Breaking Free

11.

Kierra's best friend Shamika called her, her voice filled with concern. "Kierra, you won't believe this. Jordan showed up at my house today, looking for you. He's not giving up."

Kierra's heart raced, and she felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead. The thought of Jordan's continued interference was overwhelming. "What did you say to him?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"I told him I didn't know where you were and that he needed to leave. But I'm worried about you. Do you need me to come over or anything?" Shamika's voice was full of concern.

Kierra's hands trembled as she hung up the phone. She felt a wave of panic and anxiety crash over her. The progress she had made in therapy seemed to be slipping away, and the fear of Jordan disrupting her life again felt all too real.

Not long after, Tasha had been planning a special date for Kierra. She wanted to provide a moment of joy and distraction, hoping to help Kierra take her mind off the stress of the past few days. The evening was set to be perfect: a quiet dinner at a charming restaurant followed by a scenic walk through a nearby park.

When Kierra arrived at the restaurant, the soft candlelight and gentle music created a warm and intimate atmosphere. Tasha greeted her with a bright smile, holding out a bouquet of Kierra's favorite flowers.

"Surprise!" Tasha said, her eyes twinkling. "I wanted to do something special for you tonight."

Kierra smiled, her anxiety momentarily forgotten as she took the flowers. "This is beautiful, Tasha. Thank you."

They enjoyed a lovely dinner together, filled with laughter and meaningful conversation. As they walked through the park afterward, the cool evening air was soothing, and the quiet of the surroundings helped Kierra relax.

As they walked hand-in-hand, Kierra finally voiced the fears she had been holding inside. "Tasha, I need to tell you something. I'm scared. I know we've been moving forward, but I keep thinking about Jordan, and it makes me anxious about getting into a new relationship."

Tasha stopped walking, gently pulling Kierra to a stop as well. She turned to face her, her expression full of understanding and compassion.

"Kierra, it's okay to be scared. What you've been through is really tough, and it's normal to have fears about the future. I want you to know that I'm here for you, and I'm willing to be patient. We don't have to rush anything. We can take things one step at a time."

Tears welled up in Kierra's eyes as she looked at Tasha. "I'm so grateful for you. I just don't want to mess things up."

Tasha wiped a tear from Kierra's cheek, her voice gentle but firm. "You're not going to mess things up. You're doing great. And I'm here to support you every step of the way. We'll figure this out together."

The next morning, Kierra's anxiety reached a new high when she received a call from Shamika. Her friend's voice was full of concern. "Kierra, I just wanted to check in. How are you doing?"

"I'm okay," Kierra said, trying to sound more composed than she felt. "Just trying to process everything."

Shamika hesitated before speaking. "I think you should know that Jordan has been trying to contact me again. I'm worried about you. I think you need some extra support."

Kierra's heart sank. The thought of Jordan's persistence was too much to handle on her own. She felt overwhelmed and knew she needed help. "I don't know if I can handle this," she admitted, her voice trembling.

Tasha, who had been listening to the conversation, stepped in. "I'm going to call Dr. Edwards and your mom. We need to make sure you have all the support you need right now."

Tasha quickly made calls to Dr. Edwards and Karen. Dr. Edwards agreed to see Kierra for an emergency session, and Karen was informed of the situation and offered to come over to support her daughter.

When Karen arrived, her presence was a comforting anchor. She embraced Kierra tightly, her voice soothing. "We're going to get through this together, honey. You're not alone."

Dr. Edwards arrived shortly after, offering her professional support and reassurance. The session was intense but necessary, as Kierra worked through her feelings and fears with the guidance of her therapist.

The day ended with Kierra feeling a renewed sense of hope and determination. The support of Tasha, her mom, and Dr. Edwards had helped her navigate the storm of emotions stirred up by Jordan's persistence. She knew the road ahead would be challenging, but with the love and support surrounding her, she felt ready to face it.

As Kierra and Tasha sat together later that evening, Kierra looked at her friend with gratitude. "Thank you for everything, Tasha. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Tasha smiled, taking Kierra's hand in hers. "You don't have to worry about that. I'm here for you, no matter what."

Later that night, Kierra called her brother, J. Drew, her voice trembling. "J. Drew, Shamika told me that Jordan showed up at her house trying to find me. I'm really scared that he might come after me."

J. Drew's voice was calm but serious. "Don't worry, Kierra. I'll handle this."

Determined to protect his sister, J. Drew took matters into his own hands. He tracked down Jordan and confronted him with a level of aggression that left no room for misunderstanding. In a dimly lit alley, J. Drew gave Jordan a beating he wouldn't soon forget. He stood over Jordan, who lay on the ground, bruised and battered.

"Listen carefully," J. Drew said, his voice cold and menacing. "You've caused enough trouble. Stay away from my sister and don't ever try to contact her again. If you do, you'll regret it."

Jordan, frightened and in pain, nodded weakly. "I won't—just leave me alone."

Satisfied that Jordan had received a clear message, J. Drew walked away, his resolve unwavering.