Chapter 70 CHAPTER SEVENTY.
Chapter 70 CHAPTER SEVENTY.
Julian's words hit home. He knew about strength, and he knew about the burden of expectations. He thought briefly of his own father, who at that very moment, was probably worrying himself sick. Julian’s father didn't hate Brianna for who she was, but he hated her uniform. To Julian’s father, a soldier was a walking casualty. Ever since Julian’s younger brother, his best friend and the one person he felt he should have protected died in the line of duty, his father had been terrified of the military. Julian knew the fight that was coming; his father wouldn't want him with a woman who walked into the jaws of death for a living.
"Go back in there and talk to her, Bri," Julian said gently. "Seeing you this worked up... because of what her husband said to you, will help her understand you better." He kissed Brianna on the forehead. "Go. I'll be waiting,"
When Brianna went back in, she found her mother sitting at the dining table, staring into space with tears silently streaming down her face. She sat in the seat next to her and reached for her hand.
"I hear his voice in my head sometimes, Ma." Brianna said quietly and heard Yolanda gasp. "It is usually so bad I end up having panic attacks. It was horrible when I was growing up."
"Oh, my god.." Yolanda cried softly beside Brianna.
"I was only able to get into the navy after I got it under control with the help of a doctor." Brianna went on. "I had to make a conscious effort not to think about anything that had to do with...home. On days that I couldn't control my thoughts, I had to discreetly leave my team before anyone noticed that I wasn't okay. That voice in my head can cause me my career, Ma,"
"Christ.”
"No one knows this." Brianna's voice was barely above a whisper. "Not even Julian. He knows I get panic attacks but he doesn't know that they're almost always triggered by Dad's voice or that it happens at work sometimes. I've had to live with that voice in my head all these years..telling me I will burn in hell, he regrets my birth, I'm a disgrace...you were there. You heard him." Yolanda turned and hugged her daughter, trembling in reaction to what her girl had revealed.
"I've had so much hate for him, Ma. And it has festered over the years. Deep down, I know that he meant what he wrote but...it does nothing for me. If anything, it makes me angrier. So please pardon me if I'm...a little bit rude. I can't help myself. Those memories and hateful words will never leave me."
"Oh baby, I'm so, so, so sorry." Yolanda sobbed but all through her sobbing, Brianna remained stoic. She sat back at a point and watched her daughter's face. "Honey, don't take this the wrong way but I think you need to talk to someone." She wiped at the tears on her face but they kept coming.
"What happened to me is too horrible and shameful to tell a stranger." Brianna muttered.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of." Yolanda said shakily. "And you don't have to say what you're not comfortable with. You need to see a therapist, my daughter. Run it by Julian. I'm sure he will agree with me. Maybe he can even recommend a good one, seeing as he's a doctor and all." Yolanda reached out to cup Brianna's face. "Will you please do it for me? Please, Brianna." She pleaded.
Brianna gave a deep sigh. "Yes, I will."
"Thank you, my daughter." She hugged her again. "Just know that the man is dead. There's no need to waste your anger on him."
Brianna couldn't help but smile at her mother's words. They reminded her of what she'd said to Julian about Wendell, on the yacht. Why waste your anger on a dead person...really? Maybe she needed to take her own advice.
"I have to go." Brianna stood up. "Can we take you out to dinner tonight?"
"What mother in her right mind would pass up a chance to dine with her beautiful daughter and her very handsome boyfriend?" Yolanda smiled, getting to her feet too.
"We will pick you up at six." Brianna laughed as she opened the front door. "And please don't leave the front door unlocked. That's dangerous."
"I always lock it." Yolanda chuckled. "I guess I was too upset to."
"Sorry for upsetting you." Brianna leaned down to kiss her on both cheeks.
"You can make it up to me by booking an appointment to see a therapist as soon as possible, baby." Yolanda said sternly.
"I will, I promise." Brianna said as she turned to go.
Back in the car, she leaned in and gave Julian a long sweet kiss, totally ignoring the fact that her mother was watching from where she stood on the porch.
"What was that for?" Julian breathed when his mouth was finally released.
"I love you." Brianna said simply. "And you better get me a good therapist."
"Fuck!" Julian stared at Brianna for a moment. Then he opened his door, got out, and ran to Yolanda. "You are an angel." He said as he picked her up and twirled her around to her delighted squeals. When he finally put her down, he kissed her on both cheeks and then ran back to the car amidst laughter from both a confused Yolanda and Brianna.
"Oh god, you're crazy." Brianna laughed as they sped off. "The poor woman looks confused."
"Of course anyone would be stunned if they're given notice on their divine status." Julian drawled.
"Huh?"
"I told her she's an angel." Julian grinned.
"Without an explanation."
"She didn't need one." Julian chuckled. "I didn't want her to know that at her daughter's age, she still has to tell the idiot what to do."
"Fuck you." Brianna gave a mock growl which ended in laughter.
The two laughed heartily as they sped towards Saul's firm. Everything was going very well. They finally met Saul Miller, an elderly looking bald black man, who was the managing partner of a large law firm. He was a very pleasant person who genuinely looked thrilled to meet Brianna. He took both of them through all the documentation and made Brianna sign all that she needed to sign. He gave Brianna the copy of the letter from Reverend Jackson that was in his possession. He then made Brianna know exactly what she was worth, which shocked Brianna to no end. He explained Brianna's rights and advised her to contact investment experts who would help her do the right investments to multiply her money.