Love-Obsessed

4. PRESENT DAY: THE CLIENT

Chapter two

PRESENT DAY: THE CLIENT

Gabriella Jamitson ambled up the concrete path, scrutinising a multitude of windows, an arched entryway, and white timber posts. Her eyes flicked towards sunflowers lining the front garden and a well-kept lawn surrounding the brown-brick building with its green tiled roof. Low shrubs and a boulder to the side of the building’s entrance gave the local community health centre in Altona Meadows an inviting appearance. She passed the signage and entered through the sliding doors with a quick step, and came upon her first client for the day.

“Hello, Nora. I’ll be with you in five minutes.” She nodded to the receptionist and walked into her office. She unlocked her filing cabinet, inserted her handbag into it, and took out her client’s file and case notes. Putting them on her desk, she threaded her hands through her dark brown hair with its blonde highlights and took a breath. In less than two years, Gabriella would finish her studies and become a fully qualified social worker. As a Drug and Alcohol Counsellor, Gabriella thrived on helping struggling addicts reduce the harm that the substances they took did, and she wanted to ensure she did her duty well.

Wishing she had fewer curves, Gabriella pressed down the wrinkles and folds in her red cotton dress where it stretched over her buxom figure. She stepped back into the waiting room and called for her client. “Come through, Nora.”

The young twenty-year-old smiled. Her blue eyes looked tired and her long, red hair appeared unwashed. She wore a stained blouse and a rumpled skirt. Nora had been getting worse over these last few months. Having controlled her addiction and stopped taking too many non-prescription drugs, Nora should have been improving, but instead, she was going downhill. It must have been due to the stress of having to learn to live without something that took away her pain. Or was she lying about ceasing drug use?

Gabriella took a seat in her office while Nora sat opposite in an armchair. She gave her a reassuring smile and leaned forward in her chair to put her client at ease. Nora always needed a bit of time to relax into the session, and Gabriella wanted to make sure that all her clients were comfortable and open. Getting through the usual greetings and breaking the ice with topics like the weather, Gabriella dove into the session. “Tell me about your week, Nora. Have you been working on those goals to mend your relationship with your mother?”

Nora nodded, her hands shaking. “I have, and she’s starting to forgive me for all the times I got angry with her. I even practised those self-care activities you gave me. The mindful walking, the rituals before sleep, and calling my sponsor if I’m struggling with temptation. It’s all been helpful. Thanks, Gabriella.”

Gabriella took notes and uncrossed her legs. “Have you been sleeping?” She hoped Nora hadn’t relapsed, and the shaking and bloodshot eyes were a concern.

Nora shook her head. “Not really. I feel tired and drowsy all the time, even first thing in the morning, and I’m jittery and out of breath. I get dizzy and have issues with my memory and concentration. I’m not taking drugs anymore and I don’t want you to think I am.”

Gabriella gave her a reassuring smile. “You’ve done great work, and we’re at the stage of relapse prevention, given you’ve abstained for about three months now. But as I’ve mentioned before, you need to have a medical check-up to rule out anything physical. You seem to be doing everything right.”

Nora pursed her lips and stared at her hands. Even her fingernails looked brittle. “I hate hospitals and I refuse. It’s most likely me adjusting to my new life since I stopped using.” She averted her eyes.

What wasn’t Nora telling her?

Gabriella nodded. “Are you sure everything’s okay in your life? There has to be a reason why you’re feeling this way. You’ve been off the drugs for a while, and when you did the rehabilitation program, you managed your withdrawal then, so that can’t be it.”

Nora crossed her arms with pursed lips. “Everything’s fine.” She gazed past Gabriella as if she was in another place.

Gabriella wouldn’t pressure her. She would tell her the real reason for her behaviour in her own time, but something wasn’t right. Maybe her friend, Claudia could get her to open up. “Are you sure there’s nothing on your mind? I am here to help and won’t judge. You’ve come a long way, Nora, and I am here for you.”

Nora averted her eyes. “Hmm. All good.”

Gabriella could refer Nora to Claudia who had a different set of skills. There was time for that. “What I suggest then is returning to your previous psychologist, Claudia. She can look more deeply into the underlying source of these issues if you’re not willing to do a medical. Will you ring her and make an appointment later today?”

Nora hesitated, her eyes looking past her. “Fine. I’ll give her a ring after our session. I guess it can’t hurt, and she did help me the last time I saw her.”

“Is it okay if I speak to Claudia after you’ve had a few sessions with her? I’d like us to work together and make a plan to keep you sober.” Nora nodded. “This is the consent form.” Gabriella handed her the document and Nora signed it.

“And how’s your youth work role? Are you enjoying it?” Gabriella asked.

Nora nodded. “I love it. It’s so rewarding to help young kids break through the drug demon after what I’ve been through.”

Half an hour later, they ended their session. “I’ll talk to you next week and see how you went with Claudia. Take care of yourself.” Nora left with hunched shoulders and Gabriella sat down and wrote her case notes. She believed Nora when she said she had stopped taking drugs, but something else was causing all these symptoms. Claudia might be able to convince her to have a physical check or uncover what was really going on with her.

***Gabriella left her car in the driveway and lifted her face up to the warm rays of sunshine. She had recently moved into her period home in Spotswood, Victoria, and appreciated having her own space, especially in the spring season. The cottage-style home had latticework and timber posts at the entrance with several small trees in the front yard, a raised walkway to the house, and white, timber-framed windows. Unlocking the front door, she made her way down the narrow corridor, put away her handbag in her bedroom, and headed towards the bathroom. She splashed hot water over her face and wiped it with a towel. Her mind and body were physically and emotionally drained from the day, and she still wasn’t sleeping well. The dark circles under her eyes culminated from multiple losses in her life, more recently the death of her friend, Erica, one year ago. It still felt like it had happened yesterday, but she had to move forward and embrace her new life.

She found who she was looking for in the rumpus room past her bedroom and bent down low to pat her grey-furred kitten, Angela, who was lying in her padded bed. Angela greeted Gabriella with a stretch and a yawn, then left her bed to rub against her legs. “You are so cute, Angie, and you are the one bright spot in my day.” Having Angela around brought Gabriella comfort and settled her nerves after a challenging day, focusing her attention and giving her an outlet for her nurturing side. She had always wanted a pet, and when her neighbour asked if she wanted one of her cat’s babies, Gabriella jumped at the chance.

She rose, holding the kitten in her arms, and pulled out a tin of food from the overhead cupboard. Taking her back to her area filled with soft toys, a water bowl, plastic plates, and a litter box in the corner of the room, she lay her down gently, gave her another pat and rubbed her nose. “How about some food, Angela?” The kitten purred while Gabriella emptied the tin’s contents onto the plate and waited for her pet to devour it. Then, giving her one last pat, Gabriella beamed and left the kitten to enjoy its meal.

After dressing in sweatpants and a casual top, she took leftover chicken salad from the fridge, and while eating it straight from the bowl, her phone rang. She put down her fork and answered the call. It was her client, Nora, who didn’t normally call her after hours.

“Hi Nora. Is everything okay?” She held her breath.

“All good. I wanted to let you know that I’ve made an appointment with Claudia for next week. Can we reschedule our appointment to a fortnight’s time as I don’t want to be too overwhelmed next week? I can only take one counselling session at a time.”

“Of course we can, Nora. I’ll make it for the same time and day the following week. Is there anything else I can do for you in the meantime?”

“No, thanks. I’m feeling positive about Claudia. She helped me out last time and I’m sure she can help me again.”

“Not a problem. I look forward to seeing you in two weeks. You take care.” Gabriella ended the call and thought about Claudia. The woman had appeared intimidating to her at first, but once she got to know her, Gabriella realised that she was soft and mushy on the inside. At first glance, people could misunderstand Claudia’s behaviour as being aloof and self-entitled, but it was a mask to hide her true emotions. She was a big softy, and they had become friends.

Taking a deep breath, she was thankful that Nora was moving forward to a better life without drugs. She had come a long way. Hopefully, Claudia could help Nora with whatever was going on in her life.