Dr. Skye Series: "Trapped"

Session 8

By this time, I had made my way to the office. Miss Amy was sitting at her desk when I walked in the doors. I greeted her with a smile and good morning. She looked excited to see me. I forgot to tell her I was meeting with Pastor Johnson this morning. Miss Amy is a jokester, "Boy, there you go. I was about to put out one of those Amber Alerts for you."

I could not help but laugh, "No. How was your night?" Today must be the day off oversleeping because Miss Amy said she overslept too. That had me concerned. She is usually up with the chickens. She answered my expression quickly. "I was up most of the night praying. God gave me a revelation."

That last sentence quickens my spirit. I felt like running around the office. I could hear my mom's voice, "When I think of the goodness of Jesus!" When she would say those few words. I would get so happy and excited about God. Shalonda would get a good laugh out of me, and baby girl Carly would see me run and take off running. I miss them so much. I could not let Miss Amy see me in my feelings this morning, so I brushed it off with a "Glory to his name!"

Then she starts grinning. "Oh yeah, by the way, I brought you a surprise this morning too." A surprise? What could she have gotten me already? I do not think it is my birthday. That is in March, and it is in October. It could not have been an office anniversary gift. We moved in here around August. My mind was wandering. What could this gift be?

She made me cover my eyes. "I felt down and out yesterday, so I went home and made you this." I smelled the lemon glaze icy. My mouth started to water, and I could taste the sweetness of one of her homemade pound cakes. "Miss Amy, a whole cake? You didn't have to do that."

I didn't want to be greedy and grab the cake run. I sat on the sofa in the waiting area, inviting Miss Amy to have a conversation. I could not wait to vent and tell her what happened this morning. We have these talks on Monday mornings, but this week I was so busy trying to rejuvenate myself we didn't get around to it. Every Monday, Miss Amy would have my coffee on the coffee table in the lobby. She would be sitting there ready to discuss our weekend, weekly goals, and challenges. "I didn't make your coffee this morning, sorry." "It's ok. Pastor Johnson and I had breakfast this morning."

Miss Amy had a sit beside me, "I didn't know that man knew what morning was." It is crazy and funny everyone knew Pastor Johnson was not a morning person. I started talking, "Miss Amy, you are something else. We started our counseling session today." She replied joyfully, "You mean to tell me the doctor needs counseling?"

Sighing, I replied, "Yes, we can help everybody else, but at the end of the day, everyone needs someone to vent to. Not to brag, I may be one of the best physiologists in the area, but this last event took a toll on me, and I have to let it out."

"Oh baby, I understand. Big Momma used to say all the time it's better out than in."

I took out my iPhone 11. Searching my notes to share with her what we talked about. "He gave me a few challenges to work on this week. One is easy. The other one is...(I paused)... I have to step outside of my comfort zone." Miss Amy looked at me with her full eyes, placed her hand on my knee, then said, "Well, if there is any way I can help you, just let me know."

If anyone, I could always count on Miss Amy to had me accountable. "Well, two things you can do to make the process easy for me...maybe three." She rolled her eyes, "Oh Lord, I may have spoken too quickly."

"One, hold me accountable to praying daily. Two, keep making me smile with your delicious cakes."

She wiped her forehead. Expressing relief, "Owe, I thought you were about to give me something hard to do. I can handle that starting now. Have you prayed today?" I told you she is the one that always holds me accountable, "No, I haven't."

She grabbed my hands and prayed, "Dear God of healing and peace. We are standing here on one accord, acknowledging we are sinners and have done wrong. We ask that you strengthen us and help us overcome the hurt of past life events. Give us peace to endure the days ahead. Amen!"

"Amen. I love you, Miss Amy." I leaned over to hug her. She gives those tight bear hugs. Just grandmother would give. Unexpectedly I started tearing up. Not in sadness but in peace because I knew everything would be alright. She must have felt a teardrop on her shoulder. She gave me some balled-up tissues with a red lick-stick stain. "Here is some tissue. Glad I can put a smile on your face."

I wiped my eyes and asked, "Any appointments today?" "No sir, you are a free man today." I was excited. Since I was blessed this morning with breakfast. I was going to bless her with free lunch. Blessings are like a domino effect. You just keep passing it on. "Good, don't worry about lunch today. We are going out to eat, my treat."

Miss Amy loved to eat. She jumped up, ran to her desk, and got her purse. "Where are we going?" She asked, following me out the door. "Don't worry about that. Get in the car." I was locking the door and changing the sign to lunch. She beat to the car. "You don't have to tell me twice."

After a short 30 min drive full of laughter and conversation, we pulled up to a building that looked like an old wooden shack on the outside. "Welcome to Aunt Mae's Kitchen." It is a Bistro that sells soul food from down south food; beans, greens, potatoes, lamb chops, beef steaks, pig feet, etc.

Her face glowed like a hot air balloon at night. "Boy, you know I love some good soul food." I had to get her back. "Just don't get too full."

After eating and enjoying more great memories, Miss Amy looked at me. "What's on your mind? I can tell something is bothering you."

I could hide it no longer, "Do you know anything about Principal Nathaniel's?"

"I know he died a few months back. Why?"

"I was talking to Jasmine, and she said his grandson went missing the same night as the accident."

Miss Amy always knew the right words to say. She had true Proverbs wisdom. "You are trying to play CSI. Stop stressing and let the real men do their job."

"But they haven't reached out to me," trying to justify my reason.

"Sometimes you have to reach out to them. I know our time is not God's timing, but faith without work is dead. I am not telling you to do their job. Make sure they are doing their job." That one line has stuck with me.