Away to love

Chapter4Scene2

Her parents encouraged her to see a therapist, and though she was hesitant at first, she soon found that talking to someone who could help her process her trauma was incredibly healing. Each session was a step towards reclaiming her sense of self and understanding that what had happened to her was not her fault.

Her mother reached across the table, taking Nina’s hands in hers. " You’re so brave for leaving, for coming back home. We’re here for you, Nina. We’ll help you get through this. We will get through this as a family. " Nina nodded, the weight of her mother’s words offering a glimmer of hope. "I don’t know what to do next," she admitted. " I’m scared, and I feel so lost. " " We’ll take it one day at a time, " her mother said gently. " You’re not alone, Nina. We’ll get through this together. "

Later that evening, Nina’s father woke from his nap. He was a tall, sturdy man with graying hair and kind eyes. When he saw Nina standing in the living room, his expression softened, and he opened his arms wide. " Dad!, " Nina screamed, tears streaming down her face. "Welcome home, honey," he said, pulling her into a tight hug. "We've missed you. " The strength and warmth of her father's embrace brought a new wave of tears. "I’m so sorry, Dad," she choked out. " I should have listened to you and Mom. I thought I knew better, but I didn’t. "

"We all make mistakes, Nina," her father said, his voice gentle but firm. " What matters is that you’re safe now. We’ll deal with everything else together. " Over dinner, they talked about everything and nothing—catching up on the little details of their lives that they had missed. Her parents didn’t press her for details about Josh or what had happened, sensing that she wasn’t ready to relive those memories just yet. Instead, they focused on making her feel welcome and loved, creating a safe space for her to heal.

The next morning, Nina woke up in her old room, the soft pink comforter beneath her a dark contrast to the harsh realities she had faced. The room was almost exactly as she had left it, a time capsule of her teenage years. Pink everywhere. Posters of her favorite bands adorned the walls, and the bookshelf was still filled with collections of her favorite storybooks. She took a deep breath, letting the familiar sights and smells ground her. She was home, surrounded by people who loved her. For the first time in a long while, she felt a ray of hope.

Her mother knocked on the door before poking her head in. "Good morning, sweetheart," she said, smiling. "How did you sleep?" " Better than I have in months, " Nina admitted, sitting up and stretching. " Thank you, Mom. For everything. "Her mother walked in and sat on the edge of the bed. " You don’t have to thank me, Nina. You’re my daughter. I’ll always be here for you, no matter what. " Tears filled Nina’s eyes as she hugged her mother tightly. "I don’t know how I got so lucky to have you and Dad," she whispered.

"We’re the lucky ones," her mother replied, kissing the top of her head. " Now, how about some breakfast? Your dad’s making his famous waffles. " Sarah smiled, the thought of her father’s waffles bringing back fond memories. "That sounds perfect."

As they walked downstairs, Nina felt a sense of peace settling over her. The road ahead would not be easy, but she was not alone. She had her family by her side, and with their support, she knew she could find a way to heal and move forward.

Over breakfast, her father kept the conversation light, telling funny stories from work and reminiscing about family vacations. Nina found herself laughing, a sound that had been absent from her life for far too long.

After breakfast, her parents suggested going for a walk around the neighborhood. The idea of being out in the fresh air, surrounded by the familiarity of her hometown, appealed to Nina. They strolled through the streets, waving to neighbors and stopping to chat with old friends.

CHAPTER 5

Nina sat on the edge of her childhood bed, the soft pink comforter beneath her a dark contrast to the harsh realities she had faced. The room was almost exactly as she had left it, there were birds chirping outside the window, this room also reminded her of so many things, a time capsule of her teenage years. Posters of her favorite bands adorned the walls, and the bookshelf was still crammed with her collection of novels, comics, games and child-play things. As she looked around, a wave of nostalgia mixed with sadness washed over her. She had once believed that the world outside her safe haven was full of promise, and now she was back, seeking refuge from a dream that had turned into a nightmare.

Her mother sat beside her, holding her hand. Her grip was gentle but firm, a lifeline warmth calling Nina to the present moment. "Nina, we were so worried about you," she said softly, her voice trembling with a mixture of relief and concern. " Why didn’t you call? Where are the rest of your things? Why don’t you update us? Why didn’t you come home sooner? "

Nina looked down, her fingers entwining with her mother's. Shame and regret burned her cheeks, and she struggled to find the right words. " I thought I could handle it. I thought Josh would take care of me. But things just kept getting worse, and I was too ashamed to admit that I had made a mistake. "

Her mother squeezed her hand, her eyes filling with tears. " We all make mistakes, sweetheart. What's important is that you're safe now. Your father and I, we love you, and we're here for you. No matter what."

Tears welled up in Nina’s eyes as she leaned into her mother’s embrace, feeling the warmth and safety that she had missed for so long. " I’m so sorry, Mom. I should have listened to you and Dad. You tried to warn me, and I didn’t listen. " This was the second time they were having this conversation, and she just kept apologizing every time her mother brought it up.

"We just want you to be happy," her mother said, brushing a strand of hair from Nina’s face. Her touch was tender, and her eyes, though filled with sadness, held an unspoken promise of unwavering support. " You will move on from this, we promise. As a family."

Later that evening, Nina’s father came back with treats. Treats he used to give Nina as a little girl. He requested that she play her violin by the fire for them to listen and dance to. Nina went into her room and grabbed her violin bag, dusted it, took it out and played it for them, and they cheered, sang along and danced like a family.

"We have missed you so dearly," he said, pulling her into a tight hug. "We can’t wait to see you actualize all your dreams."

They had dinner in the evening, and they talked about everything and Sweden —catching up on the little details of their lives that they had missed. Her parents talked about the plans they had for Sweden once she graduated from high school and how excited they were for her to finish. Mom and dad said she wanted her to learn how to be a big fashionista and Sweden said she wanted to be a lawyer. The college fees are so expensive, and they talked about their options.

As they sat around the dinner table, the familiar aroma of her mother’s homemade cookies filled the air. It was a snack Nina had always loved, and the comforting scent brought back memories of happier times. Her father, sitting at the head of the table, glanced at her with a mixture of concern and hope. " So, Nina, what do you think about getting yourself into a band? You love to sing ? " He asked gently. " You used to love it so much. "

Nina hesitated, her spoon she was using to eat ice cream, pausing midair. Singing had been her passion, a way to express herself and escape into a world of color and creativity. But after marrying Josh, she had abandoned it, feeling that it no longer had a place in her life. "I don’t know, Dad," she said softly. "I haven’t picked up a mic in years."

"Maybe it’s time you did," her mother chimed in, a hopeful smile on her lips. "It might be just what you need to start healing."

Nina nodded slowly, appreciating their encouragement. "Maybe," she agreed. "I think I’d like that."

The conversation flowed easily after that, touching on lighter topics and memories from her childhood. Her parents shared funny stories from her school days, and for a moment, Nina felt joy returning. The weight of her past seemed to lift slightly, replaced by the warmth of her family's love.