My heart pounded as I approached the door to Toby's office, feeling like I'd been called to the principal's office. What was I in trouble for this time? Was my paperwork not good enough? Did someone tell him something I'd said in session that was wrong? Was I not the right fit for his upper-class private practice?
I could see Toby through the half-open door, hunched over his desk scribbling in a notebook. His heel bounced with restlessness, probably ready to go home for the night. Swallowing a ball of nervousness, I awkwardly knocked on the cracked door.
My friend (and sorta-boss?) looked up and motioned for me to come inside, meeting me at the door with a grin. As I went to sit on the couch, he pushed the door shut and offered me a water.
"Will this be a long meeting?" I asked, trying my best to keep the worry out of my tone.
"Are you in a hurry?"
"No... I guess not..."
Toby filled up his mug with water as he spoke. "You're not in trouble... yet."
"Yet?"
He didn't answer for a moment, waiting for the liquid to reach the brim before returning to his chair in front of me. "I saw the Coopers today and they told me about your collateral session. You were assertive — good work! That's exactly the kick in the ass they needed to stop bringing that kid into their arguments."
