For some reason, I had confused the senses of dread with a sixth like sense knowing danger is around the corner. I walk up to the centers doors, there are four sets of doors that open up into the lunch room for the early college classes.
There are six vending machines directly ahead. The security office is off to the left next to a reading alcove. On the right is a hallway that leads to the welding program financial aid use building and the last office on the left in the hallway is the First Start room. It’s for a dumb dude like me that has no idea which foot to put in front.
I walk in and there is a two cubicles up front in the back of the first room. Plus there is a large computer banks series off the right of the door A large half circle front desk with sign in tablets on both ends of the circle. There is a pretty young lady behind the desk telling everyone to sign in using the tablets. On the left side of the room there are couches and single chairs for those of us waiting.
For when and who we are seeing.
As I wait, I notice that the lady behind the desk is doing everything possible to not look at me. It obvious that this is not a place I belong. Or at least no one is thinking to themselves “I cannot wait to see him everyday”. So as my anxiety raises like my blood pressure, I just settle into the thoughts of improvement and realizing the self discipline that this will take.
I mean a 43 year old going back to school to try and become a Art Therapist. Over the next 20 minutes my attitude towards a sixth sense and being survivor change drastically. I hope that one day I can look back on what happens next as a major lesson I have never wished or wanted to learn ever.
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Illustration by author.