Broken

Bruises

I sat on a bench at my favorite spot in school dangling my legs for reasons I couldn't process. No matter how I tried to forget, I just couldn't... It was my birthday and I had nothing  planned for the day, It was nothing unusual. Too much sadness for one soul.
I was done for the day and silently I wished Jack remembered it was my birthday, one of the reasons I was still idling here. I looked up fixing my gaze on the fluffy clouds which looked like white cotton candy, thoughts of my dad filled my mind but this time not painful thoughts. Just the fact he was in a happier place, void of pain and sorrow somewhere above the fluffy clouds brought me inner peace.

Jack didn't show up and It was almost 4pm. I was running late for my appointment with the psychotherapist.
As I was about knocking the half open door, almost immediately, Miss Amelia walked out with John
Immediately, I noticed John had a black eye and few bruises on his right hand, it looked like he ran into a fight, it didn't seem like an accident.
My heart sank for reasons I couldn't lay my fingers on. I could tell from the looks on their faces something was up
My gaze fixed on John, this time not fleeing when he caught me staring.
"Are you okay?" I moved closer to him then asked, my voice was low
He blinked at me then nodded as he bit his upper lip, voicing nothing out
My heart sank again but this time lower
Amelia cleared her throat, for awhile I forgot she was standing there
"Forgive my manners" I said as I smiled at her
She returned the smile with a broader one
"Could we start our session?" She asked
I hesitated, then nodded
"I'll be in my office" John said as he smiled. His smiled looked pasted on his face

I wasn't focused on whatsoever Amelia was saying. Being the psychic she was, she easily could tell.
"We could do this some other time you know" She said reading my mind
I didn't want her thinking I didn't value her time but sometimes we can't control our own thoughts.
"l'll appreciate it" I said
"we could fix another day" She said giving me the go-ahead to leave
"Thank you" I said calmly, wondering why she understood me so well
"Don't mention and by the way,(she paused) Happy birthday" She said while smiling

How she knew it was my birthday was a puzzle

"Thank you" I said fighting back tears
Before now just my mum and Jack remembered my birthday, Amelia just added
I saw a rare breed standing in front of me.

I wiped my sweaty palms on my trouser while I moved to John's office.
As I arrived there, the number of patients in front of his door almost scared me away.
I sat on a partial empty bench, it was the furthest from his door. I exchanged greetings with the girl I sat by, She wore a tight fitting heavy green gown which looked perfectly matched with her chocolate dark brown skin. Her curly black hair bounced on her shoulder, she was eye catching. I wondered how these doctors cope, I thought silently
I  had idle observant mind.
One by one the crowd reduced, I leaned on the bench trying not to sleep off unfortunately, I didn't try hard enough

I heard a faint voice which suddenly grew louder
"John" I said as my eyes fluttered open
"What are you still doing here" he asked and I didn't answer
I pressed my palms to my eyes for few seconds so I could feel steady again
My gaze went to the bruises on his hands and his black eye.
"We didn't conclude about Sky's cake(I paused, trying to fix up the other part of the lie in my head) So, I came here. I couldn't come in earlier because of the crowd"
"Oh! We could make it tomorrow, if that'll be okay by you" he said calmly
"yeah sure" I answered
We walked towards the car park, he moved ahead of me.
"Shall we?" he asked gesturing me to enter as we arrived
"No, I...I... I actually have somewhere else to go to" I lied
I knew the whole drive would be weird. I wasn't ready for a rift of silence from him. It was preferable I took a cab to the hostel instead .

I waited for awhile after he left, then took a cab to the hostel.  One hell of day, my stomach growled reminding me of its emptiness. Ignoring it, I laid on the bed thinking of what tomorrow held