Page 59 of The Kidnapped

“Why won’t he take the deal? The prosecutor said he offered ten years. He’d be out in five with good behavior.”

“I don’t know,” Raleigh replied, wishing she had something she could say that would make things better.

Hollis grasped the beer mug with both hands before she moved it closer to herself, but she didn’t drink it.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to dump all this on you.”

“It’s okay. You can dump anything you need to on me,” Raleigh replied, meaning it. When Hollis licked her lips, looking like she was about to say something, Raleigh waited a moment, but when the woman didn’t end up saying anything, Raleigh added, “It’s a lot, Hollis.”

“I know.”

“Are you really doing okay with it?”

“I don’t know.” Hollis looked toward the horseshoe bar in the middle of the room.

“You know, there’s this doctor Molly keeps recommending to me,” Raleigh shared. “He’s supposed to be trained in dealing with people like you and me.”

“Like you and me?”

“Kidnappings and missing persons; victims and family members,” Raleigh explained.

“I don’t really consider myself a victim,” Hollis replied. “Even though the FBI and the prosecutor call me that.”

“I have his information, if you want it.”

“Do you go to him?” Hollis asked.

“No,” Raleigh admitted. “And I probably should, but I’ve been resisting therapy outside of the group.”

“Why?”

“A couple of reasons. I run my own business, so I pay for my benefits, and they are expensive as is. Therapy isn’t even included in what I have now.”

“I will never understand this country’s inability to provide healthcare to its citizens,” Hollis stated.

Raleigh smiled and said, “Says the Canadian.”

“Universal healthcare is a real thing, Raleigh.”

Raleigh laughed and replied, “I know.”

“And I’m not really Canadian,” Hollis added. “My dad just found someone to forge my birth certificate.”

“I know that, too.”

“You said there were two reasons,” Hollis noted.

“Oh. I just never really thought I’d need therapy. It’s stupid, right? There’s nothing wrong with talking to someone. I just feel like going to group should be enough.”

“But what if it’s not?” Hollis checked.

“I haven’t gotten to that point yet, but I might.”

“And you think I am?” Hollis asked, lifting the beer to her lips.

“No, I just thought I should mention it. You seem off tonight. I want you to be okay, Hollis.”

“You know, I was working up the courage to do something, but I don’t think now is the right time,” Hollis told her. “Can I maybe have a rain check on drinks?”

---