Expect The Unexpected

Chapter 3

Samuel nodded and spoke first. 

‘’Well, I’m Samuel, but people usually call me Sam.’’ Samuel said.

‘’Great, I’m Maria people call me Maria’’ I smiled and Samuel returned the smile.

‘’You’re very young, most psychologists are a lot older.’’ Sam said.

That was true, I was young but once I opened this clinic and got approved by the guys in the big office, people started coming to me. Some didn’t even have a problem with me being so young. I got great feedback and good results. That was all that mattered.

‘’I know, but I don’t need to be old to be wise.’’ I said.

‘’You remind me of someone.’’ Samuel said. Seemed like he might be opening up, that’s what I liked.

‘’Who,’’ I asked

‘’Um…’’ Samuel looked down at his hands.

‘’I didn’t even plan on coming here. My friends keep telling me to go see a psychologist.’’ He said, completely changing the subject.

‘’There is no shame in coming to talk to someone,’’

‘’I guess.’’

‘’You don’t have to tell me what happened right away.’’ I said.

‘’Wouldn’t it be easier if I just did?’’

‘’Not necessarily, it sometimes helps to build up a relationship with your psychologist before going into the deep stuff,’’ I explained.

‘’Maybe if I just told you why I’m here I could leave sooner.’’ Samuel said.

‘’I didn’t know I was that repelling.’’ I said and Samuel chuckled.

‘’No, I just don’t see how this is going to help me grieve the death of my girlfriend.’’ Samuel said.

Oh. Well that was unexpected.

‘’I see, is that why you are here?’’

‘’Yes, and you remind me of her’’

‘’How long has it been?’’ I asked.

‘’Two years, I can’t let go.’’ Samuel shut his eyes.

I wrote down a few things on the file in my lap. Two years seemed like a very long time. However, people did deal with death in their own time.

‘’How did it happen,’’ I asked.

Samuel opened his eyes and looked into mine.

‘’I don’t want to do this.’’ He said.

‘’You don’t have to tell me right away.’’

We sat there in silence for a very long time. I let him compose his thoughts. It seemed like hours passed by. No words were uttered between us. The silence was broken when someone knocked on my door.

‘’One second’’ I said to Samuel, who seemed to be lost in thought, staring off into space.

I walked to the door and opened it. Mary stood there and behind her I could see one of my regular clients sitting in the sofa.

‘’Tell her I’ll be right with her.’’ I said and Mary nodded.

I closed the door and turned around and almost ran into Samuel.

‘’Woah’ I stumbled backwards.

‘’Sorry’’ Samuel said.

‘’It’s fine, I didn’t see you there.’’ I laughed a little.

‘’Don’t worry, this was good, I’ll come back again.’’ Samuel said.

Without saying else he walked past me and let himself out. I stood there, slightly in shock. I didn’t expect to run into him like that.  It seemed like my heart had begun to beat harder, but it was probably from the shock of running right into his hard chest. I let out a deep breath and walked over to my desk.

The rest of the day seemed to go on forever. I sat with each of my clients and let them talk. I listened and nodded and gave some helpful tips. I loved my job and I couldn’t imagine being anything else. There was just something extremely satisfying about helping people get better. Even if it meant sitting in silence for an hour and let the person just think. It was great being there for someone who clearly needed some advice or someone to talk to who wouldn’t judge them. Sometimes, I even let them cry on my shoulder, the amount of shirt that have been ruined is unbelievable, but they are worth it.

At five Mary and I closed up the office and left. She lived on the other side of where I lived so we said bye to each other and went our separate ways.
Every Saturday I went into Green Palace coffee shop for a cup of hot chocolate. It was like my tradition. I loved it there, it was peaceful and quiet, and exactly how I liked it.
I would be lying if I said that Samuel didn’t enter my mind a couple of times during the day. I couldn’t help it; there was something about him that just drew me to him. Something seemed quite familiar, like I’ve known him before. I couldn’t quite understand why and how. I just kept thinking about how his girlfriend had died. That must have been a terrible tragedy.  

I entered the small Green coffee shop, smiling to myself as the familiar smell of coffee and baked goods filled my nostrils. The weather had gotten better today; the rain had subsided, leaving wet patches of rain all around the city. It wasn’t too cold but it wasn’t warm either.

I walked to a small table that was beside a window. The theme here was green, so all around the place you could see different shades of green. Light green table cloths, dark green chairs. A very light, almost yellow walls and a Christmas tree green counter, where countless of baked goods were on display.

I sat down in my chair and felt myself relax; another day was done and dusted. I just hoped that when I returned home Vicky wouldn’t have made a mess of my place.

Sarah, the waitress came up to my table.

‘’The usual’’ She smiled at me. Her dark hair tired up in a ponytail. She wore a white and green apron.

‘’Please,’’  I returned the smile and she nodded and walked away.

I watched as she walked to the coffee machine and began making my order. Suddenly something familiar caught my eye. I looked at the dark jacket and jeans and the back of the head that I had just seen a few hours ago. A weird feeling entered my gut as I watched him scan the baked goods; he was slightly brushing his forefinger against his lower lip. I realized that I was staring but before I had the chance to turn away his head turned in my direction and our eyes met.

A small smile crept upon his face that I unwillingly returned returned the smile. He waved at me and I waved back.  I then turned my gaze away from him and looked out the window. I couldn’t concentrate on anything that was happening outside; I could feel his eyes burning in the back of my eyes. I slowly turned back to look at him and was surprised that he was approaching me.  

‘’Hello’’ Samuel said once he was by my table.