School wasn’t too bad for the rest of the week. I talked to Alice and Angela, but tried to avoid Mike and all the others. As Saturday approached, I found I wasn’t dreading the meeting with Nancy as much as before. For once, I was looking forward to it. Perhaps knowing it would all be over after today had me excited – but I wouldn’t show Edward for fear of what he would think of my reaction. What if he didn’t think I was ready to end this?

We stepped in the door for what I prayed would be the last time and sat down on the couch. I looked around the room and stopped at the owl, trying to absorb every little feature. After all, once I walked back out the door, I would never see it again.

“Have you cut since last time? Felt upset? Depressed?”

I shook my head, still watching the owl. I hadn’t cut, I hadn’t felt sad, or upset, or depressed, or anything…. Just happy. Being with Edward and everybody was nice. I didn’t worry about Jacob, or Nancy, or anything….

“Well then… I suppose we really are done. Just needed a few minutes here to be sure. But it seems you are doing well. Therefore, you can leave now. It was nice to meet you.”

I pulled my eyes away from the owl to face Nancy. She had her hand outstretched and I shook it. As I turned to hide my face, I scoffed at her words. She thought it was nice to meet me? After everything we had talked about? Yeah right!

We walked outside and I skipped across the lawn, tripping on one of the stones. Thankfully, Edward caught me and set me back on my feet, holding my hand tightly as we finished walking to the car. I was completely focused on him as he drove the car away from the offending house. No longer would I be back here. I would never see the owl or the garden again.

–

I took one step in the door before being picked up and carried up the stairs – much faster than I could have gone as a human. In mere seconds, I was dropped on the bed and a God smiled down at me. I swooned at the sight of his beautiful teeth and unruly hair. Edward was nothing short of amazing. And those yummy shoulders! I could lie here all day and not give a second thought to anything else in the world.