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“This is the first time in almost a year that you’ve been late,” she answers, still smiling.
“I know, I’m sorry. I’m usually much better with my time management,” I explain, shrugging my gray peacoat off and laying it on the space next to me.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about, Ana,” Naomi says, still smiling. “Losing track of time at work isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It means you were occupied and into your work. Not just waiting for time to pass. I’d say that is a huge victory.”
I stare at her unmoving, and when I realize she isn’t going to say anything else I respond, “Thanks?”
She chuckles before saying, “So tell me about your week.”
I lean back, settling into the couch and crossing my feet at the ankles, glad I wore flats today. “I spent more time helping Elliot and Madeline with their house.”
“Are you enjoying that?” She asks.
“I am, actually. I love spending time with them and it’s actually nice to be occupied in a different way.”
Naomi nods, writing a few things down in her notebook. “What have you been working on this week?”
“Spackling and prepping for paint,” I say. “The new counters were installed yesterday and Maddie had repainted the old cabinets, and they actually look really good.”
“It’s nice that the three of you get to have this time together.”
“Yeah, but I don’t mind having David around also,” I say truthfully.
“David?” Naomi asks, looking up at me, her glasses on the bridge of her nose.
“Yeah, Maddie’s work friend who has been helping us,” I explain.
“You’ve never mentioned David to me before.”
I narrow my eyes in thought. “I must have mentioned him. He is always there with us.”
She shakes her head, “You haven’t. Is he a friend of yours?”
“Uh, I guess he is now?” I answer, unsure. “He works with Maddie at the middle school.”
Naomi stares at me, as if waiting for more. I stare back.
“I think it’s great that you’re building new friendships, Ana,” she says with a smile.
“You make me feel like I’m a kindergartener on the first day of school,” I half-heartedly joke. She gives me a look that says, ‘seriously?’ I laugh. “No, he’s really nice. Easy to talk to.”
“Do you?” she asks, “Talk to him?”
“When I have to,” I say.
“Are you still having a hard time with conversations?” Naomi asks.
“Sometimes, and depending on who it is,” I answer and she nods.
“Do you want to make that your goal for this week? Try having an intentional conversation with David, not just because he’s there with your friends, but because he’s easy to talk to?” Naomi asks.
I want to groan, because no I obviously don’t want to do this. But therapy is often about not only recognizing the areas that need attention in your life, but confronting them. Doing something about it.
“Sure,” I say, even though I’m sure I will try to get out of this goal for the week.
FOURTEEN
NOW, FALL
