Read Online And Then Came A Lion (Lions and Lambs Book 1) by Cecilia Marie Pulliam - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Cecilia Marie Pulliam
Ads: Link
curled hair, slender face ― and kind eyes.
“Please, come in.”
Susannah stepped through the door and stopped. Rather than the small room with stuffy, utilitarian furniture she expected, the room was large, with floor to ceiling windows facing a small private garden. Bright light poured through the glass, illuminating the cream-colored leather couch, oversized chairs, oak bookcases, and plants. Mark would like all of the plants.
Dr. Sekelsky motioned for her to sit and closed the door. Susannah perched on the furthest end of the sectional. He took a chair opposite the couch.
“I understand you were assaulted a few months ago after interceding with a child kidnapping, and now you are experiencing nightmares, panic attacks, and other symptoms.”
“Yes.”
Dr. Sekelsky slid his finger down his note pad. “I see your attacker was never arrested.”
“Correct.”
He set his notes aside. “Okay, let’s talk about what happened.”
Susannah grabbed her stomach and fell forward. Her chest hurt. Her skin felt clammy and cold. It was hard to catch her breath.
Dr. Sekelsky waited.
When the panic attack passed, Susannah sat up and dared a glance at him. He looked at her without accusation, or pity, only compassion.
“Susannah, I promise you this. One day you will no longer feel this intense pain. You’ll have the memory, but not the pain.”
She didn’t believe him, but nodded anyway.
“Let me give you an example. Let’s say you are riding your bike along a country road and a car comes along, swings too far onto the shoulder, and hits your bike. You fall and break your arm. The driver doesn’t stop to help. He just drives away, leaving you on the side of the road, hurt, frightened, and angry.
“A year later you drive by the same spot. You remember the accident. You remember how it hurt. You remember how angry you were, but you don’t feel the pain or the anger.”
Susannah offered a weak smile. It would never happen. The terror and the pain would remain forever locked in her heart and memory ― along with the nightmares.
“Now, I have a book I want you to read.” Dr. Sekelsky handed her an oversized, soft covered book, Surviving Sexual Assault and Other Violent Crimes.
“Susannah, all survivors have common reactions ― and issues. Their stories,” he pointed to the book, “will help you sort out your own experiences and feelings.”
She took the book from him. “Thanks.”
“Let’s make an appointment for next week…”
Susannah drove straight home, took the book upstairs, tucked it into the bottom drawer of the dresser, underneath the swimsuit she never planned to wear again, and walked away.
Mark was home early again. This time he brought Chinese.
“I didn’t think you’d feel like cooking after your counseling session. How’d it go?”
Susannah shrugged. “Not bad. Didn’t cover much today, but I go back again next week.”
“Good. Maybe this one will find the magic key.”
“Maybe.”
They watched one of their favorite classic movies while they ate. After picking up the containers and the few dishes, they settled back in the den. Susannah started a new novel, a lighthearted growing of age story set in a time when the world still seemed innocent and safe. Mark read some trade magazines and watched the local news.
At ten o’clock, Susannah could no longer concentrate and set her book down. “I’m going up to bed. Are you staying up a bit?”
Mark nodded. “I’ll finish the news and then I’ll be up.”
She kissed him and went upstairs. Moments later, she was asleep.
***
Once again, Susannah faced the massive creature in her dreams. Tiny pig eyes glared at her. She pressed her back against a solid rock wall and willed an opening to appear. It swung a paw the size of a compact car. She dodged and charged underneath, toward its soft underbelly. With superhuman strength, she grasped the bear around the neck and squeezed.
The monster fought back, raking her back and
“Please, come in.”
Susannah stepped through the door and stopped. Rather than the small room with stuffy, utilitarian furniture she expected, the room was large, with floor to ceiling windows facing a small private garden. Bright light poured through the glass, illuminating the cream-colored leather couch, oversized chairs, oak bookcases, and plants. Mark would like all of the plants.
Dr. Sekelsky motioned for her to sit and closed the door. Susannah perched on the furthest end of the sectional. He took a chair opposite the couch.
“I understand you were assaulted a few months ago after interceding with a child kidnapping, and now you are experiencing nightmares, panic attacks, and other symptoms.”
“Yes.”
Dr. Sekelsky slid his finger down his note pad. “I see your attacker was never arrested.”
“Correct.”
He set his notes aside. “Okay, let’s talk about what happened.”
Susannah grabbed her stomach and fell forward. Her chest hurt. Her skin felt clammy and cold. It was hard to catch her breath.
Dr. Sekelsky waited.
When the panic attack passed, Susannah sat up and dared a glance at him. He looked at her without accusation, or pity, only compassion.
“Susannah, I promise you this. One day you will no longer feel this intense pain. You’ll have the memory, but not the pain.”
She didn’t believe him, but nodded anyway.
“Let me give you an example. Let’s say you are riding your bike along a country road and a car comes along, swings too far onto the shoulder, and hits your bike. You fall and break your arm. The driver doesn’t stop to help. He just drives away, leaving you on the side of the road, hurt, frightened, and angry.
“A year later you drive by the same spot. You remember the accident. You remember how it hurt. You remember how angry you were, but you don’t feel the pain or the anger.”
Susannah offered a weak smile. It would never happen. The terror and the pain would remain forever locked in her heart and memory ― along with the nightmares.
“Now, I have a book I want you to read.” Dr. Sekelsky handed her an oversized, soft covered book, Surviving Sexual Assault and Other Violent Crimes.
“Susannah, all survivors have common reactions ― and issues. Their stories,” he pointed to the book, “will help you sort out your own experiences and feelings.”
She took the book from him. “Thanks.”
“Let’s make an appointment for next week…”
Susannah drove straight home, took the book upstairs, tucked it into the bottom drawer of the dresser, underneath the swimsuit she never planned to wear again, and walked away.
Mark was home early again. This time he brought Chinese.
“I didn’t think you’d feel like cooking after your counseling session. How’d it go?”
Susannah shrugged. “Not bad. Didn’t cover much today, but I go back again next week.”
“Good. Maybe this one will find the magic key.”
“Maybe.”
They watched one of their favorite classic movies while they ate. After picking up the containers and the few dishes, they settled back in the den. Susannah started a new novel, a lighthearted growing of age story set in a time when the world still seemed innocent and safe. Mark read some trade magazines and watched the local news.
At ten o’clock, Susannah could no longer concentrate and set her book down. “I’m going up to bed. Are you staying up a bit?”
Mark nodded. “I’ll finish the news and then I’ll be up.”
She kissed him and went upstairs. Moments later, she was asleep.
***
Once again, Susannah faced the massive creature in her dreams. Tiny pig eyes glared at her. She pressed her back against a solid rock wall and willed an opening to appear. It swung a paw the size of a compact car. She dodged and charged underneath, toward its soft underbelly. With superhuman strength, she grasped the bear around the neck and squeezed.
The monster fought back, raking her back and
Similar Books
