To Infinity

First Meeting

I woke up earlier than normal, it was a different sensation I hadn't felt since graduation last May. I rolled over and placed a tender kiss on her forehead before actually getting up. I uncovered myself from the blanketed bed and wiggled my feet into my turtle slippers. Morning is such a beautiful time of day, it feels like it has its own special beginning every time the sun come up over the ice crusted valley. Morning is a blank canvas that sun paints on throughout the day. I can't wait to see what the sun paints for me on this frothy day.

The smell of coffee and the clatter of pans must have woken her up.

"Good morning sunshine!" I say as she groggily enters the kitchen.

"Good morning, why are you up so early?" She asks me half asleep.

"I'm making breakfast for us to eat together before work, and then I'm packing your lunch." I explain while I mix my strawberry lemonade pancake batter. She comes up behind me and wraps her arms around my middle as I mix the batter together, then whispers in my ear, "You look beautiful in the morning sunlight." Then she goes and sits down at the breakfast bar, and I bring her a cup of coffee, just the way she likes it.

When breakfast is ready we sit together at the bar and eat our pancakes. She likes syrup on her pancakes even when their sweeter, I prefer whipped cream on mine. In my opinion you can never have pancakes without whipped cream, no matter how old you get. She cleans up the dishes, and I make our lunches. Turkey sandwich with mayo, honey mustard, lettuce tomato, and Swiss cheese for her; roast beef with mayo, and lettuce for me. Both packed with an oatmeal cream cookie, and a bag of Cheetos. Just the way lunch should be. Who said we ever really have to grow up?

The clock strikes 10AM and my alarm to leave goes off, I grab my purse and keys that are hanging by the door, she kisses me goodbye and I jump in the car and head to work. As I drive down the busy streets of Denver, I begin to wonder if I'm actually going to miss living here when we move. I shake the thought out of my head as I pull into the office parking lot. "I'm at work safe and sound! I love you" I text Olivia as I park. When I walk in and head to my office I always pass a table that has a box of doughnuts, orange juice, and coffee on it. I grab one with sprinkles, and head to my office. I unlock the door and examine the room before I walk in. I really have to organize this place before my first client at 11. There are shakers, claves, triangles and mallets everywhere. When I took up this job I started as an Intern in high school, then I only answered calls, and sat in on a few session; now I'm one of Lakewood's top ranked music therapists. My mind wonders back on the move, do you really want to leave all this, my mind asks myself. My heart aches a bit at the thought of leaving all this behind. But is forced to snap back into reality when I hear a knock on my door. 

"Come in!" I yell at the light oak door. In comes a little boy with dusty red hair, and a smile that has been formed by an extra chromosome; who is clinging to his mom's leg. The mother looks down at her paper, and speaks into it.

"I'm looking for a Riley Oakley"
"Yes, that is I, how may I help you?" I look at woman who seems to be extremely nervous.

"I would like two sessions for my little boy." She speaks timidly.

"Okay ma' me why don't you and..." I gesture toward the boy.

"Nathan." She finishes my sentence

"Nathan have a seat and we can get the paperwork out of the way." I say and I walked towards my desk and motion them to sit in the chairs in front of my desk.

"pa-pa-paper-paperwork?" she takes one step back? "I don't want my name anywhere." She continues.

"Are you alright ma' me?" I ask perturbed

"Yes, I Just don't want my name on anything." She explained. "I just want two sessions, that's all"

"Okay, well we need to keep a record on each child that I assist." I tried to walk towards her to try and comfort her, but she took another step back.

"Is that all?" She asked

"Yes, it is all confidential information nobody but me and my boss are allowed to see your information."

She walked around me and sat at the chairs in front of my desk. Her right leg was shaking uncontrollably, and she was fiddling with her hands on the desk. I knew something was up with this strange woman that walked in, but I didn't want to push it in fear of her running out.

"Shall we begin?" I say as I pull out a new client file and sit at my desk in front of her. I click my pen open. "Okay first tell me your name please."

"Elizabeth Scott." She answered.

I asked her another series of questions and wrote down the answers. Then I left her to fill out a number of papers. I stood up to go get a couple more papers, and a payment sheet. I asked the boy if he wanted anything. He asked for orange juice, I chuckled because I always keep orange juice in my fridge in case Olivia came by. I nodded and left the room then walked across the hall. I could hear Elizabeth telling Nathan how much she hoped he liked me, and if two session went well, how much more fun he could have. I smiled and walked back into the room. I leaned down and handed Nathan the small bottle of Tropicana Orange Juice. He signed 'Thank you' and took a drink.

"Thank you Ms. Scott, I will see you next Thursday for your first session." I stood up to shake her hand. Her hand was very clammy and weak. She smiled then turned around and walked out without another word. I walked across to make myself a cup of tea, before sitting down to read up on my new client Nathan Scott.