My Girlfriend’s Dad: Part 10

Lior POV

As Penelope drove, the silence between them felt like an impenetrable wall. The hum of the car engine was the only sound as they headed toward the conversion therapy center.

"Rick is the best conversion therapist in the country," Penelope finally broke the silence, her eyes fixed on the road ahead. "I know your family wasn't really religious, but Rick isn't either."

Lior sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window at the blur of passing trees and buildings. His stomach churned with a mix of dread and skepticism. "Penelope, this whole thing is ridiculous. You really think some guy can just… what, talk me out of being who I am?"

"He's helped a lot of people, Lior. Just give it a chance," she insisted, her voice firm but laced with a hint of desperation.

They drove in silence for the rest of the journey, the tension between them palpable. They pulled up to a large, unassuming building on the outskirts of town. Penelope turned off the engine and looked at Lior. "Please, Lior. Just try."

Lior nodded, feeling a lump in his throat as he opened the door and stepped out. Penelope followed him, and together they walked into the building.

Inside, a receptionist greeted them and led them to Rick's office. The room was warm and inviting, with plush chairs and tasteful artwork on the walls. Rick, a man in his late forties with a charismatic smile and a calm demeanor, stood up to greet them.

"Lior, Penelope, welcome. Please, have a seat," Rick said, gesturing to the chairs across from his desk.

Penelope squeezed Lior's hand briefly before sitting down. Lior followed suit, feeling Rick's eyes on him the whole time.

"So, Lior," Rick began, his voice smooth and reassuring, "I understand this is a difficult time for you. I want you to know that I'm here to help, not to judge."

"Help with what, exactly?" Lior asked, his tone more confrontational than he intended.

Rick leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "Help you understand yourself better. Help you see that sometimes, the paths we take in life aren't always the best for us. Take Chase, for example. From what I understand, he's quite a bit younger than you."

Lior felt a surge of defensiveness. "What does that have to do with anything?"

Rick smiled, almost sympathetically. "It's not uncommon for people to seek out relationships that make them feel young again, that remind them of a time when things were simpler. Chase could be seen as part of a midlife crisis—a way to escape the responsibilities and complications of your current life."

"That's not true," Lior shot back. "Chase isn't just some… phase. He's important to me."

"I'm not denying that you care about him, Lior," Rick said calmly. "But sometimes, we confuse genuine connection with the need for validation. You've experienced a lot of loss in your life—your father, your friend Jack, your partner Caden. It's only natural to seek comfort, to try to fill that void."

Lior clenched his fists, feeling a mix of anger and confusion. "You don't understand. It's not just about comfort. Chase understands me. He makes me feel alive."

Rick nodded, his expression still calm. "I understand that you feel a strong connection to Chase. But consider this: could it be that you're trying to relive a part of your life that you never got closure on? You mentioned Caden's overdose and how it left you devastated. Could Chase be a way for you to cope with that unresolved grief?"

"I never told you about that…" Lior said defensively, turning to look at Penelope with a mixture of surprise and resentment.

Penelope met his gaze with a look of concern and determination. "Lior, I thought it would help Rick understand better," she said softly, her voice pleading for understanding.

Lior felt a pang of guilt and uncertainty. "It's not like that," he muttered, but his voice lacked conviction.

"Think about it, Lior," Rick said gently. "When you lost Caden, you were broken. You found solace in Penelope, even slept with her father, which you now know caused a rift between them. These actions were driven by pain and a desperate need to find peace. Isn't it possible that your relationship with Chase is another way to find that peace?"

Lior shook his head, trying to clear the doubts creeping in. "I don't know. Maybe. But it doesn't change how I feel about him."

Rick leaned forward, his eyes locking onto Lior's. "Lior, your feelings are valid. But it's important to understand why you feel the way you do. Are you truly in love with Chase, or is he a symbol of the youth and love you lost with Caden? Recognizing this distinction is crucial for your healing and for the well-being of everyone involved, including your daughter Jackie."

Lior swallowed hard, Rick's words echoing in his mind. The doubt, the pain, and the confusion all mixed together, making him question everything he thought he knew about himself and his relationships.

"I… um… I…" Lior stuttered, his throat tightening as the weight of Rick's words pressed down on him. Suddenly, the floodgates opened, and he burst into tears, the emotions he had tried to keep at bay overwhelming him.

Penelope reached out, her voice soft and full of sympathy. "Oh, Lior," she said, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It's okay. Let it out."

Rick watched silently, his expression compassionate yet firm, as if he understood the turmoil Lior was experiencing. The room seemed to close in on him, the reality of his situation crashing down in waves.

"I don't know what to do," Lior choked out between sobs. "I feel so lost."

Penelope squeezed his shoulder gently. "We're here to help you, Lior. We'll get through this together."

Rick leaned forward again, his voice steady. "This is the first step, Lior. Acknowledging your pain and confusion is crucial. We can work through this, but it will take time and honesty."

Lior nodded weakly, tears streaming down his face. The doubt and uncertainty gnawed at him, but for the first time, he felt a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, he could find some clarity.

Penelope stood up and leaned down to kiss Lior's forehead. "I'll be back to pick you up in a month or so," she said softly. "Take this time to heal, Lior. We all need you to be the best version of yourself."

Lior watched her walk to the door, his heart aching with a mix of sadness, anger, and fear. She gave him one last, lingering look before stepping out, leaving him alone with Rick and the daunting journey ahead.