Just us.

37. Therapy

(Charlottes Pov)
Today I'm at Reece's nursery to cover a sick staff member. I'm sat in the staff room texting Mia when Reece sits down beside me,
"Hey Charlotte. Sorry"
"Sorry for what?" I ask, just then Marjorie sits down next to him with the biggest smile. Ahh
"Good morning my love!" I send a look over to Reece before smiling
"Morning Marjorie"
"How are you today?" She asks
"Fine" I smile back at her
"And how's Mia?" I can see the resentment when she says her name but she's also trying, I guess. It's nice that she's asking about her. I think.
"She's also fine"

"D'you have a good night?"
"Yes, thank you" I'm a little cautious of Marjorie right now. She seems to overly interested in Mia and I
"You seeing Mia again tonight?"
"No not tonight. She actually left this morning" Hopefully she'll only be gone a few days. She's gone back to mum as some distant relative she claims not to even know has passed away and her mother wanted her back for the funeral.

I dont know much about her mum, but from what Mia told me she doesn't seem very nice. Yet, she calls and Mia comes running. I understand why, she's the only parent she has. But the way she treats Mia is awful. I couldn't imagine treating my girls like that. It's awful. Mia doesn't usually talk about it much. She's opened up to me a little bit, about her dad and Roger and stuff. But I can tell there's something there that I can't figure out. Of course I'd never force her to tell me anything, I know her past must be tricky to bring up again. But I want her to talk to me. I want her to know I'm there for her. I just don't know how to approach it.

"Oh. I'm sorry. Is everything okay with you two?" Marjorie asks
"Oh, yes of course. She'll only be gone for a few days at most"
"Oh, okay. Well at least it's going well for you my love"
"It is, yeah" I reply
"Great. That makes me happy" it means a lot to me that Marjorie tries to put her own opinion of Mia behind her when it comes to me. I am happy with Mia. Really happy. I just don't know if I'm it for her. I'm nothing like what she usually goes for and what if I'm just not enough?

"Well I'm really happy for you. And based on what I saw in the car park yesterday, it certainly explains why you're glowing so much today" I can't help the little awkward laugh
"Thank you, Marjorie. I think"

"Anyway I best go I only popped in because I saw your car in the car park but um, I'm seeing you tomorrow aren't I?"
"Yep. Back with you tomorrow"
"Great well I'll see you tomorrow and we'll have some lunch and a girly catch up then" she smiles
"Sounds great"
"Okay. I'll see you tonight. Love you" she smiles at Reece
"You too" Reece replies before she leaves.

I have noticed that he never really says 'I love you' to Marjorie when she says it. It's none of my business, but I can't help but think maybe it's a result of something from past.

"Reece, I know you and I aren't that close," I begin
"I don't know about that. We've shared the same woman I'd say we're pretty close" really? "Too soon?" He asks once tuning to look at my expression.
"Too krass" I reply, "as I was saying, I know you and I aren't that close, but... why do you never say 'I love you' to Marjorie?"
"I do"
"You say 'you too' you don't actually use the word 'love'" he looks at me for a moment before crossing his arms over his chest,
"You're right we aren't that close"
"Okay" I go back to my phone. If he doesn't want to talk that's fine.
"I can't say it" he speaks up after a moment. I keep my eyes on my phone as I reply,
"Can't say what?"
"I can't seem to say the three little words that I know would make Marjorie really happy" she huffs. I put my phone down on the table,
"And why do you think that is?"
"Well if I knew that I probably wouldn't be in this position"
"D'you know, this is something that a lot of people talk about... in therapy" I suggest
"I don't wanna go to therapy I wish people would stop suggesting that!"
"I wish you would listen to them"
"I wish you'd leave me alone!"
"Fine!" If he won't go he won't go. But I know Reece, Autumn and Mia all have issues from the past they don't want to deal with.

"How would therapy even help me anyway?" He asks
"For a start you could address some of your anger issues" I reply while texting on my phone
"I don't have anger issues" I look at him as if to say seriously? "I mean what anger issues?"
"Okay it might not be obvious to everyone else, but to me, it's clear that right beneath the surface you are simmering. You try and make out like you're so stoic and deadpan when actually, you are clearly sitting on so much rage" Reece is a lot like Mia. Beneath her tough surface she's just a hurt kid who deserved and needed to be loved. Autumn too. They're all the same and they don't even realise it. I know how close they all used to be, maybe if they were close again they could help each other out. But now all three of them are way too stubborn to try.

"And how much is this therapy session costing me?"
"That was free. But if you did ever wanna book me, I'm partial to a box of chocolates" I jokingly reply before going back to my phone.

"Fine I'll bring chocolate for the next time. When are you free?" What??
"Wait what?" Is he being serious?
"Look, I don't wanna go to therapy because it means rehashing everything with a stranger however with you, I'm guessing Mia's already filled you in on most things of my past" he explains. Well, sort off
"Yes. Although I've met Roger. Your dad obviously wasn't the nicest growing up I could figure that out myself" I reply
"Good. Then you've got a great foundation for when I come over. Thursday okay?"
"I have my daughters school play"
"Oh okay. Not to worry"
"No but I'm free Friday!"
"You sure?" He asks
"Yeah! This is really good in fact. I mean if it's gonna get you talking and saying the L word to Marjorie, this is great. Um, come over about 6 o'clock?" This is good. Reece finally wants to discuss some issues and maybe if I help him, I'll know how to help Mia.

"Oh, I like galaxy" I add
"Okay"
"The big bar" he looks at me and i shrug "you have a lot of issues I deserve to be payed well" well it's true!

"Fine. Friday at 6 with a meter bar of galaxy chocolate"
"Great" I confirm. He walks out leaving me alone again. Wait, I'm giving up my FaceTime with Mia for this. She's not gonna be happy...