The End of Forever by Lurlene McDaniel

Author:Lurlene McDaniel [McDaniel, Lurlene]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780307776228
Publisher: Random House Digital, Inc.
Published: 2010-10-27T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Two

“How did your meeting with Dr. Richardson go? What did you think of her?”

Erin shoved the food around on her dinner plate, figuring the best answer to her mothers question. “She was okay.”

“Just okay? I liked her a lot when I met with her. I honestly think she can help you, Erin—”

Erin let go of her fork, and it clattered against her plate. “Look, this whole thing is your idea, you know. I never wanted to go see a counselor in the first place.”

“Its for your own good. We only want to see you happy and well again.”

“Tm happy going to school, dancing, planning for graduation and college, and doing things with my friends.”

“Now don’t go making too many plans. I’m not convinced that you need to go away to college. After all, the University of South Florida is a perfectly fine place, and it’s right here in Tampa, so you could live at home—”

Here we go again, Erin thought. She interrupted her mother. “But USF doesn’t have the dance department that Florida State does. I’ve told you that before.”

“And if you’re not well by September, you can’t possibly consider moving away,” her mother said stubbornly.

“I’ll be okay, Mom.”

“It’s not a stigma to need help, Erin. There are lots of people—”

“Stop it,” her father said curtly. “Erin, calm down. And Marian, get off Erin’s back.”

Mrs. Bennett glared at Mr. Bennett. “It was your idea too. We both agreed that she needed counseling.”

“That’s the point. It’s her counseling. We agreed not to discuss her sessions, that she could talk about them only if she chooses.”

“She’s my daughter, my only daughter. I just want her to get well and lead a normal life again.”

“It’s her life, isn’t it?”

They continued arguing, but Erin had stopped listening. She’d heard it all before over the past months, and no matter how it started, they always ended up in a yelling match, with Erin feeling like the catalyst. They argued about her, around her, because of her. Sometimes she heard them well into the night, and she had to cover her head with her pillow to shut them out.

It hadn’t always been this way. They’d been happier together once, even as much as a year ago. Before Amy’s accident.

“That’s right,” Mrs. Bennett was shouting, “lust walk right out in the middle of supper. That’s the way to solve the problems—run away from them.”

Mr. Bennett threw his napkin on the table and stood. “I’ve lost my appetite. I’m going to the library. I have papers to grade.”

Mrs. Bennett followed him out of the dining room. “We certainly wouldn’t want your family to get in the way of your job now, would we?”

“Me? What about you? You’re always working late at that store of yours.”

“I own my own business, and I have to manage it. I’m the boss, and the place would fall apart if I wasn’t around.”

“Well, since you’re so indispensable, you won’t miss me tonight.”

“You’ve never turned down the money the store brings in, have you? And besides, it’s going to take ten years to pay off our medical bills.

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