Chapter 49

“I know… it’s just….”

“It’s just what, Mark? Every time something good happens in your life, you question it. Every time. And then you self-sabotage either on purpose or without realizing what you’re doing, because every fucking Wednesday most of the forward steps are wiped out of existence when they call you to pull you back into their pit of hatred.”

She was right. It was nothing he didn’t know. “But how do I… how do I end this?” he asked weakly.

“You tell them not to call you anymore. You tell them you don’t want anything to do with them, so they better stay out of your life.” The vehemence in her tone gave him strength. Then she softened her voice and smiled. “It doesn’t have to be this week or next week. It’s just something you have to do eventually for yourself. To give yourself a chance to heal and be happy.”

“Yeah. You’re right.” He sipped his lukewarm tea and sighed, his shoulders dropping as he relaxed for the first time in hours. “I’ll try my best.”