Don't worry guys. I swear it'll get better. I just needed to get more of Allie's backstory to hopefully help you guys understand.
I ran into the building, showed my ID badge to the security guard, and quickly ran up the steps to the office. "I know I'm late!" I said as I skidded into the room.
"Calm down. It's ok. Your husband already called and said you'd be late." My boss said, walking out of his office. "Are you feeling any better?"
"Much." I said, flashing a grin that even to me felt fake. But, my boss seemed to believe me since he went back to his office. I walked to my desk and breathed a sigh of relief. At least I didn't have to explain anything.
I spent most of the morning looking at statistics about missing children and watching news reports. What I was finding that even in other states, there were more missing children than there ever had been and they were being taken the same way. So, from my understanding, it wasn't just one person. It was more of a group and they seemed to have bases set up in other states.
I was so engrossed in the research and the writing of my story, that the next time I looked at the time, it was time for lunch. Marcus and I were going to meet, so as I drove to the restaurant, I called to make an appointment for the therapist. Luckily, the next day I was going to work from home, so I made the appointment for that day. To be honest, I was a little nervous. Even if this Doctor turned out to be one of the best ones I'd ever seen, there was still a chance that he would think I was insane. I shook it off and went to meet Marcus for lunch.
The next day, as I got ready for my appointment, I was hit with a bundle of nerves. The same feeling I'd get whenever I had to go to therapists when I was little and they'd ask me imposing questions and basically belittle my feelings. I told myself that I was an adult now and that even if he didn't believe me, I knew what was the truth. I walked into the kitchen and saw a note from Marcus. I smiled as I read it.
"Als." The note started. "I know you're provably freaking out and this close to calling and canceling the appointment, (He knew me too well. I was considering just forgetting about the whole thing.) but just remember that this doesn't define you. You are an amazing and strong woman." I tucked the note in my purse and left the apartment, determined to not let any of this get to me. He was right. I'd gone through a lot and I was a stronger woman for it.
I took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and walked into the suddenly imposing office building. Shaking it off, I continued walking up the steps. I walked in the hallway until I found the office I was supposed to go into. The sign said "Dr. John smith," so I entered the room. It looked like a fairly normal waiting area for a therapists office with the receptionist in the middle. Behind her was a closed door, which I assumed was where Dr. Smith's office was. I walked over to the receptionist's desk.
"Hi, I'm Allie Henderson. I have an 11:00 appointment with Dr. Smith." I said.
"Great. Have a seat. I'll let him know you're here." The receptionist said, smiling. I sat down in one of the chairs in the empty waiting room and looked around, just for something to do. The receptionist got up from her seat and knocked on the door. After hearing a muffled "Come in" from behind the door, she opened it. I heard her tell him that I was here. A second later, she came back out.
"He'll see you now." She said. I got up from my seat, took yet another deep breath, and walked into his office.