Through the Glass

Chapter 3

Eliza sat at her desk, her fingers lightly brushing over the scattered patient files in front of her. The weight of the day already pressed heavily on her, despite the fact that it was only midday. She let out a sigh and leaned back in her chair, her eyes drifting over the names on the folders. Each one represented a person depending on her, and each came with a set of unique struggles, emotions, and expectations.

Her mind wandered to Mrs. Calloway, her older patient who had been struggling with grief for nearly two years now. Eliza had been trying to help her work through her loss, but lately, Mrs. Calloway's progress had stalled. They needed to revisit the idea of joining a support group—something she had gently suggested before, but now it seemed more urgent.

Then there was Marcus, the young man grappling with debilitating anxiety. His panic attacks had become less frequent, but his recent struggles with insomnia had set him back. Eliza would have to check in on his sleep routine, maybe discuss some new strategies.

Her thoughts drifted to several other patients—Lena with her family trauma, Robert with his high-functioning depression. The list felt endless, each case pulling at her heart, demanding more energy than she had to give. Eliza rubbed her temples, the familiar throb of an impending headache making its presence known. How could she possibly step away when so many people were counting on her?

Her phone buzzed on the desk, pulling her attention away. The message was from Sarah.

Are you eating? Or still glued to that desk?

Eliza sighed, casting a quick glance at the clock. Lunchtime had come and gone without her even realizing it. She had been too engrossed in her patients' needs, too focused on making sure every detail was in place for her next session.

A soft knock at the door made her sit up straighter, though she already knew who it was. Before she could respond, the door opened, and Sarah stepped inside, her red curls bouncing as she took in the scene before her—Eliza sitting at her desk, the stack of patient files untouched beside her.

Sarah's eyes narrowed, though there was a teasing glint in them. "Let me guess, you haven't moved from that chair all day, have you?"

Eliza tried to smile, but it came out weak. "I've been busy."

"Uh-huh," Sarah said, not missing a beat. She walked over to the chair, grabbing Eliza's coat from the back of it and holding it out with a raised eyebrow. "You've got nothing scheduled until 2 p.m., so you're coming with me. We're going to lunch, and you don't get to say no this time."

Eliza hesitated, her hand drifting toward the patient files on her desk. "I really shouldn't—there's still so much to do."

Sarah let out a small, exasperated laugh and shook her head. "Eliza, you're burning yourself out, and you know it. You've got two hours before your next patient. Take a break. You need it."

***

The café was familiar, its cozy warmth wrapping around Eliza as soon as they stepped inside. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm bread filled the air, mixing with the low hum of conversation and the clinking of silverware. It was the same café Sarah always dragged her to, a place that felt like an oasis from the chaos of the outside world. But today, even its charm couldn't ease the tightness in Eliza's chest.

As they entered, Eliza's gaze flickered briefly to a young man seated near the back. His shoulders were hunched, his face turned away, but something about his posture caught her attention. He seemed tense, as if burdened by thoughts that weighed heavily on him. He sat alone, and Eliza felt a brief pang of familiarity, though she couldn't place why.