Aiden Harper

Family counseling

Eden

My parents and I met with Casper in his office at the church, where the door was closed. He asked for some background information about us. How do you tell someone your dad's crazy mother threatened to kill your mom and you while your evil stepdad added to the compounding issue? You vomit the information, making the counselor stare at you like a freak show.

"That would explain why Mia had no moral compass with Eden," Casper said.

"Did you forget about my crazy granny and evil stepdad?" I asked.

"No, but it would explain your sessions better. It doesn't help that people have interfered with your family dynamic. But I can understand your mom's reasoning for acting like she did."

"Can you explain it because I don't understand it?"

My mom avoided eye contact with us.

"Remember I told you my fathers adopted me?" He asked me.

I nodded.

"My birth mother left me on the chapel's front steps when I was four months old before vanishing into thin air. She hid to escape my abusive biological father. He was also a cop."

Our faces snapped to Casper as we gaped at him.

"I met her when I was a senior in high school and found out why she left me on the steps. She also married another cop."

"Huh?" I asked.

Casper nodded. "My birth mother married Morgan Gray."

My parents tensed beside me. What was their deal?

"I can understand why your mother disappeared like Houdini. Fear is a powerful emotion and grips you harshly. It makes you think you have no options."

I pondered what Casper said. Thinking back on my mom's actions made sense.

"Let's discuss betrayal trauma."

I blew air past my lips, knowing this would suck.

********
Casper

I've counseled many people for many reasons throughout the years. Family relationships are the hardest since I've dealt with issues of my own. Trust and abandonment are the two biggest issues when someone leaves you on a doorstep. It's not that I don't love Oliver and Conner, but those issues didn't vanish just because they adopted me. They lingered for years until I dealt with them. I still refuse to call Morgan dad.

Raymond, Gloria, and Eden discussed their feelings regarding the paternity issue. Each was justified in their feelings. You can't discredit or discard someone's feelings because you disagree with them. I had to explain this to them.

"While you're justified in your hurt, you can't place the blame solely on Gloria about what happened," I told Raymond and Eden. "She was as much of a victim as you were."

"How do we move past everything?" Raymond asked.

"It takes time to work through betrayal trauma. Your mother and Gloria's husband both betrayed the three of you when they threatened Gloria and lied to you and Eden. Placing the blame on Gloria doesn't help."

"What do you suggest?"

"Family counseling to deal with the trauma and issues in your family. I can meet with you once a week until Eden leaves for school. Then we can have video sessions. Does that work for everyone?"

"Yes," they said, nodding.

"I'll put you on the weekly schedule." I tapped the keys on the keyboard and set aside a day and time for their family counseling sessions. I didn't want to overwhelm them with the first session. It's a gradual process, but they're getting there.