Been There Done That (Leffersbee #1) - Hope Ellis Page 0,49

have myself a little more together, then when I came back for her I’d be ready and—’”

“Baby?”

I sighed. “Yes.”

“Let me tell you some important things about yourself, so that you can have a better understanding of your own motivations.”

“I’m not one of your patients.”

“What can I say? You’re a lucky you have a psychologist for an aunt. But seriously, here it is—you’re a perfectionist by nature. That’s served you well in a lot of ways. It’s helped you build the career you have today. But growing up, experiencing the things you did—not just in Green Valley, but watching your mother struggle to recover, feeling helpless when she died—it’s shaped you.”

“I hope it’s an interesting shape. Like a quatrefoil.”

“I love you, but you can be hard. And controlling. Especially when you think you’re right, especially when you want to rescue someone you love, and especially when you feel helpless. Yes, you were helpless at crucial moments in your childhood, and that’s no fault of your own.”

I ran a hand through my hair. “Is this session free? Or should I send you a co-pay through Zelle?”

“I understand this conversation makes you uncomfortable, but listen. Just listen. Being in Green Valley won’t always be easy. It’s not easy to confront the past, but that’s exactly what you need to do. So, I want to give you some homework and I want you to humor your all-knowing aunt and actually do it. Go back to the hard places. Deal with the places and moments you most want to forget.”

“I thought you didn’t want me to go back there?”

“When did I say that?”

“Just a minute ago!” I caught myself before throwing my hand in the air.

“I said nothing of the sort. Just listen to me, okay? Do your best to embrace that little boy Nick that became a scared teenager, then a desperately ambitious young man. The root of it all is in Green Valley. So take some time to get reacquainted. Heal the past so you can heal the hard places in you. It’ll be good for you, and—” She paused and lowered her voice. “It will help you reconnect with Zora. Might do her some good too.”

So she gets to hate the town, and yet I need to deep dive into it? “Aunt Nan—”

“And be gentle with Zora.”

I huffed out a laugh, certain it sounded frustrated. “You’re worried about her?”

“Be gentle.”

“Zora scares the shit out of me and I’m the one who needs to be gentle?”

Her laugh broke through the line, full and unrestrained. “Good for her! I can’t wait to meet her—”

“Aunt Nan, you’re not going to meet—”

“Alright, now get busy confronting the past and getting that girl back. I’ve gotta go, but send the Leffersbees my love.” Click.

I stared at the display. She’d hung up. What was this, The Twilight Zone?

Chapter Twelve

Zora

The training went off without a hitch. The supervising clinical directors for all of Rocket’s staff clinicians were eager to learn the skills they would in turn teach to others. I handled reviewing fundamental communication skills and related literature as appropriate. I’d left Adesola to take over after lunch, knowing our clients would most likely feel comfortable role-playing challenging scenarios with an audience limited to clinicians. My absence would give them room to share sensitivities and admissions they might not otherwise make with a non-clinician like me present.

I hitched my work bag higher over my shoulder, closed the door to the conference room, and smiled at the peal of laughter I heard on the other side of the door. God only knew what practice scenarios Adesola had dreamed up.

I’d only taken two steps out into the hallway when I heard Rocket’s receptionist’s strained voice. “Dr. Leffersbee! How can I help you? Do you need anything?”

She’d already risen from her desk, looking pained as she began to approach me.

I held up a hand to halt her progress. “No worries, thank you. I’m just taking a break. I thought I might give our group some privacy while they continue working through the material. Would you be fine with me sitting here?” I gestured to the plush waiting chairs arranged across from her. After three hours of standing in the punishing grip of uncomfortable shoes, I was more than ready to collapse into the depths of the overstuffed chairs.

The office was impressive. Modern furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows conveyed a cutting-edge techie vibe, but the rich mahogany woods of the receptionist’s desk and floor contributed to a warmer, welcoming aesthetic. My gaze caught once