Progress (Progress #1) (27 page)

Part I

Progress: Interrupted

On the way home that night, I hit a baby white rabbit. I looked in the rearview mirror and saw the life ripped from its fragile body, peppering the pavement with white and red pieces of innocence.

We all had to live with the choices we made. Some seemed brilliant at the time, and some mistakes we realized right away. Regret wasn’t something that disappeared, it was something that lived inside of us and altered every path we took from that point on. Sometimes it could be beautiful, and sometimes was anything but.

For as proud as I felt about my decision to leave, there hadn’t been a day since that I didn’t wonder what would’ve happened if I’d stayed.

-Charlie

This has been a very personal journey for me. At times, heartbreaking.
I have many people to thank for helping me along the way, and I hope to
God I haven’t forgotten anyone.

Just know that I will be forever grateful to them for encouraging me to pick this manuscript
off the floor, and for helping me blow the dust away.

Xo Big Love. -Amalie

Acknowledgments

Amy Jackson

Vince Queau

Michelle Johnson

T.K. Rapp

Stacey Lynn

Brittainy C. Cherry

Barb Speak

Taryn Plendl

A. Meredith Walters

Kelsie Leverich

Letty Mtz-Sid

Carol Wahl-Allen

Tesrin Afzal

Brandy Mooney

Tania Marinaro

Susan Garwood

Jenn Beach 

Kelly Brzoska

Debbie Rodriguez

Jolene Reding

Karalee Vigstol

Julia Peters

Kinsey Taylor

Kayla Harrison

Natali Ghourizi

Angela Withrow

Eli Peters

Kim Ginsberg

Dawn Erbstoesser

The Rays of Fucking Sunshine

The Silver Sirens

The Progress Support Group

Depression Resources

Depression and bipolar are two of the most common mood disorders, but continue to go untreated because of the stigma associated with them, and the lack of knowing where to seek help.

If you or a loved one suffer from depression or bipolar (also called manic-depressive disorder), and you need more information, please consider the resources below. These disorders can be treated in a multitude of different ways and can be managed with the right resources.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

1-800-273-8255
(free)

Crisis Text Line

Text  START to 741-741
(free, standard text rates apply)

American Association of Suicidology

http://www.suicidology.org/

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

http://www.afsp.org/

Families for Depression Awareness

http://www.familyaware.org/

Prevent Suicide Now

http://www.preventsuicidenow.com/

International Bipolar Foundation

http://ibpf.org/

Discussion Questions

1. Explain what prompted Charlie's decision to start exercising and eating healthier. How do you think her motives changed throughout the novel?

2. Have you ever been in a relationship that your friends and family disagreed with? Were they right or wrong about your relationship? Do you think Charlie's friends were right about Jesse?

3. Jesse was often cruel to Charlie. Does his bipolar disorder justify his behavior, or does he use it as an excuse?  Did you feel he was abusive?

4. How do you know when it's time to put your own needs ahead of a loved one? Do you think Charlie made the right decision at the end?

5. Why do you think Jesse said what he did on his birthday? Since that was a breaking point for Charlie, do you think that contributed to her decision to leave?

6. Going forward, how do you think Charlie’s decision will affect her? How will it affect Jesse?

7. Why did Charlie go to Jesse’s that night? Is she capable of being as callous as she conceived herself to be?

8. Do you feel progress was made for these characters?

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