He doesn’t answer me. I peer out my bedroom door, and I don’t see him. Weird.
I walk out of my room, and he is looking into the bathroom. Please tell me that I remembered to close the shower curtain. I twist my hands behind my back, a nervous habit. He finally looks away from the bathroom. I see sadness in his eyes.
“Adeline, why didn’t you tell me you were struggling?” he says softly.
I sit on the edge of my couch. My stomach is in knots. I never wanted anyone to know that I was anything but okay.
Techy sits down beside me. “Adeline, are you okay?” He stops for a minute, touching my back. “You always seem so happy, like it radiates off of you.”
Techy shakes his head. “You can’t have this guilt inside of you, Adeline, you were a victim. I know horrible things have happened to you, but don’t for one second have guilt about Alisha, it was out of your control.”
I lower my head, crying, the pain in my heart easing just a little. I never knew how much I needed to hear those words. It’s like a balm over my heart.
“Thank you, Techy,” I whisper. His arms are tight around me. “You’re so good to my daughter.”
“I love her, she is my world.”
“Come, let’s get out of here and to the club house.” Techy helps me off the couch, and I walk into my bedroom. I shut the door behind me, giving me a few seconds to myself.
I look into my vanity mirror and smile at myself. I opened myself up just a little bit. I feel like this is a huge step in the right direction for me.
I feel much lighter after letting him know the guilt I struggle with. Who wouldn’t feel guilty? But I am starting to realize I was a victim too. My life was stolen from me.
Not anymore.