Page 12 of Absolution

"How about I fix us some breakfast?" I grin when she jumps up, wagging her tail. "That's my good girl."

I stand, plodding over to the fridge to grab her a treat. Doc is a Fox Red Golden Retriever, I got her after I came home. She's my service dog and my best friend.

She has a plethora of bandannas, in fact, she has enough for a distinct style and color every day for a month. Which ranges in everything from an American flag to a plaid. She's the prettiest girl I've ever met and not because she's saved me from some deep shit either.

"Let's check out how far we've gotten with this one." I point to the table, ambling over as she follows me.

I stare down at the puzzle laid out across the top. We never have company, so it made sense for me to spread the pieces out here. Just another coping mechanism I use but never finish.

"Hmm, we have two left." I glance at Doc as I slide one piece into place. "We'll have to go shopping for another later."

My doctor, the human one, says the day I finish one, I'll be ready for the next steps of my life. He doesn't have a clue what the hell he's talking about. I don't want to move on with my life. I'm perfectly content living with the one I have now.

"We need to box this up and head out to work." I smile at Doc as she waits patiently by my side. Once I break the puzzle up, I toss the pieces in the box and securing the lid.

I slide the container off the surface, walking over to leave by the door. Doc follows my every move; she even lies on the bathroom floor while I shower. I dry quickly and grab some clothes.

Doc sits up when I start brushing my teeth. She senses when I'm close to leaving. I side-eye her when I take my comb out, running it through my hair - her body lilts with disappointment.

"BAM! Two seconds." I toss the comb on the counter, and she jumps up. "Alright, let's hit the road."

I grab the puzzle on the way out with Doc by my side. Once we reach the truck, I open the back up for her to climb into the backseat. She's been my lifesaver for the past two years.

After they released me from the hospital, I got a job at Veterans Affairs in Virginia Beach. I work as a liaison for them and the rehabilitation center for vets. I love working there, even though I had a tough time at first.

Twenty minutes later, Doc and I are walking toward my therapist's office when I run into Liam. "Hey, what's up?"

"Visiting Aaron." He motions toward the open room ahead of us. "What're you doing?"

"Shrink." I half shrug, not wanting to say more.

He stops in the hall across from Aaron's. "Alright, hit me up later, and we'll see if we can get into something."

"We need to throw a few back soon, I hear Lee wants to see me." I hold my fist up.

"Sounds good, but you have to stay away from my lady." He bumps my fist and heads in the room. I glance around him to look at Aaron, I'm not sure how Liam visits with him after all the things he's done. I suppose redemption isn't hard to find with people that love you.

"Let's get to movin' girl." Turning my attention back to my appointment, I pat Doc and start toward his office. I pause at the entrance when my nerves get the best of me, I still hate this.

As I turn the handle, Doc pushes through the door. She, on the other hand, loves it here. The therapist spoils her rotten, totally against the rules, but who listens to me, anyway.

"He's waiting, you can go on in." The receptionist smiles as she tucks her blonde locks behind her ear.

"Thanks." I wave, passing by her without another thought and pause long enough to tap on the frame before entering.

"Come on in!" A voice calls from the other side, so we open the door and make our way in. He's sitting at his desk, typing on his phone with a grin. "Just one second, I'm on with my girl."

I hold my hand up to stop him. "I don't want to hear!"

"I think you might enjoy having someone, but that's a personal decision, I suppose." He chuckles.

"I'm making sound and informed choices," I argue.

He raises his brows. "Okay."

When I met Drew Hamilton, I was utterly against any type of therapy. I convinced myself everything was perfectly fine, and I refused to meet with him. So, he came to me.

Now, he's one of my closest friends but have no doubt, he keeps it real, and I stay honest. I've never found sharing your deepest thoughts and darkest moments with anyone comfortable, but Drew finds a way.