A group meeting was completely out of Joan’s comfort zone. “Can’t I just continue to see you?”
“Of course, if that’s what you wish. I’d be happy to work with you. However, I wish you’d give the group at least one try. Afterward, if you decide it isn’t for you, then the two of us can continue as we are now. Deal?”
Although reluctant to agree, Joan felt she didn’t have anything to lose. “Deal.”
“Wonderful.”
“Will you be there?” Joan asked.
“Of course.”
“How large is the group?” She had more questions, and while she’d agreed to attend a session, her mind was already made up; she wasn’t interested in group therapy.
“We currently have eight members.”
At least that number was manageable. She hoped she wouldn’t feel too overwhelmed.
“We meet Wednesday night at seven in the conference room.”
Joan made a mental note of the information. “I’ll keep the commitment, but I don’t really think this is for me.”
Dr. O’Brien nodded, accepting her words. “I appreciate your willingness to give it a try.” She looked at the time, silently letting Joan know the session was over.
She stood, and Joan did as well. They exchanged handshakes. “I’ll see you Wednesday.”
“Wednesday, at seven,” Joan repeated. “Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure. I appreciate how difficult it was for you to make this appointment, Joan. I’m proud of you.”
For the third time that morning, Joan’s eyes flooded with embarrassing tears. She lowered her head as she hurried toward the exit, keeping her gaze on the floor as she fled into the parking lot.
By the time she returned to the house, Joan was emotionally exhausted. The doctor was right. It had taken courage and fortitude to keep the appointment. Nevertheless, it was progress in the right direction. All she needed to do now was continue down this path to life, to recovery, to the future…whatever it might hold.
By the time she made herself a cup of her favorite tea, an orange spice combination, the front door opened, and Maggie came barreling in and raced up the stairs to her room. This was the week of her finals. Maggie had spent nearly the entire weekend in her room studying.
Joan met her at the foot of the stairwell as Maggie came racing down, clenching a bookbag.
“Everything okay?”
“I forgot my textbook. Sorry, I’ve got to run or I’ll be late for class.” She rushed out the door.
Smiling, Joan followed her onto the porch and shouted after her, “You’re going to do great. Relax.”
Maggie gave her a wave and a smile as she rushed to her car.
The young nursing student had been with Joan only a few days and it seemed that the house that had lain fallow for the last four years had come to life. Joan had insisted Maggie join her for dinner over the weekend and they had a lively discussion about the books they’d both read and politics on which they basically agreed, with some differences. Joan appreciated that they could share their opinions without those differences interfering in their genuine liking of each other.
After making herself a sandwich for lunch, Joan called her sister. Emmie seemed pleased to hear from her.
“You called me,” her sister said approvingly. “Instead of me being the one to reach out to you.”
“That’s because I have news,” Joan said, feeling almost giddy.
“Good news, I hope.”
“Very good.” Joan spent the next thirty minutes updating her sister on the positive changes she’d made since her birthday.
“Whoa,” Emmie said, clearly overwhelmed. “You took in a boarder, and you’ve seen a counselor.”
“Yup.”
“Anything else you’ve tackled since we last talked, like the homeless situation in Seattle or world peace?”
“Very funny, but I did find a really good landscaper…one with a heart.” She explained how Phil had stepped in to help with the situation between Maggie and her father.
“Is he cute?”
“Oh, come on, Em, he’s married.” Although he hadn’t mentioned a wife, she’d made the assumption. Before he’d left, he’d said it was time to head home, as dinner would be waiting.
“You’re still young, you know. You could easily remarry.”
Her sister was right. Joan was still young enough to consider another relationship. The truth was, she didn’t want to live the rest of her life alone. However, now wasn’t the time to even think about dating again. She had to heal first, and she was a long way from that happening.
She was about to explain her feelings further when the doorbell rang. Still holding on to the phone, she went to the front door, thinking it might be Phil. He’d been early before and was due within the hour.
Only it wasn’t Phil.
There, standing at her front door, was her son, Nick, with an adorable puppy in his hands.
“It’s Nick,” she told her sister. “I have to go.” She opened the screen door for her son.
“Hey, Mom, I brought you a late birthday gift.” Nick thrust the puppy in her direction.
“Nick, no.” She automatically shook her head. No way did she want a dog, and especially not a puppy. They made messes, stinky ones, and chewed on expensive furniture and shoes. They demanded constant attention and love. She didn’t have the time, the inclination, or the desire for a dog in her life.
“You can’t turn down a gift, Mom,” Nick protested.
“Yes, I can.”
Nick was just as adamant. “You said you were thinking of taking in a boarder, remember?”
“Yes, well…”
“You’re lonely and this dog is the perfect solution.”
Joan continued to shake her head. “He’s not a solution; he’s a nuisance.”
Her son refused to listen. “Look into his eyes and tell me you aren’t smitten.”
“I’m not smitten,” she insisted, while avoiding looking at the dog, who whined softly.
“You can’t resist this, can you?” Nick continued, sounding downright gleeful. “You might think you don’t need a dog for a companion, but you do. I’m here to see that you don’t have a reason to be lonely ever again.”
“I don’t need a dog for a companion,” she repeated, and then added, “because—” She didn’t get to finish as her son cut her off.
“You’ll thank me later, I promise you.”
“Nick,” she pleaded again. “No.”
“Here, take him.” He placed the dog into her arms and hurried down the front steps.
“Where are you going?” Joan shouted after him, intent on giving the puppy back to her son.
“I have food, a crate, and a few toys to entertain him. They’re in the truck. I’ll be right back.” He made a quick run from the truck to the house and set everything down in the small foyer. “Sorry, Mom, I’ve got to run. I’m on my lunch break and I gotta get back to work. Love you.”
“Does he have a name?” she shouted.
Nick shook his head as he hopped inside his truck. “You get to name him.”