Lauren sat in the cramped therapy office, her arms crossed so tightly across her chest it was a miracle she could still breathe.
She stared out the window, pretending the woman across from her wasn’t waiting for an answer.
Dr. Patel, her therapist, smiled gently from the chair opposite her. “How are you feeling today, Lauren?”
“How do you think I’m feeling?” she muttered, not meeting her gaze.
“I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking,” Dr. Patel said, her voice calm but persistent.
Lauren rolled her eyes. “I’m fine.”
Dr. Patel set her pen down deliberately. “Fine isn’t a feeling, Lauren. Let’s try again. Are you angry? Sad? Anxious?”
“Then I don’t know. Take your pick. Angry? Tired? Over it? All of the above?” Lauren muttered.
“That’s okay. Let’s talk about it, then. What’s been on yo
