Mitchum and Me

"You know, I'm only here because my mom recommended me to see you."

Was that rude?

She does not say anything.

"Am I rude?"

My shrink looks up from her notes and parts her lips. "Say what you want. It's your money paying for your remarks."

I furrow my eyebrows together and stare at her. Pinned behind her ears, her hair is free of any tangles. I stare at her office walls. The off-white paint is covered with her many degrees and accomplishments. I stare at her desk. A picture frame is sitting snugly near her computer.

My eyes don't leave the picture. "Is that your daughter?"

She looks up from her notepad but does not trail my curious eyes. "That's my niece."

"Not married?" I sound annoying.

She taps her pen on her notepad and says, "Tell me about your mom. Is she the reason why you're here speaking with a psychoanalyst?"

I puff. "One of the many."