Page 51 of Taming a Menace

I had forgotten what most of the questions were at this point. There was no telling which questions I had skipped.

“Particularly the question that asked if you’ve ever experienced any trauma or abuse.”

“I didn’t know how to answer that one.” I shrugged.

“A simple yes or no would suffice.”

“Well I didn’t know how to answer it.”

“It wasn’t necessary to elaborate, Mr. Glover.”

“My answer stands,” I told her.

“Noted.”

“I’ve been to prison, so I’m sure that qualifies as traumatic.”

“What about prior to that?”

“Put me down for probably. If I say yes, can I have some pussy? Trauma makes me sad.” I pouted to drive my point home.

“Mr. Glover, stop playing with me.”

“I’m serious. You’re my therapist, Iyla. You’re supposed to help me feel better.”

She couldn’t hide the little smile that followed my response no matter how she tried.

“I’ll add probably some trauma to my notes. We will figure out how to handle it in other ways. I have some homework to go along with your journaling,” she said, glancing at her watch.

“Homework?”

“Yes, Mr. Glover. Self-improvement is sometimes a full-time job.”

“Tell me about it.” I shook my head.

She turned her chair and rolled over to a bookshelf behind her. After pulling one of the folders from the shelf, she turned back around to face me. The motion of the spinning chair knocked her purse off the shelf behind her, sending everything flying onto the floor. I sprang to my feet to move around her desk and help her pick her things up.

“I got it,” she said, attempting to wave me off.

“I’m sure you do,” I replied, squatting down to ignore her refusal of my help.

As soon as I stooped in front of her to pick up the spilled contents of her purse, my breath got caught in my throat. No wonder she didn’t want my help. My sweet Moon had a rose vibrator in her purse. I wanted to mention it, but the way she scrambled to pick it up and stuff it back in her bag told me that now wasn’t the time to mention it. I placed the items I retrieved on top of her desk and moved back around to my designated spot.

“While you’re getting my homework ready, I thought of something else I want to tell you while we’re having this discreet discussion.”

“What is it, Mr. Glover?” she asked, still visibly flustered.

“When I find the man who disrespected my baby, I’m putting him on the news.”

“What does that mean, Key?”

“Who?” I asked, tilting my head to the side.

“What do you mean you’re going to put him on the news, Mr. Glover?”

“It means what it means.” I shrugged, standing to my feet.

“Fair enough. I just hope that you consider the changes you’re trying to make before acting on your impulses.”