Juliette questions Alexa

“Hey… is everything okay?” Juliette asked as they drove. “You seem quiet all of a sudden. Did something happen?”

“No,” Alexa said. “I’m just embarrassed my friends saw me like that. I know they’ve been helping me… but now they know that nothing has changed. I’m still the baby I was in high school. And I don’t think that will change anytime soon either. I’ve tried so hard, mom. What’s the point anymore?”

“Honey,” Juliette said as she pulled over to the side of the road and rested a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “You are not a baby. You are a grown woman who has a legitimate problem. And we are going to get you help. I wish you had told me sooner. I feel like I’ve failed as a mother because I wasn’t able to protect my little girl. But you can’t give up. There’s always hope. I promise you I will do the best I can to help you get better. I’ll hire a professional, refer to a consultant, whatever it takes for you to be happy. I’ll do it. I love you, Alexa. Don’t you ever doubt that.”

Alexa nodded as she wrapped her arms around her mom, sniffles coming and then tears. “Oh mom, I’m so sorry I never told you. I was so ashamed, so embarrassed…”

“My baby girl, oh my sweet baby girl,” Juliette cooed as she cradled Alexa tightly, pulling her into her arms. “It’s okay. It’ll be okay. Let’s get home and then we can just spend the day eating ice cream and goofing off. How does that sound?”

Alexa nodded as she rubbed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I’d like that,” Alexa said.

“Great. Now get into your seat so I can bring us home,” Juliette said.

Alexa nodded as she returned to her seat and buckled up while Juliette continued to drive the rest of the way home.