Page 71 of Back to You

“In my head, I do. But there’s still that part of me that can’t let it go, you know?”

“So we need to find that part of you and retrain it. I have homework for you this week.”

Ethan groaned. Sarah’s homework was always brutal.

She smiled at his unease. “This week’s homework is for you to take some time off. Either leave at 5 two days this week, or take one weekend day off. You choose, but we need to try to start convincing that one part of your brain that it’s okay not to work such long hours, that the world won’t collapse around you if you stop.”

“What am I supposed to do with myself?” he wondered out loud.

“That’s up to you.”

“I mean, I don’t have anything other than work in my life. I can’t justify just sitting around watching TV.”

“Why not?”

Ethan made an inarticulate noise.

“I mean it. Why can’t you just spend an evening watching TV? Or reading a book? Are there any hobbies you’ve ever wanted to try? There’s no need to be productive all the time, Ethan. Your brain needs the rest.”

“But …” He stopped. Then tried again. “I get what you’re saying, but …”

“You don’t seem to be able to refute what I’m saying.”

“I will if I can think of a good reason other than ‘I need to work’.”

“That’s your only reason, though, and I’m trying to get you to understand that it’s not a good enough reason to neglect your health and mental wellness anymore.”

With that, their time was up. Ethan was thoughtful as Chauncey escorted him to the door. He gave the dog a pat before making his way to his car.

Could he really just sit around and watch TV or read a book for an entire evening? Or a whole day?

He pondered the question the entire way back to the office, where he sought out Nia.

“Good session today?” she said.

“Yeah, it was something. She gave me homework.”

“I love when she gives you homework. It always seems to make you better.”

“She wants me to leave at 5 two days this week or take an entire day off on the weekend.”

Nia raised her hands to the sky. “Hallelujah!” she cried. “I love this woman, she is on top of this.”

“Nia …”

“Baby, you need to do this.”

“And I will. I really am committed to getting better. But … what do I do with myself? It seems wrong to just sit around watching TV or reading or whatever.”

“It’s not like those are your only two choices,” she said, exasperated. “You could go to the park, or spend time with Lake, or me. You could take up a hobby! Isn’t there something you’ve always wanted to try?”

Ethan thought for a few minutes while Nia took a phone call.

“I guess I’ve always kind of wanted to learn to play guitar,” he said finally when she was done with her call.

“There you go! Take guitar lessons. I’m sure you can easily find someone to teach you.”

“I mean, I do know someone who plays guitar, but he works with Brandon. I always felt like Marcus was more his friend than mine.”

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