AUTHOR'S NOTE/DISCLAIMER
Resubmitted due to a mistake I made. Once again, this is owned by Fox Network and Stephen J. Cannell.
"Hi," Doug said as they sat down. There was a beat of silence, then Doug elbowed Tom in the ribs.
"Hey," Tom muttered.
"You boys are here because you've spun out of control and your parents don't know what to do," the woman stated.
"Yeah whatever," Doug responded. "And let me guess: you're Ms. Chambers," he continued.
"Oh, Regina's just fine. Ms. Chambers makes me feel so old," she told them.
"Yeah. Right," Tom muttered darkly.
"Tom, knock it off. The sooner we start, the sooner we can finish and be done with it," Doug chided.
"Fine. Whatever," Tom responded.
"Well, this first session is mainly just an introduction period, we introduce ourselves and you tell me why you're here," Regina told them. Tom resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Here she goes again. I can't believe she thinks we're actually gonna buy this, he thought to himself.
"Well, you already told us your name," was what he said out loud.
"I'm Doug Rawlings, and smart mouth over here is my brother Tom," Doug introduced the two.
"And why are you two here?" Regina asked.
"'Cause our parents made us. Why do you think?" Tom shot back.
"Pretty much," Doug confirmed, trying not to stare at partner too strangely. What is up with Hanson? he wondered. He was acting like a total jerk. "You see, we got into a little trouble and they freaked," he continued.
"Yeah, and they thought we needed therapy. Whatever," Tom snorted.
"We'll all discuss this together more at length next week. After that, I want to see you two separately," Regina told them. No! Tom's mind screamed, his stomach tightening into a knot.
"Yeah, sure. Whatever," Doug agreed. He and Tom started for the door. Doug was already out in the hall and Tom was halfway to the door when he felt the hand on his shoulder. The man stiffened.
"I'm especially looking forward to seeing you…Tommy Hanson," Regina whispered in his ear. His only reply was a barely audible, shaky inhalation. The man felt her fingers stroking one of his locks. He pulled away and walked out the door.
