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"You know you’re a deeply into her eyes

"I" She was speechless, dumbfounded almost at my sudden mood shift

"Itrooht?" she whispered, taking a step back but still holding aze "You nervous?"

"A little But alsoready To ripthen"

We walked up the stairs and she took a seat while I checked in at the desk

As I followed Dr Drake behind his wood-paneled door, I glanced behind aze

Dr Drake ledtan walls and chairs His voice was equally co "Have a seat, Nate"

An hour later Jessie was right where I’d left her on a black leather couch in the reception area

We walked down a flight of stairs to grab some coffees and then sat down at a small wooden table

"You want to talk about it?" she asked

"I think today was just about gathering information from me," I said "He asked a lot of questions So I definitely let it all hang out about my family"

"How did that feel?"

"Scary to say it out loud," I said "But then I felt relief, you know?"

She nodded

"One thing Dr Drake said was that Mom seems isolated and needs support, even if she never asks for it Even if that makes her afraid"

"Makes a lot of sense," Jessie said "She can always call my mom, you know"

I smiled "Your mo from her cup "Does your mom have other close friends?"

I shook my head "I don’t think so Not anymore She used to be really close to her sister--Kai and Dakota’s mom"

"What about your uncle, the one you said owns the racetrack?"

"Sa just how far reht coave ive to Mom"

"You think she’ll take them?"