Page 35 of Unhinged

“Well, now. That’s lofty. I like it.”

Finishing with a filing cabinet drawer, I shut it with a clang as I smile. “I guess you could call it lofty. Jackie says he appreciates my dream, no matter how outlandish it may be to others. He’s always believed in me. Even though he and my mom are now divorced, he’s still in my life. I talk to him every day on the phone. I love him. He’s my dad.”

Dr. Abramson’s eyes twinkle from across the room. “Such a beautiful sentiment.” She flips through a psychology journal. “So, have you made any friends or know anyone down here?”

“I only know Amos and now you. Elijah seems nice.”

“He’s newer, so I don’t know him well. Dr. Stanley hired him. Do you miss Richmond?”

“Yeah. I miss my friends.”

She looks up from her book. “Anyone in particular?”

“My friends Camile and Sharla.”

“No boyfriend?”

I wince as I pick up another blue folder. “No! Amos is not my boyfriend.”

Dr. Abramson’s amused expression mortifies me. “I never thought that,” she answers slowly, probably regretting having him as a friend since I’m one of his friend choices.

“Oh. Right. Um, no boyfriend,” I answer again, calmer and saner this time.

“No special person back in Richmond?” She looks at me as if she knows something I don’t about my love life. Or lack of.

I swallow the hurt I thought I swept away for good this morning. Or last week. Or last month. “I thought… No. Just boys who are friends.” What the hell am I doing, confessing anything to a psychologist? Wanting to veer away from that subject, I say, “I love your necklace. Are those birthstones? Do you have any children?”

Dr. Abramson’s hand goes to her necklace while her gaze shifts to her desk as her smile falls. “I do. A daughter and son.” She sighs, and it sounds painful. “But I lost my daughter last year.”

“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

She whiffles her head and looks up at me with a smile that stuns me because it’s so familiar. “It’s fine. She was the light of my life, but she suffered so much. She’s in a better place now.”

“What about your son?”

“My son…is one of a kind, but he’s my pride and joy. His smile is a treasure, but he has done little of that lately. He took his sister’s death hard. I’ve told him to talk to someone about it if he can’t talk to me, but he’s an adult and so…bullheaded.”

I laugh. “Sounds like a few guys I know.”

“He buries himself in work—” Dr. Abramson’s phone rings, and she laughs. “Speak of the devil,” she says to the screen before answering, “Hi, sweetheart.”

Returning to my filing, I watch Dr. Abramson nodding and then warn her son that he isn’t getting out of dinner with her tonight. If it’s anything like dinner with Amos, then I’d bail too.

Greg’s sister also died, but it’s something he never wanted to talk about, not that I pushed. I always wanted to see his smile since it made me wetter than Niagara Falls.

No, it was gutless and condescending. Shut up, you dumb bitch.

“I’ll meet you at the club.” She then rolls her eyes, which looks odd for her. “Just dinner. That’s all. Yes, this will be the last thing I’ll ever ask of you in your life. No, I will not sign a legal document promising that.”

I smile, hearing her negotiating with her son regarding dinner. He sounds almost fun.

When she ends her call, Dr. Abramson is quiet, so I look to see what she’s doing, only to see her staring at me. “Everything okay?” I ask, trying not to pry.

She purses her lips like she’s holding back but then spouts, “Do you have dinner plans this evening?”

Taken aback by that question, I stutter, “No.” Elijah’s turning out to be a fat zero. “Why?” Is she asking me out on a date? Oh, shit. How awkward.

Dr. Abramson’s eyes light up. “You and Amos should join me at the country club for dinner.” Whew. Totally misread that one. Her encouraging smile is welcoming and something I kind of need right now in my life. Still, as they have since Halloween, doubts creep in that I’m not good enough for anyone. When I don’t answer, she says, “I’ll give you Monday off with credit if you come.”

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