Chapter 26AE

'Couch and Window Treatment'

'Get In Line'

'Mustafar Roasted Couch Potato'

Anakin and Isabel heed the advice of the Jedi Council. The alternative would have been harsh. They are two parents at the mercy of the Jedi Youngling Disciplinary Committee. Anakin does not want to fail his child the way others failed him when he was young.

'Think Calming Thoughts'

The crystal clock on the wall ticks away. Fifteen minutes have passed. A full-sized ergonomic chaise is in the middle of the room. The nuna skin chaise is set on top of a blue and white Sullustan rug. The young patient's leg swings back and forth from the side of the luxurious piece of furniture. The navy and red Jedi Knights sport shoe barely touches the rug. There is a soft humming noise that stops and starts every 10 seconds or so. The floor-to-ceiling shades lower and rise as if there is some sort of malfunction in the mechanism. Someone is waiting patiently on the other side of the room. Finally the humming sound stops.

"Are you comfortable now?"

It is a woman's voice, soft and kind. Kris sets the remote control on the small side table. He laces his fingers behind his head and lays back. The white leather is soft. He feels relaxed.

"Yeah, I guess. So…what are you going to do, dig inside my brain?"

"Is that what you think?"

"Are you?"

"No. I'm here to help you sort through your feelings."

"Because my parents are freaking out about what I did to the Admiral?"

"They love you and want to make sure you grow up happy and follow the Jedi ways."

Kris is distracted and looks around the room.

"You've got a lot of certificates on your walls; you've been at this for a long time, eh?"

"I have."

"You must have treated a lot of people."

"Yes."

"What's your success rate?"

"Does that matter to you?"

"Well, sure! My folks expect to get their money's worth. I don't want to embarrass my Mum by having her visit me in reform school. You're not gonna slip me mind-altering drugs are you? I don't want to wind up a lobot zombie."

Doctor Melfi is almost amused by this restless and inquisitive adolescent.

"I doubt it will get to that point, Kris."

"My sister says I'm going to jail."

"I don't believe she means that. She's teasing you. What else worries you?"

There is a long pause. The wisecracking child is serious all of a sudden.

"You knew my grandfather, didn't you?"

"How do you know that?"

"I have a feeling."

Doctor Melfi does not answer immediately. She realizes that the Force is strong with her young patient. This is going to be a challenge.

It has been a long journey to this day. The Jedi Council summons her while she is on a lecture circuit on Corellia. She had to leave for Coruscant immediately to take a new patient. Her practice on Naboo ends and her patients are quickly referred to other doctors capable of handling the daily trials of wealthy business executives and neglected housewives around Theed.

The doctor responds to Kris' concerns.

"That was a very long time ago in a different place far, far away."

"Palps is from Naboo."

"Does it bother you to talk about this?"

"It feels weird."

"How so?"

"It's sad. I don't like it much. Can we make the room brighter?"

"Of course we can." Doctor Melfi waves her hand and the shades turn from black to white. The sun filters in and fills the room with a soft amber glow. "Better?"

"Yes. Thanks."

"You're welcome."

"I thought you were going to be an old grumpy lady but you're nice…and kinda pretty."

Doctor Melfi tentatively accepts the compliment.

"Uhm…thank you."

"Okay, I'm ready for you to scan my brain now."

"We'll 'scan' later. Let's talk about you first." She gives him a wink.

"Okay."

Doctor Melfi is relieved that her new patient is feeling better.

"I hear you recently hosted a dinner with three guests."

Kris lifts his head to look at the doctor as he speaks. She is delighted by his enthusiasm.

"Uhm, oh…yeah. Since I was grounded and all, my mum said my friends would have to come to the house. It was actually cool. My grandparents stopped by too and they gave me presents… but because I was grounded, my mum told them not to bring presents. When my Dad found out, he gave my presents to my friends. Do you believe that? He didn't even wait until I fell back into his good graces. What loving parent does that to his child?" He ponders for a moment. "Is that considered child abuse?"

"I don't believe so. Sorry, kiddo."

"I'm the baby…the cutest member of the family too! Geez!"

Doctor Melfi tries not to show her amusement as she listens to his juvenile rant. Instead, she pretends to sound as shocked as he feels.

"Tragic! Kris, do you think you're spoiled? Just a tiny bit?" She measures with her thumb and index finger."

"Oh, sure! No one lets me forget. My mum told Nana and Pop-Pop not to give me any more gifts unless it's Befana Eve or my birthday."

"What about your other grandfather?"

"Oh…he gives me stuff but my parents get real upset… when he gives me stuff that is. He loves to give me money. Somehow, I don't mind so much when my Dad takes it away. My Dad says the gifts are always attached with conditions."

"I see. What are the conditions?"

"I don't know but my brother Luke says they can't be good. Grand Palps works at TaggeMart. He gets a big discount."

"Oh, does he now?"

"Yeah. I bought a new air surfer board with the money and discount card."

"Why did you need a new air surfer board?"

"Oh, my dad had an accident with it."

"Was he injured?"

"O, geez, no! I'm not sure what happened, but it was all banged up."

"How do you feel about Nana and Pop-Pop?"

"Oh, I love them. Nana smells like Jade roses and she always dresses up as if she's going somewhere fancy. I don't think I've ever seen her wear pants. She always goes the high tea with her friends and she plays bridge. My dad says if more women attended these gabfests, men could stay home and watch sports with their friends in peace. My mother used to make us go to the Bimmisaari Youngling Etiquette Club. We had to get dressed up as if we were going to Sunday Mass. The food was good though. Dad said it was only useful if you needed to know which fork to use at dinner. He always goofs about it but I think he actually enjoys it."

"What kind of grandfather is Pop-Pop Nakai?"

"He's super cool. Pop-Pop Nakai builds canoes so we get to go on the lake at our summerhouse on Naboo. Pop-Pop made miniature canoes for all my friends the night they came for dinner. My friends think he is awesome! They said I'm the coolest kid under house arrest."

"Where was your grandfather Palps while this was going on?"

"I don't know…in the living room with my parents I guess."

"How do you think he feels when you spend time with Pop-Pop Nakai?"

"I try not to think about it. I know it's not fair but I have a bad feeling about him sometimes. My dad says he's reformed, but I'm not so sure. I know I get into a lot of trouble on my own, but I don't need any help. I want to be a Jedi when I grow up."

"Well, that's something we will need to work on, agreed?"

"Sure. So, how many more times do I have to come back here?"

An hour passes and Kris is reunited with his parents in the waiting room. Isabel sits quietly. Earlier during the wait, she had no patience for the coffee table reading materials. She decides to stand at the window overlooking the plaza. Anakin, on the other hand, has been reading the holo-mags on the coffee table. He flips through the celebrity gossip mags:'Your Stars and Mine,' and the professional and home mags such as: 'New Scientific Galactica,' 'Coruscant Psychology Digest,' 'HoloNet Kids Reader,' 'Corellian Horticultural Digest,' and 'Bimmisaari Teas By Mail.'

Isabel smiles as her youngest finally emerges from the office. She has worried for the hour that Kris had been with Doctor Melfi. She helps him with his down jacket then she runs her fingers through her son's blonde hair.

"Are you okay?"

"I guess we'll find out soon enough, eh, Mum? Hah!"

Anakin scolds him.

"No wisecracks. This isn't funny."

Doctor Melfi approaches Anakin and Isabel.

"Mr. and Mrs. Skywalker, may I speak to you for a moment in my office?"

Anakin whispers to his wife.

"Come on; let's chat with this quack."

Isabel turns to Kris.

"Have a seat and don't touch anything. "

"I'm not looking to get into any more trouble."

"Good, let's keep it that way."

As his parents follow Doctor Melfi in her office, Kris pulls his E-Pod from his back pocket and slouches in one of the comfy quilted leather chairs. The receptionist glances across the room at him. Kris sits up straight. Another patient arrives.

Meanwhile, Anakin and Isabel sit as Doctor Melfi takes a seat at her desk. The doctor glances at a folder then looks across the desk at the concerned parents. Anakin is a bit distracted as he takes in the office décor. He finally looks across the desk at Doctor Melfi. He wonders what she is reading.

"So, Doc, what's the consensus? But, I warn you, whatever he said about us is untrue. I know my rights as a parent."

"What was that, Mr. Skywalker?"

"Did you scare him senseless like on those prisoner intervention holo-vids?"

"That's not one of the tactics I use on my patients. This is not a prison, Mr. Skywalker."

"Oh…pity."

"I called you in to give you my findings."

"Tell me, Doc; is he in for a lifetime of therapy? I know he can be a handful. Tell me now; I can take it."

Isabel stares at her husband then whispers to him.

"Anakin, will you stop? I apologize for the interruption. Please, Doctor, what is your assessment of our son?"

"Well…Kriztan is a fascinating and intelligent child. He is full of love and compassion; however, he is also a very troubled child. The incident that brought him here concerns me greatly. Is this the first outburst he's had?"

Isabel quickly responds.

"Yes, Doctor."

Anakin chimes in.

"I honestly don't know what came over him."

Doctor Melfi glances at the folder then looks at Anakin above the rims of her eyeglasses.

"Mr. Skywalker, do you believe that he has learned this behavior from you? I understand that Sunday dinners are quite lively at the Skywalker home."

"We're a lively family…wait, what are you saying?"

"You tell me. What's going on, Mr. Skywalker?"

"Nothing. How's our son?"

"He's fine. There is nothing wrong with him that a good balance of nurturing and tough love won't cure. He's a charming young man capable of many great things."

"Oh…okay…so…he's not going to murder me in my sleep?"

Isabel elbows her husband and gives him a dirty look. Doctor Melfi ignores his wisecracks then nods.

"Nothing to worry about. He's going through typical Jedi adolescence but he looks up to you. You are a huge influence on him and your actions professionally and at home may send the wrong message."

"What actions do you find questionable, Doctor?"

"You want me to go down the list?"

Anakin is stunned.

"You've got a list?"

He attempts to lean over the desk to view the 'list' then stops.

She stares at him without blinking once.

"Any questions? If you don't understand, I can explain so you will understand,"

"No. I know what you mean." Anakin sulks and slides back in his chair. There is a guilty expression on his face. Doctor Melfi closes the folder.

"Okay, let's go get your son."

Doctor Melfi leads them to the door. Anakin ushers his wife out.

"Bel, I'll be with you in a second."

He turns to Doctor Melfi who is about to receive her next patient. He whispers so Isabel does dot hear him.

"Doctor, can we talk a minute?"

"What is it, Mr. Skywalker? I have a patient waiting."

Anakin turns to see who else is in the waiting area. He focuses on an anxious-looking middle-aged man. The man is in business attire but it is somewhat disheveled. The man nervously picks at his eyebrow. After a five-second assessment of the man, Anakin turns to Doctor Melfi. There is a big smirk on his face as he speaks.

"If he's crazy, he's not going to get well any time soon. That's more money in your pocket, eh?" He elbows her with a wink.

Doctor Melfi is appalled.

"Mr. Skywalker!"

"Listen, I have a few things to get off my chest."

Anakin enters the office and waves the door closed.

"Mind if I sit here?" He takes a seat on the chaise before Doctor Melfi has a chance to refuse. He grabs the remote from the table and begins to play with the buttons. The lighting in the room keeps changing. The intercom on Doctor Melfi's desk buzzes. She leans over her desk and reads the message on the telephone display. Doctor Melfi sweeps a lock of her auburn hair away from her cheek.

"Mr. Skywalker, your wife and son are outside waiting for you."

"Just give me a few minutes. Nice rug. Who's your decorator?" He lays back and gets comfortable.

"Mr. Skywalker, you are not my patient!"

"You don't have to yell!"

"Well, apparently I do."

"What sort of shrink are you? Where's your compassion? What about your 'hypocritic' oath?"

She is about to correct him about the 'Hippocratic Oath' but decides not to bother.

"You need to go." Doctor Melfi folds her arms across her chest.

Anakin continues to talk.

"Do you know that I'm taking a big chunk of time out of my work day to come here? I'm a busy man."

Meanwhile, in the waiting room, the receptionist is getting an earful from an 'impatient' patient.

"Miss Kester, I have been waiting patiently. I have sacrificed a substantial portion of my day to make this appointment. I didn't come in today to get bumped."

"I know, Mr. Carlin. I've been waiting to marry a millionaire. I feel your pain." She makes some notes then looks up at the frazzled man who is still standing over her desk. "The doctor will be with you momentarily."

Anakin gives the doctor a rundown of issues bothering him.

"Doctor, I have stress. My son-in-law tries my patience. He traps me into situations where I have no recourse but to strike back. Then there is my son Alex. He's taking a semester off to travel with his garage band or gundark band…whatever he calls it…and…he's going with his half naked girlfriend; my two daughters defy me at every turn. If you see what I'm up against, it's clear that I'm the real victim here…Do I need meds?"

The light on the intercom flashes.

"Your wife is on her way in to get you."

A few moments later, Anakin emerges from the office. As Isabel approaches the door, Anakin ushers his wife and son along.

"Why don't you two walk ahead? I'll catch up with you." Anakin stops at the reception desk. He reads the nameplate 'Carol Kester.' Miss Kester looks up at him. Anakin flashes his charismatic smile.

"Hi, Carol. What openings do you have for this week?"