Page 14 of The Recovery Coach
One such social media post reminded her of Connor’s mom.She was basically Olivia’s mom too, having taken over all motherly duties after Olivia’s own mother walked out.To add insult to injury, the woman Olivia bitterly referred to as her birth-giver took the family dog with her.She still wondered what had become of their beagle, Popcorn.Jayden’s best friend in kindergarten had a cat named Oreo, so Jayden thought all pets had to be named after your favorite snack.Hence; Popcorn.Olivia hoped the sweet puppy had a beautiful life with the woman who loved him more than her flesh and blood children.
Guilt radiated through Olivia as her finger hovered over the call button on Christina Hale’s contact.The poor woman must be beside herself with worry, and Olivia might be able to ease some of her concern, but the idea of talking to Christina after so many months of silence filled her with anxiety.
Her relationship with Christina had been yet another casualty of Lance’s controlling behavior.She kicked herself for how much she’d let a stupid man take from her.He’d never outright demanded she stop talking to Christina.But he had made passive-aggressive comments after every phone call.
He’d insisted Olivia focus her attention on building a relationship with his own mother since they would be “real family” someday.But Olivia couldand shouldhave strong friendships with multiple women, regardless of their age or familial relation.He only meant to isolate her.
The realization that Lance had been genuinely manipulative and abusive hit Olivia like a truck.How had she let that happen?How had Lance’s controlling nature crept up on her?Why had she been so complicit?
She smashed her thumb onto the call button, needing her mom.
Christina answered on the first ring.She’d probably had her phone in her hand, pacing a hole in the living room carpet while she waited for any news on Connor.
“Livy, honey.What’s wrong?”
She could hear the anxiety and concern in Christina’s voice, but she stayed all business.Connor called it her “let me fix it” voice.Hot tears dripped down her nose.Christina’s baby boy was actively being cut open on an operating table, and she was worried about Olivia.And Olivia couldn’t be bothered to keep in touch.She couldn’t recall the last time she’d reached out.
She sniffled before answering, but her voice still cracked when she said, “Hi, Mom.”Olivia started calling her Mom around middle school.Any other name would have felt weird.She needed to tell Christina a million things, but she started with the most important.“I’m calling about Connor.”
“Oh, honey.I don’t know anything yet.It’s way too early; the game isn’t over.”
Olivia seethed at the lack of information the league provided about player health, even to family members.If a mother or wife or child saw their loved one get brutally injured on live television, they deserved an update as quickly as possible.
“No, I figured you hadn’t heard anything.I’m calling to give you an update.”
Her clarification met several seconds of silence, and she could see Mrs.Hale’s face in her head.The slow blink of speechlessness she’d witnessed a million times, usually in relation to Connor’s hare-brained antics as a teenager.
“Were you at the game?”Christina whispered, and Olivia imagined her sinking onto the threadbare couch Connor’s dad, Mark, insisted on keeping around.
“Yeah, I’ve been staying with Connor the last couple of days.”
“You have?”
“Yes.I figured you’d like an update about what’s going on.”
“Thank God someone knows something,” Christina said.“Lay it on me.”
Olivia explained everything the doctors had told her.Christina seemed to relax as Olivia spoke, only interrupting to ask a few questions.When she ran out of things to say about Connor’s recovery plan, Christina asked why Olivia had been staying with him.
She spent most of her waiting room time explaining her years-long relationship, the controlling behavior Lance exhibited, her recent realization of the mental and financial abuse, and her absolute lack of any plan for her future.
By the time Valentine, Daisy, and Beanie joined her, she was a mess of snot and tears, wrung out emotionally, but feeling lighter than she had in ages.She didn’t know where she would live next week or what she should do, but she knew one thing for certain.Nobody would ever come between her and Christina Hale again.The woman was an absolute saint, the rock she needed at every stage of life.
Chapter 6
Hazy
AnincessantbeepingdraggedHazy out of a deep sleep.
“No, give it to me.I’m tired of watching the news.It’s like you’re ninety years old or something.”Lover’s voice registered first, his complaining a familiar comfort.
“Watching the news is not for old people.It’s good to stay informed on current events,” Beanie said.
Hazy could almost see the scuffle, though his eyes remained closed.Something clattered to the ground.
“Fuck, ow.Why would you do that?”Lover asked.
“Why wouldIdo that?You started it!”Beanie sounded outraged.
