Day 1 / 14:04
Noah’s sitting next to Ms Turner in one of the chairs that has been pulled to the middle of the Rec Room. The chairs are quite close together, and Noah shifts in his seat. What if things get tense? What if he feels the need to count? He can’t guarantee he’ll be able to keep the numbers in his head and off his lips. And if they’re on his lips, he’ll have to tap to keep them there. The thought gets his feet going; small quivers, unnoticeable, unless someone like Ms Turner’s on the lookout for them. He needs to distract himself, calm down before slight fidgets become full-on tapping.
He looks around. 4 males and 4 females. There’s Noah (1Male) with Vuyokazi next to him (1Female) and then Morné (2m). Sadie’s next to Morne (2f) and Wandile is next (3m), followed by Si (4m). Juliet (3f), sits between Si and Ms Turner (4f).
The circle could be better organised. Male, female, male, female, male, female, male, female would be good. That would be perfect. Or, for that matter, split it: 4 males on one side, 4 females on the other.
The ceiling fan turns in slow circles, barely cooling the heavy air. Noah’s brain is almost too dulled to think, but he has to. If he could just get a seating plan worked out. Not that he’d expect anyone to follow it, but it would be good to get an idea of how the circle could be arranged, even if it’s never likely to happen.
You should be working on more important matters.
Noah’s hand slips into his pocket, barely moving as he checks his pebbles, once and then a second time. So yes, boys/males/men on one side of the circle, girls/females/women on the other. 180 degrees precisely for both males and females. An organised circle in a large rectangular room.
If they came to group and sat in a logical fashion, then he could turn his attention to the chairs. Ms Turner told him he’d be welcome in the ‘circle’, but the chairs are a jumble: some are closer to others, some are completely out of alignment.
Noah sighs.
‘Noah?’ Ms Turner says.
All heads swivel to look at him and Noah realises it’s because he’s made a noise that could count as a contribution. Ms Turner’s obviously eager to make use of it.
He looks down and shakes his head.
‘Whenever you’re ready, Noah.’
Which will be never. Let the woman know.