Free Jessica's Journal: A THERAPY Book of Poetry by Kathryn Perez Page B

is like, but here has never been so promising.”
    –Jace
     
    “He planted the seeds that slowly grew inside my heart, bringing me hope and love.”
    –Jessica
     
    “Everyone needs a little therapy at one point or another in their life.”
    –Jessica

By Kathryn Perez
    Coming Summer 2014

 
     

     
     
    I RUN MY hands down the gown, smoothing out the satin material as I look at my reflection in the mirror. Thoughts are rolling through my mind, and my nerves are split in half. Today is huge, and the anxiety is heavy. I take a deep cleansing breath and try to relax my nerves. I’ve had to accept that true victory is in the battle because every day I feel depression and stress at my heels. It’s there nipping at my determination and trying to chip away at my hope. Nevertheless, I won’t stop fighting because I’ve never had more reasons to fight than I do now.
    “Jess, you almost ready?”
    A smile stretches across my face as soon as I hear his voice. It’s the warm sun, and I’m a melting Popsicle.
    “Almost. I just keep staring in this mirror and thinking about how I’m the only one graduating today who looks like a Texas-sized barn.” I turn to the side, hands on my hips, and look at my oddly shaped and large silhouette.
    Jace closes the space between us and stands closely behind me. Slowly he leans his head down and rests his chin on my right shoulder. His hands slide around my non-existent waist, and he cradles my stomach lovingly as he grins back at me in the mirror.
    “If this is a barn, it’s the most beautiful, sexy, magnificent barn I’ve ever seen out of all fifty states.” He gently kisses me on the nape of my neck. Leaning my head back so that it rests against his chest, I close my eyes and exhale. “I love you. I love you so much.”
    Kissing me one more time, he releases his hold on me and slowly spins me around to face him. He bends down and kisses my stomach. “Did you hear that, baby girl? You’re going to be beautiful, and I can’t wait to meet you.”
    “You’re going to spoil her to pieces, I can already tell. She has you wrapped around her finger, and she hasn’t even been able to give you the eyes yet.” I laugh.
    “You’re damn right I’m going to spoil her. I’m going to spoil her just like I do her Momma.” He kisses me on the cheek, and then slaps me playfully on the butt.
    “Now get a move on college grad, or we’re going to be late for your big day.”

 
     

     
     
    FIRST, I WANT to thank everyone who has read and supported THERAPY. Your kind words, messages, stories and support mean more to me than you can ever know.  Anyone who knows me knows how much I love poetry. I love writing poems and it was one of my favorite things about THERAPY. I had many poems that did not make it into the novel. I had a fun idea to do Jessica’s Journal so I could share the rest of them with my readers. I also included all of the poems from THERAPY along with my favorite quotes from the book. Thank you to those that supported this idea and to Sarah Hansen for bringing it to life with the stunning cover. To Julie Titus, thank you for always going above and beyond to make my books both beautiful in print and in digital format.
    To everyone in the THERAPY Support Group I want to thank you for being my happy place when I am feeling unsure about my writing or this story. You all are such a great source of inspiration!
    Thank you to Colleen Hoover for believing in me and for encouraging me every step of the way. You are my perspective. I am eternally grateful for you.
    To Aleatha Romig for believing in my story and my characters, thank you. You are my reality check.
    Chelle, Chris, Megan, Beth, Danielle, Heather, Nancy, Sonia and Gail, you ladies are my ROCKS! I love you all to pieces. Thank you for always being there and for every ounce of support that you give me on a daily basis.
    Jenn Hall, I love you lots. Thank you so much for supporting Jessica’s Journal and for always being