Update number two! Whoo hoo! Call me butter 'cuz I'm on a roll! LOL. I know that was cheesy. Enjoy!
Chapter Nine
The next day, Carter came for a visit.
"Mr. Rider."
"Dr. Carter. What can I do for you?"
Carter looked shocked at Alex's change in demeanor.
"Why the sudden change in attitude?"
"Oh, I wouldn't say that it was that sudden, but a few things have changed."
"Okay, if you say so. I need to talk to you." He waited for Alex to sit down before continued. "Well, our sessions haven't shown much progress but you've obviously been talking to someone, right?"
"I've been talking to Katie, if that's what you mean."
"May I ask why you've chosen to talk to her instead of me?"
"If I can be frank, she doesn't judge me," he said.
Alex glanced up and saw confusion cloud the doctor's face. Grinning, he clarified.
"Carter, you're a doctor and doctors judge their patients based on their file. You knew what I was in for and that knowledge automatically gave me a label. I hate labels; I've been labeled so much in my past that..." he stopped to shudder, "it just irks me. Katie didn't know about me. She just knew I was here because I needed help and she listened without bias."
"I see," Carter said getting to his feet. "When do you feel you will be able to talk to me?"
"After I see Jack."
"She's coming?"
"Yes. I spoke to her the other day; she's coming tomorrow if you want to speak with her."
"Yes, that would be great. I'll stop by during lunch."
Alex watched as Carter made his way to the door. He was almost out of it before he doubled back and stuck his head around the door.
"It's good to see that you're coming around. Katie is a great influence and you're lucky she's your roommate."
After dinner, Alex was sitting on the balcony looking out over the city. He could feel the change in seasons by the brisk wind blowing in his face. Wrapping his hoodie tighter around his body, he thought about the changes he saw in himself. A few months ago, he was miserable. Nothing had made him happy, not even football and that was his favorite sport. Looking back, he realized that he really had been stressing Jack out. She didn't go out or talk as much. He sat outside a little while longer before returning back to his room.
When he entered the room, Katie was in her bed with her back to him. Trying to be quiet, which he really didn't need to do since he was naturally a quiet walker, he walked over to his side to get ready for bed.
"Did you have a nice thinking time?" she asked in a croak as she rolled over to face him.
Without looking in her direction he replied, "Yep. It's getting cold out there."
"That's good."
Perplexed that she didn't ask another question, he looked at her and noticed that her face was red and puffy.
"Katie, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Just tired," she said avoiding the question.
"You know you can talk to me right?" he said.
Katie opened her eyes and looked at him. With a sad smile she replied, "I know."
Thinking that she'd spill whenever she felt like it, Alex buried himself under the covers and fell promptly asleep.
