Chapter Twelve #2
I think about her offer for a minute while we continue walking.
Dr. Keen suggested again that I get into therapy.
I don’t really feel safe being at my parents’ house alone either.
Maybe if I go to this ranch, I can feel safe and get the help I need.
I’m still having nightmares and I don’t know how to make them stop.
Nothing I do is working so maybe that’s the sign I need to get help.
“I think I might like that. Right now, I’m staying at my parents’ house but they aren’t home.
They had to go out of town on a business trip.
My ex is in jail, but that doesn’t mean I’m safe.
I might not know much, but I do realize he’ll do whatever it takes to get to me.
Can just anyone get on this ranch?” I question her, not sure what to think since I’ve never heard of someone owning a ranch just to help people like this before.
“No one can get on the ranch. My cousin has a security team on the property at all times right now. One of the individuals there is having issues with her ex and he’s tried to get to her there.
He’s now in jail because he broke the restraining order and all of the other charges he has against him.
He’ll be in prison for a very long time.
I can call my cousin now and set everything up and you can head there whenever you’re ready,” Annistyn says as I look at her to find a smile on her face.
“Thank you. I’ll have to talk to my parents before I leave.
They’ll worry if they think I just left their home without a word.
Plus I’ll have to pack if I’m going to stay there.
Are there rooms or is it like a dorm-style?
” I ask, still not believing I’m going through with this when I’ve been pushing it off for so long.
“You’ll have your own room. You don’t have to do anything on the ranch you don’t want to.
I’ll admit I found yoga and meditation when I was there and it does wonders to settle me when I’m having a hard day.
Is there anything else you need while there?
Dietary restrictions or anything like that?
” she questions me, already pulling her phone from her bag.
“I’m currently in physical therapy for my legs and arm.
I still have several weeks left of treatment before a reassessment will be given and an updated plan is put in place.
I don’t have any dietary restrictions. I’m not sure about any other appointments I have coming up either.
The only other thing I have to do is talk to my employees so they know I won’t be in the shop for a while.
I trust them to keep my bookstore up and running while I’m gone,” I answer her as we near my car and I see the brand-new SUV parked close by.
“You do what you have to do. Do you think you can be ready to show up tomorrow at some point?”
“Yeah. I think I can make that work. When I leave here, I can go to the store because I’m pretty sure everyone is at my store right now because we have a new shipment coming in today.
Then I’ll talk to my parents and get packed.
Can I bring my own drinks and snacks with me?
” I ask, folding my walker and putting it in the backseat.
“Of course you can. Roger doesn’t make anyone go without and will make a store run if that’s what you need.
I’m going to call him now and I’ll try to be there tomorrow so you know someone a little when you show up,” she says, giving me the same smile as I get in my car and leave the door open for a minute.
“Thank you for everything,” I tell her honestly as she backs away and smiles before turning toward the SUV.
Like I said I would, I head for Fantasy Realm and talk to my staff there.
They’re all on board with me going to this ranch and getting the help I need.
Sarah assures me she’ll run the shop when I let them know she’s in charge until I’m back.
Hopefully I can keep my phone on me so I can check in a few times a week to make sure nothing major comes up that they can’t handle on their own.
After leaving there, I grab something to eat from a pizza shop.
They make amazing personal pizzas and I’m really craving some cheesy garlic bread.
Plus they have milkshakes that are thicker than anywhere else I’ve gotten them from.
With my food in the car, I make my way back to my parents’ house.
It takes me a little bit to get inside with everything, but I manage on my own.
Thankfully I can park in the garage and enter the house through there.
My dad built a ramp for my walker because he knew they’d be leaving again.
As I eat my dinner, I call my parents and tell them about meeting Annistyn and her offer to help me go to the ranch.
That I’ll get the help I need and won’t have to worry about TJ sending anyone after me.
They are happy he didn’t get bail and agree that it might be best if I’m someplace secure while they’re gone.
My mom tells me she’s worried about me and is having a hard time concentrating on anything other than getting home to me.
I hate knowing she’s like this because of me.
Just one more reason I feel guilty because I’ve seen the looks on her face more than once since they showed up at the hospital.
By the time we’re off the phone, I think my parents and I are all breathing a little easier and happy that I decided to get help in a safe location.
I go to bed that night with a full stomach and for the first time in weeks I don’t have a single nightmare.
Instead, I dream of Rex and all the memories we shared.
Not the ones where he was pushing me away or pretending we weren’t together, but of the times we spent alone and I got to see a different side of him.