It's a place where they send you after you've completed your first round of therapy.
Dr. Mince explained it to me. "Gregory," he said. "How this works is, in the first part of your treatment we helped you to purge what was inside you. Now we have to show you how you can live a happy and normal lifestyle. If we just sent you back home, you'd just hop back in bed with some guy the minute you stepped outside. Isn't that right?"
I nodded my head. I'd agree to anything if it meant not having any more treatments. I could still feel the pain from the last session.
"That's why we send you to Haven Home. There you'll be partnered with someone who's a little further along in their therapy. The two of you will do everything together. That way you can save each other if the need-- the temptation-- ever arises. You'll be staying at Haven House until myself and the counselors agree your lifestyle has abated. Some of our patients only take a few days. Others take longer."
He put his hand on my knee. "I'm going to be overseeing your treatment personally."
He gave my knee a little squeeze as my father walked in the room.
"How are you feeling today, son?"
I didn't say anything. I just started packing my small suitcase.
My father looked at Dr. Mince.
"It's normal to feel betrayed and hurt Greg," he said. "Don't worry. After you're cured, you'll be thanking me for the rest of your life."
My dad just cracked a half smile, looking at me. I ignored him.
I'd finished packing and was staring at the picture of Jesus.
"Would you like that to go with you?" Dr. Mince asked. "If you want, you can have it."
He took the picture down off the wall and handed it to me.
"Thank you."
I took my savior and zipped him up with my underwear. My father took the bag and left the room
I thought the same question about my dad that Jesus had asked to his father.
Why have you forsaken me?
I got into my father's car and he delivered me to Haven House.
