Page 17 of What's Left of Me

“Right. So, what do I do?”

She had the expression of someone who was about to break it all down for me and honestly, I was okay with that because I was clueless as to how to deal with this.

“Noel, do you know the four ways to help someone who’s been brainwashed?”

“Not a clue.”

She hummed. “You all have helped Four more than you realize simply by practicing them, unbeknownst to yourselves. Being compassionate and patient are the first two. These are already being done in his daily life. Every time you are kind to him, feed him, don’t push him. Another is reconnecting over shared experiences. This one mostly falls on Hazel’s shoulders, and I’ve spoken to her about it. The last is exposing them to facts, gently.”

I nodded. “So I should tell him?”

She held up her hand with a laugh. “Hold up. Phoenix has been told he’s ugly, stupid, pathetic, a waste of space. In a matter of three months, this person undid twenty-two years of his mental makeup. That needs to be reversed, and that happens in a few ways. First, telling him he’s none of those things he was told he was. He won’t believe anyone in the beginning, but in Phoenix’s case there’s another element.”

“What’s that?” I was hanging on to every word.

“He’s angry with his captor, likely hates him for what he’s done, yet he believes what he was told. He says the mask he wore was pretty. That he was lucky to have time with him. He’s puthim up on a pedestal and it’s our job, to not only remind Phoenix of the amazing person he is, but to shatter the illusion this monster is to him. To give Phoenix back his power by showing him how terrible that man is.”

She signed and pursed her lips. “I can’t tell you if he will react well to what you’ve discovered, but I know you can address it in a way that will get through to him as harmlessly as possible. I’ll be there the whole time. But yes, if we’re going to give Phoenix his strength, make him see that man for what he is, and help him out of the darkness, we have to involve him in everything that affects his life.”

I had to trust Aziza on this; I had no idea what I was doing. “Okay, we’re going to talk this afternoon. You coming?”

She nodded. “I have a session with Four in a few minutes, so I’ll be here.”

“Great. Thanks for your help.”

She stood, and I watched as she entered the house. I hoped the conversation would go well and that I wouldn’t scar him further.

Shep had madesome fried chicken to go with JJ’s potato salad and macaroni salad for lunch. Everyone filled their plates and sat wherever they wanted. Phoenix took his outside, and I could see him nibbling as he stared at the horizon. I wondered for the hundredth time what he was thinking about.

“Hey, Noel.” Hazel sat next to me at the kitchen table. “I was going to go outside and join my brother, but I’m getting much better at recognizing when he needs to be alone.”

“It’s hard, I know. But he’ll be okay.…You will too.”

“I hope so.” She scooped up some macaroni salad and hummed in pleasure as she chewed. “You all are spoiling me. I’m gonna go home and resort to takeout, wishing I was eating here.”

I chuckled. “I can take no credit. Shep, JJ, and Mason are the best cooks. Matt is pretty good, too. His schedule is crazy, so he doesn’t get to showcase his talents often but yeah, I’m lucky to be around so many awesome chefs.”

She nodded. “Oh, so Lizzy, she asked if she could see me. She’s been worried about Phoenix, and for safety reasons I’ve stayed at the house, but do you think I could go to the shop with someone tomorrow and hang out a bit?”

“Oh, for sure. If one of us is with you, that will be fine.”

“Thanks.”

“And I’m sure we can have her by too, if you’d like. I’ll talk to the guys.”

“I appreciate that, Noel.”

Once lunch was done, we all helped clean up and then gathered in the living room. Hazel said she’d get Phoenix, who had gone back outside after bringing in his plate.

“Aziza said it was a good idea to do this?” JJ whispered while everyone was getting settled.

“She said as long as it’s done respectfully. Hopefully none of these idiots crack jokes.” I gestured to my family, who was arguing about places to sit.

“Hmm.” JJ narrowed his eyes. “Say something before you start. Like, this is going to be some sensitive shit, so shut up.”

I tilted my head at him. “Yeah…I’ll think of something on my own.”

He shrugged and moved to where Shep was sitting on the oversized chair. He opened his arms to JJ as he neared, and JJ fell into them. It was sweet…and I gagged.

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