Stolen Innocence

Chapter Seven

Everything was getting a little easier, the weeks turned into two months. I was beginning to feel a little normal. I wasn’t sitting around dwelling on it, I was trying hard not to think about it and move forward with my life. Ella and I were talking a lot, every day. I apologised for being distant after it happened, but she understood I just needed time. She was the best, best friend anyone could ask for.

Mum and Dad are truly the light, amongst my dark days, they made sure I knew they were always there if I needed them. Dad would even sneak me in chocolates and lollies for me to snack on while I was watching television in bed. Strictly under the condition I never told Mum, because she would want to eat them all; he would say. So naturally, I blamed him because I couldn’t fit into my jeans any more. I had begun eating more, Catherine believe it was part of my depression, but she was happy I was making progress; eating again, smiling again, they were all small steps.

The sessions with Catherine had been helping a lot. I opened up more and more each time we spoke. I felt comfortable around her. By the 8th visit, we had become good friends. Creating a good friendship with her made it a lot easier to talk about stuff.

After our last session, she suggested that I should get out of the house, if I was okay with it. Catherine said, Feeling the sun on my skin, and breath in some fresh air would be good for my inner-self. She suggested a walk around the block or maybe a park. She believed I was ready to take that step, and I trusted her.

It was a beautiful sunny Wednesday, so I decided I was finally going to venture out and go for a walk to the park. I picked Wednesday because I knew that most of the kids from school would be doing sports, which was held on the school grounds. So the chances of running into one of them was pretty slim.

I grabbed a lightweight hoodie from my closet and put on a pair of track pants, mainly because I felt comfortable in them. I grabbed my sunglasses too, I figured I could try and find behind them too. I grabbed my phone and sent a message to my Mum and Ella to tell them I was going to the skate park.

Mum’s reply; Okay honey, I love you. Enjoy your walk, and if there’s any dramas ring me xx

Ella’s reply; Ok Em, take a baseball bat. If anyone says anything..hit them..wink wink xx

I laughed as I read it, even though Ella put the wink wink, I knew she probably wasn’t really joking. She didn’t want me to get hurt again. I wasn’t going to take a baseball bat, I’m not afraid anymore and I wasn’t going to live in fear. I put my hoodie over my head, grabbed my bag, a bottle of water and my phone, and headed out the door. I felt a little excited to actually leave the house, after all it had been a few months.

Making my way to our front gate, and took a deep breath in. ‘You’ll be fine’ I reassured myself as I swung the gate open. Looking around as I walk towards the park I noticed some things had changed around our neighbourhood. There was a big house getting built two streets away, it looked pretty flash. I looked at the sign and read it,

‘Armstrong Enterprises’ – it was obviously one of Colins family’s buildings, I already knew they were in realestate. I didn’t let it bother me, I kept walking enjoying the autumn breeze.

I took my time, and eventually made it to the park. I felt a sense of happiness about being out and about. Looking around there ain’t many people there, only a few people in the distance playing basketball, and young kids with their parents riding bikes and kicking balls. I took a spot on a little hill under a tree so I could be in the shade and kind of hidden. I heard my phone beep and I knew it was a message,

Mum;

Hey Bub, just checking you made it to the park safely xx love you honey.

I smiled as I replied;

Hey Mum, I’m here now. It feels good to be out of the house in some nice fresh air and the sun. Love you too xx

Mum;

I’m so proud of you Emily, You’ve come along way xx

I replied;

Thanks Mum xx I couldn’t of made it without you and Dad xx

Mum replied;

We will always be here for you beautiful. See you when I get home from work honey xx

I smiled as I sat there leaning against a tree, and looking over the park. I felt pretty lucky to have them as my parents. They had been so supportive, and caring through all of this. I would have felt empty and lost without them. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths in too enjoy the clear, fresh air.

I was there for awhile, and I felt pretty good about deciding to go for the walk. I decided to ring Ella while I was sitting there. It was a good way to help pass the time, and I really wasn’t ready to go home just yet.

Ella told me she had started developing a crush on a guy named “Josh”- He went to the same school as her, and they had become good friends, she didn’t know if she was ready for another relationship again. I told her to go for it, and it would be a good way to move one for all her bad memories.

We sat there talking about random stuff, and laughing for about an hour. My stomach begun to rumble, I was getting hungry. So we said our goodbyes, and I told her I was going to head back home. I stood up and wiped the grass off me, and started to walk back home.

“Hey, Emily? I thought that was you?” I heard a voice.