DR. PATRICIA WILLIAMS (50s), a well-meaning therapist with kind eyes and sensible shoes, stands at the front clapping her hands together.
DR. PATRICIA
Ladies, welcome to "HEALING HEARTS DIVORCE RETREAT."
5.
I know this is hard, but you're
here because you're ready to heal.
Alise Johnson sits with perfect posture. Her manicured nails tap against her phone case. She surveys the room like she's judging a competition.
DR. PATRICIA (CONT'D)
Let's start with introductions.
Share your name and one word that
describes how you're feeling today.
REESE Jones street-smart with fresh braids and attitude radiating from her designer knockoff slides, rolls her eyes.
REESE
(under her breath)
This some kumbaya bullshit.
JASMINE Jacobs, professional and composed but with tired eyes, sits between them. She shoots Reese a gentle look.
JASMINE
(whispered)
Give it a chance.
DR. PATRICIA
Alise, would you like to start?
Alise straightens, switching on her public face.
ALISE
I'm Alise Johnson. I own three
boutiques in Toledo, and I'm
feeling...
(pause, calculating)
...optimistic.
She sits back with a tight smile. A few women nod approvingly.
DR. PATRICIA
Thank you, Alise. Reese?
REESE
I'm Reese. I'm from Cincinnati , and
I'm feeling like I wasted my
twenties on a lying-ass—
DR. PATRICIA
(interrupting gently)
Perhaps we can explore those
feelings in a more constructive
way?
Reese smirks, unimpressed by the correction.