Dr. Fluellen nodded.
Olivia’s voice shook. “I cried. A lot. I prayed. A lot. I read the Bible as I’ve never done before. I couldn’t stop thinking about Simone and Christian. It destroyed me inside wondering how they were doing. If it wasn’t for Savvy giving me updates, I would’ve lost my mind worrying about my kids. I had separation anxiety. There were times I didn’t want to live.” Olivia paused and clasped her hands together. She stared out the window. Her mouth sagged into a frown.
“What are you thinking about now?”
“My mind is filled with how God delivered me. Sometimes, you don’t know what you have until you’re stripped of your everyday luxuries.” Olivia offered a weak smile. “I counseled other inmates. Many of the ladies were hurting and broken. They did things out of moments of desperation. Kind of reminds me of myself. First-time offenders who were jilted by their lovers. We became a support system for each other.”
“You’ve always had a heart for people. It explains why you were such a great psychologist. And you will be again once you get back to work.” Dr. Fluellen offered a smile of encouragement. “Based on what you’ve shared, you’re in a much better place than where you were during your first appointment with me.”
“Thank you. I needed that confirmation.” Olivia stood and straightened her clothes. “Well. I’ve said quite a bit. Have we talked long enough to give me credit for today?”
Dr. Fluellen glanced at his watch and rose from the chair. “We finished right on the dot.” Dr. Fluellen’s gaze lingered on Olivia. “I see you’ve cut your hair. It’s an attractive style on you.”
“Thank you.” Olivia ran her hand across her hair to smooth any out of place strands. “I didn’t think you noticed.”
“Of course, I noticed. It’s a change that is a good one for you. Sometimes, we must let go of some things, including hair, when going through a transformation.”
“I like your perspective.”
“Are you interested in dating again?”
“Heck no. I don’t have the patience to have a man in my life right now. The stuff going on in my world is enough to handle without adding another human into the equation.”
“Don’t swear off men forever. In time, it’ll be good for you to try again. There’s someone out there who is right for you. Believe me.”
“I appreciate your thoughts. I miss the experience of a man treating me like I mean something to them. Having someone dote on me would be quite special. I haven’t had anything along those lines since the early days of my marriage. That’s the part I miss. The other stuff which comes with a relationship, not so much.”
“There’s no need to rush.”
“Dr. Fluellen…” Olivia began.
“Wait. Please call me Blair. We know each other too well to keep calling each other doctor.”
“Okay, fine. Blair, you are thorough which is why I chose you for my therapy. You are a good friend, brilliant, and an expert in our field. At first, embarrassment about being analyzed by any of my peers consumed me. You’ve made my experience much more palatable. I can’t thank you enough.”
“Olivia, don’t start thanking me until you apply what we discuss. Don’t mess with my professional reputation by not showing some improvement,” Blair teased.
“Believe me. I won’t put you to shame. You’ll see significant changes in me,” Olivia said. She placed her purse on her shoulder. “I’d better get going. Do you have the paper for me to sign to show completion of this session?”
“Here it is,” Blair handed her a form with a pen and pointed where to write her signature. “You’re all set. I’ll see you at our next appointment.”
“Or earlier if things get crazy.” Olivia allowed him to escort her to the door. She pivoted and put her hand on his bicep. The strength in his arm surprised her. A slight sandalwood aroma of cologne filled her nostrils, which she hadn’t noticed before. “Blair, I appreciate your help.”
“It’s my pleasure. You’ll learn to be calm instead of choosing anger. You haven’t always been this way,” Blair reassured. “I remember the Olivia who I had a big crush on. You didn’t allow mess from anyone, although you were fun and easy-going. I couldn’t get a date with you.”
Olivia paused and pondered for a moment. “Blair, I didn’t have time for dating in medical school. I focused on not failing my classes. You only asked me out once, or twice anyway.” Olivia tapped him on the arm with her index finger in a playful manner.
“If I’m correct with my recollection, I asked you out seven times. I remember because I believe the number seven is one of completion. After the last rejection, I had to move on. I think you had time to date a guy from Detroit. What’s his name?” Blair snapped his fingers two times. “Oh yeah. Garrett.”
“You don’t forget anything. I forgot all about Garrett. Nice guy. We didn’t date for long. He turned out to be a mama’s boy and she stayed in our business. Besides, you know you were pretty tacky in the way you tried to ask me out.”
“What do you mean? I practiced my poetic lines daily to get up the nerve to ask you for a date.”
“I could tell. You sounded like a robot. I can’t say you gave me a good reason to go out with you.”
“Well, thanks for hurting a man’s emotions. You could’ve given a brother one inkling of a chance,” Blair said.
“You did well for yourself in the end when you married Quinn. She’s an amazing person. When we used to study together in school, she talked about you all the time,” Olivia reminded him. In an instant, she noticed his facial expression cloud.
“She’s an incredible woman. I still miss her every day. Seeing her in the psychiatric ward is tough. It wasn’t easy to commit her last month, although it had to be done.” The
