The Invisible Black Woman

I blinked and just that quick, it was time for group again.

Amanda, our therapist, kicked things off, “What’s going on? How’s everyone doing?”

Adam chimed in, “Doing alright. My niece was here earlier, running around. Something to be grateful for.”

“Thanks, Adam,” Amanda said warmly. “Anyone else?”

Beth, looking a little under the weather, said, “Nothing major. I’m still sick, trying to make it through. But I have a dog-sitting job tomorrow, so that’s something to look forward to.”

Amanda nodded. “Hope you feel better soon, Beth.”

Beth gave a quick “Thank you.”

Another voice joined in, “I started back with my running. Feeling good about being more consistent with exercise. It’s a good week to get back on track.”

“Awesome. Glad to hear it,” Amanda responded. “What about you, Mike?”

Mike yawned, laughing, “Pretty good, though a little tired. Stayed up way too late watching Texas and Washington last night.”

Amanda grinned. “College football? Was it part of the Rose Bowl?”

“Nope, that was earlier. I got sucked into the Sugar Bowl… ended around 1:15.”

“Ouch,” she said, “but at least it sounds worth it.”

When she turned to me, I gave a simple “Doing alright.”

“Thanks,” she said before looking at Jay, who offered, “Doing okay. Things feel a bit brighter.

Amanda paused and took in the room. “So, what do we need today? Anything specific?”

Someone muttered, “Distraction.”

Amanda nodded, considering. “I have something, but… not sure if it’s the most creative. Maybe we can mix it up. I was thinking we could explore where you feel tension in your body, then list ways music or art might help with that. And maybe build a playlist you can all use.”

She scanned our faces. “But it sounds like we might need something more energizing?”

After a beat, she suggested, “Okay, we could draw while listening to music, passing our work around the room, creating a collaborative piece. Or we could just make a playlist together—something that brings out your creative side. What do you all think?”

A few of us exchanged glances. “A CD would be nostalgic,” someone finally said, lightening the mood.

Amanda lit up. “Yes, a CD! It’s something you can keep, old school, like a mixtape. I can have them ready by Thursday for anyone leaving soon, and next week for the rest.”

I’d like the record to reflect I never ever got my CD.

Nods and laughs echoed around the room as we imagined finding CD players in 2024.

“So we’ll combine,” Amanda said, smiling. “You’ll pick songs, and we’ll do the collaborative drawing. Everyone will get a piece back at the end.” She glanced around, teasing, “No pressure to pick the perfect song!”

As she grabbed markers, she added, “Think of a song that makes you feel free, creative, maybe even fun. I’ll add it to the playlist.”

While she stepped out, we debated the song choices. “This is your chance to show off,” someone joked, and soon enough, we were writing titles on the board.

Amanda came back, holding a handful of markers, “Alright, so here’s how it’ll go. Write your name on the back of your paper, just so we can give it back to you. Then, draw how you feel while listening to the songs. Every two minutes, we’ll pass it to the next person.”

The music started with “Santa Monica,” and Amanda encouraged, “Think of how the music feels. Some people match colors to moods, others use patterns to follow the beat. Just respond.”

The room fell into a rhythm. Every few minutes, Amanda called out, “Pass it on,” and each of us would inherit someone else’s piece. The mix of colors, patterns, and doodles grew into something chaotic yet cohesive.

When it was all over, Amanda gathered our art and looked at each page, her expression turning thoughtful. “Thank you all for diving into this. It’s amazing what we create together when we let go of perfection.”

As Amanda passed the final round of art pieces back to their creators, she glanced at the songs listed on the board. “Okay, let’s go over what we’ve got for our playlist.”

Jay added “Feel Good Inc.” and was grinning as he watched others react to the choice. “Couldn’t resist,” he shrugged, “had to bring some old-school vibes.”

Amanda laughed. “Nice one, Jay. Alright, I’ll add that. Next?”

Adam pointed to “Here Comes the Sun,” nodding with a small smile. “It’s… kind of an anthem for me, I guess.”

Beth smiled, “That one just makes you feel lighter, doesn’t it?”

Amanda nodded, marking it down on her list. “Perfect. Keep the ideas coming.”

As we rounded out the playlist, everyone was a bit more relaxed, like we’d shaken off the day’s weight. Amanda held up the playlist notes with a grin. “We might have to call this something—any ideas?”

“Sunny Side?” Adam suggested, still smiling after “Here Comes the Sun” was added.

Someone else threw in, “Group Groove?”

Amanda scribbled a few names down, chuckling as we brainstormed. “Keep ‘em coming. I’ll put our top three on the CD cover and make it look as ‘2009’ as possible.”

As we wrapped up, Amanda sat back and looked at each of us, her expression thoughtful. “You know, there’s something powerful about using creativity to process what we carry. Not every day has to be about diving into the heavy stuff. Sometimes, it’s enough just to create.”

Easy for you to say when you get to do the first lightweight session of the evening then pass us off for the heavy stuff.

She looked around the room. “So, let’s end today with this question: How did it feel to create together? Just a quick round, one or two words, whatever comes to mind.”

Adam spoke up, “Fun. Definitely fun. And a good distraction.”

“Relieved,” Beth added quietly. “I didn’t realize I needed this.”

When it was my turn, I said, “Lighter.”

As everyone shared, Amanda nodded along, a gentle smile on her face. “Sometimes, that’s all we need—a little space to let go, even just for a bit.”

With that, she wished us all a good night and sent us off for break.