The Two Alphas of Rosewood Creek [MxM]

Chapter 8

We arrived at a small craftsman style home just two blocks from the town center. According to Beth, it was a trend around here to convert homes to businesses in smaller towns. The house was nestled at the corner lot, adjacent to the bustling shops of Main street. I slowly got out of the car, lagging behind my moms and taking in the view of what would become my prison for the next hour.

The house was adorned with white cedar shingles weathered from either age or heavy snowstorms. The wooden porch was small and clearly worn in some areas from water damage, which was purposely covered up with potted ivy and ferns strung around the porch.

Tina knocked on the door. The door was scratched and dented with chipped yellow varnish with an intricate overlay of a stained-glass window panel. The painted glass created a shaded garden of rainbow harmonious hues animated by changing light, their patterns wandering across the squeaky wood planks, inviting my thoughts to wander with them.

"You are going to love her. I heard she's the best in town!" Beth chirped, as we waited for someone to answer the door.

"Probably the only one in town," I murmured under my breath right as the door creaked open to reveal a tall, slender woman. Her silky black hair was thrown in a messy bun, elegant strands jetting away from her thin pointed face, highlighting her olive skin that glowed in the late autumn sun. Her eyes were mossy green orbs carried by the bags underneath her eyes, the tiredness evident in her demeanor.

"Welcome," she greeted us with a warm soft smile, userhing us into the expanded foyer.

We were quickly escorted into a living room that had been converted into a charming and small reception area. The smell of pine wood wrapped around everything in the room.

"We are running a little bit behind. Dr. Louis is finishing up with a last minute meeting, please have a sit over here for now."

My parents and I all crowded onto one plush beige loveseat. The receptionist briefly abandoned us there, heading curtly for the back hallway, where there was undoubtedly the office and armchair that awaited my deepest, darkest confessions.

"Oh I just love the mid-century design‒‒all these Earth tones! Oh, just gorgeous," Beth commented. Tina and I nodded to each other and shared an eye roll over Beth's seismic HGTV delusions whenever we walked into somewhere that looked remotely quaint.

I studied the new territory I was in. The house was decorated in a calming, modern style, with carefully placed pictures of mountain and nature scenes scattered in the main living area. The exposed high beams in the ceiling elongated the room and highlighted the herringbone design on the roof line. Tina and Beth quietly chattered about the neighborhood, as it seemed Beth had some properties in the area. I tapped my foot on the slate colored carpet's edge, annoyed by the prolonged wait added to my appointment.

What's the point of arriving on time if she is running late? Never really understood why doctors always make you wait, maybe to draw out the anxiety of the situation.

"Remy," the receptionist called out, having re-emerged from the hallway. "Dr. Louis will now see you now."

I got up and followed her. My parents waved hesitantly from their places still on the couch, reluctantly giving me space to deal with this by myself. I always appreciated their level of reserve‒‒never moving from the seating of whatever waiting room, of whatever shrink's office we were in next.

Going to therapy wasn't considered an option to them, but at least they weren't the type to hold my arm all the way into the office and into whatever armchair, chaise lounge setup awaited my confessions.