From the very start of her career, Hollie has been the shining star of the music scene, captivating audiences with her voice and her infectious energy. But when tragedy strikes at a private party in the Hollywood Hills, her world as she knows it qui...
I made my way into her office just in time for my appointment. She fixed the reading glasses on her face while she watched me enter her space. Today she paired a light blue blazer set and black heels, staying true to her required business casual dress code.
This was the first appointment that I pitched up to in a while since I had cancelled my previous three.
"Holliane, happy to see you could make it," Dr Mallory said, "come on now, have a seat."
She had a welcoming pearly white smile. I returned the smile, but I bet mine had a hint of nervousness. I felt like she was judging me on the inside, even if she would've disagreed with my thoughts.
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Dr Mallory was my Psychologist - a black woman in her mid-fifties who looked to be in her early forties.
I sat down on one of the comfortable velvet couches across from her desk and she joined me on the couch opposite it. She grabbed a clipboard and pen so that she would make notes during our session.
"How have you been doing?" She asked me.
"I've been... okay," I answered calmly, "a lot has happened though, so I'm still trying to get used to it."
"I heard about it on the news - the party you went to," she looked concerned, "I'm sorry about that."
"Yeah, it was... really something. I still don't know how to feel about it."
"It's normal to experience trauma after witnessing the death of someone, even if it wasn't a loved one."
"I get a weird feeling when I think about it."
"How often would you say you think about it?"
I sighed, "at first, I spent so much time thinking about it. But now I don't do it as much, because I'm spending time dealing with the aftermath of it."
"And what has the aftermath been like?" She asked.
"It's been eventful... very eventful," I hissed while shaking my head.
We went into depth about the contract and whatnot. She didn't seem to understand it at first, which didn't surprise me because of her age. But after explaining, she got what it was. Her notes were filling up by the minute.
"And this Raymond guy? You said you have to live with him at least three days out of the week?" She raised her brow.
"Yes."
"And how has that been so far? You've always made me aware of how you value your space."
"It's been..." I paused to think, "strange. Like I'm with a man I barely know for extended periods and we don't have an emotional connection at all. I have to learn how to talk more and be more welcoming, even though I'd rather be quiet. And right now I'm dreading things more because we're alternating tomorrow. I have to go to his place and I can't imagine what that would be like."
