Bagels & Therapy Who: Dan Hoffman & Jeff Novak (Closed) What: Physiotherapy, conversation and brunch. When: January 11, 12:53 pm. Where: Dan Hoffman's Apartment, Pennington Condominiums. Rating: PG-13. Status: COMPLETE.
Jeff was a few minutes early for the appointment with his next client, but that was fine. Mr. Hoffman would forgive him if he was late, but only because he might think it would mean less time doing his physiotherapy. Intellectually, Jeff knew that the man, stubborn though he was, realized the importance of what they did, and would also be well aware that any time missed because of weather, traffic, or trying to distract him with conversation just meant that Jeff worked him harder.
It was a good thing that the elevators were reliable, though, as the man lived on the twentieth floor. Fantastic view of Seattle, but taking the stairs was brutal. Jeff knew. He'd done it before, during a thunderstorm that had cut power to half the city. It had been early in their acquaintance, soon after he'd replaced the previous physiotherapist who had married and moved on. Mr. Hoffman had been expressing his dismay at missing his appointment over his cell phone as Jeff had diligently climbed the stairs by the emergency lights.
Mr. Hoffman had been very surprised to find him knocking on the door before the conversation was through, and had sulked through most of his session. Jeff had managed not to laugh.
The elevator reached twenty and Jeff headed down the hall, paper bag of fresh bagels in one hand and backpack over one shoulder. He knocked in a classic rhythm - Shave and a hair cut, two bits - and waited.