Steve sat sideways on the couch, one leg bent against the back with his foot planted in the seat, the other on the floor in front. JV sat in front of him with her legs curled to one side as she leaned against him. Looking at them, it might have looked like she was dependent on him for strength but Matt knew better. She sat on her own, choosing to lean on him for support and comfort. It was a subtle difference but one Matt could see.
“What is it?”
“Why? Why did you keep it to yourself? We would have been there for you. We would have helped you.”
She looked at the floor and took a deep breath. “The short answer is fear. Fear and shame. But it’s not that simple and it’s taken me a long time and some counseling to see that.”
“What do you mean it’s not that simple?” He watched her, waiting.
