Nemesis: A Love Story

BRAEDEN

Braeden walked calmly around her new office. In many ways she couldn't believe she was here. One minute she was counselling at the neighbouring cities high school, with behavioural teens. The next she was being asked if she could move here, to this city and take over a whole program.
After she'd been told the story and the necessity she'd jumped on it.
"Why me?" She'd asked her new boss.
He'd look at her with a cool stare, professional, polite, polished.
"I've heard amazing things about how you can reach kids like this. The incredible work you've done. The lives you've changed. These young adults. They deserve the best. The best chance at a future. To remember they aren't a problem. A burden. They're worth it. I think the need you, deserve you. If anyone can rectify this colossal mistake on our end, it's you."
She had been moved by his words.
She wasn't your typical therapist, she was younger than most. Only 29. She dressed casually, jeans, band T-shirts, stylish and hip. Her long black hair in multiple braids. She was thankful he'd taken the chance on her.
She now stood with her hands on her hips. Inspecting the space.
Gone was the old school psychiatrist couch and in place of it was two plush arm chairs with a large wooden table in between.
It was welcoming without being pushy.
Hip and cool without being over the top.
She walked over to the record player, yes she was a lover of vinyl and put on a song.
She was a firm believer that music soothes, soothes people and calms them.
It wasn't loud but just a nice background noise.
Under it was a crate filled with records that the patients could look through and pick if they should so desire.
She exhaled a deep breath.
Feeling more at ease.
Things had gone well as could be expected so far.
She'd met with lots of the other patients and had squared away their thoughts and feelings on having a new face to deal with.
Now she waited patiently for her next patient, Tessa Riggs, to arrive.
This one was the one she was concerned with the most.
Not because of any kind of behavioural issues but she has read her file and she remembered the incident.
It was all people talked about 7 years ago and to make things more concerning this girl had been the one whose personal information had been discussed about in front of her whole group.
Braeden grew angry again just thinking about it.
How could her predecessor do such a thing?Such a breach of conduct.
Such a betrayal of trust and these kids had had enough of that their whole lives.
She had so much damage to repair because of this stupid and thoughtless disgrace to her profession.
In truth she'd been surprised when Tessa agreed to this meeting. She wouldn't have blamed her if she had told her to go fuck herself.
She heard the soft knock on the door and turned to see the young girl standing before her. Her long hair in a bun on the top of her head. She wore an oversized black hoodie, obviously not hers, probably a boyfriends and ripped at the knees jeans. Her face was pale and make up less.
She looked tired.
Exhausted really.
Braeden took a slow step forward, she didn't hold out her hand in greeting, she wasn't a fan of forcing contact with someone.
"Hi. You must be Tessa?"
The young girl nods, hesitant to come into the room. Instead she leans her head in and takes a look around.
"I like what you've done with the place."
Braeden smiles at her.
"Yeah really? It just felt so...I don't know..." Braeden says looking around the room.
"Old" the girl offers.
She looks at Tessa
"Yeah old and unwelcoming."
They stay silent a moment longer.
"Are you interested in coming to sit?"
Tessa shrugs and looks out the window.
Braeden gets an idea. She moves to her desk chair and grabs her long leather jacket.
"Interested in taking a walk by the river instead?"
Tessa looks at her surprised.
"We can do that?"
"I'm the boss or so they've told me. Best to test that theory out now. Come on"
Braeden walks out ahead of her, hoping Tessa will follow.
She does.
The sun is shining brightly and there's a small cool wind hitting their faces as they walk.
At first they don't say much.
Just stop at a vender and grab coffees.
They walk along the water, runners and bikers passing by them as they stroll.
Braeden sees a free bench up ahead.
"Let's sit"
They do.
She can tell Tessa is tense...waiting for the next shoe to drop.
She's fidgeting.
Picking at her nails.
Biting on her lip.
"How many days has it been?" Braeden asks. Not looking at her.
"Since the last time you used?" She continues.
Tessa seems surprised by this.
"3 days."
"The withdrawals bad?" She asks her, taking a sip of her coffee.
"Nothing I can't handle"
Braeden looks at her in the face and smiles warmly.
"I remember the feeling."
Tessa arches an eyebrow at her.
Braeden sighs.
"We all have our sad stories. Me included. Mind if I smoke?"
Tessa shakes her head and watches Braeden as she lights up and takes the first long drag.
Heaven.
"How long ago was it?" Tessa asks "sorry that's none of my business"
"Listen, Tessa, I cant expect to someday earn your trust if I'm not willing to trust you myself. I was raped when I was 15 by a family friend. I started using right after that. Weed to start and then progressively harder stuff. I've been sober 10 years now. Well except for this nasty little habit" she smirks.
"There's worse things"
Braeden laughs "most definitely."
"Anyway we ex addicts seem to recognize each other. When you're ready for more help with that I know some good people. Just saying"
Tessa nods but remains quiet.
Reflective.
"So you're taking over for Megan."
"Yep."
"So what is this? Are we supposed to be best girl pals now? Share all our dirty secrets? Braid each other's hair?"
There it is.
There's the anger.
She was waiting for it.
She can work with anger.
"No. I don't expect that from you. I don't expect anything from you. To be honest I didn't even think you'd show. I wouldn't have after what happened. What Megan did was unethical at best but it also was just a completely fucked up thing to do. I'm so sorry that happened and that she did that to you. We aren't all like that but with any profession there's always a few bad apples so to speak."
She looks at Tessa closely. Waiting for another remark. When it doesn't come she continues "People need to earn the right to hear our stories. I heard that said once.  Brene Brown I think it was. It's true. We sometimes let people in too soon. Too easily and they take advantage. I don't expect you to spill your story to me but I do hope, someday in the future I will have earned the right to hear it. Until then on our one on ones...we can just sit here. Or in the office. Listen to music. You talk when you want. Same as for group. The next move is yours, Chief."
Tessa looks at her thoughtfully.
Braeden knows she's reading her.
Sizing her up.
Seeing if she's friend or foe.
She knows that gift.
She invented that gift.
They both remain there on the bench.
It's Tessa that moves first.
She opens the bag she has with her and pulls out what looks like a journal. It's battered and bent.
It's seen better days.
Tessa stands and drops it on her lap.
Braeden catches it before it falls to the ground.
Tessa looks down at her.
"See you in group then"
Braeden nods easily.
"See you then."
She watches as the girl walks away heading back towards the medical building.
And there walks away a fucking warrior, she thinks to herself with a smile of respect.
Braeden takes another long drag of her cigarette and tosses it aside.
She opens the journal and sees the drawings.
She leans back against the bench and studies the pages.
Admires the talent.
Tessa doesn't express feelings through words.
But she does through art.
She smiles realizing Tessa has just opened the door for her.
Even if only a crack.
It's a start.