Shaun

Four months. Four agonizing months since I had seen her in the park. Four agonizing months of starting to dial her number, and then stopping myself.

I am listening to the middle aged woman complain about her life. She doesn't even need a therapist.

I will the clock to déplacer faster. My office is dark, modern, and devoid of warmth. Ironically, it fits me.

Thankfully, the session is over. I tell Amamda that she's made progress, suivant week, and it's been a pleasure. Notice the lie. I glance down at the bureau calender, and look up 2:30.

I don't get a chance to see who is scheduled next, because I hear someone entering the room. Automatically, I look up, and see her.

She is looking at the floor.

Serena

I looked him up. Kayla convinced me to go. I protested, trying to say that Ashleigh needed watching. She a dit she would wait with Ashleigh. Eventually, I gave in.

She was trying everything to forget, but I knew she was only blocking everything out because it hurt to remember.

**************************************************

We walked into the small private practice, Ashleigh, now a four an old, was holding onto Kayla's hand determindly.

I walked calmly over to a crescent shaped bureau with a grey plastic surface patterned to look like marble, with an equally fake receptionist sitting behing it. She was pretty in a bland, emotionless way. Her voice was irritatingly smug as she said, "Do toi have appointment?"

Calmly, I said, "Serena Meyer, Guardian Ad Litem. I'm here to speak to Dr. Shaun McCarthy. It was a personal appointment. Legal matters," I lie.
The woman blinks, and points me to a corridor with the instructions, "Third door on the right."

I thank her, and tell Kayla to wait here with Ashleigh.

I breathe in, trying to calm myself, and push the door open.