Therapy

(Present time: early November 2019, continued)

"This is such a beautiful place. Chloe, Rachel, I love hanging out with you at the Santa Monica pier. I think it's a really good idea that we went out here just now. We needed some distraction. I so remember how beautiful you two were on your wedding day, very near to this place. I was so jealous, but in a good way."

"Rachel and I have great memories here, Max. I hope the chow will be served soon, I'm starving. How's your margarita, Rach?"

"Nice as usual, and please behave yourself this time, Chloe. Last time we were here, Max, she was complaining about everything". Rachel tried to hide her amusement by holding her hand in front of her mouth as she laughed, which greatly annoyed Chloe.

"I didn't complain about everything, just about how that creepy old dude was staring at me. I merely told him to get lost. And also, it took so long for my food to be served and I don't like waiting when I'm hungry. I'm sure Max remembers the pancake days we had when we were young."

"We're still young, Chloe. But I remember you were insufferable whenever you had to wait longer than a minute for a pancake. Your poor mom never complained. Such happy memories, though I feel a bit evil for remembering it so fondly."

"I just want to say, Max, we're all going to keep spending lots of time together. You're my best friend and you always will be. Rachel and I will never forget how much you have helped us. And don't try to deny it, you saved us, Supermax. I'll keep reminding you of it."

"Don't make me blush, Chloe. I've told you before at least a hundred times, I just did what I thought was best for my childhood best friend."

"Chloe is right, Max. And you're right too, C. What happened was maybe meant to happen, though much of it could have been avoided if I had made better choices. Oh, there we go, our food is coming. Eat normally, Chloe."

"I always eat normally, Rach. I'm just very hungry right now. Man, I wish it was warmer outside, the three of us could go swimming, I'm certainly in the mood for some otter time."

The three young women laughed when Chloe hummed the Jaws theme music whilst looking at the two others.

(Flashback: summer 2013)

The morning after their first night together in Chloe's room, Rachel and Chloe were downstairs eating breakfast at the table. Joyce and David were both there too.

"There's one thing I've been wondering about", Chloe said to David. "How did you know that we were at that shed? We never told you what we were doing."

"I put a tracer on your truck a few days earlier. I was wondering where you kept running off to, and there were strange things happening. Someone, and I strongly suspect it was you or Max, was consistently leaking information about the case to me, anonymously."

"That was Max's friend Warren", Chloe told David. "Please don't be angry with us. We tried to do the right thing."

"I'm not angry at all, I just wished you three could have told me these things to my face. Anyway, I'm glad that things ended the way they did. I'm happy for you, Chloe, and it's nice to be talking with you like normal people. I swear, all surveillance equipment was removed from the house before Rachel arrived. Also, I took the tracer off your truck."

"And I'm very glad to be here with all of you", Joyce said. "I love seeing you like this, Chloe, so happy. And don't forget, Rachel's physical therapist will be here soon. I'm told she's very good."

"I hope I'll be able to walk unassisted again very soon", Rachel stated. "I don't want to be a burden to you. Though I do love having my dear Chloe near me, she gives me strength."

"No, don't say that. You're not a burden, Rachel. You're my dream. I will help you with everything you need. I am looking forward to taking road trips with you, and hanging out with you and Max, and some of the other girls like Kate or maybe Steph, if she's still around. Do you remember Steph? I think she was crushing on you at the same time I did. She's very nice, though. I told her you were a gamer, perhaps we can all play some Dungeons and Dragons together soon?"

"I think I'd like that. Let's see what happens. We have so much to do, Chloe. And I take it we'll be heading to Blackwell very soon?"

"Yes, Rach. Mrs. Grant wants to see us. Maybe we can talk with her? Max said she's a qualified therapist, and there are other things she wants to discuss."

The doorbell rang, and Joyce let the physical therapist in. Chloe watched Rachel as she started on her path to recovery.

After the physical therapy session Chloe escorted Rachel back to the couch.

"I'm exhausted, Chloe. But I have to do this to get better, I know. Could you maybe get some orange juice for me? I'm real thirsty."

Chloe raced to the kitchen, and was back with Rachel's drink within half a minute.

"One orange juice, as ordered. You know, Rachel, I'm going to do the same diet you are doing. I could stand living a bit healthier too."

"You're so adorable, Chloe. And don't think I'm trying to order you around. But I will admit that it is so much easier to do the things I need to do with you supporting me. But Chloe, don't ever forget that we are equals, partners. And thank you for having me with you in your room."

"You know very well that you don't have to thank me. I'll do anything for you, and don't you forget it. I won't ever let us grow apart again. I learned from our mistakes. This time, we are going to do it right. You will get better, and then we'll look for opportunities to leave this place. I want that dream you promised me, and a new start in Los Angeles would do us both much good."

"We're going, Chloe. They can't stop us this time. No one will. Though I suppose we could ask our families for help? It can't hurt, can it? My dad knows people in Los Angeles, who knows what might happen if we ask?"

"I like that idea. No more secrets. Let's wait a few days, think it over, and put our cards on the table."

A few days later Chloe drove Rachel to Blackwell. They were going to visit acting principal Mrs. Grant, and afterwards check on their friend Max in her dorm room.

Chloe parked her truck as close to the entrance as she could. Despite the physical therapy she had received so far, Rachel was still unable to walk by herself, and needed Chloe's support to remain upright. Chloe was very happy to do it.

As they went inside the building, they were spotted by a familiar face. Mr. Keaton, the drama teacher, walked up to them and started a conversation.

"I am so happy to see you here, Rachel. I heard you were coming. And you too, Chloe. People told me what happened. I can't express how happy it makes me to see you two together again. Perhaps I can convince you both to join my class?"

"While I would love that, Mr. Keaton, that is not what Chloe and I are here for. But I do still want to thank you for letting me back in the Tempest play three years ago. And also, for letting Chloe play a small part."

"A small part, you say? I remember it very well. You went off script, Rachel. But that was such a beautiful scene. It was one of the most magical things I have ever seen on stage. I think everyone loved it. I bet you would make a wonderful actress, maybe you could even make it to Broadway?"

"Who knows what the future will bring? Anyway, we're going to see Mrs. Grant. Chloe and I have a lot to discuss today."

"It's cool seeing you, Mr. Keaton. Rachel and I will always remember what you did for us. Thank you so much, even if it's three years late."

Chloe and Rachel entered the principal's office, and as expected found Mrs. Grant there.

"Welcome Rachel, and Chloe. It is good to see you two here. There are lots of changes going on at Blackwell these days. The trustees asked me to function as acting principal for the time being. These are busy times but I will always make time for the two of you. I understand you're undergoing physical therapy, Rachel?"

"Yes Mrs. Grant, I'm now living in Chloe's house, and I share her room. I've had some physical therapy sessions already. It's tough, but I think I'll start to make progress very soon."

"Rachel's going to be alright again. And I'll take care of her, I won't leave her side."

"I can see change in you already, Chloe. It's a beautiful thing to behold. Perhaps the caterpillar will turn into a butterfly after all?"

"No offense, Mrs. Grant, but I probably prefer to be an elf barbarian. But I appreciate the thought."

"No problem, Chloe. Now to matters at hand. I've studied your school record, and that of Rachel. It is very clear to me that both of you are very intelligent. You both had excellent grades before things started going wrong. Now, considering the extraordinary circumstances of the last year, the board of trustees have agreed, at my suggestion, that we owe you both a honorary diploma. It is the least we can do to start righting the wrongs."

"Chloe, did you know this? Mrs. Grant, I think I would love to have one. How about you, Chloe?"

"Are you kidding, Rachel? Hella yes. It would be such a relief. We need a basis to start anew. And this could be it. We'll gladly take your offer, Mrs. Grant."

"I'm happy to hear it. Now, the State Board of Education has already approved the formal request I submitted on Blackwell's behalf, taking into account the extraordinary circumstances mentioned earlier, and the excellent track record both of you had before the dramatic events. I'll set things in motion, and will be signing your documents very soon. Also, the false accusations of drug trade levelled against Rachel have been removed from her record. And furthermore, I understand you have also considered my offer of therapy sessions?"

"Yes, Mrs. Grant. I think it would be good for Chloe and me to have someone to talk to while we are still here in Arcadia Bay."

"I take it that the both of you intend to leave this place?"

"It's not that we want to, Mrs. Grant. Well, we do want to. But above all, both Rachel and I think we need a new start. We're looking at moving to Los Angeles at some point in the future, probably less than a year from now, maybe even sooner than we think."

"I do agree that a new setting can really help with a new beginning. Maybe one of you wants to start talking about the things that happened? Don't feel pressured. Talk about what you want. There's no obligation to say anything. I'm here to listen."

"Do you want to start, or should I, Chloe?"

"I have something I want to talk about, Rachel. You know how I told you Max saved my life? Well it's literally true. It was earlier this year, you had been gone for many months. It was the day that Max Caulfield came back into my life. We'd been childhood friends, Mrs. Grant. But Max and I lost contact after her parents moved to Seattle.

…

I was in a bad state. My dad was dead. My best friend was gone for five years. And Rachel had disappeared. I had lost nearly all hope, I had no happiness left, and I was thinking of ending it all. That was the day Max returned. She saved me. Brought me back from the brink.

…

We found so many clues, but we were still missing pieces of the puzzle. I was getting anxious that we wouldn't be able to ever find out what happened to Rachel, or who was behind those horrible photographs. We did suspect Nathan Prescott, but we had no conclusive evidence.

…

I've been living a dream since Rachel came back to me. But sometimes, it still feels unreal. I still fear going to sleep, and waking up to find myself back in darkness, without Rachel, without Max. I'm not able to escape those anxieties just yet."

"Thank you very much, Chloe. I'm beginning to understand why you behaved the way you did. You have been through so much. It cannot be overestimated how important it is for you and Rachel to be back together again. I hadn't expected to hear this much in our first session. Rachel, do you want to talk now?"

"Yes, I guess it's my turn, Mrs. Grant. I've told Chloe a few things already. But I don't remember everything that happened to me. I only remember spending much of those nine months in darkness. Mr. Jefferson often locked me up in a small room with no light. He would usually tie me up, or handcuff me. Sometimes he would put chains on me. Also, he kept drugging me. And that's the reason why I only have a partial recollection of what happened.

…

Mr. Jefferson would sometimes leave me alone with Nathan Prescott. Nathan was clearly lusting after me. And the worst thing is, I don't even remember if he ever… well… raped me. I just don't remember, only that he tried. I was usually blacking out when Mr. Jefferson left me with Nathan, barely conscious. I'll probably never know for sure what Nathan did to me. The doctors couldn't tell me much, either. I will still have to undergo some tests. They say the drugs are out of my system, but it doesn't always quite feel like that.

…

I had no hope left. There was no escape. Even if I could somehow lose the handcuffs and get out of the small room, the main doors to the Dark Room were still locked. And my physical condition was worsening. For weeks, I felt sick. Mr. Jefferson taunted me about how my life was going to end. Sometimes I just pretended not to hear.

…

I couldn't stop crying. All the mistakes I made. I feared I would never see you again, Chloe. I resigned myself to the end. Maybe the only way to escape was to die. And eventually, Chloe, we'd meet again on the other side. In heaven, or whatever place is out there.

…

I remember nothing about being rescued, as I was unconscious from the overdose. The first thing I saw after I woke up was Chloe. For a brief moment I thought I had actually died, and arrived in heaven. After all, it must be heaven if Chloe was there."

"Rachel, Chloe, I can't even begin to appreciate just how difficult it must have been for the both of you. And yet, the two of you are so brave for confronting these issues head on. I really hope we can have a few of these sessions, I think they might help very much with the testimony you'll have to give at the upcoming trial against Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Prescott."

"I thank you, Mrs. Grant. Rachel and I really appreciate what you are doing for us here."

"As Chloe said, we are really grateful. You've already helped us tremendously, and we will surely come back for more sessions. I feel some relief already, but we still have a long way to go. My nightmares are not going to disappear overnight."

"I agree that it will take a long time, Rachel. But, the privilege is all mine. I wish you and Chloe the very best and hope I can continue to help you in any way that I can, even if only in my limited ways. And you can always call me to schedule another session."

Chloe helped Rachel up, and the two bade Mrs. Grant goodbye. They slowly walked over to the dormitory. They were just around the corner from Max's room, when they bumped into another familiar face.

"Imagine seeing you two here", Victoria Chase said. "It's been a long time. First of all, I think I should apologize. It just makes me so sick to think of what Mark Jefferson and Nathan Prescott did to you. I can't believe I tried to get those two to like me. I am so ashamed. Maybe I should have realized something was off?"

"Come on, Victoria. You're not going to blame yourself for what happened? Chloe and I are not blaming anyone but those two. Except maybe ourselves for making such poor decisions. If anything, Chloe and I have to apologize to you for what we did to you before the Tempest play."

"That was you two? I admit, you got me good. I felt sick for a few days, but I suppose bitchy me had it coming, I'd been conspiring to take that part from you for some time. I'm not even ten percent of the actress that you are, Rachel. You should never have lost the part in the first place. I'm jealous of your acting skills, I admit it."

"Perhaps you and me have more in common than we've ever admitted before", Chloe said. "I get jealous too, every time I heard those stories about Rachel hanging out with others, I hated that. Now I realize that most of those stories were nothing but lies and exaggerations."

"What I remember most clearly, Chloe and Rachel, is that time when people started sharing that picture of you two at the Firewalk concert. Nearly everyone who saw the picture was wondering who Rachel's "arm candy" was, you Chloe. Firewalk is not really my kind of music, but you two looked so perfect together. Again, it's me being jealous."

"I remember it as well. I saw most people who commented on that picture got my name wrong. But it doesn't matter. What matters is now. Me and Rachel are here to visit Max."

"She's in her room, I just saw her a few minutes ago. Anyway, I'm off to see Kate Marsh. She asked me to help her with a children's book she wants to write. And I owe her a lot. I wasn't very nice to her, and I will do anything to make it up to her. She says she doesn't blame me, which is really cool of her. I never imagined that she and I could be friends. Guess these times have opened my eyes."

"That is so nice to hear, Victoria. Me and Rachel are happy to see so much changing for the better. Say hi to Kate for the both of us."

"Tell me something, Rachel. I'm getting that Twilight Zone feeling again. Are we sure we're in the right universe? Because in this universe, even Victoria Chase is nice. What's going to happen next? Max turning into a snob?"

"No", Rachel laughed, "Max never would". This is her room, right? Do you want to knock, or should I?"

"Let me, let me! Yo Max! Maxipad! Little Max, little Max, let me in!"

The door to Max's room opened, and Max welcomed her expected visitors.

"Hi there, Chloe, I knew it was you. And hi, Rachel. Come in, both of you. You are exactly on time, I just made tea."

"Come here, my favorite otter. You deserve a big hug. Let's do a group hug! I'm actually not afraid to share, you know. You too, Rachel. Come here."

"Be careful there, Chloe. You sure I won't try to steal Rachel from you", Max grinned.

"No, I don't think my Maxipad would do such a thing. I see you're packing things already? What's the deal with that new school you're going to?"

"Please stop calling me Maxipad, Chloe. You know I hate that name. And don't smile like that. But yeah, I've decided. I'm going to do the two-year course Photography and Art at UCLA. Blackwell has offered to transfer my scholarship, and I'm going over to Los Angeles. Guess I will get there before you two do."

"That is so cool, Max. Chloe and I will certainly be following you soon. We're going to officially tell our parents tonight that we want to move to Los Angeles. They already know, I suppose, but we've finalized our decision. It's so amazing you are going to be around, too. We'll hang out every chance we get, Max."

"That's great, Rachel. And as for you, Max-a-roon, not so fast. You still owe Warren a date. And if you won't set it up, I will. I am not going to let you forget about it. He's crazy about you, and I think he deserves a chance. And since he helped save Rachel, I'm not going to let you leave him hanging. But of course, in the end it's your decision."

"I will go on that date with him, Chloe. Don't worry. It's just that I've been so busy. I do like him, but I'm not sure of my feelings right now. I mean, he texted me earlier today about this new movie coming out. Maybe we'll go and see it."

"Make sure you let us know how it went, Max. I hope you don't think I'm being too pushy? And if he tries anything you don't want, call me, and I'll deal with it, promised. No one is allowed to do anything to my Callamaxtia without permission."

"I will be leaving within a week, Chloe. Let's keep in touch, shall we? Maybe I'll organize an L.A. welcoming committee for the two of you. Let me know when you arrive."

"We will, I guarantee it. Shall we set a minimum of twenty-four text messages per day? And emojis don't count, Max."

After the conversation, Max helped Chloe support Rachel back to Chloe's truck. The three young women said goodbye and knew they would see each other again soon.

The business at Blackwell and the visit to Max left Chloe and Rachel just enough time to prepare the dinner they had promised Joyce to make. Rachel's father and his wife were also scheduled to attend. David Madsen arrived from his shift at Blackwell.

"These mashed potatoes are pretty good", Joyce said. "I think you're ready to help me at the diner tomorrow, Chloe."

"I haven't forgotten, mom. I'll be there. Rachel can do her physical therapy and talk with that lawyer dude, like scheduled. It will be good for me to have something to do."

"We do have something to say", Rachel stated. "Chloe and I have been talking this over for some time now. I mean, we wanted to do it three years ago, but for obvious reasons it wasn't feasible back then. Today, we were at Blackwell to talk to acting principal Mrs. Grant. She's really good at helping us talk about what has happened.

We've decided that we want to go to Los Angeles, the two of us. We need a fresh start. Blackwell is helping us with that. Mrs. Grant said there's going to be a fund for the families of Mark Jefferson's victims, and the survivors. It's not that we don't want your money, but we need to establish ourselves independently. I hope you will support our decision. We don't want to abandon you, but we need to do this."

"You will all have heard us mention Los Angeles before. But now we are sure. Rachel and I have too much history around here. Please don't cry, mom."

Chloe and Rachel both looked at each other, and at the others at the table. Chloe's mother Joyce said she had expected the news. "You're right, my dear Chloe. I do think this is best for you. David and I will support you anyway we can."

James and Rose Amber immediately offered to help as well. "I think it's fair you don't want to accept much more money from Rose and me. But at least let us help you find a decent place to live. I still have some contacts in Los Angeles who will be able to find something affordable in a good part of the city. Will you let us do this for you?"

"Of course we will, dad. We're grateful for all the help we can get, from all of you. It will be good to get a head start."

Rachel took Chloe's hand. Chloe started blushing again. "We're going to make it, Chloe", Rachel said.

"I hope you two don't mind", Rose Amber said. "But right now, seeing you both like this is making me emotional. For so long, I tried to pretend I was your real mother…"

Rachel interrupted Rose. "Don't do this, as far as I am concerned, you are still my mother. You helped raise me. There is nothing to forgive. I guess Chloe and I have this in common, we don't want to dwell on the past. Not anymore than is necessary, in terms of therapy and the upcoming trial."

"Rachel, I got a stepfather, you got a stepmother. I accept it. And I agree with you. We're all family here, now. I hope you all enjoyed this dinner, Rachel and I did our best."

Around ten o'clock the Ambers left for their home. Chloe and Rachel excused themselves and went upstairs.

"It's official now, Rach. I can't wait to get to Los Angeles with you. And I want to drive us there, road trip style. As soon as we find an apartment, or your parents find one for us, we will go."

"Life is strange, isn't it, Chloe? We talked about this for so long, and now we're just one step away from actually doing it. And we'll be near where Max is too. I hope we'll all remain best friends forever."

"I don't even want to think about what happened before the storm hit the coast, when you were in the hospital. Let's just focus on us, now. How will we make a living in Los Angeles? I can be a waitress, maybe. It's not going to make us rich, but hopefully we'll be able to afford that place of our own."

"I'll have to think of something too. Right now, no one's going to pay me a lot of money to act, right? I'll have to start at the bottom. Work hard, work my way up. Right now, I would like to be a stage actress or maybe a rock singer or something. But I can wait tables, too. Maybe we'll end up opening our own coffee shop or small diner someday?"

"That would be awesome, Rachel. I was thinking of a tattoo shop, or maybe help selling Max's art? But as long as we're together, we'll make it. Just let me breathe in and out for a bit. I think I can stop this episode before it starts. Give me a moment. Alright... I think I beat it."

Rachel was a bit concerned as Chloe's anxiety episode seemed to come out of nowhere. But seeing Chloe beat it gave her relief. "Take all the time you need, Chloe. And when you're ready, I want to feel you next to me. Let's make this feel real. Kiss me."

PS

A few more things are still going to happen before Chloe and Rachel travel to Los Angeles, perhaps something significant?