Page 39 of Under The Greek's Protection

Chapter 13

Hailey

“You did great today, Bobby. Remember to do the exercises I taught you if you ever feel yourself going into that dark place, okay,” I ask my twelve year old client who had been exhibiting violent outbursts. We’re on our weekly video call with his mother by his side. Bobby’s behavior stemmed from being molested by a close friend of his family. The poor baby. My heart went out to him. People like his abuser need to be thrown in jail, without the possibility of ever returning to society.

“Mrs. Taylor, I’ve scheduled our next follow-up appointment for next Wednesday, at two-thirty. Does that work for you guys?”

“Yes, that’s perfect. Thank you, Mrs. Kourakos,” Mrs. Taylor thanks.

I smile at them. “You’re welcome and you have my number if you need me before then. You two take care and I’ll see you soon.”

“Thank you,” they say together.

“Bye, Mrs. Kourakos,” Bobby waves on the screen.

“Goodbye, Bobby” I waved to him and his mother before ending the session.

I added a few notes in his file before closing it. Bobby has come a long way since I started seeing him three months ago. It took him a while to open up about what happened to him, but he is making great progress now. Kids like Bobby, Devyn, and even myself, are why I became a Child Psychologist. They need someone to talk to other than their loved ones. Someone to let them know it’s not their fault, and to help them heal from their abuse. I wish I had someone to talk to back when Andre was molesting me. My mother wasn’t trying to hear it, which is why I always kept up the communication between me and Devyn when I moved out. I prayed that Andre wouldn’t do to her what he did to me, especially since she is his biological daughter; but his sickness didn’t stop him. Devyn and I have talked in depth about what he did to her. She was hurt, afraid, and confused. I couldn’t let her continue to be abused by him, so we ran. I knew our mother wasn’t going to protect her, and I was her only hope to get away from both of them. I am my sister’s keeper!

Standing, I take Bobby’s file over to the filing cabinet, and put it back in its place. Bobby was my last client for the day. Since launching my practice, a little over four months ago, I’ve gained thirteen new clients. It’s a smaller number than I had in Atlanta, but I’m happy with it. It gives me more time with each patient, plus it gives me more time to spend with my family. Alistair wanted me to move my practice into one of the office’s in Dallas, but I love my home office. Also, even with GeeGee in the neighborhood, I’m still close enough to Devyn’s school, if she needs me.

Speaking of my family, since Zar and the others dealt with Trent’s ass four months ago, everyone has been able to breathe a little easier. Nina, Janae, and I, were pleased that we didn’t have to be sequestered anymore, but he still didn’t remove our security detail.

Our Sunday dinners at Nina and Zar’s have grown in numbers, with Venom and Blade joining us. Xander shocked us one Sunday, when he brought a beautiful Black woman with him. Her name was Sabre Tompkins, and she was in town visiting him from Chicago. Before dinner, GeeGee pulled Nina, Janae, and I to the side and told us that Xander and Sabre used to be madly in love. When he moved here to work with Zar, he begged her to come with him, but she didn’t want to leave her family. They broke up because of it, but now, it seems like they might be working things out.

Closing the file cabinet, I returned to my desk to shut down my laptop. Once done, I pushed in my chair, and went to the door. Taking in one last look at the office, I smile as my eyes land on the family picture of Alistair, Devyn, and me. We took it two months ago, and our smiles are full of happiness. Turning off the light, I close the door behind me.

Alistair and Devyn should be home soon, and I needed to start on dinner. It’s Friday and I’m going to make something simple, later we’re meeting everyone at Nina and Zar’s. Tonight, is the re-grand opening of Mystique. After months of rebuilding and setbacks, Nina has brought her baby back to life. I’ve seen pictures of how Mystique looked before it was destroyed, but the new and improved Mystique is amazing. We are all proud of her and can’t wait to celebrate her triumph.

Althaia, Yiannis, Grandfather, and Sabre have flown in from Chicago to be a part of the celebration. Devyn will be able to attend during the first hour, but after that, she, GeeGee, and Althaia, will be escorted to the condos before the real party begins.

“Mmmm, something smells good,” Alistair says an hour later, coming into the kitchen. I stood at the counter, making a tossed salad, glancing over my shoulder at him, smiling.

“That would be the spaghetti and garlic bread,” I tell him as he wraps his arms around me from behind. Tilting my head up to him, I pucker my lips.

He kisses them, then says, “I wasn’t talking about the food.” Alistair presses Frank into my backside.

I giggle. “You’re such a horndog.”

He lowers his head, then gently kisses my neck. I hum.

“Only for you. I can’t help that I’m addicted to the Georgia peach between my wife’s legs,” he says as he lowers his hand to my hot jean covered center, then gives it a pat.

“What’s for dinner,” Devyn asks, coming into the kitchen.

I snicker as Alistair groans in my ear. Picking up the salad bowl, I slip out of his arms.

“Spaghetti, garlic bread, and salad. How was school,” I probe.

“It was good, I’m just glad it’s Friday,” she replies.

“Have you washed your hands?” I question.

“Yes”

“Good, take this into the dining room. I’ll bring the spaghetti and garlic bread,” I say, handing her the bowl. Devyn takes it, then leaves.

Turning to Alistair, I tease, “You okay over there, crazy man?”

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