Shawntay paused. When Tessa didn’t flinch, she continued. She told Tessa she had learned about the institute from two different women. Both credited it with turning their lives around and then quickly added that the institute’s methods were far from traditional, very ‘intimate’ and, one said, more than a little ‘scary.’
“Scary?”
“Actually, she said it was very scary. Wanna forget it now?”
Tessa shook her head ‘no’ so hard she nearly dislocated her neck.
“Alright then. You ready to hear more about Athena’s Ground?”
“Athena was the Greek goddess of wisdom,” Tessa said, feeling a little less queasy. How scary could a Peanut Butter Banana milkshake be if its goal was to lead you to wisdom?
Shawntay leaned forward and lowered her voice. As she spoke, Tessa felt the blood rushing to her face, setting her cheeks on fire. Her hands began to sweat and she held her chocolate milkshake, hoping the coolness of the glass would calm her racing heart. It didn’t.
“So, now that you’ve heard the details,” Shawntay said, after a thorough description of Athena’s Ground therapy, “would you like the name of another traditional therapist? I brought one with me.”
Tessa was pretty sure of two things. First, she could not do the things Athena’s Ground would require; hell, she could barely even stand to hear about them. But worse, by a long shot, was the second thing she knew: she would not find a path to wellness with a traditional therapist, no matter how many association letters they had after their name. Between her grief counselor and the two traditional therapists Shawntay had referred her to, Tessa had been to the plate three times and struck out each time. She had a choice: she would do the undoable or she would end up in the ER again. And next time, there would be no Maria-looking-for-her-wallet to save her.
Tessa nodded her head and Shawntay started to slide a business card across the table.
“No,” Tessa said. “Not that. I want to try Athena’s Ground.”
Shawntay Green had one of the best poker faces Tessa had ever seen. Until now.
“Remember, this is not a referral. I’m simply passing along information a couple women shared with me.”
“Got it,” Tessa said, feeling immense gratitude that Shawntay cared enough about her to risk getting in trouble with her boss. “Whatever I decide to do, I decide. I’ll tell Athena’s Ground I heard about them from you, but only as a point of information. No referral, per se. You have no part in this,” she said, waving the slip of paper Shawntay passed her.
***
AUGUST
Tessa,
The boss is sending me to New York again, the end of this month. Here’s your official rain check. Dinner? Or if that’s too much for a first face-to-face, there’s a great hotdog cart down the street from Patience and Fortitude. Can probably find some cold Gatorade around there too.
Tell me you’ll meet me there!
David
Tessa smiled as she read the email, and frowned when she thought of the timing. Using Shawntay’s name, Tessa had gotten an appointment with Athena’s Ground but it was still a week away. Besides, you didn’t magically get well by just making an appointment with a medical doctor, and the same was true for Athena’s Ground, no matter how good they might be.