CHAPTER 8. A PSYCHO. 4 MONTH LEFT.
He sat in a chair, shaking his legs. The clock on the wall read 8:34. Dan rubbed his sleep-deprived eyes. How did it all come to this? These past months have felt really hectic.
"Want some gum?" Nancy held out a confetti-patterned pack to him. She was wearing a business suit. The azure blouse tightly hid any hint of breasts.
"Thanks, I don't."
"Dr. Arber will see you in a second," the friendly girl opened the door and then quickly went back inside.
"That's good. You go on your own, Danny. You'll explain everything to the doctor--where it began, why you feel this way about me. You've sorted it all out. Just be honest with the doctor, Dan. You made a promise to me, remember?"
"Yes, yes, I remember."
His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he took it out to read a new message from the Blackmailer. "I promised to refund all the money for the hand job video. I keep my word, Daniel. Here's your money. You can earn even more if you continue on this long and thorny path where a heavenly gift awaits you at the end, my young Oedipus."
The rest of the money went into his account. Dan smiled and said, "They say money can't buy happiness, right?"
"What's the message?" Nancy tried to look at his phone, but at that moment the door opened.
"Daniel may come in."
===
"So, Dan. Let's talk."
The woman sitting across from him with glasses chewed on her gum, nervously checking the patch on her forearm.
"Your mom mentioned you have strong feelings for her, like an Oedipus complex. I've dealt with this before. You and I have a lot to talk about to resolve this. When we spoke on the phone, your Mom was very angry about... Damn patch. I'm sorry; I'm just trying to quit smoking."
Dan watched silently with raised eyebrows as Dr. Arber adjusted the patch on her arm.
"I was saying that these feelings are entirely natural, but I believe it would be best to let them go. They cause more harm than good, don't you think? I'd prefer if we could start fresh. How long have you been in love with your mother?"
Dan remained silent, and then she scratched her patch again.
"Excuse me for my question, but how much do you make, Doctor?"
She looked up at him lowering the glasses.
"Our focus is on you, not me, Daniel. I understand your discomfort; you're attempting to shift the topic, which is fine. When I was your age, I..."
"You misunderstand me, Doctor," Dan interrupted her. He checked the closed wooden door and leaned closer, placing the hands on the table.
"I have an offer for you."
===
"I don't quite understand you, doctor."
Dan eavesdropped through the door. Nancy's voice sounded disappointed.
"I realize how it sounds, but Daniel's desires are a good thing. Attempting to change his natural inclinations could have detrimental effects. These urges are perfectly natural and you are supposed to facilitate them."
"You were supposed to help my son overcome these urges! They're not just urges of love! He sees me as a real woman who-"
"No, no. Here, look at my wall. See all those venerable credentials and my degree? I'm the therapist here. You have to believe that I want to help you and your son. If you try to convince Daniel that it's wrong to love you and your body in the way he does, it will disrupt his psyche and leave an indelible mark for the rest of his life. Men are shaped in many ways by their relationships with their mothers."
"And what do you want me to do? Indulge his every desire? Let him love me as a woman? God, this is so embarrassing to talk about."
"It's okay. To answer your question. Yes"
"YES?"
"I'm not saying you should make him a new husband, but yes. In some things of course you need to tell him no, but the more you show love in return, the better for his mental health."
"I think I've heard enough."
Dan heard Nancy get up and jumped back to the far chair in the hallway, pretending to be busy doing something.
Nancy stalked out of the room.
"Come on. Don't bite your nails, Daniel!"
They walked back to the car. Nancy slammed the door loudly behind her, starting it.
"I just can't believe she said all that to my face. That's not what she told me on the phone at all. She convinced me that you needed lots of sessions. God!"
"What did she say?" Dan pretended he didn't know what she was talking about.
"Nothing, honey," Nancy sighed heavily. "I guess we'll have to see another doctor."
Dan sighed, too. But his sigh referred more to the unfortunate fact that he'd have to shell out for another therapist.
===
"Hi, Mom." Jack was sitting at the table when Nancy burst angrily into the house.
"Why is your father's Porsche parked outside my house?"
"Hi, honey," Fred took a sip of coffee, he too was sitting at the table.
"What are you doing in my house?"
"I'd say it's more like my house, because I'm here to pay off your house debt. Hi, Dan."
Dan slowly walked in following Nancy, looking coldly at his father.
"It's time to let go of the past and come back, honey. We were great together. I can help you with money--"
"We don't need your help. Our family is doing just fine without you."
"Oh, really? Jack told me you brought Dan to a therapist. Does it sound fine to you?"
Nancy shifted her angry gaze to Jack before answering. "It had nothing to do with our divorce."
"Then what does it have to do with?"
"That's none of your damn business. Now get out of the house!" Nancy took a step to the side, letting him pass.
"My patience is running out, Nancy. You want a divorce? You want to go to court? You don't have enough money for a lawyer. Then I'll take everything from you. I give you one month to make up your mind. " He set aside his coffee cup and walked out. Nancy slammed the door loudly behind him.
