Chapter Twenty-Five
Alfie
I don’t like giving up on patients. It can harm their recovery and jeopardize any progress they’ve made. However, Mia’s safety is paramount, and moving Nate to an alternative psychologist is essential.
“Hey, Dr. Adams. Where’s Mia today?” Nate asks.
I’d given Mia the day off so she wouldn’t have to see Nate again. I’d insisted it was so she had more time to prepare for her dissertation defense, which was only three weeks away, but her raised eyebrow and pursed lips suggested she saw right through me.
“Come in, let’s have a chat.”
“What’s going on?” he scowls, shoving his hands into his pockets.
I lead him into the office and we take our usual positions opposite each other. Nate’s shoulders are hunched, his fingers red raw as he begins picking at them again.
“Nate, I’ve been thinking about our sessions together, and I think it would be best if I refer you to a colleague of mine.”
“What…Why?” He sounds genuinely confused, which only adds to the niggle in my brain that something is off.
“I believe this particular therapist will suit you better.”
“Is this because I asked about Mia? I’ll stop asking about her.”
“No, this has nothing to do with Mia. This is to do with me. I want to make sure you get the most out of these sessions, and I believe an alternative therapist would do that for you.” I decided against mentioning the notes, and the fact that I saw him waiting for Mia outside the café.
Confronting him at this point would be counter-productive.
It’s better if his new therapist takes the lead on this.
I’ve already made him aware of the situation and he’s agreed to incorporate it into his plan for Nate.
He huffs harshly, his nostrils flaring as his knee bounces relentlessly. “You know I think you’re jealous,” he says.
“What do you mean by that?”
“You’re worried that Mia likes me, and if you help me too much, then she’ll want to be with me and not you.”
“Nate, I can assure you that is not the case.” Not a chance in hell is that happening. Even if she hadn’t been staying at my house every night since last week, there’s no way Mia ends up with Nate, or any other patient for that matter.
“Do you know what? Fuck you. You’re a fucking shitty therapist and a worse fucking boyfriend, I bet. I bet you fuck her missionary every fucking time.” He spits the words out, his mouth curling in disgust.
Attacking my sexual prowess. How original.
“Dr. Abraham will be in touch to arrange your next session. It’s time for you to leave now.”
I won’t tolerate verbal abuse in my practice, regardless of the circumstances. I’ll need to mention this reaction to Dr. Abraham. Making a mental note to contact him tonight.
I get to my feet, opening my office door, and Nate storms past me, jutting his finger into my chest. “Fuck you. I’m going to the judge about this. You can’t just dump me with someone else to protect your girlfriend. I did nothing wrong.”
He sweeps through the waiting room, cursing loudly. He rips open the door, slamming it shut so the blinds jump back against the window.
Once he’s left, a stillness descends on the office, and I jump as I hear a small cough.
“Bad session, Doc?”
“Sean.” I look at my watch. “You’re early.”
“Yeah, the door was open, so I just sat in here to wait rather than my car. Too cold to sit outside.”
“Sure, did you want to get started now?”
“Do you need a minute?” he asks, his lips turning up into a small smirk. This guy gives me the creeps.
“Thank you, but I’m okay.” I check my watch, noting he was forty minutes earlier than his scheduled appointment. “Let’s get started.”
Fuck, I hated patients catching me on the back foot.
Especially when he would have overheard parts of the conversation.
I make a mental note to check the security door as well.
He shouldn’t have been able to get in, but perhaps it was left on the latch as Nate came in.
He certainly walked in a lot calmer than he left.
Sean is still failing to hide the smirk playing on his lips.
Like he knows something I don’t. It feels almost predatory.
I don’t like it, but we’re here now. I can’t reassign two patients in one day, so I need to push through, regardless of whether our sessions are making a difference to his recovery.
◆◆◆
The notes stop after Nate is reassigned, thank goodness.
Mia returned to the office the day after Nate left, but for the last few weeks, she’s been busier than ever.
She’s been going over her questions between patients, at lunch, after work.
She knows every data point, every reference, all her findings, inside and out.
And she can do it all whilst ice skating.
I have no doubt she’s going to smash through her defense.
And I’d even organized a small get-together with everyone from the Dinner Club to celebrate.
It was a surprise, so we could easily cancel in case the impossible happened.
I slip my arms around her waist as she stirs the noodles.
Despite Nate moving to another practice three weeks ago, Mia has stayed here every night since.
Our routine of taking turns to cook, combined with games, Netflix on the sofa, inevitably led to us falling into bed.
She had started coming to the rink with me twice a week as well, and could now skate without the grip of the mountain climber tackling El Capitan.
I’d been surprised she hadn’t bruised me when we first started.
But now, she was crossing her feet and was eager to try skating backward too.
I’d sent a video to Teddy, and all he’d replied was Don’t fuck it up.
I pepper kisses down her neck as she adds a little salt to the water.
“You’re distracting me, Dr. Adams.”
“Hmm, I think you want me to distract you.”
“What makes you think that?”
She tilts her head to the side, allowing me easier access to her neck.
“You called me Dr. Adams for one. Two, you’re practically panting, and three—" I slip my hand into her leggings, discovering her lack of panties, and swipe a finger through her folds. “You’re soaking for me already.”
“We could just order a pizza?”
“After?”
She turns off the gas stove, then spins and jumps into my arms, her legs wrapping around my waist. “After,” she murmurs against my lips.
◆◆◆
“How was your date?” I ask Helen. I’ve only seen her once since I followed her and her neighbor to their line dancing class, and I’m eager to see how their relationship is progressing, if at all.
When she first started her sessions with me, she was so timid.
She spoke mostly in whispers, but now she’s like a completely different person.
She smiles as she enters the room, talking with Mia, her face animated.
She’s gained a little weight, wearing clothes that fit her properly and are bright and patterned, her posture and aura fifteen years younger than the woman who first walked through the door.
“It’s going well. We’re going line dancing again on Saturday. He’s got quite a few moves.” She laughs. “You gonna take your girl out there dancing?”
“We’re not here to talk about me.” I smile, evading the question. Because remembering how Mia looked in her daisy dukes and cowboy boots is enough for me to buy a Stetson and a Carhartt jacket.
“Yeah, yeah.” She waves. “You two are smitten—don’t deny it. You might be here to help me change, Dr. Adams, but I’ve noticed a change in you two in the last few months.”
I smile at Helen; her warm regard for Mia and me is pleasing. More than pleasing. My heart thumps at the thought that someone can see how good we are for each other.
Mia’s dissertation defense is next week, and she should find out straight away if she’s passed.
I have no doubt she’s going to be calling herself a doctor as of next Friday.
I had tried to organize her mom and brothers to come as a surprise, but they’re tied to the farm.
Levi and Angela and most likely Annie will come for her graduation ceremony, but that won’t be for another few months.
“Okay, okay, you know the story. Boy meets girl, boy stupidly waits for three years to make a move. Yaddah, yaddah.” I laugh, and Helen beams.
“Isn’t it nice to be in love again? I forgot how wonderful it can be.” She smiles wistfully, and I think my work might be done. Despite enjoying our chats immensely, I know that my services aren’t really required anymore, and my time would be better spent with someone who really needs help.
I don’t deny her sentiment. It crept up on me slowly and then suddenly all at once. Like when you walk out to sea, taking steps into the shallow water and suddenly you’re plunging into the depths as you reach the edge of the sandbank. It’s subversive, all-consuming, and utterly terrifying.
“It’s unexpected.” I smile, and we sit for a moment appreciating our happiness.
“Dr. Adams, I’ve been thinking. You’ve helped me so much the last few years. I think I’m ready to live life again. I’d like to stay on your books in case anything comes up, but I don’t think I’ll be needing regular sessions anymore.”
Her smile is content, happy. She has the face of someone who is truly ready to live life. She’s resolved to make her own choices.
“Sounds good to me. If you need an appointment for any reason, just give Mia…or my new office manager a call, and we’ll get you booked in.”
“Ah yes, she’ll be moving on soon.” She considers me for a moment. “I don’t think it will be an issue for you two. You’re quite set on each other.”
She stands and sticks out her hand for me to shake.
“So do I pass?” She laughs.
“Yeah, Helen.” I take her hand and squeeze. “You pass.”