“You aren’t. From what you’ve said and the way your body reacted to hearing his voice, I’m glad you got out of there. Don’t doubt your place here.” I look into his eyes and I believe every word. Within my family everything was held over your head. You were taught that you should be thankful that you were even being fed.
 
 “What is my place here?” I am so unsure of myself, so insecure. That’s how my family liked you. They didn’t want women to be confident in themselves or feel good. If you were then you might start to think for yourself and the whole system would fall apart.
 
 “Your place here is that you are a part of this family. You are one of us. You are home.” His eyes stare into mine.
 
 Home.It was a word that to most people, was something that was taken for granted. My home for most of my life was hell. Adjusting to that word meaning something good would take some getting used to. It is definitely going to be an adjustment being here, and realizing that everything I knew before was wrong.
 
 “I need to go talk to the guys. You okay?” I nod. He pauses before standing up, the two of us just looking at each other. I remember the way it felt when he kissed me. His lips were soft, his touch gentle. I want to feel it again.
 
 He stands quickly and exits my room.
 
 Wishful thinking.