slowly into the seat again
as shifting emotions played over her face. “He’s not my type,” she finally
said. “Not even close.”
“You have a particular type of
person you will accept as a friend?”
“You know what I mean. I didn’t
think we were talking friendship here.”
“Why not? Isn’t friendship the best basis upon which to build any relationship?” Dr.
Camden studied her before making a note on her pad.
“I’ll have to give some thought to
all this.” Sue picked at her fingernail.
“Fair enough,” Dr. Camden said.
“Did you bring your journal?”
Sue gave the doctor an apologetic
smile. “No. I don’t have much in it yet.”
“Okay. But Sue, I really believe
writing about your experience could be therapeutic. I’m hopeful you will bring
it with you to your next appointment. I expect you to take an active role in
your recovery; be involved in the process. This is something we’re doing as a
team. Do you think you can do this?”
“It’s hard, but I’ll try.” Sue
spoke hesitantly.
“Sue, this is for your benefit. I
expect to see the journal at your next appointment.” The doctor’s tone was
firm. “Now, tell me how you’re doing today.”
Sue filled the rest of her
appointment time with her plans for taking self-defense courses. The doctor encouraged
this pursuit and suggested some books she could read for emotional empowerment
as well. “Don’t neglect your psyche,” she advised. “It’s all part of the
equation.”
By the time Sue met Melvin in the
waiting room she was excited to start on her plans to rebuild her life. To remake herself. To become strong.
On the ride home, she found herself
chatting and was surprised to discover Melvin was actually pretty easy to talk
to.
As they moved down
Main
Street , Sue spotted the coffee shop where she used
to meet Joyce. Clearing her voice she asked, “Would you like to get something
to drink?”
Glancing sideways at Sue, Melvin
stuttered, “Uh, um, sure. That sounds like a good idea.” A car pulled out of a
parking spot and Melvin snagged it. They walked in silence to the shop.
“What do you want?” Melvin asked. “My treat.” When Sue started to protest, Melvin held up a
hand. “If we ever come again, you can buy.” He blushed as a
certain awkwardness crept over the situation.
“That’s okay. I’d rather pay for my
own,” Sue said quietly in a tone she hoped wouldn’t hurt his feelings; she
didn’t want him thinking this was a date or anything.
She caught a trace of mocha in the
air and almost gagged reflexively. Her hand went to her mouth. With difficulty,
she fought the urge, swallowed hard, and the feeling slowly passed. No one
seemed to notice her small private struggle.
Once at their table, Melvin added
three heaping teaspoons of sugar to his coffee and Sue sipped her soda as the
two searched for something to talk about. She finally decided to bring up the
self-defense courses she was scheduled to start tomorrow.
“Self defense? That’s really cool.”
“Yeah, well, it was actually
Roxie’s idea. She’s a nice lady.”
Smiling broadly, Melvin agreed.
“She is that. She and Will are like family to me. They’ve pretty much taken me
under their wings; they give me research jobs and they let me work around my
college schedule.”
“What are you studying?”
“Criminal Justice
to start with. I’m not sure about later.”
“Wow, really. That’s interesting.”
Conversation stalled for a minute
before Melvin broke the silence. “You know, you could add firearms training
along with your self-defense classes.”
“Firearms
training?” Sue pretended to mull over the idea as if it hadn’t occurred
to her already. “I think maybe that’s a good idea. Can a person carry a weapon
in Maine?”
“Well, Maine
is a shall-issue state.” When Sue looked confused, Melvin continued. “That
means concealed carry permits can be issued to a qualified applicant. After a
background check, the
as shifting emotions played over her face. “He’s not my type,” she finally
said. “Not even close.”
“You have a particular type of
person you will accept as a friend?”
“You know what I mean. I didn’t
think we were talking friendship here.”
“Why not? Isn’t friendship the best basis upon which to build any relationship?” Dr.
Camden studied her before making a note on her pad.
“I’ll have to give some thought to
all this.” Sue picked at her fingernail.
“Fair enough,” Dr. Camden said.
“Did you bring your journal?”
Sue gave the doctor an apologetic
smile. “No. I don’t have much in it yet.”
“Okay. But Sue, I really believe
writing about your experience could be therapeutic. I’m hopeful you will bring
it with you to your next appointment. I expect you to take an active role in
your recovery; be involved in the process. This is something we’re doing as a
team. Do you think you can do this?”
“It’s hard, but I’ll try.” Sue
spoke hesitantly.
“Sue, this is for your benefit. I
expect to see the journal at your next appointment.” The doctor’s tone was
firm. “Now, tell me how you’re doing today.”
Sue filled the rest of her
appointment time with her plans for taking self-defense courses. The doctor encouraged
this pursuit and suggested some books she could read for emotional empowerment
as well. “Don’t neglect your psyche,” she advised. “It’s all part of the
equation.”
By the time Sue met Melvin in the
waiting room she was excited to start on her plans to rebuild her life. To remake herself. To become strong.
On the ride home, she found herself
chatting and was surprised to discover Melvin was actually pretty easy to talk
to.
As they moved down
Main
Street , Sue spotted the coffee shop where she used
to meet Joyce. Clearing her voice she asked, “Would you like to get something
to drink?”
Glancing sideways at Sue, Melvin
stuttered, “Uh, um, sure. That sounds like a good idea.” A car pulled out of a
parking spot and Melvin snagged it. They walked in silence to the shop.
“What do you want?” Melvin asked. “My treat.” When Sue started to protest, Melvin held up a
hand. “If we ever come again, you can buy.” He blushed as a
certain awkwardness crept over the situation.
“That’s okay. I’d rather pay for my
own,” Sue said quietly in a tone she hoped wouldn’t hurt his feelings; she
didn’t want him thinking this was a date or anything.
She caught a trace of mocha in the
air and almost gagged reflexively. Her hand went to her mouth. With difficulty,
she fought the urge, swallowed hard, and the feeling slowly passed. No one
seemed to notice her small private struggle.
Once at their table, Melvin added
three heaping teaspoons of sugar to his coffee and Sue sipped her soda as the
two searched for something to talk about. She finally decided to bring up the
self-defense courses she was scheduled to start tomorrow.
“Self defense? That’s really cool.”
“Yeah, well, it was actually
Roxie’s idea. She’s a nice lady.”
Smiling broadly, Melvin agreed.
“She is that. She and Will are like family to me. They’ve pretty much taken me
under their wings; they give me research jobs and they let me work around my
college schedule.”
“What are you studying?”
“Criminal Justice
to start with. I’m not sure about later.”
“Wow, really. That’s interesting.”
Conversation stalled for a minute
before Melvin broke the silence. “You know, you could add firearms training
along with your self-defense classes.”
“Firearms
training?” Sue pretended to mull over the idea as if it hadn’t occurred
to her already. “I think maybe that’s a good idea. Can a person carry a weapon
in Maine?”
“Well, Maine
is a shall-issue state.” When Sue looked confused, Melvin continued. “That
means concealed carry permits can be issued to a qualified applicant. After a
background check, the
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