Free Selective/Memory: The "Depth of Emotion" Book 2 (The Depth of Emotion) by DD Lorenzo Page A

truly do. It certainly can’t hurt…and I believe it may even help you to forgive .”
    What the hell?
    Aria snapped back as if she’d been physically struck.
    “ Forgive? After how he treated me? I don’t think so.” The sarcasm dripped from her words as she spoke, but she didn’t want the doctor to think she was a pushover.
    Dr. Sumner attentively leaned forward to capture Aria, as if she were a deer in headlights.
    In a soft voice, which could only be described as a loud whisper, she said the words that Aria would use in countless situations, and that would stay with her forever.
    “ Forgiveness is something you do for yourself , Aria. It never dismisses what someone has done to you, but not utilizing it will allow the negative to eat you alive. Forgiveness gives you back your power .”
    Aria was rendered speechless. Sinking in to the strength of those words felt, somehow, peaceful. Although Dr. Sumner had spoken them softly, they carried more command and direction than she felt she’d had in quite some time.
    Concluding their session, they set the next appointment. The last few minutes of the visit were a blur. Aria thought about Declan.
    What would she say if he were sitting in front of her and she had the power to say anything she wanted to him? What if he were forced to listen, in whatever mood she was in, and he could say nothing back to her? If he was made to understand exactly what happened that day?
    That was essentially what this scenario proposed—and it was appealing. She only needed to think of one thing…
     
    …Where should she begin?…

 
     
    State government buildings held about as much warmth as an ice cube, but he felt the familiarity of friendship and camaraderie as he walked through the door. His fellow Troopers had always given him a sense of family .
    “Hey, Sinclair! What are you doing up here?!” Sergeant Henry yelled across the floor. The old man was a welcome sight.
    “I thought I’d come back and screw up your day!” Carter shouted back jokingly, making his way over to shake hands with his old friend and superior officer.
    “Where’s everybody?” he asked, pulling up an old chair.
    “Shift’s almost over. They’ll be filing in soon.” He held up a stained cup to Carter. “Coffee?”
    “Nah. Thanks,” Carter said as he followed him.
    After pouring himself a cup, Sergeant Henry returned to his desk.
    “Really, what brings you up here? I thought you were staying with your brother down at his house near the ocean. Aren’t you still there?” he asked.
    Moving to get comfortable in the chair, Carter sat to pass the time.
    “I was. I am. He can be a pain in the ass at times. I needed to get away for a few days—give us both a little breathing room. You know what I mean?” he asked. “I figured it was a good time to come up here and check on the house, see if any mail hadn’t been forwarded down to me—you know, the regular bullshit.”
    “Yeah, I get you.” The sergeant nodded. He then broached the next subject carefully. “You been by your house yet?”
    He watched Carter stiffen.
    “No. It’s my next stop.” Carter fidgeted in the chair and began to bounce his foot on the floor.
    Reading his body language, the old man deflected.
    “Okay; bad subject. How’s your brother? I heard it was a pretty bad accident. Got somebody saved, but hurt himself in the process?”
    “It was pretty bad, and the girl is safe—well, physically at least. As far as he goes, I don’t think he’ll ever be the same. For that matter, I don’t think his girlfriend—former girlfriend—will either.”
    “Damn!” the old man stated. “Sounds like a real mess. I’ll bet it’s been real tough—for both of you.”
    Carter nodded. “It was…It is…It’s hard to watch him slowly self-destruct. Lately, it seems he’s been crawling into a bottle. He doesn’t think I notice.”
    “You talk any sense into him?” the sergeant asked. He and Carter knew firsthand the