Page 54 of Shadows of Recovery

Tristan nodded. "Thanks for the heads-up, James. I'll let Chris deal with her. I can’t fix her jealousy issues or let her interfere in my relationship with Sophie.”

James hesitated before continuing, "There's something else. I spoke with Dr. Ellen Boyle. She's your new psychiatrist at the Blackwell Institute. I arranged for you to have a session with her. I think it will help."

Tristan wet his lips. "I don't know, James. I'm not sure talking to a stranger will make a difference."

"Tristan, you need someone to talk to," James insisted. "You can’t carry your feelings too long. It’s noxious. And when Sophie wakes up? Isn’t this what you preach? Give Dr. Boyle a chance."

Tristan sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Okay. I'll give it a try."

* * *

Later that day,Tristan found himself standing outside Dr. Ellen Boyle’s office at the Blackwell Institute. Her new nameplate on the door gleamed in the corridor’s bright light. With a deep breath, he knocked and waited for the invitation to enter.

"Come in," a warm voice called from inside.

Tristan pushed the door open and stepped into the cozy office. Dr. Boyle stood to greet him, her smile genuine and welcoming. She was a woman in her mid-thirties, with kind eyes and a demeanor that instantly put him at ease, one of the reasons the board hired her.

"Tristan, it's good to see you.” She extended her hand. “Chris speaks highly of you.”

He shook it, feeling a small measure of comfort in her firm grip. "Thank you for seeing me."

"It’s hard to say no to the boss,” she joked. “Please, have a seat.” She gestured to a comfortable chair by the window.

Tristan rolled his eyes, but she was right. As the boss, he could ask her to sign off on the session. But for Sophie, he’d do anything. And this was why he started the Blackwell Institute.

"James told me a little about what you’ve been going through. I’m here to help in any way I can."

“I see my brother is taking advantage of his new board seat. My father passed away less than a week ago, and James inherited his seat.” He chuckled. “I’m glad it was James.”

“He cares a great deal for you.” Ellen smiled.

Tristan sat down, his hands nervously twisting in his lap. "I don’t even know where to start."

"Why don’t you start with what’s on your mind right now?" she suggested gently.

Tristan took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the view outside the window. "I feel like I’ve failed Sophie. I promised to protect her, and now she’s lying in that hospital bed because of me."

Dr. Boyle listened attentively, her expression empathetic. "It's natural to feel that way after something traumatic happens to someone you care about. But it's important to remember that what happened to Sophie isn't your fault."

"I know that logically," Tristan said, his voice strained. "But it doesn’t stop the guilt, the nightmares."

"Tell me about the nightmares," Dr. Boyle prompted.

Tristan hesitated before his words tumbled out in a rush. "It was the first time I fell asleep. I kept seeing her hurt, calling out for help, but I couldn’t reach her. It was like I was stuck, and no matter what I did, I couldn’t save her."

Dr. Boyle nodded, her expression understanding. "Nightmares like that are common after a traumatic event. It's not a burden to ask for help, Tristan," she said gently. "You’ve been through a lot, and it’s okay to need support. That’s what I’m here for, and that’s what your friends and family are there for."

"I just want to be strong for Sophie, to be there for her."

"And you can be," Dr. Boyle assured him. "But you also need to take care of yourself. We’ll work through this together, one step at a time."

As the session continued, Tristan found himself opening up more, sharing the fears and guilt that had been eating away at him. Dr. Boyle listened without judgment, offering insights and coping strategies to help him manage his emotions.

By the time the session ended, Tristan felt a sense of relief. It was just the beginning, but he was grateful for the chance to talk, to begin the healing process.

"Thank you, Dr. Boyle… Ellen," he said as he stood to leave. "I appreciate this more than I can say."

She smiled warmly. "You’re welcome. Remember, you’re not alone in this.”

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