things you want.”
“He just takes care of me because he feels he has to.” A pounding knock on the door startles me.
“It’s okay. It’s probably just Storm.” She glances at the clock and smiles. “Our session is over for today, but I will see you again next week.”
Standing up from the couch, I take a deep breath. “That hour went by fast.”
Kayla laughs lightly. “It wasn’t so bad, was it?”
Smiling shyly, I shake my head. “No.”
“I’m going to give you some homework to do. You will still come to see me once a week, but I really want you to try to accomplish a daily goal, got it?”
“Got it.”
“Starting tomorrow, I want you to leave your room every day. You can go outside or wherever you want, but you cannot go to Chapel’s room. For the next week, I want you to begin with five minutes. If you are able to accomplish the goal, increase the time by five minutes next week. Each time you are able to accomplish the goal, you increase the time by five minutes. Okay? Can you do that?”
Panic sets in, and it feels like it’s getting harder to breathe.
She rubs her hand along my arm. In a soothing tone, she instructs me, “Calm down, Haven. Take a few deep breaths and count to ten. Focus on a place where you feel safe. It can be real or imaginary.” I do as she tells me, and it seems to help some. “If you feel like the homework is too much, try just a couple of minutes to start and don’t worry about the time. I don’t want you increasing until you are able to accomplish the first goal. So, if you can’t do it this week, you stay at five minutes until you can accomplish it. Then you move to ten.”
She studies me for a moment before asking, “Does this happen a lot?” I nod. “I’m going to give you a couple of prescriptions for anxiety medicine. I think it will help you cope.” I wait for her to write on her pad as she explains how both medicines will help me, then she opens the door and