Heaven Can Wait

Chapter 2 Part 2

Nicolé

My limbs ached from the many postions I slept in during the night. When I sleep I'm not aware of anything I do but feel the aftermath once I wake up. That be a few bruises on my skin or scratches that decorated my arms.

It's like I'm trying fight to get away in my dreams the game of survival. This is not the first time it has happened. All of it has been an ongoing thing that continues to seem as if it's occurring in real life at that very moment.

I've been home for almost three years. Nothings been the same and that's what I hate the most. My life will never go back to normal the way it was originally before I went off to the army. Some of my friends tried to warn me by saying I wouldn't come back the same Nicolé. But did I want to listen? No.

I thought since my father was a part of the military when I was younger I could follow in his footsteps. Of course I'm a girl and all but deep down inside I was a tomboy growing up. I dress more girly now but that doesn't change anything from my years as a teen.

It was my decision I made during my senior year of high school. I didn't want to go to college like everybody else in my graduating class. At first my mother was against it because one she feared the worse happening to her only daughter and two she'd rather see me in the fashion industry modeling for some big company.

I had to inform her those were the dreams she couldn't successfully accomplish. It wasn't fair she was trying to live her life through me. I made the choice to go to the army and stuck with it. When I went off she threw a fit but my father kept it all positive in my favor.

When I returned home she knew I wasn't the same judging from my behavior. I moved out and got a place of my own it was best to part ways from my parents in order to claim my independence. I can say from that point forward everything changed.

A light knock on the door brought me out of my thoughts. I turned on my side and looked at a figure in the doorway wearing white. I rubbed my fists over my eyes so I can see clearly.

He was a tall man with a face full of freckles that covered both of his upper cheeks. His facial hair was well groomed a tiny patch of it protruded from his chin in a perfect goatee. The suit he wore complemented the complexion of his skin. A few neck tattoos were exposed above the collar of his button up dress shirt.

I'm guessing this is the famous Dr. Brown who's the talk of VA. I've heard about both his practices opening on the radio. But I never thought I'd be admitted into one of his instituions.

"Good morning Ms. Hayes. " He flashed me a friendly smile. I pulled the covers off my body sitting up on the edge of the bed to slip on my sneakers. But my feet felt a flatter pair of shoes. I looked at him then back at the floor.

"Where are my sneakers?" I asked calmly.

"Don't worry they're in a good place. We just give our patients new shoes and clothing to wear while they stay here in the facility. It helps us keep up with everybody if they look the same." I scrunched up my face. He had to be kidding. I had to walk around in these neutral colored scrubs and skimmer shoes?

"You'll get them back after you are able to leave. Now following me." I got up and walked towards the door. We walked down the long hallway going through the first secured door to get to the other side of the building.

When we finally arrived at Dr. Brown's office I took a seat in one of the chairs.

"You can take a seat over there." He pointed to the leather couch. "Well Ms. Hayes considering this our first session. I'll tell you how everything will go." I nodded giving him my undivided attention.