Tough Love

Chapter One Hundred Twelve

He mutters in Spanish, "She's a shrink. And she's not my friend, in case you're wondering about the name, Dani."

I nod and almost feel a sense of possessiveness over Arrow. He lets me call him Arrow, that must mean he considers me a friend. Before I know what I'm doing, my mouth speaks of it's own accord. Thankfully, it comes out in Spanish, saving me from embarrassment in front of Sam.

"I'm your friend?"

He looks shocked, "Of course you are. Why would you even question that?"

I shrug, getting my sense of composure back, and putting myself back in my place. The quiet and submissive place.

Sam questions, "Anything I need to know about?"

"No ma'am."

She eyes me closely at Arrow's words, nods and then asks, "Are you ready, Dani?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Are you waiting out here, Arrow?"

He nods.

"There's a coffee machine over in that corner, if you would like a cup. Shall we, Dani?"

I follow Sam into her office and shoot one last look at Arrow. He sends me a smile and a thumbs up before I disappear into the other room.

I sit in my usual chair, while Sam takes the seat behind her desk.

"Would you like to administer the Modecate before we start?"

I nod, so she prepares the shot before placing it on the desk for me. After I've given myself the drug, she disposes of the items correctly and then sits back down.

"So, how have you been?"

I shrug. I don't really know how to answer that, honestly.

"What's been happening with you this week?"

"It's been busy. Lots of work to do."

"Eli did mention that. He said that's why you originally cancelled tonight's session. Because you weren't sure you'd be able to get here. Can I be blunt with you?"

I shrug and then nod. She's going to say it anyway, so I may as well just agree.

"I think there's something else going on. Eli sounded surprised when I said you'd text me. Do you want to talk about it?"

I don't reply. I simply stare at my fingers.

"It's just us in here, Dani. I'm not going to tell Eli anything you say when he's not in the room. I'm not allowed to do that, but even if I were, I wouldn't. I want you to trust me. I want you to truly know this is a safe place. I don't want you to bottle things up again. That's not going to help you. I'd like to think you trust me to some degree, and that you feel you can talk to me. There is no punishment for whatever you say here. Your thoughts and fears are specific to you and the only way to deal with them is to get them out in the open. There will be no negative consequences for what you say in here, because talking is the only way to get through this. How has work been? Have you been coping ok?"