[For However Long || Book 4]

17°

»"this right here, so time consuming..."

[two weeks later]

Bryson and Paris had gone to one therapy session where they told their therapist about every problem they ever had. They left more upset than they went in.

They were now at their second one and neither of them wanted to be. The first was filled with finger pointing and bad communication, much like their relationship.

"Ok, today I thought we'd try to do an exercise I've used many times." Dr. Edwards told them.

Bryson and Paris remained silent as they say in their respective seats beside each other.

"I'm going to say a name and you tell what you think of this person, not their relation to you, but the first word that comes to you head, ok?" He said sitting on the edge of the couch.

"Ok." Paris said with a sigh.

"Whatever." Bryson nodded.

Dr. Edwards nodded and cleared his throat, glancing over at his clipboard which sat on his desk.

"Daphne."

"Which one?" Paris responded, shifting in her seat. Bryson sighed loudly.

"Which one did you think of first?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. She just shrugged.

"My daughter, I guess."

"And you, Bryson? Who did you think of first. Be honest."

Bryson tilted his head and let out a sigh, "Daphne Oliver."

"But why?" Paris gave him an annoyed face. The doctor held his hand up to stop her.

"Let's be civil. Now Paris, you said you thought of your daughter, what's the first thing you think of when you think of you daughter?"

"Athletic..." She said.

"Bryson?"

"Athletic." He shrugged. The doctor nodded.

"What's the first thing you think of when you think Daphne Oliver, Paris?"

"I don't." She shrugged, nonchalantly running her hands through her hair.

"Ok, Bryson. Your turn."

"She's dead. So I guess that's what I think about." He told him.

"Paris, were you aware that this woman was deceased?"

"Yes."

"And do you think that the next time she comes up in conversation, either your athletic daughter or the fact that she's deceased can be what you think of, as opposed to shutting down like you just did?"

Paris scratched her forehead before nodding, "Yea, I guess."

"Great. Micah."

"Next."

"Bryson, is there a problem?"

"Can you go to the next name?" Bryson asked.

"Micah's cool." Paris said, ignoring Bryson, "He's a good friend."

"We're you and Micah ever close or good friends, Bryson?" Dr. Edwards asked.

Accepting that his request was going ignored, Bryson spoke, "Nah. He's just Sierra's man. I only saw him when Sierra came to the house or vice versa."

"Were those the only times that you saw Micah as well? He directed towards Paris.

"Yep." She confidently answered. She looked over at Bryson who was had his hand on his forehead.