Chapter 7: After The Storm
Christian paced nervously around the entry hall. Satine had woken up for a short period of time a little while ago, and her behavior had scared him. He was hoping the doctor could explain it.
At first, everything had seemed all right. She had opened her eyes and looked around. Then she saw him, and asked for him. This is when some of her behavior had worried him. When she said his name, she had said it with a slight lisp, replacing the ÒrÓ sound in his name with a ÒwÓ. There were only two instances when Christian had heard someone speak like that. The first was Toulouse. And the second was from small children. Her sentences were fragmented. And everything she saw either excited her or scared her.
Ò SheÕs acting like a toddler.Ó He said as he explained all of this to the doctor on the way up to see Satine.
ÒIÕm actually not that surprised. You see, sometimes after an event this traumatizing, a patient will try to withdraw. Some do it by not talking, others by going into a depression. SatineÕs way of withdrawing is to return to a time in her life where no one hurt her. Of course, IÕll need to see her before I can officially diagnose any of this.Ó
The doctor and Christian walked into the room to see Satine sitting on the floor in her pajamas. She didnÕt appear to be doing anything, just waiting for Christian to return. She clutched a corner of a pillow in her hand. She looked at the two men with innocence in her eyes.
The doctor began his examination, although it did not go as smoothly as he had hoped. Satine let out a yell every time the doctor touched her. The only way the examination was completed was by Christian singing in SatineÕs ear, which seemed to calm her down. After the physical exam was over, Christian put Satine on the floor and looked at the doctor as if to say ÒSee what I meant?Ó
The doctor told Christian to sit in the armchair. ÒSatine, go and sit with Christian. I need to talk to you.Ó He said to Satine. Rather than walking, Satine crawled over to Christian. This worried Christian, but the doctor didnÕt seem to notice it. Once Satine was on ChristianÕs lap, the doctor pulled the desk chair over and sat across from them. He then looked at Satine, who was now sucking her thumb.
ÒCan you tell me why youÕre acting like a little girl again?Ó The doctor decided to cut to the chase. Satine didnÕt take her thumb out of her mouth, but looked down as if she had done something wrong.
ÒBecause you know that youÕre not a little girl anymore, right?Ó Satine nodded slowly.
ÒBut I think I know why you want to act like youÕre little again. Can you tell me if IÕm right?Ó Satine nodded, and the doctor continued.
ÒI think youÕre acting like youÕre little because you got hurt last night. Someone hurt grown up Satine, right?Ó
Satine started to cry and nodded. She listened as the doctor finished.
ÒSo you want to be little Satine again, because no one ever hurt little Satine. And you know what? IÕm not going to stop you.Ó
This had surprised Satine. She had been expecting the doctor to tell her to snap out of it and grow up. She looked at the doctor.
ÒSatine, if it makes you feel better to be little Satine right now then you can be little Satine. And when youÕre ready you can go back to being grown up Satine. But no one is rushing you.Ó He handed her a lollipop from his bag and told her to wait there while he talked to Christian in the hallway.
ÒSo, how long am I going to be taking care of little Satine?Ó Christian asked.
ÒThatÕs difficult to say. It shouldnÕt be longer than a few weeks. But you really are going to have to treat her like a toddler. SheÕll set the pace, but you have to go along with it. Eventually, she will realize that she is still grown up Satine and no one is going to hurt her either way. IÕll come back in a week to see how things are.Ó
As the doctor left, Christian took a moment to let it all soak in. He was unsure of how to take care of Satine. The last thing he wanted to do was do something wrong and mess her up even more. He took a deep breath and opened the door to the bedroom.
