Ava Kingsley is basking in her post-senior year summer- until she gets a phone call that sends her universe spinning in a completely new direction.
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The disappearance of 22 year old diner waitress Jamie Clark and her son Tyler is a cold case closed...
"JAMIE, I THINK this would be really good for you," Ava said, looking over at Jamie from her position behind the wheel.
In the aftermath of the arrests of Tate and Kamron, Jamie had been feeling more than a little lost. When Ava had rescued her, Jamie had felt like her entire world had opened up again, but seeing Tyler like that... it had rebroken whatever had healed.
"I just don't think he could possibly fix it," Jamie said. Her head had become a dangerous place to be recently. "I don't think anyone could possibly understand what I have to go through on a daily basis to even be in this car right now."
Ava looked shocked, her eyes open wide. She reached out and put her hand on Jamie's shoulder.
"I'm so sorry you feel like you can't talk to me, but because I'm moving I wanted to help you get set up at a therapist. Luke and I have been seeing this guy to work through everything we experienced, and I think he could really help you out."
Jamie dropped her head into her hands, thinking hard. She didn't want to be a sellout. Those memories in the cave or whatever it was were hers, as traumatic as they were. No one but Tyler would ever be able to understand what had gone on underground. Melody might, but she hadn't even reached out to speak about it.
A throbbing started deep in Jamie's head, building with each pound of her panicked heart. What was she thinking, entertaining this idea? It would be too painful, too soon. It would always be too soon.
Silent tears rolled down her face, exposing her true feelings.
"Oh, no! Don't cry! I just want you to get better and be able to find happiness again. If therapy isn't for you, I can drive you home and we can figure another option out tomorrow. I just don't want you alone with all those big feelings."
Jamie sighed, the air leaving her lungs almost a relief.
"Okay, I'll try," she said, taking a deep breath.
A big smile broke out on Ava's face. "That's so wonderful! I really do think he can help."
Jamie took another deep breath before opening the car door and stepping towards the therapist's office. This was going be a new beginning.
She knew she would never get over the death of her child, but she knew she couldn't continue on the way she had been. Jamie knew that this would be a good thing. She knew that this was exactly where she needed to be.
Jamie stepped into the office, already lighter with hope of a better tomorrow.
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Word Count: 448
Thank you for sticking around until the (very) end. I can't believe it took me this long to add this level of closure, but I think this was a natural ending to a book that was so heavy. Thank you to everyone who has read, commented, and voted on this story, and gone on Ava's journey with me. I'm around chapter 12 of editing, so we should be seeing the release of the novel shortly 😉
