No Ordinary Love

Chapter 70

****NOT EDITED****

Zayra noticed a shift in her. She felt something heavy inside of her. She tried to pinpoint what it was. She knew it was a bunch of little things. Dr. Rose said that this was common, she was doing so well that sometimes things happened in life that triggered emotions.

In Zayra's case, the separation of Jeremy and Emily was one of the triggers, the other trigger Dr. Rose associated was the incident last year. The debacle at Rudy's birthday party. She also reminded Zayra the fact that her mother's birthday/Rape was also around the corner.

She told Zayra that emotions will start to manifest, they will take a toll on her. Her behavior will change or be altered. She advised her to take it slow, remember the things she was taught in counseling and if she really did feel a need to hurt herself, to not hesitate and speak with someone. She even gave Zayra her cell phone number just in case at their last session before she went back to Peru.

Zayra felt herself heavy, like a fog. She still hadn't talked to Roman and if she was honest she didn't really want to talk to anyone lately. It didn't help that she had a cough that hurt her chest.

It was easier through texts or social media than to deal with face to face or phone conversations. She had Skyped with Angie and the rest of the band twice just to see how they were doing. But the fog she began to feel on the last week in Los Angeles was getting denser.

She was sitting in the back seat listening to Mario talk about things. She tried to pay attention and asked him a few questions. She saw the looks he gave her through the rear view mirror, and knew he wasn't buying it. They got to the house and he parked the car in his usual spot. He quickly opened the door for her.

"Zayra, I know it's not my place but I just want to say that I'm glad you're doing better. I guess I'm just concerned because I recognize that look in your eyes."

She looked at him, searched his face. She nodded and bit the inside of her lip. "I'm trying not to feel this way Mario."

"I know, I can see you struggling." he looked at the house and saw his daughter Mimi open the door and smile at the two. "I just don't want you to do anything that you'll later regret."

"Like what? Run away again."

He smiled sadly. "Yes or try to hurt yourself. I like you Zayra. I always have. I want to see you happy, we all do."

She gave him a tight smile.

"Thank You Mario. You know you're my favorite from everyone here. Just don't tell Mimi."

He smiled. "okay." he moved to grab her bags.

Zayra walked in and heard commotion everywhere. They were remodeling a couple of rooms. Zayra saw workers in and out. She walked to her room and dropped her purse down.

She felt her body draining. She decided on a bath. She quickly grabbed her things, watching Mimi hum happily putting her things away. She looked at her before entering the restroom with concerned eyes.

She turned the water on adjusting the temperature. Maybe if she slept she'd feel better. Zayra knew that everyone by now knew she was home and would soon seek her out. She wanted to sleep before speaking to anyone.

She removed her clothes and slowly eased herself inside. Feeling the heat of the water mildly scald her skin. She wanted to take a hot bath, as hot as her body permitted. She dunked herself all in and held her breath as long as she could just like she used to do when she was younger.

Only this time, when she closed her eyes and held her breath, fractured images flashed in her mind.

Pieces really, of her family, of her mother, of the rape. She quickly opened her eyes and gulped air quickly inside of her lungs feeling a slight burn.