Going to see a counselor was not his idea. He knew he had some things he needed to work out. The harder he tried to work them out, the tighter of a hold they seemed to have on him. While sitting in the waiting area he was thinking if this was even worth his time any longer. He had her now. He is progressing in moving on in life. That was the goal was it not?
Should he tell his therapist about his girlfriend during this visit? It was still strange for him to admit that he has a girlfriend. But they had talked about it and both agreed that they are boyfriend and girlfriend.
His therapist, an attractive lady just a few years younger than him, was very professional and very stern. She would not allow him to get away with any half answered question or his attempt to hide any deeper within himself. He hated the continuous scab peeling that happened, but was happy when the fresh area was allowed to breath. Plus the pleasure after the pain was always worth the slow peel.
The session started the same way. How does he feel, has he been journaling, does he still feel like he is building walls, has he reached out to make friends and does he take time for himself.
Good, yes, yes, sort of and kinda.
The answers rolled off of his tongue with no effort. They were the same type of questions he is asked by everyone that talks to him.
He was ready to answer the next round of questions with his just add water answers when he noticed that she had stopped writing and was quiet. No questions, no shuffling of papers and no movement.
He raised his eyes from their normal view of his lap and hands to look at her. She was was looking at him. Her pen lifted to her cheek, her lips closed and her eyes on his. It appeared that he could see a smile in her eyes.
"Sort of?" She asked.
"I am sorry?" He replied with a slight shake of his head.
"I asked if you have reached out to make new friends and you said 'Sort of'. Each visit, you say yes. I have always known that when you answer that question, you answer it in the way you think I want to hear. You have finally answered it in the way I needed to hear. With truth."
"I have been truthful! I have thought about trying to go meet friends. Does that not count?" He said a little too quickly. He then sat back and slumped in his chair. Chiding himself for basically admitting he had been trying to push one over on her the many times she had asked.
Man, she is good. She actually listens to me. He thought.
He looked back up to her and saw that she was still looking at him. She was looking at him in the same way she did before letting him know he had lied to her. No judgment, no accusations and no hurt.
Well, here it goes. He thought to himself. I might as well tell her now.
"I have met a new friend. She is someone that is very dear to me. We have become close and we have been spending a lot of time together."
That was not too bad, he thought to himself. It actually felt good to not hide something in his life for once. An emotion he allowed to escape. A part of him that he considers good has been exposed to the world now.
As he walked out of the session he felt good. Almost happy if you will. Someone else knows that he has met someone. His therapist knows that he is no longer hiding his life from everyone. This is one other person besides her that he is allowing to know more of him.
He met with his girlfriend almost every day. He took her out to dinner, a movie, putt putt golf and even walked hand in hand along the canal. It was during the canal walk he decided to kiss her. He had battled with himself the entire week whether or not he should push the relationship.
It is a kiss. He told himself. A way to let her know that he likes her and has feelings for her. It goes above telling her that he thinks of her all of the time and actually showing her that he wants to be close to her.
That was all of the reasoning he needed. It has been too long since he had experienced a kiss. Too long to feel the affection of a beautiful woman. Too long to know that someone was thinking of him too.
During their walk, he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. When he lowered their hands he felt her squeeze his hand tighter and lean her head on his shoulder as they walked. She had accepted the kiss on the hand and returned the affection. He had to keep looking down to see if his feet were still on the ground because he felt he was floating in the clouds.
After he pulled up to her apartment, he put the car in park then reached over to hold her hand again. He noticed that she instantly put her hand in his and smiled. He was happy. For the first time in a long time, he was happy. He turned to her and leaned towards her and was excited to see her do the same.
They kissed. Then kissed again.
It was so natural and wonderful. The connection and joy he felt was indescribable. He walked her to her door and they kissed again.
"Thank you." He said
"Thank you for what?" She replied after she unlocked her door.
"For being you. For making me smile."
"You are welcome. You know you deserve to smile more. You should be out in the world and let everyone see you!" She said as she looked in directly in his eyes.
He lowered his eyes and then his head. After taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly he looked back in her eyes. He pulled her to him and kissed her. A long kiss while placing his hands on her waist. He felt her wrap her arms around his neck and return the kiss.
After they pulled away, he stared in her eyes. He allowed her eyes to swallow his soul. He felt wanted by her. She wanted to see him. She wanted to walk next to him and hold his hand.
"I am trying. I really am. You are helping me. A lot. I want to be out in the world and be seen with you. You make me smile and I think I like that a lot." He said then gave her another quick kiss.
He met with his counselor the next day.
Good, yes, no, yes and yes he answered with a smile on his face.
"What a change I see!" She said as she folded her hands in her lap and looked at him. A gentle smile formed on her face as he looked back at her with a large smile on his.
"Would you like to tell me about the changes in your answers?" She said as she sat back in the chair.