Days later I sat in the waiting room of the Medical Clinic waiting to meet for the first time a Substance Abuse Counselor. When they called my name a nurse led me down a hall and into an office. “He will be right with you,” she said, closing the door. Just a second later a middle-aged, slim man with wire-rim glasses and rootbeer color hair that was thinning on top came through the door.
“Hi Jillie, I’m Garrett. What is happening with you? We sat in chairs across from each other with his desk in between us. He wore a short sleeve light blue polo shirt that showed a bulge of muscles with black slacks. He looked athletic and alert.
I liked that. I enjoy Yoga and Pilates. I know how it is very calming, so I felt comfortable talking to him…at first. I told him how shocked I was by the abandonment. How hurt and ashamed I was for our daughter . What the Police had to say and how I could not lose the house.
Garrett handed me the box of tissues on his desk. While I was wiping away my tears he stood up and went over to the wall. He pointed to a large framed poster. ‘This Jillie is the signs of alcoholism. It is broken down into all the distinct stages.” I shook my head. “No, and a laugh that barely escaped my lips. “No, no, my husband is not an alcoholic.”
“Okay,” he said and sat back in his chair. “The reason I’m here is…” ‘It’s ok Jillie. I’m here to help you.” I look up at him. The framed picture on his desk of a shaggy sheep dog standing in the middle of a big yard. I ask him about the dog. Then he shows me a picture of his husband. Then we both sat in our respective chairs and were silent.
We both looked at each other at the same time. He grinned. I curled my lips into my teeth trying desperately to stop the tears. “Would you like a cup of coffee, Jillie.” I nodded yes. “Cream and sugar.” “Just black, please.” He left the room and closed the door. I stood up and stretched. My body is so stiff and sore. My life has exploded. I’m a private person, everything about this is so embarrassing and excruciating. I had never seen a therapist before and I never wanted too, but now more for my dauther, than me, I cannot let her down as her father did.