OLIVIA
Sienna
Good luck today, love
Imogen
Remember, as someone who has been to a lot of therapists, tell them how you’re feeling
Imogen
It will suck, but we’re here for you
Sienna
Yes. Come over after and we can decompress with you
Olivia
I love you guys
Imogen
We loveyou
Sienna
xx
Locking my phone, I stuff it into my bag and fold my hands into my lap. I’ve never been more nervous in my life. Plain, beige walls hold photos of trees and the beach. My guess is it’s to put people at ease, but it’s not helping. Can anything really help when you’re going to spill your guts out to a stranger?
I know it helped Tag after his divorce, but will it help me? And the thought of Tag again makes my heart feel like it’s crumbling out of my chest.
“Miss Montrose?” a warm voice calls out for me. Not that it matters because I’m the only one in here. It belongs to an older woman with short, curly brown hair. Glasses sit perched on her nose. “I’m Hannah.”
“Hi.” The plastic chair creaks as I stand, grabbing my coat and bag to follow her back to another room.
This one feels less sterile. Soft music is playing, and the sweet scent of lavender perfumes the air. Plush pillows sit on the couch, and a crystal glows on the small table. There are no pictures of trees or the beach, but bright swatches of color. I don’t know why, but these feel more calm. Soothing.
“You can take a seat on the couch,” Hannah tells me, taking the seat opposite me. “Make yourself comfortable.”
“Thank you.”
Sitting down, I set my bag and coat next to me and cross one leg over the other.
“First time seeing a therapist?” she asks.
I nod. “Is it that obvious?”
“It’s okay. We all have things we need to address at different times. Why don’t you tell me what brought you in today?”
“Okay.”
Perspiration dots my brow as heat chokes my throat.
“Take your time, Olivia.” She gives me a warm smile.
“It’s hard for me to talk about these things.”
