“Ro, this is a nice surprise.”  Kay greeted her with enthusiasm, pulling her into a hug.  “What brings you to South Central?”

            “Just making the rounds.”  Rosanna replied.

            Looking at her friend she could tell something was on her mind.   Rosanna was not one to be pushed though so Kay just snorted, letting Rosanna know that she was not buying her cover story.

            Rosanna wandered around the studio and looked at pieces that struck her. True to form Kay began to tell her the history of the woman or child whose work she was examining. 

             Kay was a Creative Arts Therapist.   They had an ongoing debate about the efficacy of verbal or traditional psychotherapy therapy vs. non-verbal or creative therapies.  It was a draw and they each had come to agree over time that each perspective had its merits for particular clients.

             Kay specialized in working with Mothers and children who had experienced trauma, mostly sexual abuse or domestic violence.   Still whenever the subject arose they would invariably retreat to their assigned corners and engage in heated debate. 

            “I have a meeting with Christine but I’d love to have lunch with you if you are free.”

            “Sure, I have to be back by two I have a session then.”

            “12:30, it will help me to keep Christine on track if I tell her I have to leave by 12:15.”

            “Good plan.”  Kay laughed.  She respected Christine who was the Executive Director of the site but sometimes it was hard to shut her up once she began talking.

            “See you later.”  Rosanna strode off in the direction of Christine’s office.

            They wound up having lunch at a Mom and Pop soul food place where the food was amazingly good.  Kay was always adventurous and pumped her clients for the best of everything in the neighborhood.  They had salmon croquettes and macaroni and cheese and greens to die for. 

            “So my friend what’s going on with you?”  Kay was tired of waiting for her friend to talk about what she really wanted to talk about.

            “I’ve met someone.”