Sunday rolled by quickly, Iris woke up by the sound of a phone ringing. She hurriedly went to the living room and answered the phone.
“Iris Hale,” Iris said.
“Oh hey”, she heard a woman saying.
Iris’s heart clenched at hearing her mother’s voice. She took a deep breath. “Tell your aunt child support will be paid at the end of this week. They are a bit late with the payment.”
Iris’s mind went into a frenzy, no hello how are you doing, what are you up to, nothing.
Although she didn’t really expected it, it was still excruciating to hear her on the phone after almost 2 years and that’s the only thing she says.
“Alright.” Iris answered.
“Good”, Iris’s mother said, Iris heard her breathing through the phone for a second and then she just hung up. No goodbye, nothing.
Iris clenched her fist around the phone, but put it down before she could throw it around the room.
Frustration was building inside of her at how her mother could still get to her every damn time. Anger consumed her thoughts and she tried taking deep breaths when she noticed the time. Time for a session, that was the last thing she wanted right now. Despite her mood, she got dressed and walked to Melrose.
Isa was seated in his office, he was a bit down about his mother leaving. He didn’t really have any family around, and although Jace is one of his closest friends he still couldn’t help but miss his parents. He tried getting some sleep last night but his thoughts were consumed by them and how he hadn’t talked with his dad for ages. He was in quite a bad mood, but luckily Iris was next, maybe she could get his parents off of his mind for a while.
Isa looked up as Iris entered the room, he sighed at seeing her blank mask on again. She sat down barely meeting his eyes, Isa rubbed his head in frustration knowing that she was in a bad mood. “How are you today Iris”, he asked carefully.
“Fine.” She answered, not bothering looking up which irked him.
“You didn’t sleep well?” he tried again. “I slept fine.” She said. Isa clenched his teeth, he was so looking forward to see her because he actually wanted to get things off his chest he admitted to himself.
But now, he just knew things weren’t going to get fun. He pursued with the schedule he had for today. “I want you to lay down on that bench over there,” he said pointing at a brown leather bench in the corner of the room. It was that typical chair you saw in the movies. Iris looked up, clearly irritated.
“Why?”
“I want to have a real session and while you lay down you become more relaxed and opening up gets easier.” He explained.
That was the last thing Iris wanted that day, she shook her head vigorously. “I don’t want to lay down.” She said. Isa saw there wasn’t a hint of a smile on her face but he still tried.
“If you don’t lay down, I will tell your aunt you’re not cooperating.” He said jokingly but he saw she was annoyed. “That’s not fair.” She said immediately. Isa saw her clenching her teeth, something was going on, he could feel it.
“Life is fair because it’s unfair to everybody.” Isa said.
Iris stayed silent but the anger was evident on her face. He knew he was provoking her, but he didn’t want to take 1 step forward and 2 back. He was enjoying how she acted the previous sessions, she couldn’t close him off already.
“What are your thoughts about that?” he asked. Iris looked straight into his eyes. Her face might be blank but her eyes were betraying her, the usual forest green eyes were burning with anger. “I don’t have an opinion on that one.” She said robotically. Isa was now getting desperate:”Tell me what you feel, what you think?”
“I don’t want to talk about it”, she replied.
Isa grinned a bit: “But that’s why you’re here?” he joked.Iris groaned inwardly. How could he put up with her, she just wanted him to back off.
“I didn’t sign up for this.”
She knew she hit a nerve when she saw Isa’s face dropping. ‘I didn’t sign up for this’ ringed in Isa’s ears, so talking to him was just an obligation he thought. Did she only do this to get her aunt off her case or was she just trying to get him mad. Isa forced a smile but Iris could look right through it.
She sighed exasperatedly, why did he keep this mask on. Couldn’t he just get angry at her?
“Be careful who you pretend to be, you might forget who you are Isa.” Iris said mockingly, she knew she was crossing a line as soon as she saw his face.
Isa looked astonished but a cruel grin covered his face quickly.
“That’s rich coming from you” he said through clenched teeth.
The words slipped out of his mouth before giving it a second thought but he already regretted them at seeing what it did to her. A look of disbelieve and hurt crossed her face but she quickly put on a brave face.
Isa had been doing this job for 3 years and never had he really lost his cool, this girl had been with him for 3 sessions and he already lost his professionalism. Iris’s anger flared up at his words. “Session is over.” she forced out. She got up and walked deliberately to the door. Isa rubbed his face again, his emotions in a whirl.
“Sit down Iris … Please”, he added pleading.
Iris was already at the door when he heard that sentence. She surprised both of them by going back to her seat. She knew it wasn’t really his fault, she was all worked up and she just couldn’t make him back off with her hurtful words. Isa bit his lip.
"If you don't want to tell me what you feel, write it down." He asked. "Here take a paper, a pen and take your time." Iris went along with his words and took a seat on the bench.
Iris was sitting there for over 20 minutes looking blank at the page. She handed her sheet over. Isa looked at her questioningly: "What’s this?"
"You wanted me to write down exactly what I felt but somehow the paper stayed empty... And I couldn't have described it any better." He gave a soft smile in return.
“Why?” he asked.
“I feel numb and dumb and unable to lay hands on any words.”
“How come Iris? How are you really feeling?” he asked again. “Just tired,” Iris said while rubbing her eyes. She looked like a little kitten, Isa smiled inwardly.
“Cut the crap.” He said knowing he was being unprofessional but he couldn’t help that he cared. Iris looked up at the ceiling and lowered her eyes until he met his.
“And what about you? I know you’re not only lacking sleep.” She threw back at him. Isa groaned but was also kind of glad she could see through him. Maybe these sessions weren’t only for her he admitted, maybe he also wanted someone he could talk to.
Isa grinned at her awareness. “I want to try this over again, will you lay down Iris?” He asked.
Iris looked him all over and saw the sincerity In his eyes. Why was she even trying to resist him, she thought, she knew she wouldn’t walk out anyway. Iris laid down and Isa leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes. And that’s how the conversation started flowing. Maybe they didn’t talk about their real problems but at that moment they couldn’t care less.
Iris closed her eyes and spoke to him in a thousand silent ways.
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