Dark Legacy by Jen Talty (reading books for 4 year olds .txt) 📗

and what we can do today to help Lilly. We spoke at length about the triggers for cutting, and we’ve developed coping mechanisms Lilly can use. We’ve discussed the more she withdraws from you, the worse it gets. So, you and Julie need to help pull her back in. It’s not going to change overnight, but we’re on the right track.” Shannon stood to keep herself from tapping her foot on the floor. “I hate to do this, but our time is up for today. Why don’t you look at your schedule, and we can set up a couple of sessions together? Perhaps I can meet alone with you and your wife, too.”

“I’ll call you later today to schedule something. Thanks, doc.” Greg took his daughter by the hand and pulled her close to his side, kissing the top of her head.

Lilly didn’t shove him away or cringe.

That was progress.

“We’ll do whatever it takes,” Greg continued.

Shannon nodded. “Lilly? How does this all sound to you?”

“It sounds good.” Lilly blinked, showing off her blue eyes that reminded Shannon of the sky on the sunniest of days. A world of hurt still filled them, but today, they also showed the promise of hope.

Hope that today things will be different.

Shannon held the door for her client and her father. She smiled sweetly, squeezing Lilly’s arm as she walked through the door.

Counting to ten, Shannon reminded herself that being kind didn’t make her a pushover.

That said, she needed to keep her boundaries firmly in place when it came to her family.

“Mother,” Shannon said, turning her back and heading into the office once more. She stood in front of the counter where she kept her Keurig, not offering her mother a cup. “What brings you by?” She took a long, slow sip of her coffee, letting the liquid burn as it flowed down her throat.

“You look like you’ve put on a couple of pounds. Maybe it’s the haircut, which ages you. At thirty-five, that’s the last thing you want to do.” Melinda Cartwright had an opinion for everything, and she was always right, no matter what.

“I don’t weigh myself, so I wouldn’t know.”

“Of course, you don’t. But you should. That way, you’d know, and you could keep a handle on it,” her mother said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “I’m surprised by how nice this place is.” She strolled into the office with her nose in the air and judgment in her glare. “But it could use some pictures. Maybe you should put a couple of family photos on your desk. We’ll get some good ones at the wedding.”

“Mom,” Shannon said. “I’ve got another patient coming shortly. What do you need?”

“Oh, and you should really hang the picture of your father, you, your uncle, and your grandparents right up there.” She pointed to the wall over the couch and moved closer. “You still have that picture, don’t you?”

Shannon didn’t have a single picture of her father. Not one. And her mother knew it. “Mom, I don’t—”

“Hard to believe it’s been eighteen years since your father died. I miss him.” Her mother pulled a tissue out of her bag and dabbed her perfectly made-up eyes. The lids were covered in a stylish light purple with a bit of sparkle. Her thick eyelashes blinked widely over her soft blue eyes.

Melinda always looked as if she were ready to walk the red carpet. Her bouncy brown curls flowed over her shoulders. Not a single hair out of place, and absolutely no frizz. Not even on the most humid days in the summer. Today, her lips looked a little too full, especially when she talked. Perhaps she’d just had her collagen injections. Her designer pantsuit clung to her toned body she’d paid a small fortune for, between liposuction and a personal trainer.

And more surgeries.

If Shannon were asked to describe her mother, in all honesty, she would say that Melinda Cartwright was the original authentic phony.

“We both know Dad wasn’t a stand-up guy, so why do you insist on pretending he was? Have you forgotten the things he did to you? To me?” It really wasn’t overly smart to goad her mother, but it was the anniversary of Shannon’s new life, and there was no way in hell she would let Mommy Dearest mess with that.

Her mother gave her a scathing glare. “I have forgiven him. You should, too. He’s dead. Show some respect. He was your damned father, whether you like it or not.” Her mother stuffed the tissue into her purse and drew her fat lips into a tight line. “I didn’t come here to argue over your inability to forgive and forget.”

Shannon wanted to jump all over that one but chose not to. “Why did you stop by this morning?”

“It’s Tara. Her boyfriend broke up with her. I have half a mind to go to his house and talk some sense into that young man. Or maybe I should go straight to his father. But then I figured out a better way to deal with the problem.”

“Don’t meddle in her life,” Shannon said, knowing the warning would fall on deaf ears. “You can’t make Kevin and Tara get back together. It’s up to them.” And if the world would just leave the two of them alone, they’d likely figure out just how much they loved each other. If they had actually called it quits. The last time this happened, all the two love birds had was a little spat, and Shannon’s mother had simply overreacted, as she always did.

“Oh, they will get back together. You can count on that.”

“Maybe, but you need to stay out of it.” Shannon made a mental note to call her half-sister. Not to interfere, but to lend an ear if needed.

“All they need is a little help. And that’s where you come in.”

Shannon put up her hands defensively. “Oh, no. I’m not getting involved in one of your schemes. The last times you did that, Tara didn’t speak to me