73. Whatever It Is

“V, please, you need to come out of the room. I’m begging you,” Brenda pleaded, knocking softly on the door.

I stared at the door, too drained to even move. My body ached, and I had spent the entire night torturing myself with thoughts of what to do next. Where would I even begin? How would I tell Kelly that her father no longer wanted anything to do with me?

Brenda knocked again, more urgently this time. I forced myself up from the bed, each step feeling like a mountain to climb, and made my way to the door. As I opened it, Brenda rushed in, her eyes scanning me, then the room, as if she was expecting the worst, that I had hurt myself. But I hadn’t.

Not physically, at least.

Brenda’s face softened with relief, but her concern didn’t fade completely. She closed the door behind her and led me back to the bed, sitting beside me.

“V, you can’t go on like this. You have to fight for yourself, for Kelly,” she said, her voice gentle but firm. “You’re stronger than this, I know you are. You’