The Secrets That Free Us

Chapter 22

"How was your session sweetie?" My Mom asks me as I throw myself into a slump on the sofa.

"Yeah it was okay. She's gave me some new sleep meds to try." I pick at the skin around my fingernails, I don't tell my Mom that todays session was actually pretty intense. We got into the deep seeded issues that haunt my dreams and leave a dark cloud hanging over my head on a daily basis.

"Okay well me and your Dad are going out for a meal and drinks tonight, Mia said she could stay with you?" Her tone is cautious. It's only just now that I notice the light make up highlighting her face. She's wearing a simple black dress with a maroon shawl draped across her shoulders.

"Don't be silly. I'll be fine, I'm actually pretty tired I think I'm gonna have a nice hot bath and an early night." I try to give her a reassuring smile although I'm not sure how convincing it is so I add a yawn in for good measure.

She eyes me skeptically as my Dad joins us in the living room wearing black dress pants and a powder blue shirt.

When he spots my Mom my chest slightly aches with the way his eyes light up and a smile spreads across his face. He brings his hand up and places it across his heart for dramatic emphasis, "I am the luckiest son of a bitch in the whole world."

My Mom rolls her eyes but she can't hide the smile threatening to break out. "Yes, you are." She turns her attention back to me, a serious look replacing the young, carefree one she had mere seconds ago, "Now Grace, are you sure you're going to be okay sweetheart?"

Now it's my turn to roll my eyes, "Yes Mom, I'll be fine. Go have fun."

"Okay, well call if you need anything." She checks her clutch one last time making sure she has everything she may need before walking out of the front door my dad is holding open for her.

He watches her walk down the driveway way and when he's satisfied she's out of ear shot he turns to me, "You gonna be okay kid?"

"Yes Dad." I sigh. I know they mean well but how else can I prove that I can be alone.

He nods thoughtfully, turns to check my Mom's in the car and turns back to me, "Good. Now I was going to see if you're Mom wanted to get a hotel room for the night, i've left 20 bucks on the counter for you so just order a pizza if you want. But if you need us to come back, call us."

"I promise i'll be fine. Wait, why are you guys staying at a hotel?" I scrunch my eyebrows in confusion until the smirk on my Dad's face tells me more than I need to know.

"Well that's gross." I say as realisation hits me.

He rolls his eyes, chuckles, places a soft hand on my shoulder and looks sincerely into my eyes. His tone is soft as he says, "Sweetie, I love you kids more than life it's self, but you are all a bunch of cockblocks."

"Eww Dad. Please don't ever say that again." I shiver in disgust.

"Yeah, well, you try having your own home but having to pay for a damn hotel room just for some alone time with your wife." He mutters. He shakes his head as he walks out of the front door leaving me scarred for life while he shouts something about he already pays for therapy for me whats a few more sessions.

As soon as the door is closed the silence in the house engulfs me. A whole night alone in this house.

Coco follows me up the stairs and takes her rightful spot on the bottom of my bed as I walk out of my bedroom and into the main bathroom to run myself a bath.

I love my en suit but it's only big enough for a shower cubicle, a sink and a toilet.

Once I'm satisfied with the water level and temperature I add some bubbles and lower myself into the tub and revel in the slight sting the warm water leaves on my skin.

I lie back in the relaxing bath and close my eyes.

After an hour long bath I take myself back into my bedroom and pull out a oversized grey Tshirt and a pair of  cotton cycling type shorts to put on for bed.

I take one of my new sleeping tablets and hope that tonight I might actually sleep, and if I'm really lucky I will sleep all night with no nightmares.