The Dangling Question

Rowel L, 14

The Dangling Question

“How has the transition been?”

She looks straight into his eyes and smiles mildly. “Easier than I expected, to be honest.”

The therapist nods encouragingly, dropping his pen onto his desk. “Did your colleagues throw a get-together of some sort?”

“Oh, I had quite the farewell!” Her quick eyes glaze over, as one does when recalling a memory of the past. It must have been quite a memory, because a bright gleam overwhelms her eyes and almost immediately, a delighted grin stretches across her face, riding high.

“You were quite popular,” he smiles politely. “I’m sure you’ll be missed.”

“Well, I was always the fun one.” The woman winks.

They share a quiet laugh, and settle into a comfortable silence. She leans back into the leather seat.

“I think I’ll miss them.”

“Your colleagues or your job?”

“Both,” she says without missing a beat.

“Well, you could always go visit,” the therapist suggests.

Her lip twitches, and she shakes her head almost sadly. “But then I wouldn’t be able to leave.”

Confused, he raises an eyebrow. “Would it be such a bad thing to stay?”

She coughs out a short laugh. “It’s better for everyone.”

The therapist watches her closely. “Are you happy with your new job?”

There is a contemplative look in her eyes, and she shrugs once. “It’s a bit…normal, so that’s a bit of a challenge.”

There is a pause.

“It’s fun, though.”

He waits for her to speak again, but when she does, he is disappointed.

“Time’s up, doc! I’ll see you next week!”

Just like that, she’s out his door, and like every other week, he’s left staring after her, the slight indentation on the couch and the subtle scent of her perfume lingering in the air the only signs she was ever here…