Briley.
Luke sat with me for over an hour, letting me tell him how I felt after talking with Ben and it was beyond relieving to be able to just get it off my chest.
"Can you keep a secret?" I asked him, seeing him nod.
"And I mean a real secret- like I haven't even told Calum this" I tried to make sure he knew I didn't want anyone else knowing this.
"Your secret it safe with me, I promise." He nodded to me.
"You have to believe me when I say that I love Ben and I will always want him in my life." I spoke slowly, making sure my words were worded correctly.
"But at the same time, I'm terrified to start a life with Calum and him come with us, because what if he can't change?" I asked slowly.
Luke.
She was asking me such good questions.
She was communicating so well.
I could've sat here all day, just talking her through the bundles of thoughts in her head.
"Like, this is supposed to be over for me, but yet I'm so scared that he will always have a piece of Roy in him." She looked away as she told me that, making me grab her hand.
"I understand what you're saying." I told her, giving her a minute to say something back, but when she didn't speak- I continued for her
"I think your thoughts are rational, and I think any other person in your shoes would have the same fear, but we are all working with Ben constantly, and he is also working with himself." I told her calmly.
"He understands the difference between right and wrong, and with us helping him through his trauma and helping him establish a new boundary for how we all treat people, everything will be okay." I told her, and she nodded firmly, but I could tell she still had her doubts.
"But regardless, I can promise you- it's not just Calum taking you into a new life, we all are. I speak for myself along with Calum, Ashton and Michael when I say that we are never going to leave either of you in a situation where you guys are not being treated fairly and cared for. You have nothing to worry about as long as you are with us."
I could tell that made her feel better
"Thank you" she spoke quietly, giving my hand a small squeeze, which made me smile.
"Do you want to keep talking?" I offered her.
"I'm sure you have other stuff to do-" "your brother is actually my only other patient today, and Calum stayed with him, so you've got me for however long you want me." I told her, hoping that if she wanted to talk, she would feel welcome.
She smiled lightly, exhaling as she leaned her head against the wall, glancing to me.
"I just wish we could fast forward to when life feels normal again."
