Chapter 77: Chapter 77

Before we go on our date today, I ask Jeff to join me here. We now arrive in front of my therapist apartment unit. She doesn’t like the clinic set-up, she believes a home set-up makes someone feel much better.

When Jeff sees the sign outside, he hesitates. He probably has a lot of questions right now but he chooses to stay quiet and goes along with me.

So before even I knock on the door, I face him with courage.

“Babe, there’s something I didn’t tell you, not because I lied, but because I wanted to show you after I became better,” tears begin to fill my eyes.

So he holds my hands and reassures me with just a simple smile, “Avery, I trust you, and whatever it is, I am here now. You don’t have to do this alone, okay?”

I nod and hug him so tight. After I sober up, I press the doorbell.

A minute later, a lady’s voice is heard from the intercom, “Yes, who is it?”

“It’s Avery Anderson, Dr. James,” I simply answer. Then the door opens for the both of us. She ies excited to see me, but she becomes ecstatic when she sees me with Jeff for the first time.

Without dealing any moment she greets him, “You must be Jeff? Come on in, I am Dr. James,” then she extends her hands. So does Jeff.

She serves us some cup of tea and then she gathers my file and my personal log. I look at Jeff and he looks at me. He never lets go of my hand.

Dr. James surely begins to explore and observe us, especially Jeff, and I see her let out a huge smile when she sees us still holding hands.

As she sits down, she starts with a jest, “What else is there to treat? You guys seem okay?” then she burst into laughing. So did I, but Jeff who seems a little left behind couldn’t get what she means. So slowly, Dr. James begin to explain the situation.

“Do you know why you are here Jeff?” Dr. James begins with her routine.

Jeff, unsure of what to tell just shakes his head.

“I see, for you to get the gist, let me introduce myself. I am Dr. Laura James, a psychiatrist, a therapist, an expert, but people love to call me a shrink in love,” she smiles at us.

Jeff nods and continues to listen. And when curiosity strikes him, he begins to ask question, “So, when did you first meet Avery?”

“Six months ago, that’s when she knew he couldn’t make love to you,” Dr. James answers

Jeff blushes and is taken aback bty the abrupt remark from her. He looks at me, “That long? Why didn’t you tell me?” his voice isn’t mad at all, he’s more likely to be concerned and disappointed.

“Did I do this to you? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to force you,” Jeff looks down, but Dr. James cuts him off.

“Definitely, not, Jeff. She’s way too damaged even before you came. In fact, you were her medicine. You made her feel better,” her voice sends reassurance, and yes, that’s how I exactly felt when I met Jeff.

“But how? And why?” Jeff goes deeper into questioning. This is somehow what I expected. I want him to ask more so he can decide whether to accept me or not before we even get married.

“Because she’s a victim of a mental torture, Jeff. She’s been severely traumatized by a certain man and a particular situation,” she elaborates.

“The scandal,” he exclaims, and I couldn’t stop myself from reacting. I unconsciously squeezes his hand.

He looks at me and he rubs my hand with his other hand until I calm down.

“All this time, I thought you already forgot since you never even talked about it at all. And I thought it was for the better to just bury it,” Jeff utters in pain.

“It’s not that I didn’t, but, I couldn’t. Just hearing the word scandal, or he… him, my body trembles,” I weakly exclaim.

“But the good thing about it is you are here for her, Jeff. You make her feel better. You just need to be more patient, and eventually, Avery can open up to you wholeheartedly. She decided to go here because she wants to be better. She goes here every week because she wants to have a better future with you.”

Jeff burst into tears as Dr. James say these words, he is probably devastated knowing that it needed more time. But no, I know myself, and I know I was ready. It was hard but yes, I already did, didn’t I?

I don’t want to see him like this ever again, so I speak the truth, “We made love yesterday night.”

“Avery,” Jeff wanted to stop me, but Dr. James has to know.

“I am sorry, if I had known, I would have stopped right away,” he bows his head.

Dr. James’ reaction is unpredictable. I thought it was okay but it took her sometime before she speaks.

She sighs, “Well, did both of you come?” she asks nothing but personal question.

We both say shyly, “Y-yes.”

“Then, that’s step one. Congratulations, Avery. You made a bold decision,” she looks at me.

Then she turns to Jeff, “But, take it slow, Jeff. It doesn’t mean you’ve done it once, you’re going to do it all the way. Baby steps and take it slow is all I could ever prescribe you,” Dr. James gives us a precaution.

And just like that, the one-hour love therapy session is now over.

Dr. James reduces my medicine intake and wishes me goodluck. Once we are outside the building Jeff and I find a quiet spot so we can talk.

As we are walking, he holds my hand tightly, “I will never ever let go of this hand, Avery,” then he kisses the back of my right hand.

“Aren’t you mad at me?” I nervously ask him the question.

“Why would I be? You did it because you love me, you wanted to give me something even before I asked. Avery, thank you. And I am sorry for not knowing all this time we are together,” he looks me in the eye and promises me forever.

With that, I feel so much loved.