Finding Home

Chapter 12: Needed and unwanted help

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Lorenzo managed to get home. He had been very anxious since Marco announced he had received an answer from the psychiatrist he had contacted. He did not want to scare Isabel from the beginning, considering this was a big step that she did not show interest in taking. Lorenzo could not believe his eyes. They were not only willing to take Isabel on as a patient, and they had an appointment available in two weeks' time.

Lorenzo felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He had been so worried that he wouldn't be able to find someone to help her, but now he had a plan. He knew it wouldn't be an easy road for Isabel, but at least now she would have professional support to help her through it.

He smiled to himself, feeling a sense of pride and purpose. He knew he couldn't solve all of Isabel's problems, but he could purposely support her and cheer her on every step of the way. And that was enough.

As the days went by, he became more and more invested in Isabel's well-being.

Lorenzo found himself becoming more and more involved in Isabel's life. He went above and beyond to ensure that she was comfortable and happy. One day, he surprised her with a dozen red roses, her favorite chocolate cake, and a beautifully wrapped stuffed animal. Isabel was taken aback by the gesture, but also immensely grateful.

Lorenzo also started to check in on Isabel every day. He would write her silly poems and hide in her belongings asking how her day was going and if there was anything he could do to make it better.

He also would show up between her classes unexpectedly, just to surprise her with a cup of her favorite coffee. Isabel couldn't help but smile every time Lorenzo did something thoughtful for her. It was as if he knew exactly what she needed before she even realized it herself.

Isabel couldn't deny that Lorenzo was becoming a significant part of her life. She found herself looking forward to his poems and his surprise visits. And as the days went by, she began to realize that maybe she was not ready to leave him.

Isabel and Lorenzo sat across from each other at the dinner table, the flickering candlelight casting shadows across their faces. The soft glow illuminated the plates of pasta before them, steam rising gently into the air.

Lorenzo twirled his fork absently in his spaghetti, lost in thought. Isabel noticed his distracted state and reached across the table to touch his hand.

"What's on your mind?" she asked, concern etched in her features.

Lorenzo sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "It's just that I leave for my father's estate in Crotone in a week's time," he said. "And you'll still have three weeks left here."

Isabel's face fell at the news. "Oh, Lorenzo, I'm going to miss you so much," she said softly.

He took her hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'll miss you too, Isabel," he replied. "But don't worry, I'll keep in touch while I'm away. We can video call every day if you want."

Isabel's face fell a little. "That sounds nice, but you don't even own a phone."

Lorenzo grinned. "Touche."

Isabel couldn't help but smile at his response. "I guess we'll just have to find another way to stay in touch."

"Absolutely," Lorenzo replied, determination evident in his voice. "I'll figure something out. Maybe we can use my laptop or something."

Isabel smiled weakly, but it was clear that the thought of being without him was causing her pain.

Lorenzo looked at Isabel with tears in his eyes, knowing that soon they would be separated by oceans and continents. He took her hands in his and spoke softly, "Isabel, my love, I know it's hard to imagine being apart from each other, but I want you to know that I'll always be here for you. Even though I won't be physically present, my love for you will never waver."

Isabel looked at him with a mix of sadness and confusion. She couldn't understand how he could promise her such a thing, knowing how difficult it was to maintain a long-distance relationship. Lorenzo could sense her unease and reached into his pocket, pulling out a piece of paper.

Lorenzo sat across from Isabel, his eyes focused intently on hers. As they sat at the dinner table, he couldn't help but feel a heavy sense of sadness looming over their conversation. He knew that in just one week, he would be leaving for his father's estate in Crotone, Italy, and wouldn't be back for some time.

Isabel tried to hide her own sadness, but Lorenzo could see it in her eyes. He reached across the table and took her hand, gently squeezing it. "I love you," he whispered, hoping that his words would somehow make the pain of their separation a little more bearable.

"I love you too," Isabel replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lorenzo felt a lump form in his throat as he tried to hold back his tears. "I don't want to leave you," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "But I have to."

Isabel nodded, her own tears now streaming down her cheeks. "I know," she said, her voice trembling.

"I promise to love you even while we're apart," Lorenzo continued. "But you need to live, Isabel. You need to want to live, not just for yourself, but for me too. I need you to be happy."

Isabel looked up at him, her eyes filled with confusion. "What do you mean?"

Lorenzo took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to say. "I found a psychiatrist in Detroit who specializes in anxiety and depression," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was thinking, maybe you could talk to him? Even if it's just once, I think it could help."

Isabel's eyes widened in shock. This was not something she was expecting him to say. She had been dreading the moment when they would have to say goodbye, but this was something entirely different.

Lorenzo reached across the table and took her hand again. "I'm sorry if I overstepped, Isabel," he said, his voice full of sincerity. "But I just want you to be happy. You remember the day I said we were soulmates? Well, I was wrong. You're more than a soulmate to me. You're a part of my own very soul, living outside my body. And I need this part to be okay, even if we're not physically together."

Isabel sat at the dinner table, her mind lost in thought. She had always avoided the topic of therapy and had a deep-seated aversion to psychiatrists. She wasn't crazy, and she was happy, wasn't she? So what was the point? But then she remembered the years of suffering she had endured, the loneliness and sadness that had been her constant companions. She thought about how happy she was now, how content with her life, but she also knew that she couldn't go back to that dark place.

Isabel had always been resistant to the idea of therapy. It seemed like something only "crazy" people did, and she had always been determined not to be one of those people. She had endured years of people making judgments about her mental health and she didn't want to give them the satisfaction of being right.

Isabel looked at Lorenzo with a sad expression, "I think I need to go home, Lorenzo."

Lorenzo looked surprised, "What? Why?"

Isabel sighed, "I just need some time to think."

"I'm so sorry, Isabel. I didn't mean to overstep," Lorenzo said, apologizing again.

"It's not that, Lorenzo," Isabel said softly, "I just need some space. I need to figure things out on my own."

Lorenzo nodded understandingly, "Of course, I'll take you home."

The car ride was silent, Isabel looking out the window lost in thought. Once they arrived at her dorm, Lorenzo turned to her, "Do you want me to stay?"

Isabel hesitated, "No, I think I need some alone time."

Lorenzo nodded, "Okay, I understand. But please know that I'm here for you if you need me. You can call me any time, day or night."

Isabel forced a small smile, "Thank you, Lorenzo. I appreciate it."

Lorenzo leaned in to give her a gentle kiss on the forehead, "Take care of yourself, okay?"

Isabel nodded, "I will."

Lorenzo watched as she walked into the building before driving away, his heart heavy with worry. He knew he had overstepped and just wanted to make things right, but he also knew that Isabel needed space and time to herself. He promised to give her that, but still couldn't shake the feeling of guilt and worry that lingered inside him.

Later that night, as she sat alone in her dorm, thinking about Lorenzo's suggestion that she see a therapist, she began to reconsider. Maybe there was something to be gained from talking to someone about her problems. Maybe she could finally find some peace.

And then she thought about Lorenzo. How he had gone out of his way to research therapists in the area, looking for someone who would be a good fit for her. He had found someone close to her home, so she wouldn't have to go too far out of her way to see them. It was clear he cared deeply about her well-being.

She couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for dismissing his suggestion so quickly. Maybe she was being too stubborn. Maybe it was time to try something new.

She thought about all the times she had felt lonely and sad, how she had struggled to keep herself together. She remembered the feeling of suffocating under the weight of her problems, and how she had wished for someone to talk to. Maybe a therapist could be that person.

As she thought about it more, Isabel began to feel hopeful. Maybe this was the change she needed. Maybe she could finally find a way to be happy. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but with Lorenzo by her side, she felt like she could face anything.

She made up her mind to at least try talking to the therapist Lorenzo had found for her. If she didn't like it, she could always stop. But for once in her life, she was willing to take a chance on something that could make her feel better.

As she made up her mind she was feeling a bit restless. As she walked towards her room, she decided to take off her clothes and change into something more comfortable. She was about to slip out of her shirt when a piece of paper fell from one of the pockets. Curious, she picked it up and unfolded it.

It was another poem from Lorenzo.

Isabel's heart swelled with emotion as she read the words on the paper. She could feel Lorenzo's love for her pouring out of every line, and it made her feel so special and cherished.

Mia cara Isabel, my heart's own beat,

From my life, you'll never retreat,

Though far apart, our souls are bound,

Connected by an unbreakable sound.

You are a piece of my very soul,

A part of me that makes me whole,

And even as we live our lives apart,

You are always with me, deep in my heart.

I wish you the happiest life, my love,

Full of wonder and blessings from above,

And though our paths may diverge for a while,

Our love will always be a bright shining smile.

So go and live your life with grace,

And in my heart, you'll always have a place,

For when our lives again connect,

We'll live the best life, with love and respect.

Ti amo, mia dolce Isabel.

Per sempre tuo, Lorenzo!

She took a deep breath and read again, letting the words wash over her. As she finished, she felt a tear roll down her cheek. She couldn't believe how lucky she was to have someone like Lorenzo in her life.

Isabel took a moment to compose herself before finishing getting dressed again. She carefully tucked the poem into her journal, wanting to keep it safe and close to her heart, as all the others had been safely kept as well.

Feeling a renewed sense of love and gratitude, Isabel went to bed that night with a smile on her face, knowing that even when they were apart, Lorenzo's love was always with her.

Isabel smiled to herself as she realized she had made the right decision to give therapy a chance. Maybe it wouldn't solve all her problems, but at least it was a step in the right direction. She fell asleep with a feeling of relief.

The next day she woke early and decided it was her turn to do something nice for Lorenzo, especially after she left things last and considering they had only that one week left. As she was brushing her teeth, an idea popped into her head, and she couldn't ignore it. She rushed to finish getting ready and ran to her desk to grab a piece of paper and pen.

With trembling hands, she wrote a heartfelt letter to Lorenzo, expressing her deepest feelings and gratitude towards him. She carefully folded the letter and placed it inside an envelope. Before sealing it, she sprayed a little bit of her favorite perfume on it, hoping it would bring him comfort.

Isabel quickly got dressed and grabbed her backpack, making sure to grab the envelope before heading out. She knew she had a lot to do that day, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she needed to do this.

On her way to campus, she made a quick stop at Lorenzo's house. She carefully placed the envelope on his doorstep and took a deep breath, knowing that this was the right thing to do. She felt a wave of emotions wash over her as she walked away, wondering if he would be as touched by her gesture as she hoped.

As Isabel walked towards the university, she felt a sense of relief and contentment wash over her. She knew that she had done something meaningful and that she had expressed her feelings to Lorenzo in the best way she knew how.