Page 57 of The Last Session

Her head was still in her hands. She bobbed her head once. Dawne gasped.

Moon watched everything neutrally, continuing her soft drumming.

“That makes sense.” Sol nodded. “You take the care from the caretaker, and you don’t understand why it doesn’t feel good. I’ll bet you’re very confused. You have the best intentions, but…” His hand fluttered downwards. “You’re just not into them.”

When Karen raised her head, tears glittered in her eyes. “It feels awful.”

“I’ll bet it does.” Sol’s voice lowered. “Hurting the people who love you, over and over again. It feels like torture.”

“It does.” She swiped tears off her cheeks. My chest squeezed with sympathy.

“But that’s why you’re here,” Sol went on. “Regardless of who paid your way, you’re here to break the pattern.” He turned to face us. “Ourpatternsare the relational dynamics we get caught up in. They feel normal to us. But if we step back, we can recognize them. And with that knowledge, decide if we want to break them.” He turned back to Karen. “What’s your pattern?”

“Like you said. Dating men I should like, but I don’t.” She watched him, wary but interested.

“Good.” Sol gestured towards us. “It’s time to pick someone from the group to channel your ghost lover.”

“What?” She looked startled.

“Yes. Gender doesn’t matter. Just whoever you feel is the best fit.”

She gazed at us, evaluating. I wanted to hide, but I forced myself to return her eye contact. She was brave for going first, and if she wanted me to be a part of this, I would.

“Jonah,” she said.

Sol beckoned. “Come on up.”

What could he be feeling as he took his place next to Sol? After all, he was here for the same reason as me. To dig for information on Catherine. Not to get deep with a group of strangers.

Sol motioned. “So Jonah will represent yourghost lover: everything you yearn for in a partner. You chose Jonah because he has some of those qualities. Can you tell me what they are?”

“I’m not sure.” Karen’s voice sounded different, younger.

“First thing that comes to your mind.”

“Confident.” She glanced at Jonah, almost shyly.

“Confident, good.” Sol walked around them both. “What else?”

“I don’t know… He’s a good-looking guy, I guess?” Karen shrugged.

“Yes.” Sol nodded. “Confident, attractive… smart too.”

Jonah smiled uncertainly.

“And what are some of your worst qualities, Jonah?” Sol took a step back.

“You’re asking me?” he said.

“I am.” Sol grinned.

“Okay.” It was the first time I’d seen Jonah look unsure. “Well… I’ve been told I can be cut off from my emotions.”

This was awkward. I wanted to look away, but couldn’t.

Sol nudged Karen. “Sounds like someone else I know.” She chuckled. “What about anger?” He retrained on Jonah.

Jonah nodded. “I do get angry sometimes.”

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