Cold nights under siege from accusations

Cerebral thunder in one-way conversations

I was sitting in my session with Mr. J. He looked troubled. "Are you a caffeine addict, Dr. Quinzel?" He motioned towards the espresso that I had next to me.

"I guess you could call me that, yes."

He looked puzzled. "So you are a drug addict."

I sighed. "By technicality, yes."

"And have you ever tried any other drugs?"

"No."

"Hmmm." He looked deep in thought. "How did you sleep the other night?"

I looked down. "I slept well."

"Look at me." His voice was stern. When I looked up at him, his face softened into a playful smile. "That is a beautiful necklace. Where ever did you get such a thing?"

"Daddy got it for me." I looked away, ashamed of myself.

He bounced in his seat and erupted with laughter. He was clearly thrilled by that answer. "What a very thoughtful guy." I nodded. "Dr. Quinzel, Harley, I am ready to talk to you about something. I am ready to tell you about my childhood, but the guards gotta go."

I looked at him, my facial expression reflecting shock and confusion. I sent the guards away for 15 minutes, then returned to my seat. "Do tell, Mr. J."

He cleared his throat. "My father, he was an abusive man. I had a rough go of things. He was like your father. I have worked with your father. Safe to say you didn't get your looks from him. Then again, that blonde hair is not real, is it?"

I shook my head no. How the hell did he work with my dad? My dad wasn't a killer… was he?

"Try going a couple of shades lighter. Daddy likes it white." He laughed and stood up, making his way towards me. "Now do I have to break out of this or are you going to work with me?"

I backed myself against the wall, him following. He slowly started pressing his body tightly against mine.

"Give Daddy a little kiss."

I pecked his cheek.

He growled. "Harley. You're trying my patience."

I grabbed his face and kissed him. I could feel his lips turn into a smile. "That's my girl. Now sit. I am going to tell you more of my deep, dark secrets." I walked to my chair and sat down. I listened as he told me about his father abusing him and getting kicked out of his house. How he had no money, so he worked under mob bosses in order for him to survive. He explained how he learned their tricks and some of his own, making him the man he is today.

I took notes as he told me all of this. Making his already thin file just a little thicker. "That's all for today, Mr. J. Thank you for cooperating. This is a big step in your treatment."

He grinned that big Joker grin. "Let me know when you can't wait to see me again. It's gonna be a long weekend without you, toots. Maybe I'll stop by for a little chat. I still have to replace those flowers."

I shook my head. "You just stay here and try not to cause too much trouble. I'll see you on Tuesday."

He got very close to me. "One for the road? The guards are almost here." He didn't even wait for my response. He just pressed his lips against mine. He pulled away when he heard the door handle jiggle. "Your lipstick is a little messed up." The guards grabbed him and led him back to his cell. Zachary gave me this indescribable look as he led the Joker out of the room and back to his cell. You could hear his laugh echo in the hallway.

Don't wanna call you in the nighttime

Don't wanna give you all my pieces

Don't wanna hand you all my trouble

Don't wanna give you all my demons

You'll have to watch me struggle

From several rooms away

But tonight I'll need you to stay.