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“How are your coping mechanisms working?”
“Back to normal, I’d say.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” She makes more notations. “What about the nightmares? Are you still having them?”
“I had one last night.” Actually three, but who’s counting?
“What was it about?”
My heart starts pounding. “A man was choking me. I couldn’t breathe.”
“That pertains to the abduction, doesn’t it?”
“Yes.”
Her lips flatten into a line. “What happened last night, after the nightmare?”
“Jason woke me.”
“I’m glad he was there for you. Were you able to go back to sleep?”
I nod. “I did. I felt… safe… knowing he was in the room with me.”
She writes something in the notebook. “I’m glad you feel safe with him. That’s a very healthy attitude, Layla. Yes, Sean turned out to be untrustworthy, but not everyone is like that. I assure you, there are good people in the world.”
“Are you going to approve my release? I really want to go home.”
“Do you think you’re ready?”
“Yes. Definitely.”
No, you’re not. You’re crazy. You belong here.
Stop it.
I paste a smile on my face.I’m fine. Perfectly fine.
You’re not fooling anyone. You’re a nutjob.
Dr. Hartigan asks me a few more questions about how my parents are doing, how Ian’s doing. The usual. Then she says, “Yes, I think it’s okay for you to resume your normal activities, including school.”
Relief rushes through me. “Thank you.”
“No problem.”
I give it a week before you’re back in the psych ward.
As soon as Dr Hartigan closes her notebook and stands, I know our session is over.
“It was good to see you,” I tell her, doing my best to sound normal.
“It was good to see you, too. Good luck with school. I’ll see you next week in my office for your regular visit.”
As soon as she’s gone, the door opens and Jason walks back in. “How’d it go?”
I smile, feeling hopeful for the first time in days. “She’s releasing me. I can go home.”
Home.
