The Lake Clinic,
Chicago…
Dr. Simon Lake sat back in his chair. He was expecting his patient, Todd
Manning, at any minute for a therapy session. He reviewed his notes.
”Patient responds well to Xanax and is improving quickly. Patient’s
levels of Xanax within his body are well within prescribed limits. I’ve
developed a routine with him in which I administer a dose in the morning and
a dose before he goes to bed. It appears to be working…”
The door opened and Todd walked in. While he looked healthy he appeared a
bit nervous. Simon noticed that Todd looked very fit and motioned for him
to sit down. Todd, in a confident manner took the seat in front of Simon.
“So Doc, haven’t we just about hashed everything out between us?” he asked
crossing his arms.
“Have we Todd?” asked Simon throwing it back at him.
“Well, I told you about my father - about his abuse,” spat Todd as if it
were a dirty word, “I told you about my crimes. Marty. Nora. I made my
peace with Marty. Patrick. I told you about Viki and Téa. There’s nothing
left to discuss,” said Todd, “So I wanna’ go home. I wanna’ get my wife
back. I want to get my life back!”
Simon wrinkled his brow, “You do, do you? Why are you nervous Todd?”
“Nervous? I’m not nervous…I’m ready to go home Doc. Call Viki. She’ll
come and get me until I can work things out with Téa,” said Todd, his voice
firm and full authority, “I miss my sister.”
“You’re nervous. Your body language gives you away…” said Simon, “I think
a few more weeks here…”
“No!” cried Todd looking at Simon fiercely, “No more talking. I’m all
talked out! I’m all felt out. I haven’t felt so much in my life! I
may not like what I’ve done in my life but I’m dealing with it…”
“You need more therapy Todd…” started Simon.
“Fine. Get me a shrink in Llanview. I’ll go to therapy there…” said Todd.
“Your body still physically reacts badly to stress and anxiety Todd. You
have to be taught relaxation techniques and until then you need to be under
a doctor’s care for Xanax,” replied Simon.
“Look, I know how to use the stuff Doc - once in the morning and once in
the evening. I’m doing fine…” said Todd, “What I’m nervous about is…what if
Delgado doesn’t want me now that I can be the husband she needs me to be?”
“Is there more?” asked Simon staring back at him.
“Or what if Delgado takes me back again and I hurt her…again?” finished
Todd.
“What makes you think that Todd? I know how badly you want her. How could
you think that you could hurt her?” asked Simon.
While Todd appeared as if he had truly gotten better from the therapy,
there was a part of him that appeared skittish. Well of course he would.
Why wouldn’t he? While Simon was convinced that Todd’s alters had
integrated into him, Todd still had to get used to the newfound
aspects of his personality.
“Nothing. Look, I just gotta’ make things right with Delgado. I just
gotta. I’ve never known a chick quite like her… she makes me believe…” said
Todd firmly.
Simon took a breath, “Fine. I’ll call your sister later on today and make
arrangements to transfer your case to another therapist.”
Todd allowed a small smile to escape his lips, “Good.” He stood up to
leave.
Simon stood up too, “As soon as I make the arrangements, I’ll notify you.”
Todd said nothing as he walked out.
Todd didn’t go immediately to his room. He was anxious about Simon calling
his sister, Viki. He went to the cafeteria and got a bite to eat taking a
booth in the corner of the café, near the window. He stared out the window
and let his thoughts wander.
The visions of a man slapping a woman were now very detailed and he winced
at it. He remembered it. He had made love to his first girlfriend,
Michelle, and his father, Peter Manning, had found them. He was incensed.
Those smacks were Peter striking Michelle - the girl he loved at the time.
He didn’t want to tell Simon. Not now. Simon wouldn’t call Viki if Todd
told him. This incident wasn’t going away either. During his therapy, Todd
had relieved other memories of abuse - of beatings - of Peter’s name
calling, but this one wasn’t going away. If he wasn’t fantasizing of making
love to Téa, he was reliving this one memory - a bizarre combination of love
and anger but he wanted to go home so bad. Maybe if she held his hand, it
would go away. Maybe if she held his hand and she slept next to his naked
body, it would all go away…
And then suddenly, Todd found himself in another time and place…his bedroom
in Chicago.
WHAM!
That slap hurt. He struggled against the ties that bound him as he watched
Peter slap her again. His eyes got fuzzy and then he saw her - blood
streaming form a cut next to her eye down her cheek - scaring her flawless
features…
“Todd!”
He gasped, horrified.
“Téa!”
“Todd! Help me!”
“No! Téa!” he yelled as he saw Peter Manning strike his wife. Not him.
He’d never hit her!
He felt a hand on his shoulder.
“You okay?”
He looked up into the eyes of one of the cafeteria’s bus boys.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” he said nervously rubbing his palms together. No, he
couldn’t tell Simon. Not now. Yes - this was a memory but Téa had never
been in it until now and now he was even more determined to be with her. To
know she was okay and safe.
*****
The Banner,
Llanview, Pennsylvania…
Viki Carpenter was swamped. She sat behind her desk up to her eyebrows in
acquisition forms. The phone rang.
“The Banner. Viki Carpenter speaking,” she said in a business tone of
voice.
“Ms. Carpenter? My name is Doctor Simon Lake. I’m your brother’s
psychologist…”
“What?” muttered Viki taken a back, “I haven’t see Todd since November…”
“I understand this might be a shock to you Ms. Carpenter but your brother
sought out my services for a problem he was suffering from, DID. I believe
you are familiar with the term?”
Viki’s mouth dropped, “I don’t understand. Todd told me he had faked…”
“I assure you, he wasn’t faking. He’s undergone extensive treatment while
in my care and he’s ready to go home,” finished Lake.
Viki could feel the adrenaline flowing through her body, “Where are you Dr.
Lake?”
“Chicago. How soon can you be here?” asked the doctor.
“I’ll be on the next flight out,” said Viki. She arranged for someone from
Lake’s office to meet her at the airport and she slowly hung up the phone,
her body numb. She had suspected Todd’s DID was real but hadn’t thought
Todd was aware that it was. She briefed Kevin that she was leaving and made
arrangements to go to Chicago.
TO BE CONTINUED…
