Page 28 of Smoke N' Stroke

I nodded and waited because she looked like she had more to say.

“This won’t be easy and I’m not talking about your relationship though I suspect from what I know about the two of you, nothing will come without a tad bit of effort but there’s nothing wrong with that. I, despite what the social media experts say about love and relationships, believe that some relationships that require effort, are just as beautiful as the ones that come together seamlessly. Not all love stories start, exist, or end the same way. If you are happy, then truthfully, we must all be happy for you and I am very happy you have found each other. Now let’s discuss how to make sure we keepharmony within this clinic and on our clinical team. Is that alright?”

I was tempted to say “Yes ma’am” but instead I nodded when Zaire spoke on our behalf and said, “Yes, Dr. Patton.”

“Great, now let’s talk ground rules.”

19

NALA

We walked side by side down the long hallway avoiding speaking until we turned the corner where our offices were.

“That meeting didn’t go how I thought it would go at all.”

“Right… but I think everything she asked us for was fair.”

I couldn’t disagree. It was pretty simple. Keep displays of affection out of shared spaces and disagreements need to be resolved outside of the workplace. I prayed we never had one that required any real intervention.

“I was shocked when she said there was already another couple working at the practice.” And I spentthe better part of the conversation trying to figure out who it could be. It took everything to focus on her words after the statement.

“It’s not really a secret.”

I stopped walking, now outside of his office. “Wait, you know who it is?”

He turned, walked into his office, and gestured for me to follow him in.

“Pete and Tara.” Tara was part of a mobile team that went out into the community to do follow-up treatment when people couldn’t come in for services.

He chuckled when I gasped.

“How could you not notice? I told you Pete wouldn’t be saying anything. You spend too much time in your head, woman.”

“Not true.”

“Oh yeah?” His thick brow rose above his eye to challenge me.

“Yeah. I spend a lot of time in the minds of others. You forgot that.”

“Don’t get sassy with me.”

“What you gonna do about it, Dr. Booker.”

He snatched me up so fast the wind got knocked out of me, but I had no time to think about it. I was in his arms and his mouth was covering mine in ahot kiss that singed all doubts lingering from my mind.

“The question is what are you going to do about it, Nala.”

“I don’t know yet, but I’d like to figure it out with you if that’s okay.”

“Absolutely. I’ve been telling you since forever to just chill out.”

He reminded me of something.

“Did I tell you that my therapist gave me a script to get a cannabis card?”

“For your anxiety, baby?”

I nodded. Memories of that day would probably stay with me for an indefinite time. Even knowing he was in the state hospital receiving round-the-clock observation and care still didn’t remove the feeling of him possibly being somewhere waiting for me. There were still times I could easily see Terry ready to lunge at me again. The thought that he would have taken my life just because of his imbalances, made me go through the process of obtaining my card to get cannabis to calm my nerves. I spoke to Dr. Patton about it when she popped her head into my office to check on me Monday. She said even though she would be meeting with us in acouple of days she had been thinking about me and how I was doing after the incident.

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