Not Forgotten Read Online Free

counselled the teenager. Not that she ever dressed provocatively. Natalie hated being on display and much preferred to melt into the background, her back against the wall, protecting herself.
    She made herself silently count to ten. Billy was beginning to make her feel uncomfortable. He was a sweet kid but he was also a male and Natalie didn’t trust the male gender. She was always wary of them and their intentions and never once allowed her guard down in their presence. Even Billy, who was tall and lanky and seemed as soft as a marshmallow.
    She pushed away her issues and focused on her patient. He deserved her full attention. She made several more notations on the page and asked him how he felt, listening not only to his words, but his tone and watched the expressions play across his face to determine his truthfulness. A buzzer sent out a low hum from her desk, alerting her to the hour.
    “It appears our time is up Billy,” she said, standing. He rose also in one limber motion. “Have you spoken to your parents about how you feel?”
    He swallowed hard. “No. I don’t want to disappoint them.”
    “Your parents love you, Billy. You could never disappoint them. I’m sure they’ll be shocked to hear their pushing has caused this breakdown.”
    “I guess,” he said, his tone conveying he was not convinced.
    “Would it give you courage if I was there also? Perhaps at your next session, they could attend as well? We can tell them together. Help them to understand what it is you’re feeling and why.”
    “Yeah. I think that could work.”
    “All right. I’ll have my receptionist arrange a time that’s suitable for all and we’ll work this out. Are you going to be okay? Are you still stressed?”
    “I don’t know.” He gave her a once over.
    “Billy,” she said softly. His gaze jumped to hers guiltily. “I have a suggestion. Why don’t you ask one of the girls from your school to the movies? That’ll be fun and stress free and it’ll get you out of the house.”
    He blushed. “I like my women to have meat on their bones and a nice round figure. The girls at school are too skinny.”
    Natalie wasn’t sure if she should feel complimented or insulted. She maintained a healthy weight, but she would never fit into a size eight.
    “I’m not asking you to marry her, Billy, just take her out as friends. Have a few laughs. It really is the best medicine.”
    “Okay, Doctor Miller.”
    She wasn’t sure from the teenager’s tone if that meant he was going to comply with her suggestion or ignore it. There wasn’t anything more she could do. The patient had to be willing to help themselves before she even had a chance. Which probably explained her own reluctance.
    She waved off that thought as she walked Billy to the door. “Remember, when you feel like it’s all too much, just let go. Get up and go outside. Breathe and get some fresh air into those lungs, okay?”
    “Yeah, I know. Don’t let it get to me.”
    “Exactly. I’ll see you next week.”
    Billy nodded before slipping through the door. When it was closed behind him, Natalie sank into the chair at her desk. She glanced at the clock. It was still morning and she had hours to go before she could retire. Today was just dragging on. She closed Billy Duncan’s file before tucking the red folder away in her desk drawer. She stole a look at the pile of manila file folders on her desk. Sometime soon she would have to go through and review each case. It was something she was not looking forward to. Natalie didn’t like seeing her failures, of those she couldn’t help, the ones referred elsewhere or institutionalised. No she never liked knowing the statistics on her work, just as she never liked to hear criticism, constructive or otherwise.
    She walked over to her side table where her coffee maker sat and measured out the coffee and pressed the button on the side. The coffee maker sprang to life and made delicious sounds as the scent of coffee filled