Chapter 48: The First Client
213 Words
Day 1. As a Helper.
9:15 AM.
Jessica's office.
It wasn't fancy.
Just a small room.
Two chairs.
One table.
And hope.
The woman from yesterday sat across from her.
Hands shaking.
Woman: My name is Lisa.
Woman: I'm 26.
Woman: And I... I don't want to live anymore.
Jessica nodded.
No judgment.
Just listening.
Jessica: I understand.
Jessica: 1 year ago... I was you.
Jessica: On a rooftop. At 3:33 AM.
Lisa looked up.
Eyes wide.
Lisa: You too?
Jessica: Yes.
Jessica: But I chose to live.
Jessica: And now I help others choose too.
Jessica slid a notebook across the table.
Jessica: This is called "The 19 Doors".
Jessica: Not a game. A path.
Jessica: 19 steps to find your reason to live.
Lisa: 19?
Jessica: 1 door at a time.
Jessica opened the notebook.
Page 1.
Jessica: Door 1: Tell me your name.
Jessica: And one thing you love.
Jessica: Even if it's small.
Lisa took a shaky breath.
Whispered:
Lisa: I love... cats.
Lisa: I have one. Her name is Mimi.
Jessica smiled.
Jessica: Good.
Jessica: That's Door 1.
Jessica: Tomorrow... Door 2.
Lisa cried.
But this time... not from pain.
Lisa: Thank you.
Lisa: For not giving up on me.
Jessica: I won't.
Jessica: We do this together.
- Writer
