Aiden Harper

Protecting Eden

Aiden

The following day, I checked my app and saw Mia had ventured out the previous night, but the car stayed put during the day. It must suck to hide from the popo, you psychotic bitch.

However, Eden was relishing in Grammy's attention. She would ask Grammy if she needed help and help. Eden would earn a hug and smile from Grammy, making her smile. Give the girl an ounce of affection, and she clung to it. What the fuck did her mother do to it?

Why would anyone starve Eden of affection? It pissed me off just thinking about it.

Conner video-called me for my therapy session. I used the bedroom I was staying in to answer his call. Once I clicked accept, I unloaded on Conner about everything as I paced around the bedroom.

"Woah. Calm down, Aiden," Conner said.

I stopped pacing and looked at the video screen. "How can I calm down when people hurt my girl? These same people should love and protect her. Tell me, Conner, because I'm dying to know how people can treat a kind, decent person like shit."

"Not everyone has good intentions or is cut out to be parents. I know from personal experience. It's the reason I became a child therapist."

"My family raised us with love and compassion."

"It's because Matt led by example."

"What do you mean?" I sat on the side of the bed.

"Matt was the one who helped me when I needed it from an abusive parent."

"What?" I pulled in my brows.

Conner nodded. "My dad abused my brothers and me while growing up. I left as an adult. Your grandpa Nate brought me home, and Matt offered me shelter. He also introduced me to your uncle Nixon."

"Uncle Nixon has helped many people, hasn't he?"

"Nixon was the first to offer compassion without question. He didn't push but waited. It's why Oliver chose ministry. He respected your uncle. But to answer your question, the answer isn't simple because the reasons are complex."

"I don't see how they're complex. Eden's mother had a choice."

"Did she?"

"What?"

"Did Eden's mother have a choice? Aiden, you can assume any answer you want. But you can't say for a certainty that's the truth about Eden's mother."

"Are you defending Eden's mother?"

Conner shook his head. "Not at all. I'm giving you a different perspective about the situation. You want answers without going to the direct source. That's why communication is vital. Let's revisit your reason for starting therapy."

"Can we not?"

"Aiden."

"Fine," I huffed a sigh.

"You refused to communicate with people after Claire's accident. Why?"

"You know why."

"I want to hear it from you again."

"I felt responsible for the accident."

"But you realized you weren't the one who forced Claire to drive while she was upset."

"Yeah."

"What else?"

"I blamed myself for her death."

"But you didn't cause her death, did you?"

"No."