"I'm always late for my appointment because your office isn't where I think it is," I said. "See, there's the Arby's, right next door. But really it's like two blocks away."

"Mmmmm... horsey sauce," said the counselor.

We took a turn up an alley. It was overgrown with trees and vines.

"And this way," I said. "Really it's the service road behind the gym at Psyhigh. The barn where they keep the mowers and equipment is just right around the bend. That's miles from here."

"Oh but these are just shortcuts," the counselor said. "You should learn how to use them."

"Use them? But they make me confused and get me lost."

"Don't be afraid. Here," the counselor said, handing me a small stone. "Your coordinates are programmed in for this side. And you should also have them to get back from the other side. Now go!"

With that, the counselor turned around and headed out of the alley, back to her office.

"But wait--"

And she was gone.

I needed help navigating my mental map. 

“It just doesn’t line up with reality,” I said. “At least with how I’m trying to do it.”

They have counselors for this. My mom found one for me. 

“Yes, it can be quite disconcerting,” the counselor said. “How about you walk me through it?”

“Well, for instance,” I said. “Outside your door. This office.”

“Lead the way!” 

We left the small room where she took her appointments. It was cozy, with some rugs and furniture and objects to make it feel lived in. Sort of fake, like a museum version of a room in someone’s actual house, but real enough for what it was supposed to be. 

“So I’ve got that in my mind.”

“Good.”

There was a short hallway to the waiting room. There was a desk but the counselor didn’t have a secretary. More props. 

Out the front door is where things got interesting.