Page 79 of Intentional Foul
Jhae and I sat in Dr. June’s waiting room for an after-hours visit. My wife preferred a video session, but I pushed for an in-person visit. In my opinion, it’s important for her to meet Dr. June because we will be familiar with her office. We are a young married couple with money and fame. Somewhere down the line, we would need support.
“Please come back,” Dr. June said as she stepped outside the door.
She gave me a warm smile. Jhae stood but hesitated. She gripped my arm, managing not to scratch me with her coffin-shaped nude nails. After entering the office, we sat on the couch. Jhae snuggled next to me, leaving no opportunity for space. It isn’t often she sits next to me. She’s usually in my lap while we watch TV or if I’m in the studio. I rested my arm behind her head on the back of the couch. Dr. June gathered her tablet and sat across from us.
“Dr. June, this is Jhae, my Music Note,” I said.
Many of the sessions were about the woman I loved. Dr. June had talked me down from my jealous rages at seeing her talking to other guys. She gave me ideas on how to express myself, which prompted the gift giving.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jhae. Before we dive in, I want to assure you, this session will be confidential. Please tell me more about you, Jhae,” she said.
My wife sighed before saying, “I’ve never done this before.”
Dr. June gave us both a warm smile.
“How about you tell me what is relevant for me to know,” Dr. June said.
Jhae gave weak, open palms before she answered. “I’m thirty years old, no children. I’m from a small town in Missouri. My mother died while I was in college. No siblings. Daddy issues.”
“How did your journey lead you to L.A.?” Dr. June asked.
Jhae crossed her legs and placed her hand on my thigh, something she did without realizing it.
“I buried my mother and sold her house. In her will, she told me to live my dreams and travel. At the time, I was dating my ex. He was recruited to the Basketball League and signed to San Francisco. Anissa was his agent, and she rescued me. My ex cheated because the sun shined. We fought. He put me out and Anissa gave me a place to live then launched my career. She is the only family I have, or… had,” Jhae said.
I bit down hard on my bottom lip as my nostrils spread.
“Malcolm, would you care to express in words what’s written on your face,” Dr. June said.
“I grow upset when she jumps to a conclusion. She doesn’t know if Mom will accept the relationship or not. Anissa Shaw is not the big bad wolf,” I said.
Jhae snatched her hand away. “You are her child. Nothing is going to happen to your relationship. I’m not safe from her cutting me off. What don’t you understand about that?”
“Alright, let’s relax and breathe. In and out. In and out,” Dr. June coached.
She shifted her legs toward me. “Malcolm, you heard the conclusions, but what I heard Jhae say was she’s preparing for the worst. She wants to keep Anissa, but it’s not likely to happen because the dynamics of your relationship are different. She’s expendable, but you are not,” Dr. June said.
“Thank you! Finally, someone heard me. I love Anissa. She is a big sister and a friend. But we crossed the line. I wish it wasn’t all or nothing, but it is,” Jhae interrupted.
I reflected on Dr. June’s insight into Jhae’s perspective and tried to view this from Jhae’s point of view. My mind couldn’t piece together Mom writing us off because of the things she taught me to do, love.
“Malcolm, for the remainder of the session, I want you to listen to your wife. Try envisioning things from her lens,” Dr. June asked, and I surrendered with my hands.
Chapter Fourteen
Sound Check
Jhae
Icrossed my legs, shifting away from Malcolm because he still couldn’t hear me.
“Your body language suggests you are angry, Jhae. Can you express it with your words? Malcolm will not interrupt,” Dr. June said.
I peered over to him, trying to read his body language, but it gave no clues. He had mastered a blank stare.
“Jhae, do not censor yourself in fear of upsetting Malcolm. Holding yourself back is not fighting fair, it’s weaponizing suppressed emotions. Malcolm has tools to say what’s bubbling inside and I am here to guide you through it,” Dr. June said.
She had a pair of caring brown eyes and soft facial features.
