Page 37 of Breakaway Hearts

Madison

People die of exposure

“Better late than never.” Dr. Kapoor walks into his office where I’m already waiting, but I think he’s referring to me.

“I thought you were all about whatever keeps me coming back?” I call him on it.

“So I can help you. Not allow you to check out.”

He doesn’t back down, challenging me.

“I cancelled one session. For a very good reason.”

“And showed up this morning requesting an emergency chat,” he points out, not even asking why.

“Pretty sure I asked your receptionist if you had a few minutes today, no biggie.” I shrug like it’s totally not important, because that’s exactly what I did when I showed up this morning.

“My associate speaks reluctant patient fluently,” he assures me as I attempt to stifle my smile.

“I guess this means you figured out what’ll keep me coming?”

“Guilt,” he agrees. “And honesty. Not sugar-coating things. Am I close?”

“Depends how good you are at putting it into practice.”

“I want to ask about your reasons for cancelling, but you have the emergency issue, so…”

“They’re kind of related.”

“I had an inkling.”

“Jason joined the team,” I admit instead of warning him not to think he knows me, which is my first instinct.

“I heard. First time I ever had the chance to participate in water cooler sports gossip, yet I couldn’t break privilege. My colleague actually said, ‘I’ve never heard of Jason Hargraves, but he can’t be worse than the last guy,’ and I said nothing.”

“That’s unfair to Spring,” I point out. The best in high school can be the worst on their college team, but they’re still leagues above the general population. Not that I’d willingly defend a hockey player’s feelings, but it’s always harder to hate on people I’ve met, especially if they were nothing but kind. “But you can tell everyone how amazing Jay is. He was worried about being out for a year and a half, but if his excited ramblings over the past week are any indication, he’s still the best, no confidentiality needed.”

“Noted. Does that mean things are going well?”

“For him, definitely. He’s always been a generally happy guy, but there’s a lot more smiling because he can’t help it, and waking up early with a bounce in his step because he’s doing what he loves.” I want to roll my eyes, because it’s so cheesy and cliché, but I’m also ridiculously happy for him. I focus on that instead of the guilt from taking it away from him for so long.

“And between the two of you?” Dr. Kapoor asks, when I don’t volunteer anything.

“We talk about his game or hockey in general, as if his teammates and the locker room don’t exist. It’s working so far.”

“But…” he presses.

“His first game is tonight,” I say, then wait for his insight.

“Good thing I had a cancellation this morning.”

I give him an expectant look, so he recrosses his legs.

“Did Jason ask you to go?”

“Didn’t even tell me if it was a home game or away, or which day, he just let it slip that it was this weekend.”

“I’d rather not put leading words in your mouth.”