Troy stood. “Gwen is at the health center for a follow-up. I need to head to my doctor meeting.”
* * *
The room waswarm and inviting, yet Gwen felt cold. Lily Black sat in the chair beside her. “Gwen, if it helps, I spoke with Russ and your other therapist. I understand you’ve chosen to permanently change therapists. Any particular reason?”
“I felt safe with you on our first session. I also figure it’s better since I’m putting down roots in San Diego.” Gwen rubbed her hands together.“There also seems like there’s a different vibe in San Diego.”
“I see you’re cold. Can I offer you some tea or a blanket?” Lily asked.
“I’m okay. I mean, I’m not okay. But I’m okay.”
Lily smiled. “I get it. You’ve had a tough couple of days. Tell me about the vibe?”
“More patient-centric and less cold and clinical,” Gwen said.
“Can I pass that on? I’d like our clinical directors to look into that,” Lily asked.
“Sure, if it helps.” Gwen shrugged.
“How are you feeling?” the therapist focused.
“Physically, fine. No pain. Energy is good. Emotionally, I don’t know.” She told her story. “I’ve been coping with what happened for a long time. Now it’s rising like it happened yesterday… I guess, now it really matters. I mean…I have feelings for someone. Is this happening because of that?”
“I don’t know. Does he know how you feel?”
“Yes… but I haven’t been with anyone since my surgeries, since I was found.”
Lily leaned in closer.“Does he know what happened to you?”
“Mmhmm. It’s Mr. Bremen. You won’t tell him about what I’m saying?”
“Not unless you’re a danger to yourself or others, and if that were the case, I’d notify Mr. Dupart or Mr. Brennan. I sense there’s more to it.” Lily cocked her head.
“I don’t know if I can do anything,” she admitted.
“Have you touched yourself since?”
Gwen closed her eyes. “No…I’m afraid I’ll freak out.”
“And if that happens, what’s your plan?”
“I can call you. I can’t be a burden to Troy. He’s got a big surgery coming up, not to mention that report. He’s doing an interview tonight.” Gwen gave a list of every reason why she couldn’t ask him for help to sort out her scary feelings.
“For now,if you feel like freaking out, you call here. I’d urge you to think about what going to Troy means to you. What you’re afraid of.”
Gwen nodded.He’s not Will.
“We’re done for today. Tomorrow, same time?”
“Fifty minutes go fast. Thanks, Lily.”
“Remember I’m a phone call away. And keep your journal.”
* * *
Troy toldher Zach would be waiting for her after her session, and he was. She looked up at him, and a shudder ran through her. Inside a small conference room, he leaned back in the chair across from her.Wes sat beside her.
“This is Zach Wentworth and Wesley Crockett, June third, interviewing Miss Gwendolen North.” He followed it with her new home address. “Gwen, tell us about yourself.”
