PROLOGUE
“Are we… talking about it or no?” Dr. Berry's words stretched out of her mouth slowly. Nina Marcelle was her biggest client. Did Nina know that? No, but she carried herself like she attracted other clients of her caliber. It wasn’t often that a therapist had a billionaire on her couch on a weekly basis. In these days and times, people preferred virtual sessions, but not this chick. Dr. Berry traveled across town to meet with Nina. She was heavily compensated for her time because it wasn’t guaranteed that Nina would be available to start when she arrived. She was a boss and sometimes meetings ran over and shit. Nina respected her therapist and considered the inconvenience that she caused by asking her to leave the comfort of her office or home, depending on where she worked for the day. So, Dr. Berry had her own office atMarcelle & Co.,and on Tuesdays, she was picked up by a driver and brought to the headquarters.
Dr. Berry was offered lunch and had access to all the amenities that came in the benefits and compensation package that was given to the employees on payroll.
Today, Nina was the one waiting for her to get started. Her meeting wrapped early, but to her surprise, Dr. Berry was on acall and needed ten minutes. Nina was shocked, but what could she do about it other than wait?
The first question Dr. Berry asked when they finally initiated the session caused Nina to tense up.
“You want to talk about Jio’s funeral?” Nina asked for clarification.
What was there to possibly discuss? She didn’t need to decipher the details of the longest and saddest day of her life.It is what it is… or at least, that’s what she kept saying over and over again, hoping she would believe it.
“We can start wherever you want… you’ve canceled our last few sessions. Is today your first day back in the office?”
Nina’s eyes widened. “I didn’t take any time off.”
Dr. Berry was shocked to hear that and the expression on her face gave it away.
“Was I supposed to?”
“Uh… I think that it was ultimately up to you, but I’m wondering if work couldn’t have waited for a few days to give yourself time to properly grieve.”
She had to choose her words very carefully with this particular client.
“We knew that this day would come.”
Dr. Berry was aware of Jio’s diagnosis but that didn’t mean anything.
“Just because you were expecting it doesn’t take away the pain and sadness. He was your son’s father, and if we’re being honest… he was the love of your life. I was saddened to hear of his passing and I’d never even met the man.” She said all of that to say, “I don’t think we should brush over this, Ms. Marcelle.”
Her words were sincere. Nina knew it but she didn’t have it in her today. She had a lot of work to do anyway.
“I should’ve canceled today’s session. I’m sorry for wasting your time.” She uncrossed her legs and placed them on the floor as she prepared to stand.
This was typical Nina though. The second she felt things growing out of her capacity, or if she was faced with an uncomfortable truth, she tried to bring a session to a close.
Dr. Berry concluded about a year or so ago that this was her norm. She ran from her problems. She avoided staring at her reflection in the mirror. Dr. Berry told Nina one day,“I can’t help you if you don’t allow me to.”
Did she take heed? No, not really. but Dr. Berry stuck by her side because she truly believed that Nina wanted to grow. She needed to heal, and in due time, Dr. Berry was confident that she would.
“What are you feeling right now? Let’s wind it back and start there.”
She knew how to coddle her client. Nina was walking around with a lot of pent-up pressure and emotions, and it was evident on her face. She saw it in her cheeks and jawbone and her shoulders were hiked up. She could tell that she hadn’t had any sleep nor did she have peace.
Nina didn’t look like she planned to answer the question.
“Can you give me one word at least?” Dr. Berry asked.
“What time do I have to process my feelings? We’re on the verge of a huge drop. It’s tax time. I have to fire my Vice-President because he can’t stop flirting with every piece of coochie that walks in his office. My mother is two seconds away from not recognizing anyone anymore. My house needs a roof. Jio was supposed to take care of it and then-”
She paused.
Her bottom lip began to tremble. Before she could bat a mink eyelash, her body quaked, and the dam had finally broken.
It was way past due.
Tears fell down her face. She closed her eyes, trying to find composure that wasn’t discoverable.
