“I’ve only been trying for an hour,” Samiah said. “Just wait.”

“She’s going to drive herself crazy trying to prove she can knit,” London said. “This is the problem with perfectionists.”

“Takes one to know one,” Samiah gritted through clenched teeth as she concentrated on her knitting.

London took a sip of wine before pointing her crochet hook at Taylor. “How did the practice test go?”

Taylor hadn’t been prepared for the quick change of subject. Unbidden, erotic scenes of what happened after her practice test sprang to mind, but she forced them from her head as she turned her attention to London.

“It was better than the last time I took it, but still not great.”

She told them about her freak-out at the beginning of the test and how she was finally able to relax and get through it once Jamar calmed her down. She also told them her score, because she knew she didn’t have to worry about these two judging her.

“I know it’s not the best, but considering that I scored a twelve the last time, I’m super excited.”

“You should be. A four-point improvement is huge,” London said. “I’m sure nerves had something to do with it. If you continue practicing, you’re going to raise that score.”

If she could guarantee that each practice test would end the way yesterday’s had, she could be talked into taking one every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

“The thing is, I think I have a learning disorder,” Taylor announced. “And maybe an anxiety disorder too. Although the anxiety may just be a by-product of the learning disorder.”

“Test anxiety is pretty common,” Samiah said. She looked to London. “Is it the same thing as a learning disorder?”

“It’s considered more of a symptom,” Taylor answered. “I’ve read up on it. To be honest, I’ve kinda suspected that this was my issue for a while, but I ignored it because that seemed like the easier thing to do.”

“What changed?” London asked.

“Jamar,” she answered honestly. “His friend Silas, the one you mentioned a while back,” she directed at Samiah, “he had a learning disorder. Jamar noticed that I was doing some of the same things that Silas used to do.”

“You should get a proper diagnosis, especially if you suspect you have an anxiety disorder in addition to a learning disorder,” London said. “There’s nothing wrong with seeing a therapist.”

“Who said there was anything wrong with seeing a therapist?” Taylor asked.

She shrugged. “Well, I know how the black community can be when it comes to mental health. My grandmother thought anyone with depression just wasn’t praying hard enough.”

“Mine too,” Samiah said.