Thank you, for listening

Chapter 3 : Family Ties

Tim's third session began with a familiar resistance, that urge to keep the conversation at arm's length. He was more comfortable staying on the surface, especially when it came to anything personal. But today felt different. There was an almost strange calm in the room as he sat down, a hint of openness he hadn't felt in a long time.

Lucy greeted him with her usual calm presence, settling into the chair across from him. "Good to see you, Tim. How was your week?"

"Busy," he said shortly, then hesitated, thinking back to a particular night. "But... fine, mostly."

"Mostly?" she prompted, catching his choice of words.

Tim shifted, deciding whether he wanted to say more. Finally, he nodded. "Yeah. I was with my sister the other night. Genny. She... well, she's going through some stuff."

Lucy's interest piqued, her gaze gentle as she asked, "Your sister,tell me a little about her. Are you close?"

Tim let out a sigh, leaning back in his chair. "We're... we're close enough. She's younger than me by a few years. After our mom passed, it was just the two of us and... my dad."

Lucy picked up on the shift in his tone, her voice soft as she asked, "What was it like, growing up with him?"

Tim's jaw tightened as memories of his father resurfaced, raw and harsh. "He was a mean drunk. Genny was too young to remember everything, but I wasn't. He'd come home and yell, sometimes worse. My mom was the buffer, you know? She'd shield us from it. But when she died... it got worse."

Lucy's expression turned somber. "You had to take care of her. And yourself."

"Yeah. I'd try to keep Genny away when he was in one of those moods. Made sure she got out of the house as soon as she could, tried to give her some kind of normal life." He sighed, a tinge of regret coloring his voice. "But... it wasn't easy. I don't think I could ever fully protect her from it."

Lucy listened intently, her face etched with quiet empathy. "That must've been a lot to handle at such a young age. And you're still looking out for her now?"

Tim nodded, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "Yeah. Genny got married young, but that didn't work out. She's divorced now, trying to get back on her feet. And... I guess I'm still trying to be that big brother, make sure she's all right."

"She's lucky to have you," Lucy said, her tone sincere. "But that's a lot of responsibility. Especially since you were both so young."

"Someone had to step up." Tim's tone was hard, as if he were reminding himself of the role he'd had no choice but to play. "I couldn't let her grow up in that kind of life."

Lucy nodded, sensing the heaviness he carried, a weight that had only increased with the years. "You did what you thought was best. And it sounds like you gave her a real chance to break away from all of that. But you were just a kid too, Tim."

Tim looked away, his jaw clenched as he processed her words. "I didn't have time to be a kid," he muttered. "Didn't want to be."

They sat in silence for a moment, the room thick with unspoken emotions. Finally, Lucy broke the silence, her voice soft. "How's she doing now? With the divorce, I mean."

Tim let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping. "She's tough, you know? Always has been. But I know it's been rough on her. She moved back here after everything fell apart, and I think she feels like she's starting over. I want to help her, but sometimes I'm not sure how."

"Just being there, listening, offering your support... it's more than enough," Lucy said, her gaze kind. "But you're carrying a lot, Tim. It's clear you've been taking care of people for a long time. Have you ever let anyone take care of you?"

Tim's shoulders stiffened, his defenses rising instinctively. "I don't need anyone to take care of me," he replied, his tone clipped.

Lucy held his gaze, her expression steady. "Everyone needs support, Tim. Even the strong ones."

He wanted to brush off her words, to push away the suggestion that he might need anything from anyone. But something in her eyes made it hard to deny. She wasn't pitying him or treating him like he was broken,she was simply reminding him that he was human, and that he didn't have to carry everything alone.

Tim sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm just... used to dealing with things myself. I had to. And now... it's just easier that way."

Lucy nodded, her understanding unwavering. "I get that. It's a hard habit to break. But maybe, little by little, you can try letting others share that weight. Whether it's me, Genny, or even just a friend."

Her words lingered, an unexpected comfort seeping into him. He didn't know if he was ready to let anyone in, not really, but the idea didn't feel as impossible as it once had. For the first time, he wondered if there might be some truth to what she was saying—that maybe, he didn't have to carry everything on his own.

Lucy gave him a soft smile. "How are things with Genny now? Does she know how much you did for her back then?"

Tim's mouth quirked in a small smile, a rare softness in his expression. "She knows, more or less. She jokes about me being her 'guardian angel,' but she doesn't know the half of it. I guess... I never wanted her to feel guilty for something that wasn't her fault."

"That's a lot of love, Tim," Lucy said, her voice gentle. "And maybe, one day, letting her know just how much you've done might bring you both some peace. You've carried this for a long time. You deserve to feel proud of what you did."

Tim looked at her, feeling something stir in him,a quiet relief, a sense of acknowledgment he hadn't realized he needed. "Maybe," he murmured. "Maybe someday."

They sat in comfortable silence, the walls between them softening with each passing minute. For the first time, Tim felt a glimmer of hope, the faintest suggestion that he might be able to lay down some of the burdens he'd carried for so long.

As the session drew to a close, he met her gaze with a newfound determination. "Thank you, Lucy. For listening."

Lucy smiled, a warmth in her eyes that made him feel less alone. "That's what I'm here for, Tim. And you're welcome, anytime."

As he left her office that day, Tim felt a small, unfamiliar lightness in his step. It wasn't a miracle, and it didn't erase his past,but it was something. And for now, that was enough.