"From This Day Forward (Part 3 to One Night Stand)"

"The Fourth Session"

Summer had a rough few days helping Krystal & the girls. She was worried for Krystal, but she & Nat finally worked out an agreement which fit both of their schedules. Summer was getting ready for work & was rushing to head out the door. Her mind was full of all the appointments she missed & had to cancel & reschedule. Today would be a long & busy day for her. She quickly started the keurig while she slipped her coat on. She grabbed her purse & keys & was out the door. She got settled into her car when her phone started ringing. She connected her phone to her car's Bluetooth to answer the call. It was Grandma.

Summer: Goodmorning Grandma!
Grandma: Honey, please say a prayer for your sister & Miranda will you?
Summer: What's wrong?

Summer's heart skipped a beat as she imagined the worse case scenario.

Grandma: Well, we're on our way to the hospital now. Brian brought Serena to the hospital last night. That boy is a saint! He's been calling me & leaving voicemails to keep me updated.
Summer: Wait, why aren't you with Serena?
Grandma: It's a long story, but Miranda is our little miracle baby. She was born a few hours ago. Baby girl was 17 inches & 4 pounds of perfection. Doctor said she's doing well for a preemie. Look, honey, we're almost at the hospital & I gotta go. I'll call you again later to let you know how your sister & niece are doing.

Summer was relieved that Miranda & Serena were ok. She didn't know what she'd do if anything were to happen to either of them.

Summer: Ok, please give Serena & Miranda my love. I'll see if I can fly in within the week. I just started a new job so I don't know if they'll let me take time off.
Grandma: Ok, well, do what you can. We love you & we miss you!
Summer: Love & miss you, Grandma.

Summer walked up to the lobby of her floor. She greeted Barbara the receptionist.

Barbara: Miss Harper?
Summer: Yes, Barbara?
Barbara: Your 8:00 is already in your office.

Summer glanced at her Apple Watch. It read: 7:44.

Summer: But it's...
Barbara: Early. I know. I'm sorry. He insisted & said he'd pay for the extra time.
Summer: Who's my 8:00 again?
Barbara: It's Nick Dennings.
Summer: I see. Ok, well. I better get started. Thanks, Barbara.
Barbara: Do you need anything, Miss Harper?
Summer: I'll be fine, thank you.

Summer briskly walked to her office. It was odd that Nick was there early. He usually came right on time for his sessions. This was their fourth session together. She thought maybe this time he'd be willing to open up to her more. The first 3 sessions he swayed away from answering her questions & instead asked her questions. She walked into her office with Nick seated at her desk.

Nick: Well, well, well. Look who decided to show up.

Summer placed her purse on her desk & hung her coat up like she did every morning. She opened the blinds & stood by the window.

Summer: Early today?
Nick: Ah... I'm on time.
Summer: We don't usually start 'til 8.
Nick: Dad used to always say, "When you're early, you're on time. When you're on time, you're late."
Summer: Those are wise words to live by.

Nick stood up freeing Summer's desk chair. He walked over to Summer. He stood in front of her & got real close. He looked deep into her dark brown eyes & his eyes panned to her long, dark brown hair. His eyes continued to pan down to her body. Summer cleared her throat & took a step back from Nick.

Summer: Would you like to have a seat so that we can get started?
Nick: Sure. How are you today?

Nick sat down on the couch & sat on the edge.

Summer: I'm doing well.

Nick: No, no, no. I don't want some generic answer. I want to know how you're really doing.

Summer sat down on the big arm chair.

Summer: Ok. Well, today I received news that I'm an aunt. My sister...half sister just gave birth this morning.
Nick: How do you feel about that?
Summer: Nick, I appreciate your concern, but...
Nick: Answer my question.
Summer: I feel happy for her & at the same time relieved because she had some complications a couple weeks ago.
Nick: Good. That wasn't so hard was it. You shouldn't be the only one asking questions around here.
Summer: So you mentioned your dad.
Nick: Yeah.
Summer: How is your dad doing?
Nick: Oh good old dad. Well, let's see. He's on his 3rd marriage. I haven't talked to him in since 10 years ago. That's about the time when Nathan came out & when we both joined the marines. So I can't really tell you how he's doing.
Summer: I'm sorry to hear that. I think the bonds between a child & parent should be one of the strongest relationships.
Nick: Well, unfortunately I didn't have that with my parents. I guess since Nathan & I didn't want anything to do with my dad's political ambitions. We left home & were on a search for our own passions.
Summer: What are your passions, Nick?
Nick: Well, I enjoyed serving my country as a marine, until they deemed me unstable & had me stay in the office instead of the field for deployment. I was damn good soldier too, but I couldn't handle things mentally. Hey can we talk about something else?

Nick stood up. He usually did that when things got uncomfortable for him.

Summer: Of course. What do you want to talk about?
Nick: How about you & I get out of here? There's this sweet cafe a couple blocks away that I think you'd like.
Summer: We have to finish our session, Nick.
Nick: Can't we finish this over a cup of coffee. I noticed you didn't bring your cute little tumbler this morning.
Summer: I was in a hurry this morning.
Nick: I'd really like to take you out some time.
Summer: Nick, I'm flattered, but you already know I have a boyfriend.
Nick: Yeah, I know. Sergeant Woods. It's all you talk about. You must really miss him. I know he must miss you.
Summer: I do.
Nick: That must be hard especially on those nights where you crave the touch of a man. Or you get that feeling down there. You know what I'm talking about.

Summer sat back in her seat & crossed her legs.

Summer: Nick, that's a bit inappropriate, don't you think?
Nick: Sorry, didn't know that was a sensitive subject for you.
Summer: Nick, look. I'm here to help you. Whether you think you need these sessions or not, we have to go through them. For the past 3 sessions, we haven't even covered much.
Nick: This is just the way I am, Summer.  I barely even open up to my brother. And he's my twin brother. You want to know what the real issue is here?

Nick day back down on the couch.

Summer: I'm listening.
Nick: I've never felt security or love by those I've needed it from. My parents let me down by letting each other down. My brother left me hanging in the marine corps when we said we'd do it together. Now, I'm stuck. I hate my job. Or at least this side of it. I wanna be where the action is out there. Not stuck in a box behind a stupid desk pushing paperwork & shit. The worst part of it all is that I'm always falling for the wrong girl. I always fall for the girl who's already taken. So before you scribble into that little notebook of yours, get this... My life sucks.

For the rest of Nick's session, he talked about childhood memories. He realized they were all about him & Nathan. His parents were always working & barely had time with them. At the end of the session, he gave Summer a hug & sniffed her neck. She tried not to let her emotions get in the way of her job. Although at times he made her feel uncomfortable, she knew he had a good heart & that he was just someone who was in need of love. Nick had left his phone on the couch & she happened to see the screensaver. It was her photo. She was a bit startled, but ignored it. She put the phone in her desk drawer & prepared her office for her next session with her next client.