Thank you, for listening

Chapter 20 : Unspoken Understandings

The therapy room was filled with the soft hum of the air conditioning, a comforting background noise that enveloped Lucy Chen and Tim in a familiar cocoon. The walls, adorned with calming artwork, seemed to absorb the tension that often accompanied conversations about personal growth and career aspirations. Today, however, the atmosphere was light, yet charged with an undercurrent of anticipation.

Lucy sat across from Tim, her notebook resting on her lap, ready to dive into a conversation that had been lingering in the back of her mind. Tim, dressed in his police uniform, looked both relaxed and alert, a subtle mix of professionalism and ease that suited him well.

"Hey, Tim," Lucy began, her voice warm and inviting. "I wanted to check in about your promotion to Sergeant. How are you feeling about everything?"

Tim's expression shifted slightly, a mix of excitement and apprehension crossing his features. "Honestly? I'm pretty excited about it," he replied, leaning forward in his chair, his hands clasped together. "But I'm also kind of nervous. I know there are a lot of expectations that come with a promotion."

Lucy nodded, encouraging him to continue. "That's understandable. What specifically are you feeling nervous about?"

"I guess it's just that I learn best when I'm actually doing something," Tim explained, his brows furrowing in thought. "Like, if I can jump into a project or a task, that's when I feel I really get it. But with this promotion, I'm worried about all the theoretical stuff. Meetings, presentations—it's just a lot of pressure."

As Tim spoke, Lucy listened intently, sensing the passion behind his words. She could see how much he valued hands-on experiences and how he thrived when engaged in practical applications of his work. But there was a hint of something deeper—a struggle he hadn't fully articulated yet.

"Have you talked to your supervisor about your learning style?" she asked gently.

Tim shrugged, a flicker of frustration crossing his face. "Not really. I don't want to come off as someone who can't handle the responsibilities. I mean, I want this promotion. I just wish I could find a way to make it work for me."

Lucy took a moment to process his response, her mind racing with thoughts of how to help him. The silence stretched between them, comfortable yet laden with unspoken truths. Then, she hesitated, sensing the weight of what she was about to say.

"Tim," she started slowly, choosing her words carefully, "you might have a learning disability."

He looked at her, disbelief flashing in his eyes. "What? No way. I'm just... I just learn differently."

"I get that," Lucy replied, her tone steady. "But sometimes those differences can align with specific learning disabilities. It's okay if that's the case. It doesn't change your capabilities or your potential."

Tim shook his head, a stubborn look crossing his face. "I don't think so. I've always done fine in school and work. I just need to find the right way to learn, that's all."

Lucy sighed, feeling the frustration building between them. "Tim, it's not about being fine or not. You're a kinesthetic learner, and that's perfectly valid. It just means you might excel more in environments where you can actively participate rather than just sitting and listening."

Tim leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he processed her words. "Kinesthetic learner? That sounds like a fancy term for 'doesn't pay attention.'"

Lucy laughed softly, shaking her head. "Not at all! It means you engage with your surroundings in a way that helps you retain information. It's a real learning style, Tim. Just like auditory or visual learners, it's about how you process information best."