Eight days later I sat back in Dr. Frey's office. Instead of my usual, comfy seat I was led to a plain wooden chair, old and worn, which audibly creaked when I sat. He had me place my hands palm down on the small desk before me and walked away, pulling out a small sheet of paper.
"Now, Elizabeth, I want you to clear your mind completely. If you like you can close your eyes. I'm going to read you a list of words and you will tell me what you associate them with. Is this alright?"
I nodded, "Yeah, it is."
He leaned back into his chair, stopwatch in hand and paper in the other. "Good. Alright, first word: apple."
I said, "Pie."
"Doll," he murmured.
"Porcelain."
"Wolf."
"Wild."
"King."
"Crown."
"Darkness."
"Light."
"Baby."
"Family."
"Sex."
"...family..." my fingers curled against the cool desk. Suddenly I had a rush of memories of Catherine with me, bare breasted in the moonlight as we spoke of our hopes and dreams. "Yeah, family."
Dr. Frey 'hmmed' and wrote something down. "I see, Elizabeth." He was silent for a moment, and I looked up from my pale hands to the diploma adorned wall before me. "You're anxious...you haven't gotten over Catherine, have you? This just shows me that you're hanging on to your beloved with an iron grip. You're not giving up on her or on finding her supposed killer."
I broke down inside. I evened out my voice as best I could, "I never will give up, Dr. Frey. I never will. I understand that, I accept that. I will go the rest of my life with my four best friends, but never another girlfriend."
I turned to look at him, and he gazed back at me with a heartbroken expression, "It can always get better, you know. You seem to not be giving it a chance."
He stood up and I followed suit. He scheduled me in for another three weeks. "Let me know if you see this black figure again."
Naomi's birthday came on the 10th of March, and on that day, at her house, while we laughed and joked and enjoyed ourselves, I saw it standing in the calmly in the twilight, right on the backyard lawn.
My throat tightened and I felt every vein in my body freeze. I chugged my decently sized glass of sangria to get moisture back into my mouth, and in the moment my eyes were averted, it seemed to come closer.
"Elizabeth?" Rebecca nudged me slightly, "You alright?"
I made the mistake of turning my head towards her, "I'm...sorry, I'm just out of it." I looked back to the window and it came just a few feet closer. My heart began to beat faster.
"No, you're not 'just out of it,'" Florence placed her glass on the coffee table. "What's the matter?
You're whiter than a ghost right now. You're not like that"
I blinked. It came closer. What could I say...?
"Don't look behind you," I whimpered, "Please, please don't."
"What?" Vivian's brow furrowed and she made the move to look at the window behind us. I grabbed her shoulders too roughly. "Ow! Elizabeth, what the fuck?"
Naomi turned around. She turned around as I held Vivian, went outside to check it out. I screamed at her to come back inside...she did, "Elizabeth, there's nothing out there. What's going on? Why did you freak out?"
What could I tell them? What could I say? "Please stay inside, girls. I don't want to lose you..." I broke down right on the floral couch, my tears landing on my glasses. My poor girls, they were so confused and worried. This was Naomi's special day and it ruined it. I ruined it.
For now it disappeared...but how long until it comes back?
Showing posts with label dr frey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dr frey. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Dr. Frey's Opinion
I didn't feel comfortable letting Lunagirl out of my sight after that incident, so against her wishes I kept her inside. She begged me with her adorable meows to let her back, but I knew, just knew, that the second time that thing wouldn't be lenient.
I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Frey and asked for a meeting as soon as possible. He had an opening on the following Wednesday, and so I went. In place of a bowl of cherries there was a small tray of cute colored macarons. I helped myself to, well, all of them (much to my shame; other people would have wanted those) as I waited.
The door to his office gently opened and he beckoned me inside. I practically bowled him over to get to the chair. Dr. Frey said, "Elizabeth, good Lord...what's the matter?"
I settled into the chair, gripping the smooth arms as I worded myself as best I could. Would he, too, think that I was nuts? I had to give it a shot, and I did.
He let me speak, listening intently the entire time and wrote down notes. When I had finished, he took off his glasses, folded them neatly and looked at me, "Elizabeth, listen to me. When you saw this Fear Dubh in that blizzard, you were cold, shaking, the snow obstructing your vision."
"But I know what I saw, Doctor," I pleaded, "it tried to go after my Luna! It's real. Please, please believe me. This thing is real and it killed Catherine."
Dr. Frey frowned, then sat back in his chair and nodded, "I don't know what to say, Elizabeth. Either her illness is spreading or, most unlikely, this creature is real. But let's go back further. Before the blizzard, did you see it then?"
"No, I haven't. But I did get...listen to this. I woke up one morning in December to find that someone had ripped a page out of Catherine's diary and taped it to the front door."
That caught his attention. He leaned forward, "Come again?"
I, too, leaned in, "Someone found Catherine's diary, something she took with her, ripped out the page that detailed her proposing to me, and left it on the front door. I still have it."
"Then tell the police as soon as possible. Why didn't you tell them then?"
That was a good question, but a part of me had a reason: it was a piece of Catherine that I held near and dear to my heart, and by giving it to the police, I would have to give it up. Later that day I did tell the police about my finding, much to their displeasure. They admonished me about not telling them sooner, but days later came back to me and said they could find nothing of use from it. No fingerprints, no markings, nothing. It was as if it just teleported there from nothing.
The rest of the session was unremarkable. He penciled me in for another session soon, and this time he would do a simple test, a similar one he did with Catherine.
I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Frey and asked for a meeting as soon as possible. He had an opening on the following Wednesday, and so I went. In place of a bowl of cherries there was a small tray of cute colored macarons. I helped myself to, well, all of them (much to my shame; other people would have wanted those) as I waited.
The door to his office gently opened and he beckoned me inside. I practically bowled him over to get to the chair. Dr. Frey said, "Elizabeth, good Lord...what's the matter?"
I settled into the chair, gripping the smooth arms as I worded myself as best I could. Would he, too, think that I was nuts? I had to give it a shot, and I did.
He let me speak, listening intently the entire time and wrote down notes. When I had finished, he took off his glasses, folded them neatly and looked at me, "Elizabeth, listen to me. When you saw this Fear Dubh in that blizzard, you were cold, shaking, the snow obstructing your vision."
"But I know what I saw, Doctor," I pleaded, "it tried to go after my Luna! It's real. Please, please believe me. This thing is real and it killed Catherine."
Dr. Frey frowned, then sat back in his chair and nodded, "I don't know what to say, Elizabeth. Either her illness is spreading or, most unlikely, this creature is real. But let's go back further. Before the blizzard, did you see it then?"
"No, I haven't. But I did get...listen to this. I woke up one morning in December to find that someone had ripped a page out of Catherine's diary and taped it to the front door."
That caught his attention. He leaned forward, "Come again?"
I, too, leaned in, "Someone found Catherine's diary, something she took with her, ripped out the page that detailed her proposing to me, and left it on the front door. I still have it."
"Then tell the police as soon as possible. Why didn't you tell them then?"
That was a good question, but a part of me had a reason: it was a piece of Catherine that I held near and dear to my heart, and by giving it to the police, I would have to give it up. Later that day I did tell the police about my finding, much to their displeasure. They admonished me about not telling them sooner, but days later came back to me and said they could find nothing of use from it. No fingerprints, no markings, nothing. It was as if it just teleported there from nothing.
The rest of the session was unremarkable. He penciled me in for another session soon, and this time he would do a simple test, a similar one he did with Catherine.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Anxiety
I had a severe anxiety attack on June 11, the day Catherine and I were to be married a year ago. I didn't have to go to the hospital or anything, but it was like nothing I've ever had before. I was just sitting on my bed when suddenly I couldn't breath. My entire body as shaking and I felt like I was going to collapse. There was this weird feeling of being overheated and frozen at the same time.
It lasted for nine minutes, which to me felt like a never ending hell. After I finally calmed down I got myself a glass of water and listened to some soothing music, which helped a ton. Even though it was three days ago, it still haunts me. I honestly felt like I was going to die.
It lasted for nine minutes, which to me felt like a never ending hell. After I finally calmed down I got myself a glass of water and listened to some soothing music, which helped a ton. Even though it was three days ago, it still haunts me. I honestly felt like I was going to die.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Nature's Church
I was awoken early the next morning by a strange feeling on my cheek, dancing across my lips and down my neck. Delirious, I at first thought it was Catherine's fingers, as she did have a habit of caressing my face as I slept in one of her more loving moods, but when the feeling crawled up my face once more, I opened my eyes to see a house spider comfortably resting on my nose.
Now, I don't like hurting bugs, I don't. But this black thing spooked me so bad that I nearly let out a yell. I slapped it off of my face and onto surfaces unknown, for I never saw it after that. After I calmed myself down enough, I went to the bathroom to check for any bites. I found none whatsoever, which was most certainly a good thing. Looking outside I saw that the sun was slowly starting to rise, and since our classes were at eight-thirty, I debated even going back to bed; didn't want to get too comfortable again. Might as well make some tea and get ready.
But then I thought about Catherine and that spider. The one on my face wasn't identical to the one we saw yesterday, and I honestly didn't feel comfortable with any arachnid (big or small) near her. It was the desire to protect Catherine, even from harmless little things, that made me go back into my room and curl up next to her. To hell with everything else.
The day passed on comfortably: we carpooled to school, met up with our girls, managed to eat lunch together before scattering to our respective destinations. The classes went smoothly, our phones managed to not glitch up royally (thank God), and we even ate out for dinner that night. I did see Catherine sometimes looking behind her and over my shoulder, but aside from that nothing went awry.
We returned on time, no later that ten, and completely exhausted we went to bed. As we lay there, not asleep yet not awake, Catherine gently nudged my shoulder.
"Hmm? You alright?" I said to her.
She nodded, "Yeah. I just wanted to make sure you knew I was still here."
It was a simple little sentence, but it meant so much to me. I kissed her forehead, and we slowly descended into blissful rest. That night I dreamed of a small, cozy cabin in the middle of a dense forest; the kind of home or vacation spot many would kill for. Inside were plenty of furnishings to go around, comfortable couches and beds, a full pantry and the sound of laughter from an invisible family. It was beautiful, soothing.
And then, in the blink of an eye, the cabin caught fire. I don't know where it started, but the flames crept up the walls and along the floors like a stalker in the night. Soon the entire house was a fireball, and I heard the laughter turn to muted screams. In seconds the cabin was ash upon the forest floor, and all was silent.
I woke with a start, my heart pounding like a frantic drum in my chest. I felt beside me to feel if Catherine was still with me, and to my relief she still was. In minutes I calmed down enough to finally fall into an uneasy rest. Morning could not have come sooner.
But after an eternity, it did. The sun rose and banished away all darkness, golden-yellow rays pouring into windows to wake the people and let them start the day, hopefully with a good night's sleep behind them. Such was the way with Catherine and I. Quietly we walked down the stairs, rubbing our eyes and yawning. Breakfast for both of us was jasmine green tea, toast with Nutella and ground cinnamon and sliced green apples.
Outside, Lunagirl was meowing loudly for her food and attention, yet there was also something mournful in her voice. Catherine said to me, "Let me go play with her while you get her breakfast."
She opened the back door, shuddered at the sudden coldness and knelt down to pet Lunagirl. I was calmly opening a can of her preferred foodstuff when Catherine let out a ragged, low scream. I flew to the door, shouting, "What's wrong?! What's wrong?!"
Catherine wordlessly pointed to my cat, a look of terror in her eyes. I held my little black companion in my arms and my jaw dropped in shock.
Lunagirl's back neck was almost covered in ticks. Pale, engorged things that greedily sucked at her lifeblood. Horrified, yet intrepid, I began to pluck each of them off. It was no easy task, as they had embedded themselves in her skin so deeply that it seemed they were now a part of her. All the time my beloved feline was sitting still so I could work. In the end I counted a total of eighteen ticks, every last one of them so big that they could barely move. Catherine smashed them all with the one of my father's heavy shoes.
At one-thirty I accompanied Catherine to her appointment with Dr. Frey, sitting in the waiting room and fiddling with my phone the entire time. The session took a little longer this time, not that I minded. If Catherine needed more time to get it off her chest, then it can take as long as she wants it to. I forgot to mention this back a while, but she was laid off from her job due to her missing shifts and erratic behavior. It didn't seem to hit her too hard, but it wasn't making things easier.
At almost three o' clock Dr. Frey invited me to join Catherine in his office. I walked in, sat down in a chair next to hers, and held Catherine's outstretched hand.
Dr. Frey cleared his throat and spoke, "Catherine has told me all about her little black out that happened. They are very scary, and since she does not illegal substances nor has any brain damage, it makes them even more puzzling. You two staying together through all of this shows how strong you are, and how much love you have for one another." he paused and I squeezed Catherine's hand. "I do want to put both of your worries to rest and tell you that your phones were most likely malfunctioning. It sometimes happens to Justine's phone, even. Don't over-analyze it it mean more than it does; it causes headaches." He chuckled at his own joke.
"Now, Elizabeth," he continued, folding his hands neatly on his desk. "Is there anything you want to get out there for discussion? Any fears, thoughts...nothing is off limits."
I breathed in deeply, then exhaled. I turned to Catherine and said, "I love you, and nothing can keep me from doing that. Not even this wicked thing that seems to like you a whole lot." She didn't laugh, but a smile formed on her lips. "And you're not suffering though this alone, okay?"
"I know."
"I mean, I had a really crazy dream last night even--"
The smile faded quickly, replaced with anxiety. "What?"
"Yeah...it was freaky. Surreal."
The doctor said, "Do you want to share it with us, Elizabeth?"
I decided, 'why not? It's just a dream' and told them. "It was just...creepy. I dreamed about a cottage in the woods that must have belonged to a family. Then it caught fire and burned to the ground, most likely killing everyone. I woke up scared silly."
The doctor nodded his head, a look of puzzlement on his face. "Hm. Odd. But dreams are often like that. Personally it may have just been a simple nightmare, but one would think that there is a deeper meaning. Catherine? What do you think?"
Catherine's eyes grew wide as saucers, her breathing becoming deeper and deeper. "I know that something serious needs to be done."
She got up out of her chair, dragging me along with her. Before leaving the room, she turned and nodded, "Thank you, doctor. I believe I know what I have to do now." Catherine's grip on my wrist grew stronger as she pulled me to the car. I gently pried her fingers off of my small wrist and nearly croaked, "Cathie! Wha-what is going on?!"
It was a question that has long since worn out its welcome. I wondered about her strange behavior and seemed to get an answer that this evil thing wanted her for some bizzare reason. I wanted it gone so that she would stop worrying and being on edge. I wanted it gone for both of our sakes.
She opened the passenger door and looked at me pleadingly, "I have to think about this. Let's go home."
So we did, the whole ride spent in pure silence. Catherine was looking out the window, seemingly mulling over what she and the doctor had talked about and my dream. I wanted to make small talk, but each time a sentence formed in my mind it died in my throat. Sometimes words were not nescessary.
When we arrived home she quietly opened her door, walked around to me and opened mine. "Thanks, love," I murmured. Together we walked to and through the unlocked front door, where Catherine still wore the expression of a person debating what in the name of God to do with their life. I said in the cheeriest voice I could muster, "You want a snack? I think we still have those apple slices left."
I recieved a "Mm-hm." in response. I gave her the the slices of fruit and she chewed them slowly, listlessly. I looked around me for any and all spiders or insects, and should one appear I would be the first to swat it out of the room. "You alright?" I whispered.
"Kind of. I'm just really upset that you dreamed about that. It's not good."
"Why?"
She swallowed heavily, "Because. It might want you, too."
My eyebrows rose, "Me?"
She nodded.
I didn't say anything; I was left completely speechless by this new turn of events. A little bit of fear started to creep inside of me. Were dreams the first sign of things to come? No. No. I won't let this thing have me. I can't let it consume me. Without thinking I said, "Yesterday I woke up with a spider on my face. I don't want to freak you out, but I don't want to keep anything from you. I wacked it off my face and I didn't see it after that." I half expected her to flip the table, but instead sheburied her face in my shoulder. Catherine didn't cry, only let out sad little sighs.
Almost foolishly, I said, "Nothing bad will happen to me, Catherine. We're going to get through this."
She looked up at me with a smile drained of all warmth and said, "I can only hope we will."
Now, I don't like hurting bugs, I don't. But this black thing spooked me so bad that I nearly let out a yell. I slapped it off of my face and onto surfaces unknown, for I never saw it after that. After I calmed myself down enough, I went to the bathroom to check for any bites. I found none whatsoever, which was most certainly a good thing. Looking outside I saw that the sun was slowly starting to rise, and since our classes were at eight-thirty, I debated even going back to bed; didn't want to get too comfortable again. Might as well make some tea and get ready.
But then I thought about Catherine and that spider. The one on my face wasn't identical to the one we saw yesterday, and I honestly didn't feel comfortable with any arachnid (big or small) near her. It was the desire to protect Catherine, even from harmless little things, that made me go back into my room and curl up next to her. To hell with everything else.
The day passed on comfortably: we carpooled to school, met up with our girls, managed to eat lunch together before scattering to our respective destinations. The classes went smoothly, our phones managed to not glitch up royally (thank God), and we even ate out for dinner that night. I did see Catherine sometimes looking behind her and over my shoulder, but aside from that nothing went awry.
We returned on time, no later that ten, and completely exhausted we went to bed. As we lay there, not asleep yet not awake, Catherine gently nudged my shoulder.
"Hmm? You alright?" I said to her.
She nodded, "Yeah. I just wanted to make sure you knew I was still here."
It was a simple little sentence, but it meant so much to me. I kissed her forehead, and we slowly descended into blissful rest. That night I dreamed of a small, cozy cabin in the middle of a dense forest; the kind of home or vacation spot many would kill for. Inside were plenty of furnishings to go around, comfortable couches and beds, a full pantry and the sound of laughter from an invisible family. It was beautiful, soothing.
And then, in the blink of an eye, the cabin caught fire. I don't know where it started, but the flames crept up the walls and along the floors like a stalker in the night. Soon the entire house was a fireball, and I heard the laughter turn to muted screams. In seconds the cabin was ash upon the forest floor, and all was silent.
I woke with a start, my heart pounding like a frantic drum in my chest. I felt beside me to feel if Catherine was still with me, and to my relief she still was. In minutes I calmed down enough to finally fall into an uneasy rest. Morning could not have come sooner.
But after an eternity, it did. The sun rose and banished away all darkness, golden-yellow rays pouring into windows to wake the people and let them start the day, hopefully with a good night's sleep behind them. Such was the way with Catherine and I. Quietly we walked down the stairs, rubbing our eyes and yawning. Breakfast for both of us was jasmine green tea, toast with Nutella and ground cinnamon and sliced green apples.
Outside, Lunagirl was meowing loudly for her food and attention, yet there was also something mournful in her voice. Catherine said to me, "Let me go play with her while you get her breakfast."
She opened the back door, shuddered at the sudden coldness and knelt down to pet Lunagirl. I was calmly opening a can of her preferred foodstuff when Catherine let out a ragged, low scream. I flew to the door, shouting, "What's wrong?! What's wrong?!"
Catherine wordlessly pointed to my cat, a look of terror in her eyes. I held my little black companion in my arms and my jaw dropped in shock.
Lunagirl's back neck was almost covered in ticks. Pale, engorged things that greedily sucked at her lifeblood. Horrified, yet intrepid, I began to pluck each of them off. It was no easy task, as they had embedded themselves in her skin so deeply that it seemed they were now a part of her. All the time my beloved feline was sitting still so I could work. In the end I counted a total of eighteen ticks, every last one of them so big that they could barely move. Catherine smashed them all with the one of my father's heavy shoes.
At one-thirty I accompanied Catherine to her appointment with Dr. Frey, sitting in the waiting room and fiddling with my phone the entire time. The session took a little longer this time, not that I minded. If Catherine needed more time to get it off her chest, then it can take as long as she wants it to. I forgot to mention this back a while, but she was laid off from her job due to her missing shifts and erratic behavior. It didn't seem to hit her too hard, but it wasn't making things easier.
At almost three o' clock Dr. Frey invited me to join Catherine in his office. I walked in, sat down in a chair next to hers, and held Catherine's outstretched hand.
Dr. Frey cleared his throat and spoke, "Catherine has told me all about her little black out that happened. They are very scary, and since she does not illegal substances nor has any brain damage, it makes them even more puzzling. You two staying together through all of this shows how strong you are, and how much love you have for one another." he paused and I squeezed Catherine's hand. "I do want to put both of your worries to rest and tell you that your phones were most likely malfunctioning. It sometimes happens to Justine's phone, even. Don't over-analyze it it mean more than it does; it causes headaches." He chuckled at his own joke.
"Now, Elizabeth," he continued, folding his hands neatly on his desk. "Is there anything you want to get out there for discussion? Any fears, thoughts...nothing is off limits."
I breathed in deeply, then exhaled. I turned to Catherine and said, "I love you, and nothing can keep me from doing that. Not even this wicked thing that seems to like you a whole lot." She didn't laugh, but a smile formed on her lips. "And you're not suffering though this alone, okay?"
"I know."
"I mean, I had a really crazy dream last night even--"
The smile faded quickly, replaced with anxiety. "What?"
"Yeah...it was freaky. Surreal."
The doctor said, "Do you want to share it with us, Elizabeth?"
I decided, 'why not? It's just a dream' and told them. "It was just...creepy. I dreamed about a cottage in the woods that must have belonged to a family. Then it caught fire and burned to the ground, most likely killing everyone. I woke up scared silly."
The doctor nodded his head, a look of puzzlement on his face. "Hm. Odd. But dreams are often like that. Personally it may have just been a simple nightmare, but one would think that there is a deeper meaning. Catherine? What do you think?"
Catherine's eyes grew wide as saucers, her breathing becoming deeper and deeper. "I know that something serious needs to be done."
She got up out of her chair, dragging me along with her. Before leaving the room, she turned and nodded, "Thank you, doctor. I believe I know what I have to do now." Catherine's grip on my wrist grew stronger as she pulled me to the car. I gently pried her fingers off of my small wrist and nearly croaked, "Cathie! Wha-what is going on?!"
It was a question that has long since worn out its welcome. I wondered about her strange behavior and seemed to get an answer that this evil thing wanted her for some bizzare reason. I wanted it gone so that she would stop worrying and being on edge. I wanted it gone for both of our sakes.
She opened the passenger door and looked at me pleadingly, "I have to think about this. Let's go home."
So we did, the whole ride spent in pure silence. Catherine was looking out the window, seemingly mulling over what she and the doctor had talked about and my dream. I wanted to make small talk, but each time a sentence formed in my mind it died in my throat. Sometimes words were not nescessary.
When we arrived home she quietly opened her door, walked around to me and opened mine. "Thanks, love," I murmured. Together we walked to and through the unlocked front door, where Catherine still wore the expression of a person debating what in the name of God to do with their life. I said in the cheeriest voice I could muster, "You want a snack? I think we still have those apple slices left."
I recieved a "Mm-hm." in response. I gave her the the slices of fruit and she chewed them slowly, listlessly. I looked around me for any and all spiders or insects, and should one appear I would be the first to swat it out of the room. "You alright?" I whispered.
"Kind of. I'm just really upset that you dreamed about that. It's not good."
"Why?"
She swallowed heavily, "Because. It might want you, too."
My eyebrows rose, "Me?"
She nodded.
I didn't say anything; I was left completely speechless by this new turn of events. A little bit of fear started to creep inside of me. Were dreams the first sign of things to come? No. No. I won't let this thing have me. I can't let it consume me. Without thinking I said, "Yesterday I woke up with a spider on my face. I don't want to freak you out, but I don't want to keep anything from you. I wacked it off my face and I didn't see it after that." I half expected her to flip the table, but instead sheburied her face in my shoulder. Catherine didn't cry, only let out sad little sighs.
Almost foolishly, I said, "Nothing bad will happen to me, Catherine. We're going to get through this."
She looked up at me with a smile drained of all warmth and said, "I can only hope we will."
Monday, August 20, 2012
Therapy
Dr. Frey was a bona fide miracle. He talked to Catherine, and Catherine talked to him. She wasn't put on any drugs, but was advised to keep writing and doodling in the diary that I had given her. Obviously Dr. Frey could not disclose to me what they talked about, but I did listen in outside the door to sate my curiosity. I heard some things like, "The darkness cannot hurt you, neither can the snow, or the trees for that matter." and "You love Elizabeth with all your heart, I can tell. You are both so lucky to have each other in these stressful times." The secretary found me, and out into the waiting room I was sent.
Catherine was taken to get examined by medical doctors to check for any injuries or signs that she had been sexually assaulted. Aside from some scrapes not made my knives, bruises that were made by fumbling and falling, and a bloody nose, she was unharmed. She had not been raped, thankfully, and nothing suggested that she had been beaten or tortured. A cat scan was done to see if she suffered any head trauma; they all came back normal, much to the puzzlement of the doctors.
But we celebrated Catherine's return and good health, with Vivian driving all five of us to Chili's. And boy, was it delicious. Despite all of that, I still managed to lose four pounds. I blame Florence for her not-so little running trips she has us all do with her.
Another time that I accompanied Catherine to the doctor's office, I looked up from my fashion magazine and truly observed my surroundings. Some of the pictures were of nature: forests, lakes, mountain tops and deserts during different seasons were predominate, but there were also pictures of people. Some of them were done in a blanched, vintage style that was rather pretty. Near Dr. Frey's door was a small table with some little fresh summer flowers in a green glass vase, and close to it was a photograph of two charming looking girls. After the session between them had completed, I asked him, "Who are those two girls there, Doctor?"
"Oh! Those are my two daughters: Justine and Juliette." He brought the picture forward so we could see better. The girls were very pretty, dressed up in formal wear. "This was a while ago, so if you meet them they will be much more beautiful."
We complimented the photo and his daughters, thanked the doctor again and off we went.
On the drive back to my house, Catherine poked my arm and said, "I hope our girls will be as pretty as Dr. Frey's."
"Oh, much more!" I laughed. "They'll be the prettiest, nicest kids in the world."
"Their names will be Alice and Dorothy."
"Perfect!"
"And they will wear little blue dresses."
"Even better."
So the topic of the day was children, and when we think we would be ready for them. We supposed sometime in our mid to late twenties or early thirties. Sometimes I wonder what kind of life we would have had if she stayed. I still miss her.
Catherine was taken to get examined by medical doctors to check for any injuries or signs that she had been sexually assaulted. Aside from some scrapes not made my knives, bruises that were made by fumbling and falling, and a bloody nose, she was unharmed. She had not been raped, thankfully, and nothing suggested that she had been beaten or tortured. A cat scan was done to see if she suffered any head trauma; they all came back normal, much to the puzzlement of the doctors.
But we celebrated Catherine's return and good health, with Vivian driving all five of us to Chili's. And boy, was it delicious. Despite all of that, I still managed to lose four pounds. I blame Florence for her not-so little running trips she has us all do with her.
Another time that I accompanied Catherine to the doctor's office, I looked up from my fashion magazine and truly observed my surroundings. Some of the pictures were of nature: forests, lakes, mountain tops and deserts during different seasons were predominate, but there were also pictures of people. Some of them were done in a blanched, vintage style that was rather pretty. Near Dr. Frey's door was a small table with some little fresh summer flowers in a green glass vase, and close to it was a photograph of two charming looking girls. After the session between them had completed, I asked him, "Who are those two girls there, Doctor?"
"Oh! Those are my two daughters: Justine and Juliette." He brought the picture forward so we could see better. The girls were very pretty, dressed up in formal wear. "This was a while ago, so if you meet them they will be much more beautiful."
We complimented the photo and his daughters, thanked the doctor again and off we went.
On the drive back to my house, Catherine poked my arm and said, "I hope our girls will be as pretty as Dr. Frey's."
"Oh, much more!" I laughed. "They'll be the prettiest, nicest kids in the world."
"Their names will be Alice and Dorothy."
"Perfect!"
"And they will wear little blue dresses."
"Even better."
So the topic of the day was children, and when we think we would be ready for them. We supposed sometime in our mid to late twenties or early thirties. Sometimes I wonder what kind of life we would have had if she stayed. I still miss her.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
The Doctor
On the seventh day, Catherine returned.
I was napping, deeply in sleep with my phone at earshot and when I heard the doorbell. Thinking nothing of it, I grumbled, turned over, and proceeded to drift off again. The person at the door rang it again, and this time I had little choice but to throw off my covers and answer it. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and opened the door to see no one else by Catherine.
And there she was: dirty, unwashed but smiling. "Elizabeth...hey. I have to apologize for acting so crazy. Things have been really, really weird as of late, and it's so--"
I threw my arms around her without letting her finish. I couldn't believe it: my Cathie had safely returned to me! Tears welled in my eyes and spilled over onto my cheeks, which in turn landed on her clothing. She hugged me back.
"I love you, too, Ellie. I really do." she whispered.
"Where did you go?"
Here she stepped back and looked at me oddly. "Wait. Why did you ask me that?"
I motioned for her to come on inside. Behind us I closed the door and locked it, just in case. "You were gone for seven days. Your parents and I tried calling you. Hell, we all tried to contact you. I went to your house the day after the beach and you weren't there. I looked everywhere!"
She folded her arms in concentration, "Are you...sure?"
I responded, "I'm 100% positive."
Catherine suddenly got this look in her eyes, a look similar to understanding. She slowly nodded her head in a 'oh, so that's it' kind of way. "Well," she murmured "You will never have to worry about that ever again. I'm getting my shit together."
I laid a hand on a shoulder. "I'm happy about that, Catherine. I am. But where were you this whole time?"
Here she looked at herself, noticing the mud, dirt and grass stains, some dried and some fresh. It looked as if she had taken a hike for six days and then slept in a field full of weeds. Her nostrils and upper lip were crusted with dried blood. "I don't have the slightest clue. I woke up outside of my room but didn't think much of it. I remembered how anxious you were about me...and here I am."
That was quite unnerving to hear. Even Catherine herself was clueless as to where she went and why she was missing.
I spread the word that Catherine had come back, much to the relief of every last person I knew. Rebecca still wanted her to go see a psychiatrist, which everyone agreed was the best course of action. Catherine herself thought it a wise idea. Luckily for us, a doctor was indeed available.
Dr. Alphonse Frey, a very clever and amiable man with several degrees in several fields came to her rescue. He gladly took Catherine as his patient, saying that she indeed need the help of a trained professional to get rid of these ailments, hopefully by the time of our wedding. I remember standing in his huge office with all those books and diplomas that proudly testified the extent of his knowledge. I saw copies of books by Frederich Wilhelm Von Junzt and Ludwig Prinn, two very notable German authors.
One time when I accompanied her to the office, Dr. Frey offered me some herbal tea and cherries that he picked from his garden. I ate the entire bowl by the time they were done. Catherine liked him, I liked him, everyone liked him. Things were indeed looking up for all of us.
I was napping, deeply in sleep with my phone at earshot and when I heard the doorbell. Thinking nothing of it, I grumbled, turned over, and proceeded to drift off again. The person at the door rang it again, and this time I had little choice but to throw off my covers and answer it. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and opened the door to see no one else by Catherine.
And there she was: dirty, unwashed but smiling. "Elizabeth...hey. I have to apologize for acting so crazy. Things have been really, really weird as of late, and it's so--"
I threw my arms around her without letting her finish. I couldn't believe it: my Cathie had safely returned to me! Tears welled in my eyes and spilled over onto my cheeks, which in turn landed on her clothing. She hugged me back.
"I love you, too, Ellie. I really do." she whispered.
"Where did you go?"
Here she stepped back and looked at me oddly. "Wait. Why did you ask me that?"
I motioned for her to come on inside. Behind us I closed the door and locked it, just in case. "You were gone for seven days. Your parents and I tried calling you. Hell, we all tried to contact you. I went to your house the day after the beach and you weren't there. I looked everywhere!"
She folded her arms in concentration, "Are you...sure?"
I responded, "I'm 100% positive."
Catherine suddenly got this look in her eyes, a look similar to understanding. She slowly nodded her head in a 'oh, so that's it' kind of way. "Well," she murmured "You will never have to worry about that ever again. I'm getting my shit together."
I laid a hand on a shoulder. "I'm happy about that, Catherine. I am. But where were you this whole time?"
Here she looked at herself, noticing the mud, dirt and grass stains, some dried and some fresh. It looked as if she had taken a hike for six days and then slept in a field full of weeds. Her nostrils and upper lip were crusted with dried blood. "I don't have the slightest clue. I woke up outside of my room but didn't think much of it. I remembered how anxious you were about me...and here I am."
That was quite unnerving to hear. Even Catherine herself was clueless as to where she went and why she was missing.
I spread the word that Catherine had come back, much to the relief of every last person I knew. Rebecca still wanted her to go see a psychiatrist, which everyone agreed was the best course of action. Catherine herself thought it a wise idea. Luckily for us, a doctor was indeed available.
Dr. Alphonse Frey, a very clever and amiable man with several degrees in several fields came to her rescue. He gladly took Catherine as his patient, saying that she indeed need the help of a trained professional to get rid of these ailments, hopefully by the time of our wedding. I remember standing in his huge office with all those books and diplomas that proudly testified the extent of his knowledge. I saw copies of books by Frederich Wilhelm Von Junzt and Ludwig Prinn, two very notable German authors.
One time when I accompanied her to the office, Dr. Frey offered me some herbal tea and cherries that he picked from his garden. I ate the entire bowl by the time they were done. Catherine liked him, I liked him, everyone liked him. Things were indeed looking up for all of us.
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