Ruby 💙

4

"Evelyn. How are you today?"

She sighed, sitting on the couch, "I'm okay Dr. Murphy."

Dr. Murphy chuckled, "really? You don't seem like it. How's your week?"

Evelyn fiddled with her hands, looking down at them. "It's been fine."

"Evelyn. I can't help you if you don't talk to me."

She groaned, crossing her arms. "Fine. I met someone who's insistent on pursuing me even though I'm not sure. And I had a blow up with my mother yesterday. And she's a major reason I'm not sure about the guy. He's different than other guys. I'm not sure he'd be able to handle it."

"Okay then." Dr. Murphy chuckled, "want to talk about the guy first?"

"He's... an actor that I hooked up with when he was in town. I didn't expect him to want to see me again, but he's still around. Or..." she sighed, "he's out of town, but coming back. He said he wants to take me on a real date."

Dr. Murphy nodded, "and.. you're not interested?"

"I didn't say that."

"Then what's the problem of going out with him?"

Evelyn groaned, "because he's well known. And he's sweet. And he doesn't know me. I'm afraid once he does he'll run. Or we'll work out and maybe something will come out in the public and he'll decide I'm not worth the trouble."

"Why wouldn't you be worth the trouble Evelyn?"

"Because I never am?"

Dr. Murphy sighed, "do you want to talk about the blow up with your mom?"

"Ugh. She said something about how I should be grateful to her."

"Well. Maybe not grateful to her per se. But grateful in general? You're smart, self reliant, resilient. Should you have had to go through what you did to become this way? Of course not. No one should have to go through the things you went through. But you're here. And you're stronger than you ever have been. For that, you should be grateful."

Evelyn nodded, tears welling in her eyes as she did. "I don't feel strong."

"I know." Dr. Murphy nodded, "but you are. And this guy, whoever he may be, obviously sees that too. Maybe you should give him a chance Evelyn."

She groaned, "I don't know. He knows nothing about me. Or my past. Or my mom. I just don't know. He's sweet, from a cookie cutter family who all still live in the same area. Makes me sick." She laughed as she heard Dr. Murphy laugh with her.

"Or..."

Evelyn sighed, "or... I'm worried my tragic past will somehow clash with his perfect life."

Dr. Murphy nodded, "sure. Or..."

Evelyn looked out the window, "or... I'm afraid that it will all work out, and we'd be happy. I'm not sure which is more terrifying actually."

"And it would be awful if you're happy because..."

Evelyn rolled her eyes, "because there's a part of me that always believes that I don't deserve to be happy. I know doc. I know."

Dr. Murphy chuckled, "you know the problems. You need to work on changing your default thoughts."

She sighed, "I know. I try. Some days are better than others. Yesterday was a really bad day though."

"That's okay. We all have bad days where our thoughts consume us. But. I think you know that you are deserving of being happy. And you're deserving of a man that loves you even if he comes from a sickening cookie cutter family."

Evelyn laughed as Dr. Murphy smiled, "I know. Thanks doc."

⚜️⚜️⚜️

Evelyn hesitated when she heard her phone ringing at the same time that night as she laid in bed. She saw a request for a video call from Chris, finally answering. "Chris."

'Evie. I was worried you wouldn't answer.'

She sighed, rolling to her side, "I'm sorry. I had a bad day yesterday. I.. I had therapy today. I feel a bit better."

He smiled, 'I'm glad. I know it would be easier if I were there, but you don't have to shut me out.'

She nodded, "I'm not ready to talk but um.. Can you stay with me until I fall asleep?"

Chris nodded, smiling, 'happy to.'

Evelyn chuckled, propping him up on the pillow next to her so they could see each other as they laid down, "thanks."

'Evie?'

"Yeah Chris.."

He smiled, 'goodnight. Close your eyes. I'll stay until I hear you snoring.'

She laughed, "I don't snore."

'You forget we've slept together before.'

"Yeah yeah. Goodnight Chris."

He smiled, watching her close her eyes as he heard her breathing begin to steady before he heard her snoring softly, making him chuckle.

⚜️⚜️⚜️

Evelyn woke up to her phone ringing, it still on the pillow next to her. She clicked the green button to see Chris's smiling face. "What time is it there?"

He laughed, 'lunchtime. I had some time. Good morning beautiful. I wake you up?'

She chuckled, sitting up in bed as she grabbed the phone, "obviously. Wait... if it's lunchtime then you've been calling me in the middle of the night?"

He shrugged, 'yeah. Been doing night shoots. You've actually been helping me stay awake.'

"You're welcome then?" She looked at him, "do you have a tan?"

He laughed, panning the camera down, 'yes. It's not real though. I can't tan.'

She groaned, "you look really hot though."

He grinned, 'that so?' He smiled as he watched her blush. 'I just wanted to check on you. I know you've had a bad few days. I'm wanted back on set. I'll call you later Evie.'

"Thank you Chris. I don't know why you're so sweet to me."

'You're welcome Evelyn. It's who I am. I'll talk to you later. Have a good day.'

"Goodbye Chris." She groaned, laying back down to see it was just after 7. She sighed, getting up to start the day.