Page 28 of The Soul Never Forgets

“I don’t like the things you’ve told me about your mother and brother and the way they treat you.”

I have a new defender. “She’s going to have a heyday with you.”

“How so?”

“She won’t be able to tell you fast enough how crazy I am.”

“It’ll be fun explaining to her that I’m the psychotherapist, and I’ll be the judge of that.”

“I don’t know why but she tries to turn every guy I date against me. The sad part is that they listen to her so her success rate is pretty high.”

“Every guy before me wasn’t your intended. She can’t convince me of anything.”

“I’m really happy we finally found each other.”

“I’m happy too,Cara.”

“Cara?”

“I would like to call you Cara… unless you don’t like it.”

“I like it.” The only pet name anyone has ever given me is “my girl.”

“Good.”

“Tell me about your family… Dawsey.” Saying his name makes me smile.

He’s happy as he tells me about his family and childhood: happily married parents, one brother, came from upper middle-class family, grew up near Baton Rouge. His childhood sounds similar to mine except his was healthy.

“I think I’ll love them.” They sound like everything I’ve ever hoped for in a family.

“They’ll love you too. Especially my mom since she’s the only female in the house. She’ll love that you don’t leave the seat up.”

I’m sure it’s hard being the only girl in the household.

“Do they love your fiancée?”

“Devin has been a part of my life for a long time. I suppose a part of them must love her.”

“I’m afraid they’ll blame me for your broken engagement.” I don’t think I could stand it if his family didn’t like me.

“Therapists in general need someone to talk to when they have their own set of problems. I’m not an exception to the rule. My family is aware that my relationship with Devin has grown stagnant. They won’t blame you for the end of our relationship. They’ll thank you for making me happy again.

That’s a nice way of putting it.

“Coco is the only family I have who loves me. When she’s gone, I’ll have no one family-wise. I would be devastated if your family didn’t accept me.”

“There’s no need for you to worry about a thing. They’ll welcome you into our family with open arms.”

“I hope so.”

“I know so.”

Dawsey helps me clear the dishes away and load the dishwasher. When the kitchen is back in order, we move to the sofa in the living room, both of us with a three-finger-high whiskey in hand.

I take a drink of the amber liquid and pluck the journal from the coffee table. “What’s the best way to do this?”

“These are your journals. I think they’re best read by you.”

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