Speak to Me

Breaking Through

"More than okay." she answered.

Her voice was quiet and hoarse but I still heard her. My jaw dropped and my legs gave up. I was kneeling in the sand and tried to pull myself together. I didn't expect it, not even after the day we had together. She kneeled in front of me and gently grabbed my shoulders.

"Are you okay?"

She still had some problems with controlling her voice, but I was actually happy she said something.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm okay! What the hell are you doing?"

"This is what you wanted, isn't it?"

"Well, yeah, I just... I just started to accept that you're not speaking..."

"Seriously, it's between the two of us. If my mother knew I think she would end our sessions. And let's not talk about Rob..."

"Okay... Anyway, did you tell her?"

"Yeah, she was happy about it."

"You should talk more to her."

"There's no use. She would never leave that asshole."

"Well, she needs love, too."

She turned to the water. I think I saw tears in her eyes. I patiently waited until she spoke again, in the meantime I turned too.

"Who doesn't need love? Seriously, she married the first man she met after dad died. Anyone but him. I would accept anyone but him."

"No one will be able to replace your dad. Not for you and nor for her."

"I don't know. In the end I was just left alone with my grief. We never really talked about dad after he died. I didn't know if the feelings I had and have are okay. I still have no idea."

"You went through a lot. It's okay to feel. It's okay to be not okay, Emily."

"Right." she sighed "Suddenly I don't really feel like talking..."

"Don't do this to me, please. We need to make progress."

"We made lots of progress today."

"Technically it's a new day. It's Saturday."

"Lea, don't, please..." she brushed off her face.

"You should sleep a little, Em. It was a long day."

"Don't leave me just yet." she laid her head on my shoulder "Please..."

"What's with you?" I asked softly.

"I don't know. I don't care."

"You do. It's okay."

"So, when are you leaving, angel?"

"What are you talking about?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Well, exactly. I'm talking. It was our goal, wasn't it? Now that you achieved the goal you can leave."

"Emily..." I sighed "I'm not leaving you. Anyway, I thought it's our secret."

"I can't be selfish anymore. I'll let you go."

"Stop kidding!" I wrapped my arm around her "I promised to help you with the GED. Besides, we're far from finished. You will be my masterpiece."

"I bet." she scoffed "You still wanna help me?"

"Of course! I told you. You're more than a job: you're a friend as well. Cut the bullshit!"

"You'll get enough of me."

"Don't worry about it. Once I'm bonded with someone it's hard to get rid of me."

"So I'm the one in trouble?" she chuckled.