“I can hold her hand, Olive.”
“If that’s an easy one, then come hold mine and tell me about your girlfriend,” I challenged him. I held my hand out, waiting for him.
A few minutes went by before Tim finally joined me but didn’t place his hand in mine. Instead he inched his hand close to me, just enough for me to know he was there.
I smiled because I knew this was his limit.
“Can I make a confession?”
“Sure.”
“Sarah isn’t my girlfriend yet. This is my issue. She doesn’t want a loveless relationship, well an intimacy free relationship. I do love her, it’s just—” He dropped his head and went quiet. Before he could reopen his mouth, I cut him off from feeling obligated to tell me his situation. I was no therapist, so he didn’t have to share any more than he was ready to. I never wanted my clients to feel obligated to share. And whatever Tim was holding was for him.
“Hey, well, if you trust me, I can get you there. Okay?”
Tim looked over at me through the tears in his eyes and nodded. I was sure with the help of therapy he would gain the confidence to tell me his story, not today though. It wasn’t necessary.
“Okay.” I offered him a warm, genuine smile.
We sat there a second longer before Tim gently placed his trembling hand into mine and I grasped it tightly to let himknow I was here. We sat that way for a while, letting the low, relaxing instrumentals fill the space before Tim spoke.
“Do you mind if we talk about something?”
“Not at all, what do you want to talk about? You can pick the topic. I can handle myself with anything you throw at me conversation wise. The weather, sports, music, or movies. I’m well versed,” I said.
Tim grew quiet again before he said her name. I smiled.
“That topic works too. Tell me about Sarah and what makes her special enough to go through all this.” For the first time since Tim walked into my office, his eyes lit up with so much love and adoration that I knew he would walk through fire to save her. And that act was my little subtle reminder of why I loved my profession. They said physical touch could boost your serotonin levels, but nothing topped that feeling of doing something to make someone you loved happy. And if I could help someone accomplish both, then I did my job.
For the next hour I listened to Tim go on about his love. I even got him to lean back and brush against my shoulder in his lax moment in time. I knew one thing for sure. For Tim, Sarah was his reason for being here and I planned to use it to my advantage.
The timer went off, letting us both know that time was up.
“Wow. I can’t believe it’s been an hour already. I feel like I just got here.” I looked down at our hands still locked.
“Well, it helps to pass the time when you’re focused on something or someone you love. Thank you for sharing Sarah with me and I promise we will get you where you want to be for yourself and her. Now, your therapist already scheduled your sessions for the same day you see her, but if that doesn’t work, we can always reschedule.”
“Nope, it works for me. So two weeks.”
“Two weeks. It was a pleasure to meet you, Tim.” We got up and I walked him toward the door. I had twenty minutes before my next session and I was dying for a cup of coffee and two bites of my breakfast potatoes.
Not a minute later, Tunk was walking out with an empty wrapper in his hand.
“Man, it always amazes me how soon you get them to talk. I’m still trying to figure out why this and not a real therapist’s office,” Tunk said, making me chuckle as I placed my container in the microwave and put a coffee pod in the machine. It wasn’t Brewed Bean but it would have to do since I couldn’t make it there this morning.
“Because here isn’t just for mental health cases. I have clients who simply need hugs or cuddles; those are one and done. And they all don’t go to therapy. I love it here. I can prove the power of a good ass hug if you want,” I offered just as the microwave sounded off. I turned, stretching my arms widely, making myself laugh. Tunk always turned me down.
“Hell no. I’m rough and tough for a reason and I want to keep it that way. You don’t need no soft ass security trying to protect you. There’s some real crazy ass people out there.” I laughed harder as I continued to get my snack and coffee.
“True. But one of these days, I’ma break that wall down.” I took the first bite of my potatoes before I pointed the fork at him.
“It won’t be today. But ay, give me ten, I’ll be right back. You covered the food; I’ll handle the coffee, because those pods ain’t gon’ do shit for me.” I snorted as Tunk made his way toward the door.
Chapter
Two
Highland “Lando”Floyd
