Fight for Love Read Online Free PDF

 
    “Luke. Luke, look at me.” Dr. Greenberg’s voice whispered through my mind. It took effort, but I finally pulled my gaze to her. “Good. That’s good. Focus on my voice.” My breathing slowed, but I kept my eyes locked on Dr. Greenberg. “Okay, this helps. This is good. You don’t need to apologize to Stacey just yet. That can wait until we’re done here. Besides, I’m sure you’ve already done that.   Listen to me. You’re not like your stepfather. Luke, you have a problem. I’m not exactly sure what it is yet, but I have an idea. I just want to explore it a little more. Okay.” I tilted my head at Dr. Greenberg, not quite a nod, but acceptance nonetheless.   “I believe Dave may be the trigger to your outbursts. It seems reminders of him affect you more than you realize. What I’m not sure about is what’s been happening at school. You never mention Dave then. ” I didn’t move, my jaw tightened and I turned away from her.  
    “It’s fine if you don’t want to talk about it right now. But Luke, we’re going to have to talk about Dave. Do you understand?” No response, I sat frozen to the couch. “Okay, I’m going to go out front and talk to Stacey. We’re done for the day. You take as long as you need to regain your composure in here. I don’t have any more appointments this afternoon.”
    Dr. Greenberg gave me a soft pat on the back before walking out of her office. I continued to sit there, too scared to talk about Dave. Fear, not anger, took over this time.  

CHAPTER FIVE

    I shuffled down the hallway to the lobby at the front of the building. My head hung low, ashamed and angry. Right before stepping out I caught the faint sound of whispers, one a quick, frantic, high-pitched voice and the other a lower, more methodical voice.   Both voices distinct, I recognized them immediately as Dr. G and Stacey. My shuffle slowed to a creep before I stopped at the corner and settled against the wall. I paced my breathing and strained my ears to hear what they were saying.  
    “Stacey, you don’t have to defend him. I know he can’t control his reactions sometimes. It’s something we have to work on. That doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be held responsible.”
    “Dr. Greenberg, I’m not defending him. It’s just that I know better than that. You’ve told me over and over not to trigger a patient’s emotional hot buttons. Mr. Sullivan doesn’t like his stepfather, and I should have known mentioning it was a hot button. Please don’t discharge him. It was my fault. Really.” Her voice shook and she sniffled.  
    Dr. Greenberg grumbled and my shoulders stiffened. She was going to discharge me. Damn it all to hell. Once again I was going to be shunned by the people I thought cared about me.  
    Without a doubt, I knew it was time to go. Rather than wait around for someone to pick me up, and risk hearing more of the conversation I had no interest in, I rushed to the front door not taking a moment to blink before hitting the wet pavement.   The slosh of rain as cars drove by shocked me back into awareness. It wasn’t raining when I’d come in. Without an umbrella or jacket it didn’t take long for me to become soaked by the downpour. I ducked under the awning just outside Dr. Greenberg’s office and fumbled around paper and coins in my jeans pockets until my fingers clutched my phone. I needed a ride back to school. Not that I had anyone to call. When Stacey joined me under the awning I refused to acknowledge her. I’d walk home before I asked her for a ride.  
    Once again a haze clouded my eyes. I took a deep breath and held it. Stacey placed her hand on my shoulder and I stepped to my left, letting her hand fall to her side. I couldn’t handle pity. It would have sent me over the top, and I wasn’t about to hurt her.  
    “What do you want?” I pushed out between gritted teeth.  
    “Will you let me take you home?”
    “No.”
    “Why not?”
    I pivoted on my foot to look at