Three months later, I sat in the sunlit break room of Dr. Rao’s clinic, balancing a sandwich in one hand and a highlighter in the other. My new class schedule was tucked into a folder beside me, just a few community college science refresher courses for now, nothing dramatic, but it was a start.

Dr. Rao passed by the doorway and tapped the folder. "Back to school already?"

I shrugged with a smile. "Not vet school yet. But it’s something."

She nodded. "All mountains are climbed one step at a time."

Later that week, I visited the psychiatric facility. Not for myself this time, Jo had helped me recognize when it was support I needed, and when it was time to offer it. I walked through the familiar halls with no dread, just quiet purpose.

Theo met me outside the group room. He looked... well, better. Not perfect, but steadier. His eyes were clearer, his posture less guarded.

He held up a folded paper. "Finished my peer support training. I get to co-lead the next cycle. Can you believe that shit?"

I smiled. "Actually, yeah. I can."

We talked for a while, and when it was time to go, I hugged him briefly, no fixing, just witnessing.

"You good?" he asked.

"Getting there," I said.

Outside, the late afternoon sun was starting to dip, painting everything gold. I had a shift tomorrow, a quiz next week, and a million doubts still knocking around in my head. But for once, they didn’t own me.

I got in my car and turned the key. The engine hummed, and the radio played my favorite song.

I drove forward.

Not fixed, not finished, but finally beginning.