Page 100 of Rather: The Therapist

That simple, it reminded me of the man my heart had begun yearning for day in and day out. Princeton was a carbon copy of his father. Though children weren’t in my near future, I couldn’t help but wonder if my child would resemble their father.

“Popcorn?”

Princeton responded with a nod of the head.

I took him by the hand, leading him to the extra comfortable sofa in the theater room. I removed his shoes and let him climb up. I tucked him in the Woody blanket and sat his Woody toy right beside him. I grabbed the freshly popped corn and the tray full of healthy snacks that fit right over his legs. I made myself comfortable beside him, underneath the Jessie blanket with my snacks and popcorn.

“Ready?”

Excitedly, Princeton nodded. I pressed play on the remote and began the film. The glistening of his eyes and the captivation of his attention let me know we were off to a great start. I didn’t think we’d get through the entire film in the first session, but we’d push for the full hour. It was just enough without overstimulating him.

By the four minute mark, Princeton had inched closer to me. He tapped the tray, requesting its removal. I sat it on the floor next to the couch for easy access if he needed it.

He snuggled up next to me and began rocking his body back and forth. He was content. Though it might’ve seemed otherwise, he was comfortable. He felt safe.

Good. Very Good.

We were headed in the right direction.

With Princeton’s feet pressed against my leg, I angled my body so I could get a better picture than the first three I’d taken. He was so precious and hadn’t lasted forty-five minutes before he was out cold. Just like his father, he slept with one hand behind his head.

There.

The perfect image filled my screen from one edge to the other. The sound of my doorbell alerted me of Kalvin’s presence. In exactly one hour, he’d pulled into the driveway. For the last few minutes, he stood outside on a call that seemed important from my camera’s view.

Instead of waking Princeton, I headed for the door to let Kalvin in. The coolness of the silk fabric felt good against my skin.

“Don’t tell me you don’t ever, ever– ever ever think about me,” I sang Teyana Taylor’s song lowly.

The lyrics were a bit more relatable, now. They were a bit more real. And, just like her, I knew all good things must come to an end.

“Mr. Valentine.”

When I opened the door, I wasn’t surprised to find Kleigh standing beside her father.

“Kleigh.”

“You ready, babe?”

“I am. But, I have a sleeping Woody in my theater room. I have to send him off before I can join you.”

“I’ll be in the car waiting. If he sees me, it won’t be easy for either of us to get away.”

“So your father has told me.”

“Where is he?” Kalvin asked, turning in every direction in search of a sign of Princeton.

“Right this way–”

I led him down the hallway and into the theater room.

“How did he do?”

He scooped Princeton up and took his shoes from my hand.

“Wonderful. He’s a sleepyhead, so we’ll have to finish it next week.”

“Did he say anything? Did he talk at all?”

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