“Great. Let’s get started.” She swipes something from the table. “Can you see this pencil?”
“Um. I see something brown.”
“Okay. As best as possible, without moving your head, track the movement with just your eyes.”
Why are my palms sweating? Oh, right, because I can’t see the pencil like I would’vebefore.But I try my best to do as she asks, trying to keep my frustration level down. Yet when my gaze jerks back and forth, I let out a groan.
“It’s okay, Mr. Hall.”
“Please call me Jabari.”
“Jabari, I promise, it’s difficult for everyone who walks into my office. That is why you’re here after all.”
Yeah, that thought doesn’t make me warm and fuzzy inside like she thinks it does.
We do the activity a few more times before she changes it up. This time, she holds two pencils but puts them in my peripheral vision. Automatically my heart rate slows down, and my mind relaxes.ThisI can do. Both pencils are easy to see, but I’m sure Ms. McMillan won’t make it easy for me.
“Okay, for this one, I’m going to move one of the pencils closer or farther away. You tell me which one moved and in which direction. Got it?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I watch the movement. “Left, closer.”
“Perfect.”
“Right, farther.”
“You got this.”
I continue calling out my answers until she places the writing utensils down.
“Headache?” she asks.
“A bit.” I rub my temples, hoping to ease the ache that’s beginning to pulse.
“That’s good. It means we’re exercising the brain. However, now that a headacheisstarting, I don’t want to tax you any further. Too much too soon can have adverse effects. You don’t have anything difficult to do the rest of the day, do you?”
If she didn’t count wondering about who Val’s blind date is and the ways I can innocently show up and interrupt, then no. Of course, I don’t knowwherethey’re meeting, so I may have to wheedle that information out of my new friend first.
Why do you want to interrupther? Don’t you want her to be happy?
Val’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. She deserves happiness. I just don’t think a setup from her little sister is the right answer.
“Mr. Hall? I mean, Jabari?”
Oops. The rabbit trail snagged me. “Sorry. Nothing too difficult.”
“Got it. Let’s schedule some more in-person visits and a time when I can come out to your place.”
I frown. Mom’s arriving this afternoon. Do I want her here for that or...
“Ms. McMillan?”
“Yes?”
“Is there any time in your schedule this morning to come over? My mom flies in this afternoon, and I’d like to be done with the house visit if possible.”
“Hmm. Let me check.”
The keyboard clicks and clacks as she types. “Actually, my noon appointment just canceled. You’re in McLean, right?”
