“Your view is incredible. How long have you two been living here?” asked, Liz. 

“Thanks. One year, and we will renew for one more.”

I could tell Liz’s coffee was too dark for her liking, so I slid the creamer across the kitchen island. I took a second to admire the scenery out of the living room window. Our two-bedroom condo overlooked the Atlanta skyline, and the city lights at night were my favorite. But there was something majestic about the skyscrapers hiding in the mid-morning fog. I took a deep breath and tuned back into Liz. 

“So I’ve got a couple of ideas for your little sight-seeking pleasure. You’re only here for two days, so if there is something you’d like to do, speak now.”

“BBQ”, Liz said with wide-eyes and a big smile. 

“Duh. That’s for sure happening. I figured we’d leave in an hour and get to J’s BBQ before the lunch rush.

“Sounds good to me. Is Trent ok with that?”

“He lives for J’s”, I assured her.

I was secretly hoping he would stay home so I could have some quality time with Liz. We hadn’t hung out since graduating college. Living in Atlanta was great, but I missed my friends in Pennsylvania. My face must have changed because Liz looked concerned.

“Does BBQ make you emotional?”, she joked.

I giggled and rolled my eyes. “No weirdo. I’m really happy you’re here.  Atlanta feels a bit more like home when you’re around.”

I grabbed a tissue and tried to wipe my tears before they fell.

“Is there something else going on, D? Are you and Trent ok?” Liz’s face was no longer amused.

“Yeah of course. We’re doing fine. I’ve just been restless, and I can’t put my finger on why. It’s hard to be present. My job is great except I wish I was doing more; you know I didn’t take an executive position to be mediocre” I confidently stated. “Atlanta is a solid home base for us right now. Our careers are unfolding and family is close by. But I want more space to breathe. I feel like I can’t do that here, and I don’t know why. I…”

“Diedra.”, Liz said calmly. Her sweet interruption reminded me to take a deep breath.

“It sounds like you do know. You sound sure of what is causing you discomfort.”

“Yeah?” I asked through a sigh. I stared into my empty coffee cup. “Thanks for listening. I don’t have any answers right now, and Trent and I aren’t making any changes soon.” I could feel my face getting hot again.

“Come here, friend. You need a hug. Therapist Liz is here.” 

“Shut up!” I laughed and made my way to the other side of the kitchen island. I wrapped my arms around her. “And thank you.”

“Now put on your big girl undies if you’re into that sort of thing, and I’ll be ready to go in about 45 minutes.”

“I wish I was as brave as you to go commando. Aren’t you afraid you will pee a little in your pants? We are almost 30, you know?”, I snorted and watched the creases in Liz’s forehead appear. 

“Whatever, D. The free life is the good life”, Liz exclaimed, truly unbothered by my insult.

“Uh huh. Better prepare yourself for after lunch.” 

I walked to the bedroom to wake up Trent. His head was underneath the pillow which meant he was in a deep sleep. I crawled into bed, snuggling him before heading to the shower, and my body relaxed. We were building a great life together, and I didn’t want to cause any issues between us. But I wasn’t ok, and admitting that to myself was enough for now.