Page 124 of Beautifully Broken
I get to work on my letter.
Cheryl,
While I don’t think this will matter to you, it’s something I need to do. You are my mom, but I can’t continue to allow you to hurt me this way. I’m checking myself into a treatment center. Your vicious words have affected me for the last time. As much as I would love for us to have a relationship, I don’t foresee that happening unless you make some changes, too. I’m working on me, but unless you do the same for yourself, I can’t have you in my life.
I love you and I hope one day we’re able to talk.
Love,
Sophia
It’s not long after I’m done that Trevor messages me to tell me he’s on his way over to the hotel. I head down to the lobby to wait for him.
Trevor walks in, smiling when he spots me. He isn’t running away even though things are complicated right now and I know I made the right decision last night to believe him.
“You ready?” he asks when in front of me.
I nod. “As I’ll ever be.”
We walk hand in hand to my car, where he loads my suitcase for me.
I hold out the letter for my mom to him. “This is for Cheryl.”
“I will get it to her tomorrow.” He takes it from me.
He pulls me into his arms, holding me tight. “I’m going to miss you.”
I smile into his chest. “I’m going to miss you, too. It’s a ninety day initial period and I can extend it if I choose. But we’ll be able to talk and you can visit.”
He pulls back, looks me in my eyes. “You bet I will.” Then he’s pulling me back in.
I let him hold me, enjoying the comfort his arms provide to me. Before long, I’m pulling back, but not before I drop a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you. I’ll talk to you when I can.”
Trevor nods and opens my door, letting me slide in before closing it. With my car started, I roll the window down.
“You got this, Soph,” Trevor says with a sad smile before turning to go to his SUV.
I’m going to miss seeing him at the office or messaging back and forth all day.
I pull out of the parking lot, thinking about how much my life has changed in twenty-four hours. And how thankful I am for it because today starts my healing journey to having a life I love.
Epilogue
The last four months have been some of the hardest of my life. Facing my feelings about my mom and choices has been no picnic. The great thing is, I’ve been able to learn how to handle my emotions when I feel out of control.
That was tested the day Cheryl came for family therapy. The best part of that therapy session, I could be honest with her about my emotions and how she affected me. Unfortunately, she still had the same mindset and wouldn’t acknowledge that she had negatively impacted me. Cheryl also wasn’t willing to continue family therapy to work on our relationship.
I wasn’t really surprised, but I was disappointed. There was a small shred of hope that maybe she would try to see things from my perspective. I should’ve known better. She is who she is and I can’t change her. This I’ve come to peace with.
While I don’t have a big support system, I do have Trevor. True to his word, he’s kept in contact and has visited when allowed. He’s my best friend and number one cheerleader. He quit Your Dream Event the day I checked myself into the treatment facility and has become quite successful on his own doing portraits.
I feel much better about leaving the treatment center today because I have my therapy sessions booked, a job interview tomorrow, and I’m heading to meet Trevor to sign the lease for my new apartment.
Even though I’ve seen him and we’ve talked, I can’t help the butterflies fluttering in my stomach as I pull into the apartment complex and see his SUV. I park a few spots over and take a deep breath before getting out.
Trevor spots me and comes over, pulling me into his arms. “Sophia. I’ve missed you.” He drops a kiss on the top of my head.
I wrap my arms around him. “I missed you too.”
