49 Tommy Sees Dana
In the backseat of Mason's car Mabel glanced across Tommy towards Daisy, who hadn't said a word in 10 minutes. She looked out the window, the other window. Mason drove the three to a downtown office building and entered the underground parking. Honestly she had expected a lot more pushback. This ghost preoccupation of Tommy's had gone too far. She was no psychologist but it just was not normal for a little boy to 24/7 talk to ghosts and it was not OK for the adults, the adults other than her, to enable this. And Uncle Duane agreed. She brought it up with him because of her concern for Tommy. She guessed Uncle Duane was all for using such things as evidence but the wheels of justice grind blah blah, or maybe he was documenting this whole episode and would use it, later, somehow. She recommended that they do something now. He talked to Trip and after some discussion they got the name of a top therapist in Seattle to evaluate Tommy.
Mason found a space two levels down. "OK. My man, you ready to talk to this…what do we call her?"
Daisy smiled broadly and said, "She's a therapist. She's got a degree or two and is certified." Daisy turned toward her and beamed.
The four got out and Mason agreed to meet back at the car in two hours. The four headed to the elevators, Daisy holding Tommy's hand.
Mabel said, "Daisy. I'm sorry. But I think it's for the best that we do this."
Daisy said, "It's fine." She looked at Tommy. "Maybe he has been talking to too many ghosts."
Tommy perked up. "I've only been talking to just two ghosts. OK, three if you count Benny but he doesn't come around a lot."
Daisy smiled down at him. "That's three too many it seems. Don't worry. I hear this lady is very very good."
Mason left them in the lobby and they went to the elevator bank with the right floor.
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The three walked down a short hall and entered a room. Daisy checked in with the receptionist. This receptionist was shared by several professionals so there were a few people in the waiting room. Mabel noticed a desk, coffee table and several chairs making up a pretty standard such room. They didn't wait long at all. The therapist appeared and invited all three to join in the first session and indicated they should go on into another room. This therapist had her own offices well back inside. She looked through one open door and saw what appeared to be an office, her office, no doubt. Mabel wasn't sure about her joining the session. It seemed a bit odd. Mabel didn't particularly want to be in with the therapist when she was doing the actual therapy thing. She glanced over at Daisy. She didn't seem bothered at all. When Daisy had first found out about what she had done - talking to Uncle Duane about Tommy's ghost friends - she fumed a bit but then quickly everything seemed to blow over. Inside the inner destination room Mabel noticed right away there was a couch and several chairs, comfortable ones for long sitting. Mabel moved quickly and grabbed a chair so Daisy and Tommy sat together on the couch. The therapist walked in last and took her own chair and picked up a bottle of water. She offered drinks and everyone took their own bottle. She looked to be about 30, late 30's at the latest, blonde hair and blue eyes, poised, confident. The corners of her eyes had a touch of wrinkles, enough to inspire trust, that this woman has some experience.
She said, "Hi Tommy. My name is Dana." She smiled warmly and extended her hand. She and Tommy shook hands.
Tommy smiled back. "Hi."
"And you must be Mabel." She reached over to take her hand and Mabel really couldn't refuse.
"Daisy, then." And they shook too.
"I'm so glad we could get together to talk."
She turned to Tommy. "I hear you're one lucky boy. You've not only got Daisy and Mason taking care of you, but your very own teacher, who happens to be your cousin. I wish I had a set up like that when I was your age."
Tommy grinned and then turned his face into Daisy, a bit shy. He peeked out from Daisy.
Daisy spoke up, "We had some trauma last year. But I think we're pretty much all past that. Tommy's doing very well."
Dana looked over at her. "And I hear you're the new addition to the family, Mabel. You just graduated?"
Perhaps this therapist was taking an indirect approach. "Yes, I did. Tommy's grandfather, my uncle asked me to become his live in tutor."
Daisy said, "It's been working out better than we had hoped."
After more small talk some level of rapport had been established with Tommy and Dana asked, "Why don't the two of you step out for a short while so that Tommy and I can get to know each other a little better?"
Daisy smiled at that, looked at Mabel, and got up. She followed and they left Tommy with Dana.
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More than an hour later Tommy emerged with Dana. She walked over to Daisy and smiled. "Next week. Same day and time?"
Daisy nodded and the three walked towards the office suite main door.
Tommy said over his shoulder, "Bye Aunt Dana."
"Bye Tommy."
Aunt Dana? Another aunt.