The Story of Us

Chapter 7-Getaway

Tae POV

"Tae why don't we start the night you left." Dr. Grace said, settling into her chair. "Do you think that it is Liv's fault?"

I sigh and look down at my hands.

"I...no, I don't think so."

"You don't think so?"

6 Months Ago

"Y-you don't...d-don't und-understand, Tae. I w-was her m-m-mother and I, I sh-should have k-kept her safe. It was my re-responsibility to pr-protect h-h-her." Liv sombs again.

I continues to reassure her that this was not her fault. She did nothing wrong. I sit with her until I feel her body go limp and realize she has finally fallen asleep. Grabbing the bowl of untouched food into the kitchen, I place it on the counter. Walking into the living room, I take a seat on the couch and stare at the wall in front of me. We came home from the hospital two days ago and it seems like she has been crying ever since. She won't eat. Barely sleeps. Leaning my head back, I close my eyes and let my tears fall. How could she think this is her fault?

3 Months Ago

"YES, okay? Are you happy? I am fucking pissed at you. You never can leave anything alone, can you? Always have to be so damn stubborn and independent."

She looks at me, confused. I huff out a humorless laugh.

"Of course, you don't know what I am talking about. You don't think you did anything wrong." I takes a deep breath.

Stop, I tell myself. You are going to say something you will regret.

"Tae, what are you talking about?" She says quietly, a sick feeling starting to take over me.

I have been taking care of her and making sure that she is okay. I have done everything to keep my grief and anger inside so I don't make her feel worse. It is like a dam breaks loose.

"I told you I would take care of it. I FUCKING TOLD YOU. 'Leave it alone,' I said. But you, being YOU, just couldn't listen to me just one time."

It is like an out of body experience. I hear the words coming out of my mouth and I can't stop them. The second they are out, I want to take them back. I think I might get sick. She is around the other side of the couch before I can register it. I take a step towards her.

"Liv, I didn't me-"

"Get. Out." She says after a minute.

I feel panic creeping up. Shit, shit, shit. I need to fix this.

"No, baby, plea-"

"I said GET OUT."

I have to stop this. I take another step toward her. If I can just pull her into my arms, I can get her to listen to me.

"GET OUT. GET OUT. GETOUTGETOUTGETOUT."

She is screaming at me. Her eyes are squeezed close and tears are streaming down her face. I have the thought to walk over to her and take her in my arms. Hold her until she listens to me. Force her to hear me out. But I don't. Taking one last look at her, because honestly I don't know if she will forgive me for this. I walk out the door and get into my car.

Present Day

"No, I don't think it is her fault. The second I said that that night, I felt sick. I immediately wanted to apolgize to her."

"Why didn't you?"

"I tried. She wouldn't listen to me."

"Can you blame her?" Dr. Grace asks.