Mirrors |NH|

Chapter Ten

The next week was two months since Edie had been attending these meetings.  Although she hadn't said anything during those two months, except to curse the entire situation, she had stopped protesting every time her brother came to pick her up, drop her off, and push her out of the car and up the stairs.

She actually began to look forward to them and had debated a few times actually sharing her story.  But every time she began to get the nerve to say something, she stopped.  Only one other member of the group had been raped but she didn't remember any of it.  Which isn't to say what had happened to her wasn't any worse, but for Edie, she would've preferred to not remember any of it.  Or be reminded of it every single time she looked in a mirror. 

"Okay, so we're going to do another exercise this evening, so everyone get with your partners," Charlie said.

It was then that Edie noticed that Niall wasn't there.  She both panicked and felt relieved but just then the door creaked open and he walked through the door.  Charlie welcomed him and told him to join his partner.

"Okay, everybody, we're going downstairs to the kitchen!" Charlie announced as she headed down the stairs.  Everyone followed.

When they got to the kitchen, Charlie told them what they would all be doing, "Okay, so this evening, we are all going to make something with our partners.  Each of you has a set up, so find your names and get to work!"

Edie found hers and Niall's, they both walked over to it.  "Brownies?" Edie said, confused, "How is this supposed to build trust?"

"Baking therapy is real, Edie," Charlie said,walking past them. "It improves concentration, builds confidence, increases self-esteem. Mindfulness is a helpful technique for staying consciously in the present, in focus and concentration. From measuring to mixing to kneading, you can't rush through it — you have to take it slow. Much like healing. And, when you have a friend help you bake, you're boosting your mood through teamwork. Working together helps strengthen emotional bonds and helps you feel a sense of community and purpose. So, this is mostly a team building exercise for you. Think of it that way. But that scarf might get in the way."

Edie and Niall looked at each other and rolled their eyes but they nevertheless began to make the brownies.  "Okay, so you get the dry and I'll get the wet ingredients?" Edie asked Niall.  He nodded his head and went to the refrigerator while she went into the pantry.

As they were putting the ingredients in, Edie noticed that Niall seemed a little down.  More than usual.  Something came over her and she decided to lighten the mood.  Leaning a little closer to him, she whispered, "You know what would make these brownies really good?" She paused for dramatic effect, "Pot."

She looked up at him as his head popped up to look at her, a smile began to spread across his face, "Yeah, it would."

She gave him a small smile. As they continued, Niall perked up a little bit, "I haven't had a pot brownie in ages."

"Neither have I.  Kinda sad either of us is just now thinking about how amazing that would be for these meetings."

Niall smiled a little more, a small laugh escaping his lips, "Ha!  Yes, god, they would."