10. She has: Abby

You’ve been seeing Abby since she started college. When she started school, she had anxiety. Since hitting the dating scene and ending up in a bad relationship that just ended, she’s developed depression. You look at her small form and see her hunched over, trying to take up as little space as possible. Her blonde curls are pulled up in a messy bun and her brown eyes look like she hasn’t gotten any sleep recently. She wears jeans and a sweatshirt that only barely succeeds at hiding her ample chest.

“Abby, come on in.”

The girl stands and softly walks over to your office door. She enters and immediately finds her way to the couch as she does every week.

“Hey doc.”

“How have we been this week?” You settle into your armchair opposite her.

“Um… not so great honestly. I just can’t stop thinking about my ex. Like what if that was my only chance?”

“Abby, a girl like you is going to have many chances.” And you hope you’ll be one of them.

“But what if I’m not. Like what if I gave up on the only guy who’ll ever be into me.”

“That’s him talking. Remember, what he said to you when you left doesn’t have any bearing on you. All it reflects is him.”

“But–”

“--and besides, I can think of one person who’d happily date a girl like you.”

“Yeah? Who?” She seems dejected, like she doesn’t believe you.

“I’m sure I’d happily date a pretty, smart thing like you.” You leave a slight pause between pretty and smart, enough to suggest a comma but not enough to confirm it.

Abby’s eyes go wide. “What do you mean?”

“Just what I said, you’re pretty, smart, and interesting to talk to. I’ve learned that over our time together.”

“You’re my therapist, you have to say stuff like that.”

“Not at all. I haven’t said anything like that to any of my patients this week.”

“And you’re married.”

“Which doesn’t stop many people from pursuing things on the side.” Your eyes glint mischievously.

“You… you wouldn’t though. Right?”

“Are you disinterested?”

She pauses for a moment. “I mean… no. But like…”

“What do you have in mind, Abby? What are you thinking about right now?”