Starlight watched her sleep. It was the only thing she wanted to do. Maybe it had something to do with her own pain as a user. Hannah would squirm, and twitch, but not for long.
"Shhhhhh, sshhhhh, sleep angel," the therapist whispered tothe sick teen.
"Mmmmmhhhhhmmmm, tummy ache," there was the problem, she didnt feel good.
"Oh, your tummy hurts, why didn't you tell me?" she whispered, getting into bed, and pulling Hannah close.
"I…. I… it doesnt happen all the time, only at night," she was fully awake now, curled into her therapist's lap.
"Only then huh, well lets see… do you need to go potty?" at the sound of 'potty' she felt her stiff up.
"Sssshhhhh, its OK baby, sssshhhhhh, we'll go together OK…" an arm was around her, helping her stand up. Hannah could feel her tummy starting to let her body know what it needed.
"Oww," she murmured, as the pressure in her lower belly increased.
"Sssshhhh, almost there, tell one of us next time OK pumpkin," Starlight didnt hear the murmur of "I can't" in a small little girl voice.
&&&&&&&%%%%%%%###
Hannah lay on the day bed in the living room area, hands on her lower tummy. She wanted to tell them, wanted to tell them everything, and more. She wanted to scream and yell and confess, but something wouldnt let her.
"There you are," she saw the girls coming over to her, so she shot up right away.
"Come with us before dinner," she felt an ar around her as they headed to the back of the lodge area, and a small door led into a sauna type room. There were marble sinks, and a large whirlpool.
"Do you mind if we have some girl time?"
"No, sure yeah, thats fine," she saw them both begin to strip into bathing suites.
"Go in with your panties on," Starlight smiled, and soon the three were in the spa. Hannah let the water run over her, savoring the warmth, and felt Starlight take her hand under the water.
"Hannah," she said cautiously so as not to frighten the teen.
"What's the story on the tummy ache the other night? Did you feel sick?"
"No, no nothing like that, I…" the sisters could see her wrestling with her own mind, a mental tug of war.
"Sweetheart, take your time, there is no rush," she nodded, trying to find the words, Starlight squeezed her hand gently.
"It's just… its, I…" she bit her lip trying to find the words. She felt Starlight put a soft hand on her cheek.
"Ssssshh, take your time there is no rush," she turned and stared at the pair, eyes full of terror.
"I… I…. want to wait," they nodded, in support then she felt soft breath in her ear.
"Then we can wait sweetheart," Starlight whispered, Hannah could smell the lavender perfume, tickling her noose.
%%%%%%#######%%%%%%%
"Maybe she's just sick to her tummy," Phoenix whispered, he had his sister nestled in his lap on the balcony. Starlight shook her head as he began to stroke her hair.
"No, no its not that I can feel it, please, please just give it a try, for me," her older brother sighed, soft hands still stroking her strawberry blonde hair.
"OK, I'll see what I can do; are you satisified," he raised an eyebrow. She got up, and hugged her older brother tightly.
"Thanks," she whispered, kissing him on the cheek.
"OK, I get it, silly thing you," he playfully punched her in the ribs.
&&&&&&&&&&&^^^^^########!
"Can we talk?" Phoenix asked, they were sitting in the center's art room, Hannah nodded.
"So, tummy not feeling good?"
"Nnn… no," he noted the hesitation in her voice.
"We can change things around if-"
"Its… just nerves thats all," the therapist shook his head slowly, years of experience coming through.
"Hannah, I've been doing this for a long time; I cannot force you, but sweetheart you're in a safe place. Let us in," he reached over, gently squeezing her hand. They walked back to the common room, hand in hand; he could feel the teenager about to explode.
Good I havent lost my touch,' he thought as they met his sisters at the front desk.
"Go up to my office, I'll be a minute," Starlight told Hannah, staring at her brother.
"And?"
"Sorry, no luck, but I can feel her about to pop."
"OK, it's better than nothing," she smiled gratefully at her brother.
"Sweetie, how's everything going?" Starlight asked gently, seeing if the teen would open up.
"Fine, it's fine just-"
"Remember take your time, its OK," Hannah nodded, she nervously played with her hair.
"I feel, I feel… funny,"
"Tell me more,"
"I just, its hard to describe; how much time do we have left?" Starlight smiled, they all used this line when big stuff was coming up.
"As much as you want,"
"Oh, OK thats good, I mean,"
"Hannah I've been doing this a long time, and avoidance is a common tactic, as well as not talking.'' The therapist didnt mean to be hard but she was digging for information.
"Its, its just hard," the tears were now starting, Starlight knew she had gotten through.
"Yes, yes sunshine, therapy usually is." she whispered, tking the hand of the teen.
"I get the tummy pain at night usually, when I fall asleep,"
"OK we can give-"
"I… I dont want anything, just… just you guys." the therapist took a deep breath, now it all made sense.
"Do you need to go potty now, Hannah?"
"I'm not… its…"
"Lets try now, hhhhmmmm. Come on pumpkin," she led the way to a small powder room with ocean colored wallpaper.
"There we go just sit, try and relax… Ssssshhhh, let me rub your tummy that helps sometimes." Hannah fidgeted, her body trying to decide what to do.
"Sssssshhhhh, that's it, just relax, and go."
"Its, I feel empty."
"Shhh, I know but that's why it's important to give your body a chance. Just relax, you're safe with me here. Shhh," a small tinkle could be heard, and Starlight took the opportunity to praise as a mommy would.
"Good girl, that's a good girl. All done baby,"
"Don't stop rubbing my belly, it… it makes me feel better."
"OK," Starlight whispered back, continuing her soft motions on her tummy.