“You grew up with us. You know how hard Arden worked to take care of us because Mom was gone, right?”
I nod, urging her to continue.
“A few years back, Arden was having a really hard time. He was lashing out all the time. He was up and down, his emotions were all over the place. And when I left for college, it got even worse. So, Dad suggested he find a therapist.
“It took a while to find someone good and affordable, but eventually he did and he’s been doing sessions with her ever since. I guess he switched to phone sessions when he got to TU since Melissa is in South Carolina.”
Melissa. She has a name.
“What does he talk about with…Melissa?”
Even as I ask the question, I already know the answer. Both the Davis children were abandoned by their mother, but Arden, being old enough to know a life with her, took the brunt of that emotional stress.
Couple that with his dad’s paralyzing accident, Arden had a lot more dumped onto his plate than a boy his age should’ve had. It makes all the sense in the world that he would need someone to talk to about all this. A professional.
“I don’t know, Dani. I just know that ever since he started talking to her, he’s been so much happier. And him being with you has also made him happier.”
I’ve always wanted you. Always needed you. It’s always been you.
But wait…
“Who’s Katrina, then?”
“Huh?”
“When we were fighting, he got a call from someone namedKatrina.You said the therapist’s name is Melissa.”
Margot shrugs. “Maybe I got the name wrong? Or maybe he’s got a new one since I last talked to him?”
“Maybe…”
Arden has been taking steps to better himself this entire time, and I threw it in his face. I continuously reminded him that he’s an angry, violent person and instead of letting him prove me wrong, I didn’t even give him a chance.
I just don’t understand why he didn’t tell me this in the first place. All of this could’ve been avoided if was just open and honest with me. Then again, I wasn’t always willing to listen or give him a chance, I pushed him away without even realizing I was doing it.
“I think I’ve made a terrible mistake.”
Margot fills my wine glass, then her own. “I agree, but there’s nothing to do about it now. So let’s order some take-out, put onPride and Prejudiceand think about something else for the night. You can worry on your way home tomorrow. Deal?”
All I can do is nod. I’m so glad I came. Turns out all I needed was a night with my best friend.
On the drive back to TU, I call Sydney but she doesn’t pick up.Odd.Deciding to try again later, I scan the radio until I find a song worth listening to. Once I finally do, my phone rings with an incoming call.
“Hey, Syd,” I answer without looking.
“Who?” The voice says back to me, I don’t even need to look to know who it is.This is why I screen my calls.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Who is Syd?” She says the name with such disdain that I want to hang up right then and there.
“Sydney, my old roommate, Mom? You know her.”
“Oh,” she says simply. “Whatever. How are you doing, honey? I haven’t heard from you in days.”
It’s actually been weeks but I’m not going to correct you.
“I’m fine, Mom. How are you?”