THE ESCAPE: TAYLOR X DAUGHTER

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taylor's pov ౨ৎ

i sat at the kitchen table with my phone in front of me, staring at it without really seeing anything. i kept thinking about hazel, the way she clung to me at night, how she seemed so lost sometimes. she was only eight, but she had been through so much. i could see the fear in her eyes, the way she flinched at loud noises or when someone raised their voice, even a little. it broke my heart, and i felt helpless.

i picked up my phone and dialed my mom. she always knew what to do, and i needed her advice.

"hey, mom," i said when she picked up. i tried to sound normal, but my voice came out shaky.

"hey, sweetie. what's wrong?" she asked, her voice soft and calm.

i took a deep breath. "it's hazel," i said, my voice shaky. "she's... she's not doing well. she's still not sleeping in her bed at night, and i've tried everything, mom. nightlights, movies, books... nothing is helping. i think maybe she needs to talk to someone. like a therapist. but i don't know if i'm making the right decision, she's so young mom."

my mom was quiet for a moment, then she sighed. "i think you're right, taylor," she said gently. "therapy could really help her. she's been through so much, and she might not even know how to talk about it."

"that's what i'm worried about," i admitted. "she's so young, mom. i don't know if she'll even get what therapy is, or if it'll just scare her more."

"it might be scary at first," my mom agreed. "but you have to try. just explain it in a way she can understand. tell her it's like talking to a grown up who knows how to help kids feel better. keep it simple. and if she's scared, let her know you'll be with her every step of the way."

i nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "okay. i'll try talking to her. i just... i don't want to mess this up."

"you won't," she assured me. "just be there for her. that's all she really needs right now."

"thanks, mom," i said quietly. "i'll let you know how it goes."

after hanging up, i sat there for a few more minutes, trying to calm the storm of worries in my head. i had to help hazel. she was my baby, and i would do anything for her. i stood up, taking a deep breath as i walked toward her room. i needed to be calm, for her sake.

when i peeked into her room, she was sitting on the floor with her stuffed bunny, brushing its fur with a tiny plastic brush. she looked up when she saw me, her eyes big.

"hey, sweetie," i said gently, sitting down on the floor next to her. "can we talk for a minute?"

she nodded, still holding her bunny close. "okay."

i took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "i've been thinking... i know things have been really hard lately," i started. "and sometimes, when we're feeling sad or scared, it can help to talk to someone. someone whose job it is to help kids feel better. kind of like... a feelings doctor."

hazel's eyes widened, and she shook her head, her little hands gripping the bunny tighter. "i don't wanna go to the doctor," she whispered, her voice trembling. "i don't like doctors."

"oh, honey, it's not like that," i said softly, reaching out to touch her shoulder. "it's not a doctor with shots or anything scary. it's just someone you can talk to. someone who listens really, really well and can help you feel better when things are too hard to talk about on your own."

she looked at me, her eyes filling with tears. "but... but i don't know what to say," she mumbled, her bottom lip quivering.

my heart ached at her words. she was just a child, so young and scared. "that's okay," i whispered, pulling her into my arms. "you don't have to know what to say. you just tell them whatever you want, whatever comes to your mind. they're there to help you figure it out."