Page 4 of Lani

“I am so glad you’re home,” she whispers and rubs my back. I slide out of the SUV and let her lead me inside, the scent of a home-cooked meal hitting me the second we step across the threshold.

“Baby girl, you need to tell me what happened.” Dad puts his hand on my back, leading me to the table, so I start from the beginning with everything.

His face shows more anger by the second, and so does my mom’s. “Lani, why didn’t you tell me this shit was going on?” he demands, crossing his arms across his chest.

I wince at the sight of the anger on his face and I look down. “I didn’t want to worry you, and I honestly didn’t think it was that serious if I’m being honest…” I trail off, and his face softens. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that this would happen.

“Well, that shit is over with now.” He smiles slightly, and I know he’s over being mad at me. He hugs me tightly before holding my seat out for me, then does the same for my mom.

I look at my mom, who is studying me, before she starts loading my plate full of food. With shaky hands, I reach forward and take my fork, then my dad’s eyes fly to my hand.

“Sweet girl.” Dad reaches over and takes my hand, stopping the shaking. I look down. I can’t look at the both of them.

“Baby, I want you to be honest with me.” He squeezes my hand, I hear the sound of his chair scooting out and his face moves in front of mine, him on his knees.

“Your anxiety and depression is bothering you, isn’t it?” He pushes my hair out of my face and I nod slightly.

Unless you have anxiety and depression, you don’t fully realize how much it messes with your life. Mine gets to the point where I will lie in bed at night for hours and hours as stuff circulates in my brain. Things that shouldn’t bother me do, then I get sick and my heart skips a beat or races.

It started when I was a teenager. With therapy I got it under control, but my life has been so busy the last couple of years that it’s just caught up to me.

I got so used to this being a huge part of my life, but then my dad noticed it and he took me to get help.

That changed my life.

I smile shakily. I want to scream, sleep or just do anything right now. “Yeah, Daddy, I have been struggling for a while. That fast lifestyle is not for me. I haven’t taken care of my mental health and this sealed the deal.”

He nods in understanding. “Eat your dinner, baby. I’ll call your old therapist in the morning and book you an appointment for tomorrow.”

Then we don’t talk about it anymore. Right now it’s going to be a changing point in my life.

It’s time to make myself happy.

2

Lani

One Month Later

I finish putting the finishing touches on my makeup. Jordan is coming over and bringing the girl he met and has fallen head over heels for, Alisha.

Mom is flitting around the house like she’s on fire trying to make everything perfect to meet her. My brother has never brought a woman home before.

This is huge.

This last month has been a great one for me, it will be very hard for me to go back to Los Angeles at this point, if I’m being honest.

I hurry into the kitchen and finish up cooking before they get here. Just as I’m dishing everything onto the plates, I hear Jordan’s truck pull up into the drive.

I hear Mom running to the front of the house to greet them at the door. I hurry up and then run through the house just as they walk inside.

I run straight to my brother. “Jordan!” I scream and tackle him into a hug, squeezing him hard and shaking him side to side slightly.

I pull back and smile at him before I turn to his girlfriend, beaming, when I notice how unbelievably gorgeous she is. I can’t resist the urge to hug her. She stiffens slightly in my arms and I let her go, afraid that I’ve pushed too far.

“You did good, Jordan. I’m so proud of you,” I tease him and lightly punch his arm. He ruffles my hair, and Alisha smiles at me. My brother hasn’t stopped talking about her the last month.

Jordan turns to two men that are standing behind them that I didn’t even notice were there, but holy shit. My eyes widen as I look them up and down.

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