Page 95 of Tiny's Testament
“And The Stray Haven?”
“When I’m ready,” I say. “When we’re ready.”
Tiny turns his face toward the garage, where the brothers are laughing, arguing, and rebuilding. “You tell me what you need. I’ll build whatever helps you stand.”
The wind shifts, carrying sawdust, music, and the echo of something like belonging. I lean into his shoulder, not because I am fragile, but because I want to.
“I’m standing,” I whisper.
Tiny’s thumb strokes my hand. “Yeah,” he says softly. “You are.”
Peanut purrs, sunlight warms my skin, and the compound breathes around us. Healing is not finished. Healing is not pretty. Healing is this. Right here. Right now. Alive and moving forward.
A few days later, I step into the clinic, which smells of eucalyptus, paper, and quiet. Chairs are spaced far enough apart that no one feels trapped. Soft light. Soft colors. No sharp corners.
Peanut sits in her sling, head poking out, whiskers twitching as if assessing whether this place deserves her presence.
Dr. Chen opens the door. “Good morning, Syvannah.”
I step inside. “Morning.”
“And good morning to you, Peanut.” Peanut chirps, clearly pleased.
I sink onto the couch. Peanut crawls out and curls into my lap. Dr. Chen sits across from me with a relaxed posture and eyes that are gentle.
“Where would you like to start today?” she asks.
I rub Peanut’s ear. “Everything feels loud this week.”
“What kind of loud?”
I search myself. “Not screaming. More like… humming. Like my body is bracing for something that isn’t coming.”
“Where do you feel it?”
“My ribs,” I say. “My hands. Sometimes my jaw.”
She nods. “Did anything trigger it?”
“Tiny touched my shoulder,” I whisper. “And I jumped.”
“Did he react?”
“He paused. Gave me space. Then put his hand back slowly so I would know he wasn’t leaving.”
“What did you do?”
“I breathed,” I say, then swallow. “I also lied and told him I was fine.”
“What happened next?”
“Nothing,” I whisper. “He just stayed.”
Dr. Chen smiles softly. “That is support. Not pressure.”
I nod.
“How are your dreams?” she asks.
