Imperfectly Right for Me

Twenty: Therapist Lady

Theo

"Mr. Acquire! Your session begins now!" A woman shouts, and I grumble.

I stand up from the waiting room chair and walk inside of her office. I take a seat on one of the chairs as she follows behind me and closes the door.

"How are you doing today, Mr. Acquire?"

I haven't seen Lily all day, therefore, everyone sucks and I want to die.

"Fucking amazing. Can't you tell by the smile on my face?" I reply with a straight face.

The only reason I am here is because Lily wanted me to. She was about the only one I would go anywhere for.

About a week after everything happened, and Lily was fully moved in with me, she went to the doctor. The doctor gave her medication to help with the pain and nightmares. He also suggested therapy, and she went to it happily. When she came back home, she told me how much she loved it because she got to talk to a lot, but she didn't want to go back because the man was rude and as she said, 'he asked too many serious questions.' I made sure he lost his job and Lily asked me to try it out. I told her no, but look at me now.

I haven't been writing in my journal a lot since Lily makes me actually talk to her about my feelings and bullshit. She continues to try to convince me what happened to her wasn't my fault, but no matter how hard she tries, I can't stop thinking about how selfish I was. I should have noticed what was going on, but instead I was so worried about other things I couldn't tell my girlfriend was being abused by her own fucking mother.

"My name is Gene Harris and I will be your therapist from now on."

I scoff. "I highly doubt that."

She smiles as if I'm joking and nods, "Let's get to know you, shall we?" She takes out a notepad and leans forward. "Have you ever had any suicidal thoughts, Theo?"

"Why, of course not. I just like to go to therapy for fun. It absolutely lights up my world to tell someone I don't know my business."

She sighs, "Mr. Acquire."

I lean forward. "Look, the only reason I am here is because my girlfriend suggested it. I paid for one session."

"Mr. Acquire, I really think therapy could be helpful for y-"

"One. Fucking. Session."

She sighs again. "Okay then, let's move on to a lighter subject." She says, moving closer and I back up. "Who's your favorite person?"

"Lily Hernandez and Cassidy Acquire. In that order."

She smiles, "We're getting somewhere. Who are you most yourself around?"

"Lily Hernandez."

"Whose company do you enjoy the most?"

"Lily Hernandez."

"This Lily person must be very important to you. Tell me about her."

"She came into my life like a goddamn bulldozer and I don't want to ever let her go. She makes me so frickin' happy, as if I've known her all my life and she's the only person I wake up to see. So what? What about it? Are we done?"

She only smiles. "How do you usually express your emotions or feelings, Mr. Acquire?"

"A journal Cass gave me."

"You're not going to tell me who Cass is, are you?"

"Not a fucking chance."

"Have you told Lily about Cass?"