I sat and listened closely, more interested in her story than I would ever admit to being.
“In college, I joined a running club, which kept me on the straight and narrow. After three semesters of forcing myself to pretend I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, I couldn’t fight it anymore and switched my major to sports psychology. I eventually got my master’s degree and started at the bottom in a private practice. I was forced—well, obligated—to quit that job and decided to start my own practice. So here I am.”
Curiosity killed the Viper.
“Why were you forced to quit?” I couldn’t help it. I was captivated by her and the story she was telling me.
“I started sleeping with my boss.”
Whoa. Not what I was expecting.
“For real?”
“Yeah, but it’s okay. We’re engaged now.” She laughed, holding up her left hand. I was surprised she could lift it with that huge fucking rock on her ring finger.
“Congratulations.”
A big smile spread across her face. “Thanks. The point of me telling you all this is I wanted you to know that I’m not perfect. I’m not perfect, and I won’t judge you. I’m not a typical therapist in that I don’t follow a pattern with my clients. They’re all different, and they all require different things from me. Also, and I want you to really hear me say this, anything—every single thing—you say to me in this room stays in this room. I don’t talk about it with friends, my fiancé, no one. It’s between you and me and Muhammad Ali.” She nodded toward the large black and white picture of the legendary boxer on the wall. “I expect the same courtesy in return. Anything I say to you or tell you about myself doesn’t go past you. Got it?”
I nodded like a stubborn toddler who’d just met his match.
“I demand respect and I will give it back, but what I won’t do is let you bullshit me. I’m going to piss you off and push you out of your comfort zone. Often. But that’s my job. That’s how this works. That’s how you move forward.”
Grabbing the water bottle off of the coffee table, I cracked it open and gulped until the whole thing was gone.
“I’m assuming that means you agree?” She laughed again. “Now, tell me a little about you.”
I took a huge breath and held it for a second, finally exhaling slowly. I’d never had anyone that I could completely open up to before. The thought of spilling my guts to this woman was both terrifying and tempting. More than anything, I wanted someone I could tell everything to and be myself around without fear of judgment or someone spilling their guts to the media.
Baby steps, Viper.
“Well, you already know my name. I’m not sure what else you want to know.”
“Okay, how about I ask you questions and you answer them?”
“All right.”
She stood and walked back to the fridge, grabbing another water bottle. “How long have you played hockey?”
“Professionally?”
“Sure.” She shrugged as she set the bottle down in front of me.
“Eight years.”
“And not professionally?”
“Uh… since I was about ten.”
“Why hockey?”
I pressed my lips together and scratched my chin. “What do you mean?”
“Just what I said. Why hockey? Why not baseball or golf or something else?”
“First of all, golf isn’t a sport. And B, I got into a lot of fights as a kid, so my parents figured if I was gonna fight regardless, might as well do it on the ice.”
She narrowed her eyes and tilted her head to the side. “Why did you fight?”
“I had to.”
“Why?”
“Next question.”
Clearing her throat, she rested her chin on her hand and her elbow on the arm of the chair, not saying a word. “I’m gonna let that go—for now—but I can absolutely tell there’s something there, so we will revisit it.”
Good luck with that.
“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes.
“Why don’t you tell me about your relationships?”
“Elaborate, please.”
“Your relationships, with people. Whoever you want to tell me about. Your family. A girlfriend. Maybe a boyfriend?”
If looks could kill, she would’ve been a corpse. “I don’t have a boyfriend.” I glared. “And I don’t have a girlfriend either.”
“Really?” Her body stiffened as her head jerked back slightly. “No girlfriend? With all that charm?”
“Ha ha, very funny.”
“Okay, okay. Forget boyfriends and girlfriends. You have to love someone. Everyone does. Tell me about the most important person in your life.”