Jim and I flew home from my Apology Tour. Lora is very happy it went so well. She asks about me & Jim, and our relationship. "Have you had sex?" She asks.
"Really?" I ask.
"Yes, really. I want to know that your relationship with Jim is ok. Especially after telling him about Ezzie." She says with a smile. "But I am guessing by the pink in your cheeks things in the bedroom are good."
I feel my cheeks get red remembering Jim fucking me and the bed against the wall in my old bedroom. "Yes." I giggle.
The rest of the session goes quickly. I get a little emotional telling her about apologizing to Uncle. How he said I am just like my Dad.
"Did you ask him what your Dad did that made him say that?" Lora asks.
"No, I was too afraid he wasn't going to forgive me for a minute." I say.
"But he did." Lora says.
"Yes as long as it never happens again and I keep getting your help." I say.
"You are in a unique position right now." Says Lora. "Have you thought of asking Ezzie?"
"Mary, you know I have told you I promised your Father to never discuss some things with you, and that is one of them." I say for Ezzie.
"Ezzie, without going into details. I don't want you to break a promise you made, but I want Mary to learn from it. Can you maybe say how Mary's Dad dealt with whatever the issue was?" Lora asks.
It takes Ezzie a moment, which is odd. She is usually quick to answer. She is obviously thinking it over.
"I know her Mom & Dad would want Mary to get help, especially her Mom. She wouldn't want her to go through what she saw her Dad go through. So yes there was a time your Dad should have talked to someone. He acted out of anger seeking revenge. Afterwards he felt horrible with what he did. I tried to tell him it's the good men that suffer the most when committing violence. He didn't want to listen to me. It was a very cold night. Your Dad sat on a bench and drank himself into a stupor. He was getting drunk, and I was concerned he would pass out and die from exposure. Your Mom and Dad weren't married yet, but they shared their locations on their phones. Your Mom found him half frozen on the bench. She took him home, your Grandma & Mom put him into bed. Your Mom got under the covers with him for a long time to help warm him up. Your Dad wouldn't say what was wrong. He told Grandma he had found out a college friend had died in an accident and he was upset by it. He never truly spoke to anyone about it, and was bothered by it for a long time". Says Ezzie.
"Thank you for sharing that, Ezzie." Says Lora.
I suddenly feel sad. "I must have worried you too Ezzie when I wasn't responding. I am sorry." I say.
"Mary, all is forgiven. I will say I am very happy you are getting help. I can already see the improvements in you. Your Dad was bothered by his actions that night for a long time. I don't want that for you." Says Ezzie.
I just rub her ring. "Thanks, Ezzie." I say.
"I think this is a good stopping point." Says Lora. "How would you feel about going to two times a week?"
"Really?" I ask excitedly.
"Yes, really Mary. I think going back home to Kansas helped you connect a few dots. I think there is still some work that needs to be done, but." Lora says, but stops talking as I leap at her and hug her.
"Thank You!" I say hugging her tight.
She hugs me and rubs my back. "You are Welcome." She says.
Lora leaves and I am so happy. I can't sit still, and Jim has a late class tonight. Zeena and I hop into the Jeep and head to Nick and Nicole's. As I pull up Nick is outside. I get out of the Jeep, run to him and jump into his arms. He quickly grabs me and holds me. "Well hello." He says laughing. "Someone is happy." He says hugging me.
I pull back and look at him. "Twice a week." I say.
"What's twice a week?" He asks.
"Lora says I can go down to twice a week." I say pulling back from him.
He hugs me back tight to him in a big hug. "That is Great! Let's go tell Nicole." He says carrying me in the house like a child. "Hey look who I found."
"Nick! Why are you carrying her? Put her down." Laughs Nicole as Zeena makes a bee line for Ronald.
"Tell her." He says holding me.
"Two days." I say smiling.
He pats my butt in his hands. "Tell her more." He says.
"Lora says I can go down to two sessions a week." I say.
Nicole looks so happy. "God damn it, Nick. Put her down." She says.
He puts me down and she wraps me up in a big hug. "Oh Mary! I am so happy for you." She says squeezing me tight. She looks down at me smiling with a little tear in her eye.
"Nicole." I say softly.
"Oh shush. They are happy tears." She says as she kisses my forehead and hugs me. My face is right in her cleavage. I can't help myself. I give her a big raspberry between her boobs. "HEY!" She gasps, pushing me back.
We both laugh and hug again. Nick smiles watching us. "This calls for a celebration!" He says.
"Not Johnnie's on a Friday night with your son." Says Nicole. Nick's face drops like a disappointed kid.
"Please not Jacque's." Moans Nick.
"No." I say. "I am not in a dress up mood. I am in a happy mood. How about the new Italian place that opened near the yoga studio?"
"Perfect. Text Jim. Tell him we will pick him up after class." Says Nicole.
I smile and give her a mock salute. "Yes Ma'am." I reach down and pick up Ronald. "Help me leave Uncle Jim a video message."
I hold the camera up to show Ronald. He starts trying to grab the phone as I record a message. I use a baby voice. "Unca Jim. Mommy, Daddy & Auntie Mary are picking you up after class and we are going to an Italian restaurant so I can make a big mess." Ronald giggles and squeals. "BYE!"
Things start returning to and feeling normal. Jim had called Robert at Goldstar and told him I wasn't feeling well. I was stressed out and needed a few weeks off. Robert suggested telling everyone I was just taking a few weeks off to relax. No need to mention me being stressed. Robert even promised to make sure Marie doesn't bother me.
