I glance at Teddy, who gives me a thumbs-up like some kind of coach about to send me onto the field.
I expected to be trained. Or at least given training wheels. Not told to skate down the highway on my first day.
I look around, the other agents are already deep into their own calls, unfazed.
I take a deep breath. “Now or never,” I mutter and press ACCEPT.
Matthew
“Turns out you were right,” I tell Dr. Bart, looking him straight in the eye. “I know I was wrong. And I’m man enough to admit it.”
He doesn’t react much, just gives a small nod, like he expected this.
I take a breath. “But you were wrong too. Brooke liked me in college. So, I have no reason to resent her or any of that.”
Dr. Bart tilts his head. “And all’s well, then?”
I shake my head. “I mean, I believe her. But I’m not…” I trail off, searching for words that don’t make me sound pathetic.
He quietly writes something down in his little notebook. I guess second sessions mean actual notes now.
“Let’s table that for a second,” he says. “You said you grew up in a single-parent household?”
“Yeah.” I nod. “My Ma.”
“And how is your relationship with her now?”
I puff out my cheeks. “I’m… kind of not talking to her right now. Or ever.”
His brow rises.
I tell him, about Aunt Mia, about the lies, about every little detail I learned.
He listens, writes some more, then says, “You said your Ma was your hero. How so?”
I twist my neck, uncomfortable. “I thought she had to finish college while working and being pregnant. She sacrificed her life for me. She didn’t even date. She tried, but I’d throw tantrums, so she stopped. For me.”
Dr. Bart nods slowly. “And you felt like you owed her for it.”
I nod again.
“Why?” he asks simply.
“I just told you.”
He leans back in his chair, calm as ever. “No, you told me what aparentis supposed to do. Not something to be idolized for. Why didyoufeel like you owed her?”
I shrug. Because what else can I do?
He lets out a controlled breath, like he’s frustrated but too professional to show it fully. “Let’s try something else. Did you play sports as a kid?”
“Yeah.”
“Did you invite your mother to watch?”
“Always,” I say without hesitation.
“And did she come?”
