Hetty and Ryan: Overcome

Therapy

After spending that entire afternoon at home in a frenzied state, the small Starbucks latte causing his heart to race like a mouse's, Ryan called to make an appointment with his therapist. He missed Dr. James. He had never found anyone he trusted as much as his counselor from adolescence.

Thinking about Dr. J, Ryan considered how he would probably be an alcoholic or something by now if he hadn't learned the value of therapy after his dad died in eighth grade. He had always been outwardly confident but deeply sensitive and emotional on the inside.

Case in point, he spent the whole evening rewriting and reworking the melody to a song he had been composing since a certain day in August when his life had suddenly been turned upside down. As he played, he heard his phone buzzing several times and ignored it, sucked into his artistic zone.

Hours later, he was finally satisfied and put down his guitar, stomach growling. He picked up his phone reluctantly, knowing whoever had been texting him would be a disappointment.

There was a voicemail from his mother reminding Ryan she was coming into town on Friday. The thought of seeing his mom was comforting, but he was still plagued by a hollow feeling in his chest.

Ryan had also received a text from Tiffany.

Hi Ryan! I'm still waiting for an invite to your next gig. ;) Don't be shy.

Fuck. This girl would not quit. He thought about what his sister had said to him a few weeks back about opening himself up to people. The problem was, he had opened himself to the wrong girl. His whole God damn heart, wide-open and exposed. Hetty had gone back and forth with him so many times that his heart was now a giant, gaping, bleeding, raw wound with no chance of healing. He suddenly felt a flash of vague anger.

He texted Jason and Lamar in a group chat.

Hey guys. I'm playing at the Garage on Saturday night. Want to come? I promised Tiffany I'd invite her but I don't want it to be a date.

Jason texted back immediately.

I'm there!!! I might even have a hot date to bring, woot woot!

Lamar responded a couple minutes later.

Of course, man. We'll be there. Maybe you should make it a date - with Tiffany. She's smokin' and she's super chill.

Ryan sighed.

I don't know, man. I just don't feel that way about her.

Jason chimed in:

Hung up on someone else? Hmmmm, I wonder who that could possibly be?!

Lamar:

Dude, I think your other girl is unavailable.

Jason:

Here's an interesting thought. Why don't you invite her and her fiancé? Then you can scope out the situation.

Lamar:

Dude, what's there to scope out? She's taken.

Jason:

Haven't you seen the two of them together at school? She looks at him, too. Maybe things are rocky with the fiancé. It's worth a shot, Ryan!

Ryan had yet to comment in the entire text chain. He sighed laboriously. Then he created a new group chat.

Hey, "young people" of Walnut Grove. I'm playing at the Garage this Saturday at 8:00pm. Come hang out if you want. Feel free to bring yourself, friends and your significant others as applicable.