October Novel Prep Challenge

Yes, yes and yes. I don't go anywhere without my husband. He is my anchor. I don't drive because it might put me in a position of being without him. Certain words or phrases set me off. For years I couldn't say lawnmower shed and I still am at a near panic of the idea of saying Dewly. I'm surprised I was even able to think it. I have blocked it out for years.

I do avoid crowded places. In fact we drove around for two hours until we finally settled on a place neither of us wanted to go but wasn't crowded on our last wedding anniversary. It had to fall on a Saturday. Whether or not she would feel cornered if a place started to become crowded all depends on how she feels about where she is sitting. Is it in chairs or a booth? Is she in the back of the room facing it or in the middle surrounded. I generally can handle a booth where I can see everyone but not a table where I can be surrounded.

How would he talk to her? Like he would a wounded animal. He would make slow nonagressive movements show her his hands so she knows they are empty and not balled up in fists. His tone and energy would be deliberatly soothing and calming. If he can get her to focus on him and make eye contact and hold it, she will calm down because he will become the center of her universe for that moment. He can assure her that all that matters right then is the two of them. That he is safe and will keep her safe. Once she feels that way, it will pass. The trick is to get her to feel safe.