Trauma of the Forest (Meadema)

~ Chapter 47: Check-up ~

Two weeks later

Two weeks. They have been back home together for two weeks. They have been taking steps in their mental rehabilitation for two weeks now, the details of everything that happened have been discussed with each other. Tears have flowed, hugs have been given, but there is clarity. And of course, there are still big steps that need to be taken, but the upward trend has continued.

And to their great luck, the media has left them alone, the outside world has left them alone, no one has come to their door. There have been good conversations about this, about the assumptions that some have made. With their parents, with friends, with everyone they could trust. This too will be part of this trauma, which is being worked on, but which can never be completely put aside.

Beth will forever remember that she was suspected of abuse, that it was even made such a big deal out of it that it could be read everywhere on social media. But on the other hand, she will always remember how Viv reacted, how unknown fans stood up for them. That this moment also produced some good things.

Anyway, today was all about Viv. Finally it was time for the check-up. Both Viv and Beth seemed to be doing well, but it would only be confirmed soon whether their feelings were correct.

And despite the fact that they actually assumed that it was good, the anxiety rose considerably, especially for Beth. 'Are you ready to go, Vivi? We're going to be late'. Viv, who was still brushing her teeth in the bathroom, looked at her watch in surprise, which showed that it was 11.30am, while the appointment was not until 1.30pm.

Since she still had her toothbrush in her mouth, shouting at Beth wasn't really an option, so before she knew it, an impatient Beth was standing in the bathroom. 'Vivi, are you almost ready to go?'. Viv spat out the toothpaste and rinsed her mouth, then turned around, coming face to face with Beth, her eyes showing stress, the car keys already in her hand.

'Liefie, you know the appointment isn't until 1.30pm right?'. Beth took a step closer to her, her arms around Viv, looking up at Viv. 'Yeah, I know, so we have to go or we'll be late'. A bit of surprise took over Viv, normally she was the one who was stressed out about being on time and nagging Beth to get going, but now it was the other way around.

'Lieverd, aren't we a bit early if we go now? We'll be 40 minutes early'. Beth pulled her hands away and took Viv's hand instead. 'No Vivi, we have to report at 1.30pm and there might be a traffic jam, maybe I won't be able to find a parking space, maybe all the traffic lights will be red, maybe we'll encounter a mourning stout...'

Viv had to interrupt and understood the hint that she had to go with Beth now, if she wanted to make sure that Beth kept her stress under control. 'Okay, okay fine. We're going. I just have to put my shoes on and then we'll go'.

Beth closed the front door of the house and together they walked outside. Despite the fact that Beth knew that they had made a statement in the media, that she knew that they were being left alone, it felt strange to be walking here again. The last time she walked here, she was being watched. Was that the case again? And anyway, it felt strange to be outside again. She hadn't been outside for the past two weeks either, she wouldn't leave Viv alone for anything. If they needed groceries, Katie was kind enough to come and bring them to them.

But oh, how nice it felt to be outside again, as if nothing had happened. They both got into the car, Viv in the passenger seat and Beth behind the wheel and they drove off, on to London. Since they were driving an automatic and Beth didn't have to use one leg, she put it away, but she couldn't really keep it still, because it was shaking like crazy.

Viv being Viv, was immediately alert, although secretly she already knew that Beth was nervous, thinking back to how stressed she was at home to get to the hospital on time. 'Lieverd, are you nervous?'. Beth felt Viv's hand being placed on her shaking thigh. She knew that lying was pointless, so she decided to just tell the truth. 'Yes a little, I'm mainly very curious. And I just hope that everything is okay. You?'.