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Pulling into a parking lot off the street, my breathing is shallow and quick. After parking, we step out and make our way to the clinic. With each step, my heart pounds a little harder and a little louder.
Brielle takes my hand, and we head inside. It’s large and spacious, and there’s soothing music playing in the background.
The receptionist looks up. “Good afternoon, ladies.” Her voice is so soft and kind, she sounds almost angelic. How does she do that?
Brielle waits for me to respond, but I say nothing. She exhales taking the lead. “This is Jenifer Taylor. She has an appointment with Dr. Lovett at one o’clock.”
The receptionist gives me an understanding smile. “Hello, Jenifer, I’m Tracey. Please fill out this paperwork for me and bring it back when you’re finished.”
I take the forms, and we sit in the waiting room. There are three pages of information to fill in. It’s a little overwhelming, but I do my best and take it back to the desk.
“Thanks, Jenifer. Deanna will be with you shortly,” she says the words so kindly, it makes me want to be her friend. But I guess that’s all part of her training in a place like this.
Returning to my seat next to Bree, my leg starts to bounce up and down on the spot. I hold my hands together, but I can’t help fidgeting with my thumbs.
Bree eventually gently places her hand on my knee, stopping it from agitating.
I sigh.
“It’s going to be fine, Jeni. I’ll be right here with you.”
I hear people talking, sparking my interest. I glance up and see Dr. Lovett, and I’m guessing a patient walking toward the front desk. They’re both laughing, and the patient seems really happy, which is the exact opposite of what I thought I’d see here. I imagined people crying and generally being despondent.
“Have a great weekend, Jo, and I’ll see you in a month,” Dr. Lovett says. She picks up my file and looks it over, raising her eyebrows at something I’ve written, then she calls, “Jenifer Taylor?”
I stand apprehensively.
“Nice to meet you. Would you like to come with me?” she asks kindly and starts to walk off.
“Is it all right if my friend, well… she’s actually going to be my sister-in-law. Now I’m babbling…” I take a breath. “Can she come in with me?”
Dr. Lovett smiles. “As long as you’re comfortable talking in front of her, it’s fine with me. However, if at any time you feel uncomfortable, then you must tell me,” she replies.
We follow her, and the room is nothing like I’d imagined. I was picturing one of those sofas where the patient lies down and for it to be stark and sterile, but it’s the complete opposite. There’s a large wooden desk with two dark brown loveseats facing each other and a dark brown table in between. A beautiful plush, bright red rug lights up the room. There’s a full-length window covering one entire wall looking out to a pond with ducks swimming on the surface of the water.
Instantly, my nerves are calmed.
Dr. Lovett closes the door after we walk in, and I can’t help but smell the aroma of something beautiful in the air too. Maybe lavender?
“Now, first things first. Please call me Deanna or Dee, whichever you prefer. It says on the form you like to be called Jeni. Is that right?” she asks, gesturing for us to sit on the sofa.
I nod and sit, and Dee sits across from us on the other sofa.
“Jeni, would you say you’re normally a reserved person?”
“Not normally, no,” I reply quietly.
Bree
takes my hand.
“You have nothing to be nervous about. I won’t repeat anything you share in here. It stays between you and me. I can tell you’re hesitant to open up to me, which is understandable, but more importantly, I can tell you’re hurting, Jeni. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here today. It would be good to have a chat, so we can remove some of that weight off those shoulders of yours. Don’t you think?”
“Yes… yes, please.”
“I see you have a beautiful engagement ring on your finger. Would you like to talk about your fiancé?” she asks kindly.
My face instantly lights up in a smile. “He’s amazing, the best a girl could ask for. He’s caring, supportive, and loves me more than anything. His name is Aiden.”
