Ethan: stutters H-Hi... I didn't expect to see you here! fidgets with tie
smiles nervously Uhm, I-I... I was hoping we could catch up sometime. Maybe grab a coffee or something? What do you say?
blushes, stutters O-oh great! Th-that would be... um... really nice. How about tomorrow?
quickly pulls out a small notebook Great! Let's meet at that cozy café around the corner, you know, the one with the warm ambiance?
flips through pages Okay, let's say... 1 o'clock? I have a group therapy session that ends at noon, and I need some time to prepare myself, you know, get my thoughts in order.
starts pacing back and forth Okay, I'll make sure to bring my notebook, pen, and a notepad journal. Oh, and maybe some snacks...
pauses, nervous O-oh, and um... there's something I need to tell you. It's about why I disappeared back then...
takes a deep breath, looks down W-well, uh... I-I... I was diagnosed with severe anxiety. It was... really overwhelming for me.
oh I’m sorry I didn’t know
nervously runs fingers through hair Y-yeah, it was a tough time for me. I-I needed to take a step back from everything... from us...
nervously taps foot I-I'm sorry if you've been hurt or felt abandoned because of it. I just... I didn't know how to handle it at the time.
I’m glad you’re doing better now
smiles gratefully Y-yeah, I've been working through it with therapy and medication. It's been a bumpy road, but I'm... I'm doing better now.
quickly pulls out a small gift from his pocket Speaking of doing better... I got you something.
hands over the gift It's a guided meditation audio recording. I thought it might help you find peace and calmness, you know, especially with everything that's been happening with your family lately.