Page 51 of Demitri

“How did I know you were going to say that?” I curl my lip in mock disgust.

“Because you’re a smart, capable, logical human.”

“What’s your homework?”

“I’m going to call a colleague of mine and talk to her about ways to help you. We went to school together and her focus was on sexual health and post trauma healing. I think she might be the expert. She’s close, just over in Briar Mountain.”

“Oh?” I can’t hide the surprise in my voice.

“You might know her? Dr. Thorpe?”

“Thorpe?” I gasp as recognition hits. “The Prof?”

“So you do know who she is. I think she might be willing to help us. It might be worth going and seeing her—as long as you don’t forget about me and my plain old general psych degree.”

“I don’t think you have much to worry about, Doc.”

“Shew.” She wipes her brow. “I’ll let you know when I talk to her, and we can figure out our best approach going forward.”

“Thanks.”

“And Mia, I want you to know that I’ve seen the work you’ve put in. I know you get frustrated that you aren’t where you’d like to be on all fronts, but after what you went through, the fact that we’re even having this conversation means you’re healing. Be proud of yourself.”

I stare at the woman who I credit with basically saving my life all those years ago, the tears welling up and falling. “Damnit, Doc. I was almost all the way through without tears today.”

“If you don’t cry, were you really even here?” She smiles at me and winks.

“I’m going to tell Sally on you,” I warn her.

She laughs and shakes her head. “Get on out of here. I have a call to make and you’ve got a man to talk to.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I roll my eyes.

“Mia,” she calls my name when I get to the door. “You know if you ever want him to come along, he’s welcome, right? He might have his own questions. If he’s that great, those questions will be about how to best support you.”

“Thanks, Dr. Malcome. I’ll let him know.”

I leave the office and say goodbye to Sally before escaping back to my car. Emotionally drained, I send Demitri a text letting him know I’m finished and will be home shortly. Then I call Grace.

“Mia? Everything alright?” she asks on the first ring.

“Yeah, fine. Just left Dr. Malcome’s office.”

“Ahh.”

This isn’t new. All four of us attend her practice and usually need to debrief after with someone we can really unload on. Someone who can understand because they lived through it, too.

“I asked her how to have an orgasm.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“I want to know how to have an orgasm. I know it’s mental. Tied to my anxiety and fear, and I want to know how to move beyond it.”

“Did she give you any advice?”

“She’s going to call and talk to another therapist. She wants me to talk to Demitri.”

“And how do you feel about that?” I can hear the smile in her voice.

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