Broken

f o u r

A knock on Melissa’s door woke her up. She sat up on her bed and waited for Chris to come in.

“Sorry, did I wake you?” He asked.

She nodded slightly.

“I’m sorry, I’ll be quieter next time. How did you sleep last night?”

Melissa nodded her head again.

“Good. Well, I brought you some breakfast. It’s on the table outside, whenever you’re ready. Also, today evening will be our first session. It will be here so you don’t have to go anywhere. I’ll let you change and get ready.”

He walked out of the room and closed the door behind him. Melissa got out of bed and walked into the bathroom. She stripped out of her clothes and stepped into the warm shower.

~*~

She wore a long-sleeved shirt and baggy pants. Again, no makeup.

She walked into the living room and sat on the couch and began to eat the food Chris had left for her.

She finished it without much trouble and set the plate on the counter beside the sink. Her living room had a small kitchenette which included a sink, counter, and mini-fridge.

She walked over to the shelf where the movies and books were kept and found herself reading The Notebook.

~*~

It was 12:23 in the afternoon and Chris had not yet come back to check on her. She began to get worried and sat in the corner of the living room floor, her half-read book on the table with a slight fold on the page she was last reading.

She tucked her knees into her chest and rocked herself back and forth until she heard a knock. The door opened, revealing Chris with a packet.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting, I had to meet up with someone outside. I did bring you take-out from the restaurant. I’ll keep it in the fridge, just let me know when you want me to heat it up.” She nodded, slightly relieved that he was okay.

“So, what do you want to do?” He asked, hoping she would answer.

She just looked out the window.

She loved nature but after her parents died she barely went out.

“We have some time before your session so I was thinking maybe you’d like to go outside. We have a yard and park I think you might want to see.”

When he looks into her eyes, he sees a spark. She nods her head vigorously making Chris laugh. “Alright. It’s a little chilly out, do you think you’ll be fine in what you’re wearing?” She nods her head once more before walking towards the door.

“Actually, we can just open your window, it’s also a sliding door.”

He unlocks the window and opens it half way before stepping onto the grass on the other side.

He held out his hand for Melissa to grab. She looked at him, slightly hesitant at first. “It’s okay. I won’t hurt you, I promise.”

She looked into his blue orbs before she tightly took Chris’s hand.

She stepped out wearing flip-flops and walked towards the fountain.

Chris admired her as she slowly let herself sit on the edge of the fountain, turned around slightly while she speculated the clear water.

She dipped her hand in the cool water and closed her eyes, thinking about what her life would have been like if she still had her family.