Jailbird

~Chapter 44~

After my last my last and final sexual encounter with Zedlin, I was actually feeling in good spirits. I really couldn't keep pining over a man who clearly had issues deep within himself.

It wasn't healthy for me and I had to let him stop planning those negative seeds of hinself into me.

After the first day or so, I admit I was moping around, but enough was enough.

I had to make decisions for me and my life overall.

Even if that meant I had to squeeze Zedlin right out of my heart. It'd take some time, but I'd eventually squeeze out every last drop of him.

Speaking of being in good spirits, after a successful week at the community center with my kids, I had someone on my mind.

Which led me to where I was currently.

I tapped my fingers as I sat in the serene waiting room. Not too far away, there were patients lingering by the bay windows overseeing the waterfall.

While I waited, the place almost made me want to consider admitting myself into the program. I had been going through so much emotional trauma lately that I felt like I qualified.

I seriously needed to get a grip.

"Hey, Sienna." A soft voice said, making me look up from the loveseat I was sitting on.

He had only been admitted for a few weeks, but I could tell he was getting so much better.

Mason was wearing a black t-shirt, gray sweats and he had on some comfy looking gym shoes.

Anyone would have called me crazy if I told them I visited my abusive ex in a mental health institution, but I knew Mason and I knew he wanted to be better than who he used to be.

"Mason, hey! I hope me being here won't interfere with your treatment," I said while standing up. I barely got to finish my sentence before he wrapped his arms around me and squeezed me tightly.

I squeezed him back, before pulling away and seeing him smiling beautifully at me, "Of course not. I'm happy to see you, Sienna. I'm surprised when they told me you were coming to see me. I didn't think you would after--"

A blush stained his cheeks and he reached behind his head and awkwardly started scratching.

"Hey, let's put that behind us. The path in front of us is our friendship. Let's focus on that, alright?" I smiled encouragingly.

"I like that. Let's have a seat and catch up. How's life been treating you? Are you... are you still seeing Zedlin?" He asked, slightly shifting uncomfortably as we sat back onto the love seat.

I smiled, "We don't have to talk about him, Mason."

"No, it's okay. Part of my treatment is talking about situations that would normally trigger me. I have to get over it. So, tell me what's going on?" He clasped his hands together and stared at me, giving me his undivided attention.

And once I started, I couldn't stop. Mason allowed me to open up and pour out everything I'd been feeling and struggling with, even throughout us dating.

"He's just so damaged and I'm feeling really stupid for letting him in. He said some troubling things after our last session and it just got me thinking." I ended off.

Mason ran a hand through his hair and sighed softly, "I hate this for you, Sienna. I can't speak much, because I was no better, but he isn't right for you. I-I just think, in the nicest way possible, that you should leave him alone. You know? For your sake, of course."