The Past Within - Mialotte - TNN

An empty chair

TW mentions sexual assault

The next day, Dr. Peterson sat in her office, looking at the clock. Charlotte's session was supposed to have started ten minutes ago, but the chair across from her remained empty. She furrowed her brow, glancing at her notes. Charlotte was always punctual, if not early, for her sessions. This was out of character.

After a few more minutes, concern gnawed at her. She picked up her phone and dialled Charlotte's number, hoping everything was okay.

The phone rang a couple of times before a voice finally answered, but it wasn't Charlotte's. "Hello?" It was someone else—a woman.

"Hello, this is Dr. Peterson. I'm trying to reach Charlotte—she had an appointment with me this morning. Is she there?" the therapist asked, her voice careful, sensing something off.

There was a long pause before the woman on the other end responded. "This is Mia... Charlotte's girlfriend. I'm sorry, but Charlotte won't be able to make it today."

Dr. Peterson felt her heart sink, the tone in Mia's voice filled with sorrow. "Is everything okay?" she asked, her therapist instincts immediately alerting her to the underlying distress.

Mia took a shaky breath before speaking, her voice barely holding steady. "No... something happened yesterday. She... she was attacked. She's in the hospital right now."

Dr. Peterson's eyes widened in shock, her mind racing. "Attacked?" Her voice was soft, filled with empathy and concern. "I'm so sorry to hear that. How is she? Is she conscious?"

"She's awake now," Mia said, her voice trembling. "But she's not in a good place, emotionally or physically. The police are involved... and the doctors... they confirmed she was assaulted."

Dr. Peterson closed her eyes, her chest tightening. "I can't imagine what you both must be going through right now. Please let Charlotte know that when she's ready, I'll be here for her—whenever that might be. She doesn't have to come to the session today, of course, but I'll keep her slot open if she needs to talk."

"Thank you," Mia replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think she'll need you more than ever after this. I'll tell her you called."

The conversation ended, but Dr. Peterson sat still for a long moment, the weight of what Mia had just told her sinking in. Charlotte, one of her strongest and most resilient clients, had faced so much already in her young life. Now, this.

Dr. Peterson gazed at the empty chair across from her, feeling an ache in her chest. She had witnessed Charlotte's struggles, her journey to healing, and her determination to stay strong. And now, yet another unimaginable trauma had been thrust upon her.

This was not something Charlotte could face alone. She needed all the support she could get—both from her loved ones and from herself, as her therapist. Dr. Peterson knew that the road ahead would be long and painful, but she also knew Charlotte was strong, even if she might not feel it right now.

As she sat there, Dr. Peterson made a silent vow: she would do everything she could to help Charlotte through this. She wouldn't let her fall into despair. And she would be ready, the moment Charlotte was ready to return.

Back at the hospital, Mia quietly entered Charlotte's room, her footsteps soft against the sterile floor. The sight of her girlfriend lying in bed, staring blankly at the untouched tray of food in front of her, broke her heart all over again. Charlotte's usually bright, expressive eyes were now dim, and lifeless, as if the spark had been extinguished.

Mia walked over to the chair by Charlotte's bed and sat down, her presence gentle yet grounding. She didn't say anything at first, just sat there, watching the woman she loved, wishing she could take away the pain that hung so heavily between them.