Part 3: Chapter 4

December 20

Chuck was in the waiting room at Dr. Truman's office. As he waited, he looked at the receptionist.

"I've heard great things about this doctor," Chuck said.

Nathan and Jamie walked out of the office and into the waiting room. Jamie and Chuck quietly looked at each other.

"Hey Chuck," Nathan said.

"Don't talk to that," Jamie said stomping out of the room.

"I'm so sorry," Nathan said. "You know, we miss you at the café. Haley was wondering if you could possibly come back."

"I'll think about it," Chuck said.

Dr. Truman came out of his office.

"Chuck Scolnik," Dr. Truman said.

"Well see you later Chuck," Nathan said.

"Bye Mr. Scott," Chuck said.

Chuck followed Dr. Truman into the office and Dr. Truman closed the door. Chuck had a seat on the couch, while Dr. Truman sat in his chair with a pad and pencil.

"So Chuck," Dr. Truman said. "What brings you here?"

"My guardian Chris Keller wanted me to come," Dr. Truman said.

"I know Chris Keller very well," Dr. Truman said. "He's been here a few times. He has lots of issues. Does he still talk in the third person?"

"Yes," Chuck said. "All the time."

"Anyway," Dr. Truman said. "What's been going on?"

"Well I lost my best friend," Chuck said.

"When you say lost your best friend, do you mean your best friend has passed on?" Dr. Truman asked.

"No," Chuck said. "Jamie Scott is very much alive. He's one of your patients. You just saw him and his father."

"Oh," Dr. Truman said.

"I know he's probably telling you about what a horrible person I am," Chuck said. "He's right, I am a horrible person."

"Why do you say that?" Dr. Truman asked.

"I'm selfish and I put my needs ahead of other's," Chuck said. "I also cheated on my ex-girlfriend, who by the way happens to be Jamie's cousin. I bet he's told you."

"I'm not at liberty to discuss it," Dr. Truman said.

"Of course," Chuck said. "Doctor/patient confidentiality."

"Let's talk about the affair you just mentioned," Dr. Truman said.

"First of all, I began dating Beth at the beginning of October," Chuck said. "She and I dated through the month of October, but she dumped me on Halloween because I wasn't ready to have sex. Jamie's cousin Lily came over because she was taking Jamie's sister Lydia trick or treating. Anyway, Lily comforted me and we started dating. We dated all through November."

"And when did Beth come back into the picture?" Dr. Truman asked.

"At the beginning of the month," Chuck said. "Beth came to apologize to me and explained that she made a terrible mistake and that she was going to apologize that day after Halloween, but she saw me kissing Lily."

"What happened after that?" Dr. Truman asked.

"Beth and I went to my house and had sex," Chuck replied. "The next day we kissed in public, and Jamie's sister Lydia saw us. She told Lily and Lily confronted me and pushed me into the fountain at the mall. Jamie was there and he punched me in the face and told me our friendship was over."

"Have you tried to talk to Lily and Jamie?" Dr. Truman asked.

"I've talked to Lily and she told me she forgives me and wishes Beth and I the best," Chuck replied. "But Jamie won't talk to me."

"And how does that make you feel?" Dr. Truman asked.

"Awful," Chuck said. "I want my best friend."

"What about Beth?" Dr. Truman asked. "What do people think about her?"

"Well," Chuck said. "They think she's a bitch. She is though, but that's what I like about her."

"Explain," Dr. Truman said.

"Well Beth and I are kind of alike," Chuck said. "Like I said, I sometimes put my needs ahead of other's and I'm not very nice sometimes. Beth is like that too. I mean, we're not horrible people. We've both just been through a lot and sometimes we need to think of ourselves. Her father isn't the best and is always gone and I haven't even seen my father in years."

"And why is that?" Dr. Truman asked.

"I have a restraining order against him," Chuck said. "My whole family does. He's abusive and he used to hit me."

"So you've been a victim of domestic violence?" Dr. Truman asked.

"Yeah," Chuck said. "But that's not what I came here to talk about. I came here to talk about my friendship troubles."

"Chuck," Dr. Truman said. "We'll talk about your friendship troubles, but right now, I'd like to talk about your abusive past."

"Yeah," Chuck said. "Well I don't."

Chuck stood up and began to walk towards the door.

"I was abused as a child," Dr. Truman said.

Chuck walked back over to the couch.

"I'm going to sit back down," Chuck said. "But that's just because I don't want to waste the money I spent on this session."