The rest of the weekend went great. She enjoyed spending time with Jack and Aaron. They had gone out for a meal that afternoon before they brought Jack back to his mothers.
On the way back home, a conversation started.
"I realized that I don't know much about you as a person. I know a lot about your upbringing, and I have seen in some ways how that has impacted you, but I noticed when moving you have a lot of books made me realize you probably read a lot and made me wonder what else you do on your time off." He said
Lorelai nodded. "Books were the only thing I didn't have to hide. She would say we needed to read if we ever wanted to be anything useful. They were escapes for me when I was young, and it just stuck with me. When I have had a long day or a bad case or sometimes reading helps. I also draw and before you ask no, I don't share what I have drawn. I like watching movies. Something we didn't do much growing up. I have grown to love food, so I guess I am a bit of a foodie but try to eat fairly healthy because of the string of health issues I have. Eating a lot of junk wont help that. But I do enjoy the junk sometimes too."
Hotch listened. "I guess I should ask. What are all your health issues?"
"Iron deficiency which you know about. Depression and anxiety which I am managing without medication right now. Technically I do have an eating disorder, but it wasn't self inflicted and since being on my own I have gotten it under control. I do get back pain fairly often but nothing every formally diagnosed with that. I might have a predisposition to drug and or alcohol abuse I don't know for sure as I have never done ether." She rattled off.
Hotch nodded. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but I have to ask. I have noticed scars on your wrist."
Lorelai sighed. "Not something you need to worry about." She told him
"Yes, it is if its still happening." He pointed out
"It's not. I guess you didn't read the statement I gave about the abuse." She said softly
Hotch looked confused. "I don't understand."
"I didn't do this to myself. It was part of her games." She admitted
Hotch gripped the steering wheel. What was wrong with that women. Why had she hurt so many children like this? "I am sorry. I didn't know. I usually read all reports but as there will be no court case to do with this as Jessica is deceased Spencer suggested I don't read it. He figured you might rather me not know certain things. He said it was quite hard for you to get it all out and how embarrassed you were. He was trying to protect you." He said. "And since you spent so many years with no one protecting you and protecting your health, safety or privacy I decided to respect it." He told her "Not that you have anything to be embarrassed about. None of this is your fault." He told her.
Lorelai nodded.
"Have you been to therapy since getting back?" He asked
Lorelai bit her lip. "Um. No." She said
"When's your next appointment?" He asked
Lorelai looked out the window. "I don't have one book." She admitted
Hotch breathed heavily. "You are going to change that. Today."
"It's Sunday. I can't make the appointment today. But I will tomorrow." She said
Hotch nodded. "Fine."
They got home and before she got out of the car he continued.
"Have you purposely been avoiding therapy?" He asked
Lorelai nodded a bit.
"Why?" she was asked
"I don't have a good answer." She said
"Don't let it happen again." He told her
"Yes Sir." She said
"If it happens again, I will be taking over making your appointments and making sure you get there. Understood?" He told her
Lorelai nodded.
"Look at me and answer out loud." He said
Lorelai looked up at him. "I understand."
They went inside and spent the afternoon finishing up unpacking Lorelai stuff and Hotch making a mental note that she would need another bookshelf to hold her books.
