The Past Within - Mialotte - TNN

My uncle

TW: This chapter will contain conversations about child abuse 

Based on a true story

In her next therapy session with Dr. Peterson, Charlotte delved into another chapter of her past. Sitting across from her therapist, she spoke about her Uncle, a man she hadn't thought about in a long time but who had played a significant role during her childhood.

"My uncle was really smart," Charlotte began, a slight smile tugging at her lips as she recalled the memories. "He used to help my sister and me with our math homework. He was a bit of a genius when it came to numbers, always able to solve problems so quickly. I remember being in awe of how easily he could understand things that seemed so complicated to me."

Dr. Peterson nodded, encouraging Charlotte to continue. "That sounds like it could have been really helpful, having someone so knowledgeable around."

Charlotte hesitated for a moment before her smile faded slightly. "It was, but it could also be... stressful. He had this expectation that we'd pick up on things as quickly as he did. If we didn't understand something right away, he'd get upset. Not always in an angry way, exactly, but more in a frustrated, disappointed way."

She paused, her gaze dropping to her hands in her lap. "I remember feeling so much pressure to get things right, to not disappoint him. He'd sit with us for hours sometimes, going over the same problems until we understood. But if we didn't catch on quickly enough, you could see it in his face—this look that made me feel like I was letting him down."

Dr. Peterson leaned in slightly, her expression empathetic. "It sounds like that added a lot of stress to something that was already challenging for you."

Charlotte nodded, her voice quieter now. "Yeah, it did. I think I started to dread homework time, even though I knew he was trying to help. It's like I wanted to do well, not just for myself, but to prove that I wasn't... stupid. But there were times when I just couldn't keep up, and that look on his face—it stuck with me."

She sighed, a mix of emotions playing across her face. "Looking back, I think it affected how I approached challenges later in life. I'd get so anxious about not being good enough, not being able to meet expectations. It's something I'm still working on, even now."

Dr. Peterson listened attentively, taking in the weight of Charlotte's words. "That sounds like it was really tough for you as a child. It's understandable that those experiences would shape how you feel about yourself and your abilities today."

Charlotte nodded, appreciating the validation. "Yeah, I guess so. It's something I hadn't really connected until now, but it makes sense."

Charlotte played with her fingers nervously. Her therapist noticed this and tilted their head. "Is there something else to the story, Charlotte?" 

She slowly nodded her head, swallowing hard, tears brimming in her eyes as she thought about the late nights they would sit and work.

"If we were taking too long to do a math problem, he..." She took a shuddering breath. Her therapist sat back in their chair, almost like they were trying to give her some extra space to work through it.

"He would hold a lighter under our legs. Not too close, but he wouldn't move it until we were done with the work, and the longer it took for us to do it, the more it burned. I still have marks on the back of my legs." Charlotte finally let out. Tears fell down her face. She had never told anyone about what her uncle did to them. 

She always wanted to tell her mother, but she always thought she would believe her brother over her child.

"When I was 16," Charlotte began, her eyes fixed on a spot on the floor, "something happened that changed everything. My Aunt shot my Uncle... in self-defence." She paused, the weight of the words settling between them. "He didn't make it. He died in the hospital a few hours later."