A wave of anxiety washed over Tina. She reminded herself she was here to get answers—she was the one in control. But something was pulling her back to him, a voice that promised everything would be easier if she just let go.

She knocked gently and a voice called out from inside. “Come in.”

Tina entered the room. Dr. Cooper was sitting at his desk, looking at her with that same calm smile. “Tina, I wasn’t expecting you so soon. Is everything alright?”

She hesitated, suddenly unsure why she had come. “I…I just wanted to talk. About our last meeting.”

“Of course, have a seat.”

Tina glanced back at the door. It wasn’t too late to leave. But the moment she stared into Dr. Cooper’s deep, dark eyes, her hesitation faded.

“What’s wrong?” Dr. Cooper asked. “You look troubled.”

“It’s just… Emily doesn’t think I should see you anymore. She thinks you’re… well, she’s worried. About Mom.”

“I see. That’s understandable. Your sister is very protective of you. But you have to do what feels right for you.”

“I guess so, yeah…”

“You seem confused.”

“I just…I don’t know what to do anymore.”

Dr. Cooper smiled. “That’s why I’m here, Tina. To help you.” He paused, his eyes locking onto hers. “You’re a good girl for caring so much.”

Tina’s eyes fluttered, the words sinking into her. Good girl. There was something about the way he said it that made her feel so…warm. Relaxed. Like she was doing something right.

“Your mother tells me you’ve always been a good girl. Doing whatever you could to help your family. But sometimes, it’s okay to let go. To let someone else take care of things.”

“I…don’t know,” she whispered, but her body was already sinking deeper into the chair. Part of her wanted to argue, to resist, but another part—a deeper part—wanted to give in. The idea of letting go… sounded nice.

“That’s alright. You don’t have to know everything. You’re a good girl. And good girls listen. Good girls relax. Just close your eyes… and breathe.”

Her eyes grew heavy as her thoughts began to fade. She felt torn between wanting to resist and the overwhelming desire to listen. To be a good girl.

“Yeah,” she whispered. “Good girls listen.”

“That’s right. Good girls listen. Just relax and let your thoughts just disappear. You don’t have to worry about anything right now. That sounds nice, doesn’t it?”

Tina let out a deep sigh. Her mind was quiet, completely focused on his voice. “…Yeah…sounds nice…”

“Good girl.”

Another surge of pleasure. “I want… to be good,” she said softly, almost pleading.

“You’re doing so good,” Dr. Cooper praised, his smile widening.

Tina’s body sank deeper, her mind melting into the words, into the warmth. She couldn’t fight it anymore. She didn’t want to fight it.

All she wanted was to be good.

***

Tina sat in her chemistry class, the professor’s voice fading into the background as her mind wandered. She was once again thinking about Dr. Cooper’s words, playing in her head like a calming melody.

You’re such a good girl, Tina. Good girls listen. Good girls relax.

No, she told herself, pushing the thoughts away. I shouldn’t be thinking about this. I need to focus.

The professor’s voice droned on, but Tina found it hard to concentrate. As she took notes, the sound of her pen on the paper felt strangely rhythmic, almost hypnotic. With each stroke, Dr. Cooper’s voice grew louder, more persistent.

You’re trying so hard, Tina. It’s okay to just let go. You don’t have to resist. Good girls don’t resist. They relax and let someone else take care of them.

She felt a warm pleasure in her chest at the thought of being a good girl—like a hot coffee on a cold morning.

Tina shut her eyes and shook her head. No, no, no. This isn’t right. But the more she fought them, the stronger they became. She needed to figure out what was happening with her mom, to help her before it was too late. But Dr. Cooper’s words wrapped around her, whispering that maybe what she really needed was to let go.

Later that evening, Tina walked down the hallway to her mom’s room. As she got closer, she heard laughter spilling out into the hallway, high-pitched and bubbly, with a vapid ring to it. Taking a deep breath, Tina knocked softly before entering.

“Hey, Mom,” she said, forcing a smile.

Anna was laying in bed, her short pink dress struggling to contain her voluptuous figure.

This isn’t right, Tina thought. She tried to remind herself of the strong woman she once was, the one that everyone respected.

“Hi, sweetie!” Anna smiled brightly. She paused when she saw the worried look on her daughter’s face. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m really worried about you, Mom. You’ve changed so much. You used to be so strong and smart, and now…”

“And now I’m happy,” Anna giggled. “I’ve finally accepted my true self! It feels so good to just let go of all that pressure.”

Let go. The phrase echoed in Tina’s mind.

“But I’m still your mother, and that’s not gonna change. I still love you and your sister more than anything. I’ve just…learned to embrace a new way of thinking, that’s all.”

“Don’t you miss the way you used to be?”

Anna smiled warmly. “I mean, sure, I loved my job, but it was so stressful. And I was always so uptight about everything. I’m much happier now. I get to look pretty, wear fun clothes, and actually enjoy life. Why would I ever want to go back?”

As she looked into her mom’s cheerful eyes, Tina wanted so badly to believe that everything was fine. Maybe these changes were just her way of finding happiness? But a flicker of doubt pushed through. She forced herself to remember the smart, capable woman her mom used to be. She couldn’t just let that go.

“I really think Dr. Cooper’s been doing something strange to your mind. It doesn’t feel right.”

"Oh, sweetie, don’t be silly. Dr. Cooper’s opened my eyes and helped me find my true self. I owe him so much.”

Tina left her mother’s room, still struggling with all the conflicting emotions. Dr. Cooper’s words echoed in her thoughts.

Just let go.

***

Tina sat on the edge of the leather chair, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Every part of her wanted to get up to leave—but she needed answers.

This is the last time, she told herself. I need to know what’s really going on with Mom.

Dr. Cooper sat across from her, looking calm and collected. “I know this is hard for you. Change isn’t easy.”

Tina clenched her jaw, holding back the whirlpool of emotions bubbling inside her. “I just don’t get how you could make her...like that. That’s not who she is.”

“All I’ve done is help her discover her true self. Your mother’s a remarkable woman. She’s embraced her new outlook more than I ever expected.”

“But she’s not herself. She’s… different.”

“She’s free,” he said softly. “Free from expectations, from pressure, from worry. Your mother’s finally learned what it feels like to let go.”

Tina felt the warmth of his words wrapping around her mind. Don’t let him get in your head.

“You try so hard to stay in control, trying to keep everything together. Just like your mother used to. But the truth is, that doesn’t give you control—it just tires you out. True strength is knowing when to let go. You could feel that too. You could be happy, just like your mother.”

His words were like a heavy fog, slowing her thoughts. She couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like to just let go.

“Your mother’s always been your role model, hasn’t she? You’ve wanted to be just like her since you were a little girl.”

“Yeah…” Tina said quietly. “But not like this.”

“I understand. But try saying it out loud. It’ll help you understand these feelings.”

“I…I’ve always wanted to be…just like my mom, but—”

“Good girl.”

A wave of pleasure flooded her body. It was true, she’d always looked up to her...just not this new version. The strong, respectful woman she used to be. Not the slutty, submissive airhead Dr. Cooper had turned her into.

“Your mom has always made choices you could trust, hasn’t she? She’s always known what’s best—for herself and for you. She made you feel safe.”

“Yeah…”

“And now she’s chosen a new way of thinking. So why wouldn’t you trust that?”

“…I don’t know.” Tina bit her lip. She'd always trusted her mom. Even when they fought, she knew she was only trying to do what was best.

“Say it,” Dr. Cooper gently urged. “You’ve always wanted to be just like her.”

“I... I’ve always wanted to be like my mom,” Tina whispered.

“Good girl. You’ve looked up to her your whole life. You want to be just like her. Say it again.”

Tina’s voice wavered as she repeated, “I’ve always wanted to be just like my mom…”

The warmth inside her kept growing, wrapping her thoughts in a strange comfort. It was getting hard to think clearly.

“You’ve always wanted to follow in her footsteps. What if this new version of her is just as good? What if it’s even better?”

Tina’s mind swirled with conflicting emotions. She’d always admired her mom—looked up to her, wanted to be like her. But…

“Focus on my voice. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be like her. It’s okay to accept it, Tina. You’ve wanted this your whole life."

“I’ve always wanted to be just like my mom...”

“You want to be just like your mom. Not just the woman she was before—but everything she is now. That’s what she wants for you too. To be happy and free, just like her.”

That’s not true… But even as she thought it, images of her mother floated into her mind—her mom giggling, wearing those skimpy outfits. Happy. So happy. She did seem so much happier now...

“No,” Tina whispered. “She didn’t want this.”

“Are you sure? Or are you afraid to admit that maybe... this is who you’ve always wanted her to be? That deep down, this is what you’ve wanted for yourself too.”

Tina shook her head, but the thoughts spun faster, twisting, until she could barely tell which ones were hers.

This isn’t right...is it?

“She’s so proud of you, Tina. Just think how proud she’d be if you were just like her. Imagine how much closer you’d be—sharing everything, doing everything together.”

Visions of the two of them side by side filled Tina’s mind—both of them in tight, skimpy outfits, giggling, flirting, and happy. The thought of it sent a strange thrill through her.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad…

“You see how good it feels to let go. Just relax and embrace it. You’ve always wanted to be just like her.”

Tina felt herself drifting, her thoughts blurring as she sank into the warmth. Maybe this was what her mom had been trying to show her all along.

“I can’t...”

“Yes, you can,” Dr. Cooper said, his voice sinking deep into her mind. “You want this, Tina. You want to be happy. You want to be just like her. You've always wanted to be what she’s become.”

“I…”

“Say it, Tina. You’ve always wanted to be what your mom’s become. You just didn’t realize it until now.”

Her lips quivered. The thought felt strange, but it fit perfectly. Like a missing puzzle piece sliding into place.

“I... I’ve always wanted to be what my mom’s become...”

Waves of pleasure surged through her, erasing the last traces of doubt. As her eyes fluttered shut, Tina imagined herself standing next to her mom—both of them so happy. It felt right.

“Good girl. Doesn’t it feel good to let go?”

Tina's body melted into the chair. It did feel good—better than she wanted to admit.

“Say it one more time for me, Tina."

“I’ve always wanted to be what my mom’s become…”

“Let everything else wash away. This is what you’ve always wanted. Just let go.”

Tina’s eyes opened slowly. “I want you to help me...” she whispered. “Help me be just like my mom...”

Dr. Cooper grinned. “Good girl.”