Bent But Not Broken (23 page)

'Yeah. But now I'm not so sure,' she said, clearly anxious.

'How about we have a secret code?' I asked her. 'You decide on a signal that means you want the meeting to end, and I will stop it immediately,' I suggested.

With this I think Abigail was finally convinced that I would use my authority to protect her – if she felt the need. She looked at me with hope in her eyes.

'What sort of signal?' she asked.

'Anything – so long as we know what it means,' I replied. She thought for a moment.

'I will put my hands on my head,' she said. 'That's not something that I have done since primary school. So I will not do it accidentally,' she added.

'Smart idea! Will I bring your mother in now?' I asked.

'Okay,' again in such a small, childlike voice.

I went into the hall where Abigail's mother was perched on the edge of the upright chair. She is not a large woman. In fact, she is quite petite in her build. She had obviously put some effort into her appearance for the meeting. She was wearing a nice shirt over loose trousers, and flat dress shoes. She was carefully made up, but wore no jewellery. Her jacket was clamped in her hands. A clear sign that she, too, was extremely anxious.

'Would you like to come in?' I invited.

She looked up at me, her eyes showing her fear. She followed me without a word. Abigail must have heard the door open, but she did not turn around. She stayed facing the garden. Her mother approached Abigail quietly. She slowly walked across the room until she was in front of Abigail. I stood close by. She knelt in front of Abigail, and looked into her eyes.

'Can you forgive me?' she said in the same small voice that I had heard so many times from Abigail.

'Oh, Mum!' was all that Abigail said as she grabbed her mother's shoulders and pulled her close. They both burst into tears, hugging each other in a tight embrace. They sobbed together for many minutes. Finally Abigail helped her mother up. She pulled an armchair close to hers, and gently sat her mother in it. The held hands tightly as though they we afraid that to break physical contact would break the emotional bond they had found. They could not take their eyes off each other's faces.

'You've cut your hair,' Abigail commented.

'Do you like it?' her mother asked.

'Yes. It looks really good,' Abigail replied.

'I had to, Abigail. I had to change everything that I could,' she answered simply.

This was getting into dangerous territory for them both. I came and sat in the armchair close to them both.

'What do you mean?' Abigail asked nervously. She had let go of her mother's hand and was shredding a tissue.

'I threw him out when you were in hospital,' she said.

'You can say his name, Mum,' Abigail stated. 'I am not afraid of his name,' she added. I was so proud of Abigail's strength!

'I am sorry, Abigail. But I had to tell Crystal why I threw George out,' she whispered.

'Does she know everything?' Abigail asked, clearly anxious about this secret.

'No. I figure we can work that one out later, together,' her mother said. 'I'll be guided by you how we go about this,' she added.

Abigail searched her mother's face. 'Does she have to know?' Abigail finally asked.

I kept absolutely still. In my opinion, Crystal had to be told, and as soon as possible. It would be painful. All families have secrets. But a secret this big would fester and become toxic. And eventually, it would be uncovered. Then there would be the added layer of blame and broken trust. "Why didn't you tell me this before?" is a complication that is so common.

'Doctor Harry has told me everything, Abigail,' she replied. 'What George did to you is unforgiveable. I want to start a new life, just the three of us. I don't want any more secrets,' she said quietly.

I let out my breath. I did not realise I had been holding it. This was such an essential foundation for their future as a family. Abigail went back to watching her fingers shredding tissues.

'What else have you changed?' Abigail astutely asked.

'We have moved into a rental house. It's still in the same area, so you and Crystal do not have to change schools,' she explained.

'Is George paying for it?' Abigail asked.

'Absolutely not!' was her mother's emphatic reply. 'I have filed for divorce and you will never see him again,' she added.

'But if we are in the same area, how can you be so sure I won't bump into him down the street?' Abigail asked nervously.

'He sold the house and I don't know where he lives now,' she answered.

'Will he be charged?' Abigail whispered. 'Will I have to go to court and tell everything?'

'He has been charged. I don't know about court yet,' she answered.

With this Abigail again burst into tears. 'I don't want everyone to know!' she sobbed.

'It's out of our hands, Abigail. But it is a long way off. We need to focus on the present,' she said, as she hugged her daughter.

'So what happens now?' Abigail asked in such a small voice.

'We want you home with us,' was her mother's simple reply. Abigail looked up and again searched her mother's face.

'Really?' she asked as though she could not believe what her mother was saying. Hope was mirrored on her face.

'Really!' was her simple reply. 'I have been terrified that you could not forgive me, Abigail,' she said so sadly. 'I was afraid that I had lost you,' she said, as she burst into tears again.

This time Abigail moved to her mother, and hugged her as they both cried. It was cathartic. Their shared tears were washing away so much pain.

Eventually their sobbing slowed, and I offered the tissues. They both looked at me. 'Abigail can go home as soon as you want,' I answered their unasked question. 'But can I suggest that we bring Crystal here for the first reunion of the family?' I suggested.

They looked at each other, working this proposal through without words. It was wonderful to see their new relationship already functioning. Finally Abigail broke the silence.

'Yes, bring Crystal here. With Mum. But I want you here too, Doctor Harry,' she stated.

'I think that is a good idea, Abigail. What do you think?' I asked her mother.

'Tomorrow. We want Abigail back as soon as possible!' her mother stated.

'If this meeting goes well, I can release Abigail to your care on Friday,' I said. 'But I would like to continue to see Abigail as an outpatient once a week for the next three months,' I said to her mother.

She looked at Abigail, asking if this would be acceptable to her. Abigail gave the patented eye roll accompanied by the expressive shoulder shrug. I wondered at what age adults lost this expressive power.

'And here was me thinking I was through with you!' Abigail laughed.

'I'm not that easy!' I laughed as well.

Then Abigail turned back to face her mother. 'There is one more thing you need to know, Mum,' she said. Her mother froze.

'I don't want to be Abigail any more. I want to be Abby!' she announced.

Dr. Harry Nightingale

Elizabeth Margaret has spent her life working with teenagers. She has an abiding interest in adolescent mental health. She considers herself very fortunate to be able to use her teaching and youth work skills to assist these damaged young people with their struggle to develop into functioning adults.

Elizabeth has raised three wonderful children, and has been a foster parent to a flock of neglected and abused children, and disabled children and teens.

If the doors in her country home had locks, maybe she could change them and get the kids out of the house! Just kidding!