St-St-St-Stuttering Stacey

This is a new short story of mine, "St-St-St-Stuttering Stacey," please enjoy and (as always) give me your honest feedback.

Preface

           “H-hi. M-my n-n-name is St- St- St,” I pause, clasping my hands tightly in my lap as I inhaled a long, deep, shuddering breath through my nose. I closed my eyes and held the breath while counting down from ten in an attempt to keep my growing frustration at bay.

            Ten. Okay, you can do this; it’s just a simple name.

            Nine. It should be easy; it’s my own name, damn it!      

            Eight. Come on, you can do this, just six letters.

            Seven. Focus. Focus on the words, the letters as they appear in your mind.

            Six. Visualize the word; see yourself saying it without any trouble.

            Five. Don’t think, just speak.

            Four. This is it, just say your name.

            Three. All you have to do is let the word flow through your lips.

            Two. Okay, you can do it.

            One. Just say it!

            I released my breath on a heavy, determined sigh and opened my eyes, staring straight across the table and fixing my speech therapist, Josh Crawford, with my gaze. He nodded his head slightly in an encouraging manner and waited expectantly for me to finish my sentence. I tried to clear my mind of all thoughts and frustration and instead just kept my eyes locked on Josh’s face as he returned my stare just as intently. I relaxed all of my tensed muscles, uncurling my fingers from around each other and attempted – yet again – to allow my name to pass easily through my lips.

            “St- St- Sta-acey.”