Crash (Sequel to Unexpected)

Self Help

***Skye's POV***

I listen to Gavin's message, tears rolling down my face. He left the message two days ago on July 13th. Today is the first day I have my phone. This place locks them up at check in so they cut off contact with all the problems of life. It was definitely relaxing to not have a phone for nearly a month.

I stand off my bed, alerting the attention of my roommate, Ophelia. I pull my earbuds out of the headphone jack and leave them on my bed.

"I'm going to Dr. Baker's office. I'll be back."

"Reality come crashing down too soon?"

This is Ophelia's third time here. She decided to become a permanent resident, cutting off all contact with the outside world. Her life is worse than mine. She grew up moving around the world, following her famous father. When her dad died, she was left with her aunt in Nebraska. There, she was sold for some cocaine. After that, she was raised by numerous drug dealers, passed around from person to person when there wasn't enough money to score a fix.

"Something like that. I'll be back."

The door is easy to open. I take the brief walk down the resident hall to the main hub of the facility. There, I find the person I need. Dr. Baker is bent over, speaking with one of the other residents. I approach with caution, not knowing the mental status of the other resident.

"Dr. Baker, can I speak with you in your office?"

She takes one look at me.

"Yes. I'll be right with you."

She whispers something in the resident's ear before straightening up. She beacons me to follow her, her heels clicking against the tile flooring as she walks.

Once we are in the safety of her office, I pull out my phone, handing it over to her.

"I see they gave you back you phone. Is there something wrong with this?"

"Listen to the last voice mail."

Already armed with the knowledge that my phone has no lock on it anymore, she scrolls to the last voicemail with ease. She plays it and the minute I hear Gavin's voice, I put a hand to my stomach.

"Skye, it's Gavin again. I'm done leaving messages you'll never return. It's been twenty-seven days."

During the course of my therapy sessions, I mentioned Gavin several times. Dr. Baker convinced me that I need to face my fears and tell him about the baby. She also convinced me to keep the baby.

"I'm going to give you the space everyone says you need. I hope you are safe. I love you. Please come home."

Click.

"I can see why you are upset, but he is offering you refuge at his home. Isn't that what you want?"

"Yes, but I don't want to rush things. I'm terrified that he is only doing this because he thinks I'm homeless or crashing at a motel again."

Dr. Baker hands me my phone across her desk.

"Why don't you call him? I'll be right here to assist you through the call."

"Do you think I'm ready?"

She leans forward, resting her elbows on her desk.

"If I didn't think you were ready, I wouldn't have asked for you to get your phone back."

I take a shaky breath, pressing the small phone icon on my phone and putting it up to my ear.