The Future as a Rivers (Fifth Book)

Chapter Thirty-two

Isabella

"Hello Isabella I am Dr. Mickelson." The middle aged woman said sitting down in a chair across from the couch Mitchell and I sat on.

"Is it okay if my boyfriend stays?" I asked.

"If you're comfortable with it then no problem." She smiled placing a stress ball on the table.

I raised an eyebrow before picking it up and playing with it.

"It helps people talk. So tell me about your parents."

"My parents? They were good people. They took me to the park when I was a little girl, they took me to softball practice and gymnastics. On Friday's and Saturdays my parents ordered in and we had movie nights on Saturday. Whenever I had a bad dream they would let me sleep in bed with them. Sometimes it was whenever I felt like it. I enjoy having someone next to me when I'm sleeping. The night of the accident, well the day before my parents got a call that their adoption papers went through and they were going to be receiving a child in a matter of days. The process took about five years of constant checks. We had the profile of the baby they were getting and he was a little boy named Tanner and he had these big bright blue eyes." I said wiping under my eye briefly.

"So you're used to sleeping with someone? Now Mitchell told me the one night he wasn't there that you had a night terror." She stated and I nodded.

"I see. So the night of the accident, what do you remember?" She asked.

"We were driving when the truck swerved. The bright lights flashed in my eyes and I closed them and I remembered lurching forward hard and the seat slammed against my leg. I was in so much pain that I felt like I was going to pass out. My dad turned back and smiled at me before saying 'I love you, and something else, it was loud and people who saw the accident were screaming for help. But then my dad faded away and I saw tears fall down my moms face even though she had blood covering her face. I see that face every night. But she said to me 'stay awake baby, you still have things to do here.' Something like that...and then she said she loved me very much and that her and my father would always look out for me." I said whispering the last part.

"Your mom is right. You still have things to do on this planet, Isabella. I want to do whatever I can to help you." She promised touching my knee. I looked away briefly blinking back tears and I nodded wiping under my eyes. Mitchell squeezed my hand comfortingly and she continued on.

"Do you have any scars from the accident? Something that maybe triggers your sadness?" She asked.

"I broke my ribs and I had surgery, I also broke my leg and had surgery. I just use them as a reminder that my parents are watching me always. I don't know why but I always do." I shrugged.

"That's wonderful. Now, do you have any allergies?" She asked and I frowned.

"Allergies?" I asked.

"To pets?" She asked.

"No, I don't why?" I asked confused.

"Now a lot of clients I treat often get dogs or cats. A sort of therapy. A pet is always there for you no matter what. When you come home they are so excited and they are good cuddle buddies. Why don't you two go and see if any adoptions are up for some puppies? That way when Mitchell is away you have someone to sleep with." She suggested. I glanced at Mitchell and he shrugged.

"Do you think that could work?" I asked.

"Of course, there are studies that show that dogs decrease stress when you sit and pet them. See how it goes and I am going to schedule you in for two weeks from now. Also try keeping a journal beside your bed. If you have a night terror write down what it is about." She said and I stood up holding onto Mitchell's hands.

"Okay, thank you doctor."

"No problem. See you both soon. Happy shopping." She smiled as we exited her office.

I glanced in the waiting room and a small girl sat on a chair as he mom spoke to the receptionist. She had to have been twelve and I saw red scars on her forearms and I frowned sadly.

Mitchell tugged on my hand and we made our way out of the building.

"I hope our little boy or girl grows up comfortably and comes to us with whatever is upsetting them." I whispered.