Crazy for You: A Single Mom Small Town Romance (Annapolis Harbor Book 4) by Lea Coll

Author:Lea Coll [Coll, Lea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-05-10T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

JULIANA

The next week, I got an appointment with a play therapist. She met with Charlie briefly, allowing Laila in the session so she felt more comfortable. Watching her play next to her therapist and Laila, I hoped I was doing the right thing and not overreacting.

She mentioned that it wasn’t uncommon for kids to be shy during sessions. She assured me she could still help Charlie even if she didn’t speak to her. Before arriving, I’d filled out surveys and information sheets. After reviewing them, the therapist mentioned anxiety. It could be hereditary, or that big life events could trigger it.

Charlie was fearful of other people, but the word anxiety was so clinical. I wanted to pretend I’d never heard it. The divorce was stressful. Roger threatening to go for custody if I didn’t lower my monetary demand in the divorce settlement. He’d been increasingly critical of my parenting.

I could see the war going on in Charlie’s brain anytime someone outside the family attempted to speak to her. I was quick to jump in, saying she was shy to take the pressure off of her. Then I’d wonder if that was the right thing to do.

The therapist suggested giving her time to answer, try not to step in and speak for her. I wanted to protect the girls. I wanted to step in front of them, shielding them from hurts and slights. Doing the opposite would be hard.

I was more hopeful going into the speech session that we’d figure out what was going on with her. Anxiety seemed like a large umbrella, not really addressing the issue. Was something preventing her from speaking, causing her to shut down when she was in school or was it merely anxiety like the therapist said?

The next day, Hadley arranged for the speech therapist to meet us at Charlie’s school.

Seeing her outside the school before our appointment, I said, “Thank you for arranging this for me.”

Hadley smiled. “You’re welcome, but Nolan was the one who told me about it. I’m interested to hear what the speech pathologist thinks is going on.”

“Me too.” My tight shoulders loosened slightly at the reminder this was Nolan’s doing.

Walking inside, Hadley introduced us to Mrs. Sweeney, before Charlie’s teacher brought her in. Laila stayed in the classroom this time so she wouldn’t be tempted to speak for Charlie.

We went into a small room. I held my arm out to her so she’d move farther inside. She cuddled up to my side.

“Hi Charlie.” Then to me, Mrs. Sweeney said, “I’m just going to go through the evaluation like I would with any potential student to see where she needs help. I’ll get some background information from you first.”

“I’ll be outside if you need me,” Hadley said.

“You don’t have to stay if you have somewhere else to be.” I didn’t want to intrude on her time.

“I don’t mind. I told Nolan I’d stick around.” She smiled reassuringly.

Why had Nolan asked her to stay? Was he worried for us? The thought comforted me.

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