The Stepfather (MxM) ✓

Chapter 14

"Take a seat, Sam," she said, quickly regaining her composure. Far quicker than I do anyway. But I followed her orders anyway, because this was Austin's mom, taking the seat furthest away from her.

"Austin never said you were a therapist," I remarked, trying to sound offhanded.

"Psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist," she shrugged, "I've had a few titles throughout my career."

"So do I have to get another therapist now or something?" I asked, leaning back into the comfortable chair. She just responded with a questioning expression. "Y'know, seeing as we're connected outside of this whole thing. Isn't that how it works?"

"It depends. Really, all I'm here to do is provide you with someone to talk to. Whether you think that's unsuitable now and want to change to a complete stranger is up to you."

I let out a little laugh. "Right," I drawled, "so, what do we talk about?"

"Whatever you want to. Maybe about why you're here today."

"I'm pretty sure Violet would have told you over the phone or something," I looked down, knowing full well where this conversation was headed.

"Maybe so, but I'd like you to tell me."

"Maybe I don't want to," I responded boldly, poking at a cushion.

"Who's Violet?" she asked, changing the subject in an instant. I looked up and quirk an eyebrow at her.

"My mother," I responded, talking slowly as I'm not entirely sure what she's getting at.

"And you call her Violet," she tilts her head to the side, just slightly.

"I know what this is. Digging into my past to see what makes me tick. I get it," I leaned forward, my elbows resting on my knees with my hands clasped in front of me. "I don't know Violet. Not really. We haven't had any kind of relationship for years. Hell, I saw her for the first time in eight years, just over a month ago. She got someone else to trick me into coming today, that's how close we are."

"If Violet had asked you outright to come here today, would you have come?" she inquired, mimicking my position - elbows on knees.

"No way in hell."

She gave me a slight smile and nodded, sitting back up. "Let's make the most of this session then. The future's always a good place to start. Any aspirations?"

I looked down at my hands again. "None."

"You must have something," she pressed.

I pulled the cushion onto my lap. "I've never thought much about my future."

"Is there a reason for that?"

"Yeah, I guess there is," I fiddled with my fingers, still looking down. "There didn't seem to be much of a point. Everything felt like of.. predetermined."

When the session ended, Marian – as she reminded me to call her again – asked me whether I'd return. I responded with another shrug. That seemed to be the action I used most during that hour.

Alex was patiently waiting outside when I emerged. He greeted me with a hesitant smile, looking like he was itching to ask how it went. I told him before he had the chance to.

"It was okay," I told him, deciding not to tell him that I knew Dr. Summers.

Alex's smile broadened as he brought me back out to the car. Before starting it up he took a breath and turned to me. "Are you hungry?"

"You did make me leave without breakfast," I pointed out, only noticing the slight pang in my stomach once he mentioned it. Alex chuckled and put the car into gear. After a few short moments of silent driving, I rested my knees on the dash and flicked through some of the radio stations. Finally settling on something that sounded pretty tolerable, I lulled my head back against the seat and shut my eyes, arms crossed over my chest.