Wyatt stepped out of her mom's car, swallowing hard as she glanced at her aunt and uncle's house. She could see her Aunt Taylor's familiar silhouette through the front window, waiting patiently as she waved. There was a warm, inviting glow spilling out from the living room, and Wyatt took a deep breath, willing her legs to move forward.
As her mom drove off, Wyatt's nerves churned. She wasn't sure how to even begin talking about this, let alone to her Aunt Taylor. But Mom had assured her—Taylor would understand in a way not many others could.
Wyatt hesitated at the door before finally pressing the doorbell. The door opened almost instantly, and Taylor greeted her with a soft, welcoming smile. "Hey, honey," she murmured, pulling Wyatt into a gentle hug. "Come on in, I'm so glad you're here."
Wyatt felt a bit of the tension ease from her shoulders as she stepped inside, inhaling the familiar scent of her aunt and uncle's home. Taylor led her into the living room, where a cozy blanket and two cups of tea were waiting on the coffee table. Travis was nearby, helping their 9-year-old daughter with a board game in the next room. He looked up and gave Wyatt a warm, reassuring nod.
"Hey, Wyatt," he greeted, his voice low but kind. "We'll be over here, so you and your Aunt Taylor can have some quiet."
With that, he scooped his daughter into his arms, making her giggle as he carried her out of the room, leaving Wyatt and Taylor alone.
Taylor gestured to the couch, settling beside Wyatt. "Take your time," she said softly, reaching over to gently pat her niece's hand. "Whatever you feel comfortable sharing, I'm here to listen."
Wyatt hesitated, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap. "I... I'm not really sure where to start," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
"That's okay. Start wherever you feel comfortable." Taylor's voice was calm, her gaze warm and open, without a hint of judgment.
After a long, shaky breath, Wyatt spoke up, her words stumbling over one another. "It's just... I started feeling like I couldn't keep up, you know? School, friends, everything. It all started feeling so out of control. So... I tried controlling something. And it was easy to start skipping meals. It felt... good at first. Like I finally had control over something, even if it was small."
Taylor nodded gently, letting Wyatt go on, listening intently.
"But then... I couldn't stop." Wyatt's voice broke, and she quickly wiped her eyes. "I tried to tell myself it wasn't a big deal, but it just kept getting worse. And now... I'm scared. I don't want it to be like this, but I don't know how to make it stop."
A tear rolled down her cheek, and Taylor leaned forward, wrapping her arms around Wyatt and holding her close. Wyatt didn't resist. Instead, she crumbled, letting the tears flow as she clung to her aunt. Taylor rubbed her back in soothing circles, whispering gentle words of comfort.
"It's okay, sweetheart. Let it all out," Taylor murmured, her voice soft and steady.
After a few moments, Wyatt pulled back slightly, her face flushed as she wiped her eyes. "Did you ever... did you ever feel this way too?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Taylor nodded, a bittersweet smile touching her lips. "Yes, I did. It was... one of the hardest times of my life. I felt exactly the same way, like everything around me was spiraling, and the only thing I could control was how I ate. But in trying to gain control, I was actually losing myself." She took Wyatt's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "It wasn't easy to get through, and it wasn't something I could do alone."
Wyatt looked at her with wide eyes. "How... how did you get out of it?"
Taylor hesitated, glancing toward the hallway where Travis was still helping their daughter with her game. A soft smile crossed her face. "I had help. I had people around me who loved me, especially your Uncle Travis. He was my rock during those years. He didn't judge me or try to 'fix' me; he just... supported me, however I needed it. When I was ready, he helped me find professionals who could teach me new ways to cope and heal. It wasn't easy, and it took time, but he was there for me every step of the way."
