sylvia: episode 6
Turmoil and New Beginnings
Sylvia sat at her desk, staring at the framed photograph of her last romantic partner. It had been a year since they had parted ways, and the sting of the breakup still lingered. She sighed, reflecting on the irony of her situation. Here she was, a therapist who specialized in relationships, yet she couldn’t seem to maintain one of her own. Her thoughts drifted to the Licensed Professional Counselors Association conference at the Westin in downtown Atlanta, where she had met Dr. Sada Brown. Tall, dark, and handsome, Sada was the epitome of dapper. His tailored suits and polished demeanor caught Sylvia’s eye from the moment they met. They had developed a nice platonic friendship, but lately, things had begun to take a turn for the romantic.
Just as Sylvia was lost in her thoughts, her phone buzzed with a message from Dr. Sada Brown. He was in Atlanta for a visit and wanted to meet her for dinner. Sylvia felt a flutter of excitement mixed with nerves. Maybe this could be the start of something new.
Setting aside her personal thoughts, Sylvia focused on the tasks at hand. She had a session with Marcus later that day, and she knew it would be a tough one. Marcus had finally decided to move out from Emily, and the fallout was devastating. Emily had been hospitalized for stress and emotional trauma, unable to cope with the sudden upheaval in her life.
Marcus arrived at Sylvia’s office, looking worn and weary. The strain of the recent events was evident in his eyes. Sylvia greeted him with a warm, understanding smile and guided him to the comfortable chair across from her.
“How are you holding up, Marcus?” Sylvia asked gently.
Marcus sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. “Not well, Sylvia. Emily’s breakdown was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to witness. I feel like I’ve destroyed her.”
Sylvia nodded, her heart heavy with empathy. “I know this is incredibly difficult, Marcus. But remember, you’re not responsible for her entire emotional state. This situation is complex and painful, but honesty was necessary.”
Marcus looked down, tears pooling in his eyes. “I just want to live authentically, but I never wanted to hurt her like this.”
Sylvia leaned forward, her gaze compassionate. “You’re taking steps to be true to yourself, and that’s important. It’s going to take time for everyone to heal. How are you managing your own feelings through all of this?”
Marcus shrugged, a tear slipping down his cheek. “I’m trying to keep it together. Sheldon’s been giving me space, and I appreciate that, but I miss him. I miss having someone to talk to.”
Sylvia offered a reassuring smile. “It’s good that you recognize that. Take things one day at a time, and don’t hesitate to lean on your support system. You’re not alone in this.”
As their session continued, Sylvia helped Marcus navigate his emotions, providing him with coping strategies and encouraging him to reach out to Sheldon when he felt ready. By the end of the session, Marcus seemed a bit more grounded, though the sadness still lingered.
After Marcus left, Sylvia prepared for her next session with Fatima and Jalani. She knew this would be a delicate conversation, and she hoped to help them find some common ground.
Fatima and Jalani arrived, the tension between them palpable. Sylvia greeted them warmly and invited them to sit.
“Thank you both for coming,” Sylvia began. “I understand there are some important things we need to discuss about your relationship and your family.”
Fatima nodded, her hands twisting nervously in her lap. “Yes, there are. I’ve been feeling the need to live more authentically and explore a polyamorous lifestyle. But I don’t know how to approach this with Jalani.”
Jalani’s expression hardened, his posture rigid. “I have no interest in that type of lifestyle,” he said bluntly. “I’d rather be out of the relationship than share my wife with another man.”
Fatima’s eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling. “Jalani, I don’t want to lose you. But this is something I feel deeply about.”
Sylvia stepped in, her tone calm and soothing. “This is a very sensitive issue, and it’s important to approach it with understanding and respect. Fatima, can you share more about why you feel this way?”
Fatima took a deep breath, her gaze meeting Jalani’s. “I’ve been feeling disconnected and unfulfilled. I love you and our children, but I believe there’s more to explore in life and love.”
Jalani’s face was a mask of hurt and anger. “And what about our family? Our children? How do you think this will affect them?”
Sylvia intervened gently. “These are valid concerns, Jalani. It’s important to consider all aspects of how this might impact your family. Fatima, what do you envision for your relationship and family dynamics?”
Fatima’s tears flowed freely now. “I envision a relationship where we’re honest and open, where we can love more than one person without fear. But I don’t want to lose you or hurt our children.”
Jalani shook his head, his voice steely. “I can’t do this, Fatima. I can’t share you. It’s either me or this polyamorous idea.”
Fatima sobbed, the weight of Jalani’s ultimatum crashing down on her. Sylvia moved closer, offering a comforting presence.
“Let’s take a moment to breathe,” Sylvia suggested. “This is a lot to process, and emotions are running high. We can continue to work on this together, exploring all options and finding the best path forward for both of you.”
After the session, Fatima left feeling conflicted and heavy-hearted. At work, she found solace in her coworker Damani, with whom she had always shared a special connection. Their flirtation had been light-hearted, but today, it carried a deeper significance.
During a quiet moment in the break room, Fatima confided in Damani about her counseling session. “Jalani gave me an ultimatum. He’d rather leave me than consider a polyamorous relationship.”
Damani looked at her, incredulous. “You actually brought it up to him? Wow, Fatima. That’s bold. But who are you interested in? Who’s the other man?”
Fatima hesitated, then met his gaze. “You, Damani. It’s you.”
Damani’s eyes widened in shock. “Oh no, Fatima. Don’t drag me into this mess. I don’t want Jalani coming here to beat me up.”
Fatima shook her head quickly. “I didn’t tell him who. Just that I wanted to open our relationship. That’s all.”
Damani sighed, running a hand over his face. “Don’t you think he’s going to suspect there’s someone else? You’re putting me in a tough spot, Fatima.”
“I know,” Fatima said, her voice breaking. “But traditional relationships don’t make sense to me anymore. I’ve told you this before.”
Damani looked at her with a mix of frustration and concern. “You’re playing with fire, Fatima. You’re going to lose everything if you keep pushing like this.”
Fatima felt the weight of his words, the fear and confusion clouding her mind. She wanted to live authentically, but the path seemed fraught with peril.
As the day ended, Sylvia returned home, her mind still buzzing with the events of the day. She received a message from Sada, confirming their dinner plans. A smile crept onto her face as she thought about their budding friendship and the potential for something more.
That evening, Sylvia met Dr. Sada at a Barcelona in the Inman Park area of Atlanta. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and as they shared a meal, the conversation flowed effortlessly. There was a spark between them, an undeniable connection that made Sylvia’s heart flutter.
“Sylvia, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you,” Sada said, his eyes warm and sincere. “I’d love to see where this could go.”
Sylvia felt a blush rise to her cheeks, her heart skipping a beat. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know you too, Sada. I’d like that.”
As the night progressed, the connection between them deepened, and Sylvia allowed herself to hope for a future filled with love and happiness.
read episode 7: https://skaijuice.medium.com/sylvia-episode-7-d1f2e425c65b
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