Support Group Struggles (The Devereaux Story)/Chapter 6

Once Eska explained her plan to the group, they went into action. Greedy and Enamored distracted Azrael, and Painter and Britze helped set up a trampoline with the sticks and rubber leaves. Eska, herself, climbed the same tree she tried to skydive off of yesterday and readied her parachute made out of a firm rubber leaf.

She took a deep breath and told herself, "I can do this. I can do this." She looked down and saw the thumbs up from Therapist, "I CAN DO THIS!"

With those words, she jumped from the branch and glided down with her parachute. When she was three feet from the trampoline, she let go and fell swiftly, jumping on the trampoline in the process. She flew past Azrael to the twisteed root and used her boots as a board to slide across and into the air above Azrael.

"NIP THIS IN THE BUTT, MONA!" She exclaimed before landing on Azrael and controlling him with his fur. As Azrael tried to fight Eska off, she wouldn't let go. She led Azrael right into the pricker bushes and jumped off at the last minute, leaving him crashing into the bushes. As he ran away like a coward, the group cheered for Eska's success.

"Oh, my, that was excellent!" Enamored ran up and hugged Eska tightly, "You truly are really brave!" He planted a big kiss on Eska's cheek. After setting her down, Eska secretly wiped Enamored's kiss away. The rest congradulated her. Even Therapist.

"I am impressed, Eska," Therapist smiled, "But...why did you call Azrael 'Mona'?"

"Huh?" Eska cocked her head.

"You said 'Mona' instead of Azrael," Greedy explained.

"Oh...did I?" Eska asked them.

"Now would be a good time to tell us why you did," Therapist instructed her, "If there's anything else bothering you, I'd be happy to help you with it."

Eska sighed and gave in. She told them everything. She explained about her stunt obsession, annoying Mona, Benny, the doctor's note, everything. When she finished, Therapist reacted with an understanding nod.

"I see," Therapist remarked, "I think your problem is that you use stunts to relieve stress about your jealously with Mona. Mona is like a target for you that you use to somewhat 'get revenge' on for flirting with your crush."

"How romantic!" Enamored added.

"So...what do I do now?" Eska asked him, "I'm still obsessed with stunts, and that doctor's note isn't going anywhere. Plus, Benny might even succumb to stupid Mona's flirts."

"So, you're afraid of losing Benny to Mona?" Therapist wondered.

"Exactly," Eska replied.

Therapist thought about her answer, and starting to think, "Hmm...I think I have an idea, but you're going to have to work with me throughout the rest of the week and let me help you."

Eska looked into Therapist's eyes, then answered, "Deal."

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