A Few Steps To Your Heart

Chapter 32

Georgia called her parents, and her mother answered. She was at home, having taken a day off to wait for news from her daughter.

"Georgia!" she exclaimed happily. "How did it go? It was today, right?"

"Yes, it was today."

"And?"

"And... it went as expected," Georgia whispered.

"Oh, honey, I'm so sorry."

"It's fine. Gavin actually went with me."

"He... went out?" her mother asked, shocked.

"He did. He came with me to hold my hand," she chuckled.

"My God, Georgia, do you have any idea what you have done for him?"

"What have I done?"

"He has been locked up for so long and so depressed, and now shortly after meeting you, he is coming out of his room, even leaving the house. It's an enormous step!"

Georgia smiled, feeling good that someone else was acknowledging not just his accomplishment but also what she was doing for him. It made her very happy to think about how far Gavin had come today and all because of her. It even made her feel a little special. He didn't owe her anything. He could have stayed in the house, even in his room if he wanted to. But no, he decided to come with her and support her, and she greatly appreciated it.

"It is. I'm very proud of him," Georgia said.

"You should be proud of yourself as well."

"Mom, I'm not the one who is depressed."

"No, but you are struggling in your own way, and still, you're there for someone else," her mother reminded her.

"I think I needed to be."

"What do you mean?"

"Just to take my mind off it," Georgia explained. "But now reality has caught up with me, and I need to figure out where to go from here."

"You will be fine. You will manage, and with your work, you can pay for medication as well," her mother assured her.

"My work... right."

"You do plan to go back, right?" her mother asked.

"Sure, yes. I mean, I've always loved teaching."

"It's not really the time to make a career change."

"No, you're right. I am going back," Georgia promised her.

"Good. I will let your dad know everything."

"Sure, I need to get back to Gavin anyway."

"I will talk to you soon."

"Bye, Mom," Georgia said before hanging up.

She walked back to the kitchen where Gavin was scrolling on his phone. Georgia came up to his side, then glanced at his phone.

"You're looking up my disease?" she asked.

"Yes, just learning a little about it. You are right. Not taking your medication is not good," he informed her. "Did you know it's your immune system attacking a part of yourself, and you can have worsening of symptoms?"

"Oh, yes, that cheers me up!" she said, grabbing his phone and placing it on the table, making him look at her annoyed.

"What?" he asked. "I was just researching."

"Don't you think I have done all of that? I know I should make sure nothing gets worse, and perhaps I will even have to manage some extra fatigue."

"You must also be aware of adrenal crisis."

"Yes, I know."

"It can be fatal."

"I thought you said I would be fine!" she exclaimed.

"Sorry, I know. You will be," he assured her.

"I'm not very calm right now," she told him.

"You're still young, healthy."

"Apparently not anymore," she pointed out, looking down at her hands and sighing.

"You're still young, meaning despite this flaw in your system, you will be fine. You can manage it. You're smart," he reminded her.

"Wow, keep the compliments coming."

They both chuckled a little, but a heavier energy surrounded them.

"You need to believe you can do it. It makes it easier," he told her.

"Why don't you listen to those words?"

"What?"

"That believing it will make it easier?"

"Georgia," he groaned.

"You should take a chance."

"I'm good."

"No, you're not. You're giving up before trying."

"Georgia!"

"You're giving me all this encouragement, but you refuse to give any to yourself?" she questioned.

"Could you not?"

"No, I can't."

"What?"

"Gavin, you need to push yourself as well," she told him. "You need to try to get out there again and be yourself."

"I am not myself."

"Maybe you could be. Maybe there might be some feeling to get back, but sitting in that chair won't help you."

"I'm forced to sit in it."

"No, you're choosing to."

"That makes no sense!" he snarled.

"It makes perfect sense. You're stuck," she pointed out.

"I am where I am, and I can't change that."

"But you're wrong."

"I think I'm done with this conversation."

"So, now you're shutting off? Gavin!" she called as he rolled away from her, going back to his room. She knew she had pushed him hard again, but how could he be so encouraging towards her and not at all towards himself? It was hard to understand because she had seen a new side to him as they visited her doctor. He had taken control of the whole situation and been very comforting. Now he was shutting off again, and she was not sure how to help him.

Georgia decided to clean up after them before she joined him in his room. He had gone back to the window, which was just too many steps back in her mind.

"Let's watch that show you hate," she told him.

Gavin didn't reply to her, but she put it on anyway. After a little while, he began looking interested and discreetly went to her side before focusing on the TV. She didn't do anything to tease him or even talk to him. She was just happy he had decided to join her.