Disclaimer: I do not own Doris Vinyard or Dr. Sweeney. But I do own Madison Long. There is a reference to Betty Botter.
Madison tapped her finger on her desk, looking at the notes written on her legal notepad. Patient suffers from suppressed memories, she read. Her writing scratchy and bare. It was almost comforting to know that Madison had never been diagnosed as she would to other people. Being put under all that judgment. If she were ever pressured like that, eventually, she would burst. Like a pipe, all those fluids rushing through, building against the walls, and ultimately, a crack would form. Madison leaned back in her chair. She heaved a large breath and began to recite "Betty Botter". Her phone beeped.
"Dr. Long?"
"Yes, Dahlia?"
"A Mrs. Vinyard here to see you."
"Great, send her in."
Madison sighed and felt her nerve twitch. This patient was so much different to her than any other she had previously treated. Betty Botter had some butter. "But," she said, "This butter's bitter. I f I bake this bitter butter, it will make my batter bitter." Madison placed her notepad in her top right drawer and reached for a different one, Doris Vinyard written on the top. She traced her fingers along the bar pages and wondered when and if they were ever going to fill up with notes of repressed memories and ongoing violence.
The door pushed open and Madison looked up to see a very pleasant Doris standing in the doorway.
"Why, hello Mrs. Vinyard. How are you?" Doris made her way to the comfortable lounge chair in front of Madison's desk.
"I'm very well. But I have something on my mind." Madison felt her heart thud against the internal cavern in her chest.
"What is that, Doris?"
"Would you please act as Derek's psychiatrist for the duration of his sentence?" Madison felt her thigh muscles twinge.
"You've gotten the verdict already?" Madison asked, hoping that her nervousness wasn't evident in her facial expression.
"Oh, no. But…logically, Derek will get a sentence. What he did was…. Well you get the point. Is that a yes or a no?"
"Oh, well, uh… are you sure he is willing to subject himself to this kind of treatment?" Madison said remembering her encounter with Derek, him worried that she would fuck with his mother's mind. Doris looked skeptical.
"Uh, well, I'm not so sure but you're very easy to talk to. I think he will come around."
"Yeah, just as soon as Christmas comes in July." Madison muttered.
"What was that?"
"Oh, I said, just as soon as I get my work done…" Doris looked at Madison with curiosity.
"That's a no, isn't it?" The look in her eyes was so pleading. Madison had no choice but to acquiesce.
"No, I'll do it. I just need to know when and where." Doris' face immediately brightened.
"Oh thank you Doctor! Now, shall we start the session?" Madison laughed at Doris' eagerness.
"Yes, Mrs. Vinyard. Anytime you're ready." Madison smiled sweetly.
"You know Doctor, you're so pretty. I'm surprised you didn't have Derek or Danny making a fuss over you." Doris said thinking of the girls they dated now. All of them rude. Madison felt a little shock. She didn't exactly know how to reply.
"Oh my. Well thank you. I don't hear that often."
"Sorry if that seemed a little strange, it's just, you reminded me of this really pretty girl Derek dated in High School. She was smart, ambitious, everything Derek needed in a girl. But then his father… passed and he turned thee on the cheek. Sorry, I know it seems off topic but, you're smile…. It just reminded me of the way Derek and Danny used to be."
"What were they like, Doris?"
"They were smart and polite. They would never get mixed up in all this business." Doris looked like she was reminiscing.
"What was Derek like?" Doris smiled as Madison asked the question.
"He was very smart. In mostly honor classes. He had a passion for English. He'd always come home, excited to tell me about what he learned from Dr. Sweeney. God I miss him."
"Dr. Sweeney?"
"No, Derek. I wish he'd come back." Madison looked down at her notepad. She hadn't the stomach to take notes on this. Doris was different than a textbook diagnosis.
"Well, he'll be back after his sentence is served." Madison tried to lift the mood. Doris shook her head.
"No, I mean the old Derek. I miss him and I want him to come home."
