“Yo, why don’t you come over this Saturday? We can watch the game and catch up,” Jason invited.
I noted the time on the wall. We both needed to head out to get to work. “Yeah, that sounds cool. I’ll be there,” I answered. We slapped hands, giving each other a hand shake and half-hug. I grabbed my towel and went to do a quick cardio session before leaving to take a shower, all the while thinking about what I’d do to Ethan Miller once I saw him again.
****
Chanel
I blew out a deep breath as I stood in front of the door that readDr. Sandra Winston. It’d taken me weeks to recognize the fact that I needed to come here. And then, it took another week to build up the courage to make the appointment. Thankfully, she had availability on Saturday mornings. I just needed to take one little step over the threshold into her office.
I’d thought about canceling, but enduring weeks of nightmares had finally set me straight. If I wasn’t dreaming about Anne Marie and Noah’s death, it was that same dream from my tenth birthday. And if it wasn’t either of those two, I laid awake yearning to be held by strong, chestnut arms. With all that hanging over my head, I pushed the glass door open and stepped into Dr. Winston’s outer office.
I was greeted by the scent of lavender. The space wasn’t too big or opulent, but it was inviting. The smell that wafted through the air and the small waterfall that sat on the bookshelf to the right gave off a calming feeling. I walked past the chairs lined up on either side to head to the front desk.
“Hi, can I help you?” the young blond male receptionist greeted as I approached.
“Yes, Chanel Richards. I have a ten o’clock with Dr. Winston.”
He nodded, then looked to the computer screen in front of him. “There you are. I just need your insurance card and can you fill out these forms for me?” He handed me a clipboard with the typical first-time patient forms attached.
After handing him my insurance card, I went and took a seat to fill out the forms. In the background, I heard him call Dr. Winston to let her know I was there.
“Dr. Winston will be out in five minutes,” he informed me.
“Thank you,” I responded, as I handed him the completed paperwork. Still feeling a little antsy, I opted to stand and take a look around the office. I examined the pictures of the three different psychotherapists who shared the office space. The articles that had been framed and put up on the walls were a testament to each of their abilities. Satisfied with my perusal, I sat and picked up aPeoplemagazine from the coffee table, but before I could get past the first few pages, I heard my name. I looked up into the face of a woman who looked to be in her early to mid-fifties. Her dark curly hair was graying at the temples and her caramel face wrinkled as she smiled.
“Chanel?” She approached me with her hand out.
I stood, taking her hand. “Dr. Winston, a pleasure to meet you.”
“Come, my office is right down the hall,” she informed me, before turning and heading that way.
I followed, noting the two other closed doors we passed on the way.
“Please, have a seat.”
Her office was smaller than I predicted, but comfortable. Her desk was perched in the left corner, next to a large window that looked out onto the downtown street below. On the right, there was a large leather chair and a shelf behind it that held some psychology books and various plants. Again, the scent of lavender permeated the room, and I realized there was a diffuser sitting atop the shelf.
“Does the smell bother you? I can shut this off.” She pointed to the diffuser.
“No. It’s fine. I love the scent of lavender. And is that clary sage?”
She nodded. “I find a warm and relaxing environment helps my clients to open up. Essential oils help me create that type of ambiance.”
I wondered if that was true. “Hmm. My friend Gabby is into homeopathic remedies and such. She’s really into essential oils.” I sat and made myself comfortable on the black leather love seat across from the door.
“Tell me why you came to see me today?” She smoothed down the black midi-skirt she wore to sit in her chair, crossing her legs.
“Um, well, I haven’t been sleeping.”
“And how long has that been going on?”
“A little over a month.”
She looked up at me. “And what happened a month ago?”
I blew out a breath and pushed my hand through my hair. “My world kinda bottomed out.”
She gave me another look but remained silent, allowing me to continue.
