Page 36 of Thin Ice

“Good day?” he asks as we get ready for bed.

“Really good day. Photographed the team, saw friends, didn’t have a single panic attack. Might actually sleep tonight.”

“Sounds like a win, and I’m sure we can do something get you sleepy.” He winks, and I start laughing. Never going to complain about that.

He’s right. It is a win. Small, maybe, but wins are wins.

I’m so grateful for things in my life.

Grateful for Carter who saved me.

Grateful for Dr. Williams who helped me heal.

Grateful for Ryder who showed me that broken people can still love and be loved.

Grateful for myself, for choosing to stay, for doing the hard work of recovery even when it seemed impossible.

I’m not the girl I was before I tried to die.

I’m someone new. Someone stronger. Someone who knows that perfection is a lie and survival is an act of defiance and love is worth the risk of pain.

I’m Maya Lynch.

And I’m alive.

And today, that’s enough.

THE END