Page 94 of Through the Storms

Chloe relayed her story to the pair. As she talked, she stopped crying. When she came to the end, she said, “And now that I’ve said that aloud, I suppose it’s not the end of the world. I’m just being an overly emotional mom.”

“Don’t downplay your feelings.” Riley’s jaw was hard set. “You have every right to be upset.”

Oakley nodded. “Definitely. That’s controlling, bordering on emotional abuse.”

Chloe stared at Oakley. “You really think so?”

“I know so.” Oakley’s eyes blazed. “He sounds a lot like my father. By your reactions, I can see he’s done a number on you.”

“Yeah.” Riley motioned toward Chloe. “Even when he’s not here, he’s still in your head. I saw the switch flip.”

“I saw it, too,” Oakley said.

Chloe tilted her head. “When?”

Riley gave her a sad smile. “About halfway through when you were telling us your story, your words changed. You started saying things like, I suppose I was overreacting.”

“And I shouldn’t have said that,” Oakley added.

Chloe leaned back against the bumper and thought about her words. They were right. “Shit. I started parroting all the things he’s said over the years. I’m being too emotional. Hysterical. Irrational.”

Riley nodded. “And you’ve internalized them all.”

Chloe put her hand against her forehead. “What the fuck is wrong with me?”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Oakley said. “To this day, I still find myself reacting to my dad, even though I only see him once or twice a year. It gets inside your head.”

“Then I’m not overreacting?” Chloe asked.

“Not at all,” Oakley answered.

“Definitely not,” Riley added.

Their reassurance loosened the strangling band around her chest. How had she let herself become this person? Someone who had to be reassured that her feelings were valid. “I feel silly that I need you guys to tell me it’s okay.”

“Don’t.” Oakley said. “We all need our feelings supported, especially when someone’s invalidated them for so long.”

“But shouldn’t I be able to do that for myself? Isn’t that what a strong person does?”

Oakley smiled and moved closer to Chloe. She put her hand on Chloe’s knee and met her gaze. “I want you to listen to me. Hear me. A strong person knows when they need reassurance, and they know when to ask for it. A very wise woman told me that.” Oakley winked.

“Lana?”

“Yep. She’d also tell you that I’m not always the best at following her wise advice.” Oakley grinned. “But I’m telling you to do as I say, not as I do.”

Chloe laughed. When she shifted her gaze to Riley, she was surprised by the pain etched on Riley’s face. Without thinking, she asked, “What’s wrong?”

Riley sat up straighter and shook her head. “I was just listening to you two.”

“What’s that look for then?”

Riley blushed and looked at her boots. “It hurts.” She patted herself on the chest several times. “It hurts, seeing the number he’s done on you. So much so that you don’t realize what an amazing woman you are.”

It was Chloe’s turn to blush. At least she suspected she was by the heat on her cheeks. “Thank you. I’m trying to learn my worth.”

“I hope you do.” Riley’s gaze burned into Chloe.

“Well,” Oakley said. “I need to go inside and freshen up for dinner.” She rose to her feet and brushed off the back of her jeans.