Karma

Chapter 4

Dylan cooked dinner for everyone. Nico returned home, and he and Brendon were in Nicos room playing Fortnite. Carol had a half shift at the hospital. She worked as a health care assistant.
As Dylan boiled water for the spaghetti, her mother arrived home from work.
"Hey, Mom." She said and put the pasta into the pan.
"Hey, hon." Carol went to have a quick shower whilst Dylan finished cooking dinner.
"Dinner!" She called out. Dylan put plates on the table. Brendon and Nico came down and sat at the table, followed by Carol.
"This looks good, Dyl." Brendon said, smiling at her.
"It really does." Nico said, helping himself to some garlic bread.
"Thank you for doing this, honey." Carol squeezed her hand.
"Thank you, guys." Dylan said, and they ate dinner. Laughing and joking and talking.
Brendon and Nico cleared after dinner. Carol and Dylan sat in the living room with a film on.
"How was visiting Tony and Sophie?" Carol asked. Dylan filled her mother in on the visit. "It sounds like they support you and only want the best then." Carol said. Dylan nodded.
"How are you feeling about tomorrow?"
"Anxious. I mean, I know all you guys are supporting me, but I haven't seen Owen for 2 years. I want to believe that he is getting better, but what if he isn't? What if he is trying to manipulate me into being in a relationship with him again?"
"He knows Brendons coming, doesn't he?" Dylan nodded.
"I told Owens Dr to tell him that I was bringing my boyfriend and best friend with me. So it's not like he hasn't had plenty of notice."

Owen sat in his room. He was reading a book. His mind kept wandering to tomorrow, though. All these different scenarios with only one outcome. Dylan would be his again. Yea, there's a boyfriend, but he can soon be taken care of. When Dylan leaves tomorrow, Owen and her will be a couple again. He smiled to himself. Owen was thinking that Dylans life was a mess because they weren't together anymore. He would convince Dylan to move back to Philadelphia. They would get married and have lots of babies. Wait, no, that's not right, is it? Owen felt confused and conflicted. His therapist had said that he should have no expectations of tomorrow. Owen sighed heavily. He read his book a little bit longer, then went to bed.

Dylan woke up and used the bathroom. Brendon was already up. She went downstairs and into the kitchen. Brendon turned and smiled at her.
"Morning, Dyl." He said, kissing her and hugging her.
"Morning, Bren." Dylan replied. She got herself some coffee and sat down at the kitchen table. Dylan sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. Brendon sat next to her and kissed her temple whilst rubbing her back in a comforting way.
"That feels good, Bren." She said. Nico came down next and helped himself to some cereal.
"Hey, sis. How are you this morning?" Nico sat to the left of Dylan and put a hand on her shoulder. Nico might be 12 and doesn't really have much awareness outside of his Xbox and friends and skateboarding, but he adored his big sister, and he hated what had happened to her.
"I feel ok, Nic." Dylan replied and squeezed Nicos arm. He finished his cereal and grabbed his school bag. He left and went to catch the school bus.
Augustine came through and poured some coffee and cereal.
She smiled at Dylan. Brendon went upstairs to get showered and dressed. Dylan toasted a bagel and tried to prepare herself for today. She knew that today was going to be anything but ordinary.

Approaching the facility, it was nothing like Dylan expected. It just looked like a normal building. It was 2 storeys, with trees and flowers planted out on the front garden. The windows didn't have bars on them. As Carol parked the car, there were patients walking around the grounds or sitting and talking with other patients or staff members.
It was only when you wanted to gain entrance to the building that you could tell what kind of place this was. The security was tight. Dylan pressed a buzzer and announced herself. Carol came in with them but stayed in the main reception area. Brendon, Augustine, and Dylan were searched. They weren't allowed to take their purses, wallets, or cell phones in with them. All 3 of them were given a visitors pass to wear and were then escorted to a cosy looking room. There was a pink corner couch and wooden coffee table. At the windows, there were vertical blinds. In a corner, there was a toy box and drawing table for little ones. Dylan sighed and sat down. She was in between her boyfriend and best friend. It was silent for a few minutes when the door opened. A man in a white button-up and black suit trousers entered the room. He had a folder with him.
"Hello, Dylan. I am Dr. Newby. We spoke on the phone. I am Owens, therapist." Dylan stood up and shook hands with him. She then introduced Brendon and Augustine. "Ok, Dylan. Owen is aware that you have people with you and the nature of your relationships with them. He said that he is absolutely fine with them being here. Owen has made really good progress since he came here nearly 18 months ago. This meeting is part of his recovery. Owen needs to make amends for what he has done. You probably won't forgive him. I have read the police reports and medical records." Dylan swallowed and looked at Augustine.
"I know I won't forgive him." Dylan said quietly. "What happens then?"
" Owen needs to accept your decision. He has to resolve things within himself, too." Dylan and nodded. "Are you ready, Dylan?" She nodded and gripped both Brendons and Augustines hands as another door opened. Dylans breathing was shaky as Owen walked into the room and sat on another pink couch opposite the 3 of them. Dylan couldn't speak at first. Her mouth was suddenly very dry.
Owen smiled at her. Brendon squeezed her hand.