again."
"So, what do you do now?" Tanner asked.
"Teach at the university, which is where I met your lovely neighbor." He grinned over at Oakley.
She smiled back, watching each man in earnest as they continued to talk. Tanner appeared to relax once he determined Dr Miller's past experience. Almost like a mutual comradeship clicked, respect included. But, when Dr Miller mentioned his service, Tanner sat up and took great notice, as if he found something to latch on, hold tight to, and be able to glean from the older man. She sincerely hoped this worked out. Maybe, just maybe, Tanner would feel comfortable enough with a fellow Marine, one with experiences similar to his, who could advise him on handling the guilt eating at him. He needed, deserved to receive help and all the support he could get in order to take back control over his past.
They set up a meet and greet, purposely not telling Tanner that Dr Miller worked as a psychology instructor while practicing as a licensed psychologist specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder. Oakley knew if she conveyed that information to Tanner, not only would he adamantly refuse, but he might also lose all faith in her as well, believing she tried to force him into something he didn't want. Instead, she hoped by meeting Dr Miller, Tanner would grow to like the man as a person, lessening the bullheaded stigma he placed on therapy. For all intents and purposes, this outing was nothing more than lunch with her former boss. With luck, today would prove to be a springboard for future occasions.
The waitress interrupted with menus. Each made a selection, including a beverage, and they sent the young woman on her way. She returned shortly with their drinks, setting a glass in front of each one before scampering off again.
"So, Tanner, has she conned you into running those 5K races with her?"
Tanner grinned. "Oh, yeah. Good thing I have long legs."
"He almost killed me, I swear," Oakley tossed in as both men chuckled at her.
"Hey, you said it was your best time ever."
"Well, that's true." She smiled full of pride.
"She used to pester the tar out of me, trying to get me to run with her." Dr Miller took a sip of his soda.
"Did you ever?" Tanner followed suit, taking a big swallow.
Dr Miller shrugged. "Couple of times. I try to stay in shape, although running is hard on the knees, especially when you get my age."
Oakley shook her head. "You're only as old as you feel."
"Which makes me ninety-five today."
She snorted. "Your nose is growing again."
Tanner glanced from her to Dr Miller then back again. "Why is it that body parts grow when you're around?"
Heat blasted across her face. Her former boss guffawed while Tanner sat there with a mischievous grin. "Neanderthal."
By the end of lunch, Oakley decided their meeting had been successful. Both men seemed to enjoy themselves, holding the majority of the conversation. Tanner appeared relaxed and gave the impression of having formed an easy bond with her former boss. They went so far as to exchange phone numbers before heading their separate ways.
She waited until they hopped back into his SUV before asking Tanner's opinion. "So, it wasn't as bad as you envisioned, huh?"
He turned the engine over and pulled out of the driveway. "No. He's a good man."
"I agree. He made for a great boss too."
"How long did you work for him?"
"Three years as his graduate assistant. I would love to have done more, but three years is maximum you can do at the university, even with a double master's degree." She looked out the side window, watching scenery go by.
"For everything he's been through, he seems like a normal guy." Tanner stared straight ahead, his voice low as if he were talking to himself.
Not sure if she should respond, she finally found her voice. "He learned some ways to handle his past, ways that work, and I think he really enjoys life." There. She put the seed in his mind. Perhaps it would germinate enough for Tanner to seek
"So, what do you do now?" Tanner asked.
"Teach at the university, which is where I met your lovely neighbor." He grinned over at Oakley.
She smiled back, watching each man in earnest as they continued to talk. Tanner appeared to relax once he determined Dr Miller's past experience. Almost like a mutual comradeship clicked, respect included. But, when Dr Miller mentioned his service, Tanner sat up and took great notice, as if he found something to latch on, hold tight to, and be able to glean from the older man. She sincerely hoped this worked out. Maybe, just maybe, Tanner would feel comfortable enough with a fellow Marine, one with experiences similar to his, who could advise him on handling the guilt eating at him. He needed, deserved to receive help and all the support he could get in order to take back control over his past.
They set up a meet and greet, purposely not telling Tanner that Dr Miller worked as a psychology instructor while practicing as a licensed psychologist specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder. Oakley knew if she conveyed that information to Tanner, not only would he adamantly refuse, but he might also lose all faith in her as well, believing she tried to force him into something he didn't want. Instead, she hoped by meeting Dr Miller, Tanner would grow to like the man as a person, lessening the bullheaded stigma he placed on therapy. For all intents and purposes, this outing was nothing more than lunch with her former boss. With luck, today would prove to be a springboard for future occasions.
The waitress interrupted with menus. Each made a selection, including a beverage, and they sent the young woman on her way. She returned shortly with their drinks, setting a glass in front of each one before scampering off again.
"So, Tanner, has she conned you into running those 5K races with her?"
Tanner grinned. "Oh, yeah. Good thing I have long legs."
"He almost killed me, I swear," Oakley tossed in as both men chuckled at her.
"Hey, you said it was your best time ever."
"Well, that's true." She smiled full of pride.
"She used to pester the tar out of me, trying to get me to run with her." Dr Miller took a sip of his soda.
"Did you ever?" Tanner followed suit, taking a big swallow.
Dr Miller shrugged. "Couple of times. I try to stay in shape, although running is hard on the knees, especially when you get my age."
Oakley shook her head. "You're only as old as you feel."
"Which makes me ninety-five today."
She snorted. "Your nose is growing again."
Tanner glanced from her to Dr Miller then back again. "Why is it that body parts grow when you're around?"
Heat blasted across her face. Her former boss guffawed while Tanner sat there with a mischievous grin. "Neanderthal."
By the end of lunch, Oakley decided their meeting had been successful. Both men seemed to enjoy themselves, holding the majority of the conversation. Tanner appeared relaxed and gave the impression of having formed an easy bond with her former boss. They went so far as to exchange phone numbers before heading their separate ways.
She waited until they hopped back into his SUV before asking Tanner's opinion. "So, it wasn't as bad as you envisioned, huh?"
He turned the engine over and pulled out of the driveway. "No. He's a good man."
"I agree. He made for a great boss too."
"How long did you work for him?"
"Three years as his graduate assistant. I would love to have done more, but three years is maximum you can do at the university, even with a double master's degree." She looked out the side window, watching scenery go by.
"For everything he's been through, he seems like a normal guy." Tanner stared straight ahead, his voice low as if he were talking to himself.
Not sure if she should respond, she finally found her voice. "He learned some ways to handle his past, ways that work, and I think he really enjoys life." There. She put the seed in his mind. Perhaps it would germinate enough for Tanner to seek
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