Begin Again

Chapter 20

Alex POV - one month later

I sit in the waiting room and scroll on my phone.

I pause when I hear feet coming down the hall and the door flies open.

"Mama!" Riley yells and crashes into me.

"Oof. Hi, baby! Did you have a good time?" I ask.

She shrugs and I look up to see Alyssa walk out.

She smiles, "We had fun, right Ry?"

Riley shrugs and nods, "Can I play with the toys?"

"Sure." I say.

She skips away and I turn to Alyssa.

"How'd she do?" I ask.

She smiles softly, "She's emotional."

I sigh and nod, "She doesn't want me to travel."

She sighs and sits down, "She's worried that something is going to happen to you and we're working through it using scenarios where you maybe went somewhere without her and came back perfectly okay."

I nod.

"She gets it in theory, but even for her age, she is still convinced that something will happen."

I rub my face with my hands and glance at her playing with some magnatiles.

"What can we do?" I ask.

She smiles softly, "Be specific when you leave. How long, how you'll get somewhere, and a time that you'll check in with her while you're gone. So she knows. I'm working on teaching her some coping skills - mindfulness strategies."

I nod, "Okay. We can work on that at home, we have a book."

She nods, "That's great. It'll be tough, she's going to have meltdowns, but just remind her to take deep breaths and communicate what she's feeling. That'll drive how you and Mack respond to her."

I sigh and stand up, "Thanks, Alyssa. I leave tomorrow, so you'll see Mack on Thursday."

"Great. Bye, Ry!" She calls.

Riley's head snaps up, "Byebye, Alyssa."

She runs over to me and I scoop her up, "Hey, goober."

She snuggles into my neck and I press a kiss to her head.

"Okay, let's get you to school." I say and start walking to my car.

I feel her tense, "Don't want to go today."

I sigh and set her down when we get to the car, "Why not, baby?"

"Kids are mean. I want to be with you and mommy." She says quietly.

I sigh and rub her cheek, "I hear you and I'm sorry that the kids are mean. Mommy and I are meeting with your teachers to help."

She shakes her head, "It won't help. I want to be in Charlie's class."

I sigh, "You guys get to be on the playground together, baby."

She stomps her foot and looks at me.

I sigh and pull her in for a hug, "Okay. How about a you and me day?"

"Really?" She whispers.

I press a kiss to her head, "Yeah, baby."

She squeezes me and I stand up, picking her up with me.

I put her in her car seat, "Where to first?"

"Park!" She smiles.

I smile and close the door, pulling my phone out.