CHAPTER THREE

Goth Kid God sternly nods as Joan reaches him at the top of the bleachers. On the way up she was intensely aware that she is the center of everyone's attention. Whispers and pointing fingers follow her all the way. Joan looks about from the height of the top bleacher and sees Mrs Figliola being loaded into an ambulance while one of the security guards points Joan out to a pair of just arrived cops. In the distance, Joan spots a rapidly approaching news van.

Joan groans, "This is going to be bad, isn't it?"

Goth Kid God replies, "Most of the news stories will be along the line of: 'Local Hero Does It Again'."

"Sorry. I know every time something like this happens, it makes it harder for me to operate as your chosen instrument."

"You might want to consult with John Hunter. He has over twenty five years of practice in operating for me while keeping out of the public eye. He is especially adept at alibis."

"That makes him sound like a skilled liar. I thought you were all about honesty?"

"Well, it it's honesty you want…"

"Uh-oh."

"This incident could have been handled discreetly if you had followed your instructions."

"I know, I know. I'm suppose to be practicing all the time."

"I advanced your spiritual abilities in response to your entering the 'big leagues'. If you had been attuned to those around you, Lillian Figliola's intense emotional duress would have been like a beacon to you, even in a crowd as large as this. The matter could have been settled quietly off to the side. That would have been better for both you and her. Am I getting through to you, Joan?"

Joan lets her head hang down as she stares at her feet. "Yeah, I get it. I've been resisting this...'gift' because it creeps me out. I hate intruding into people's lives this way, even when I know it can be for their own good. I just need to find a way to balance this constant 'Peeping Joan' routine with my need to respect people's privacy."

"Which is why you need to keep practicing. You will eventually learn to take a 'quick peek' into the souls of individuals and tell if they are persons of interest, or an easy pass. Now, are you ready for your next assignment?"

"Susan Radovitch? You know the bitter history between us, not to mention the harsh feelings I have toward her father. Is this assignment some sort of punishment to remind me to toe the line?"

"Joan, you know I don't punish people, although I do sometimes discipline my operatives for their own sakes."

"So, I'm suppose to learn some harsh life lesson from this assignment?"

"There are valuable learning experiences in every assignment. How harsh they seem depends on one's perspective. Susan needs help in dealing with the truth. Her 'perspective' needs adjusting. And now Joan, your adoring public awaits you…"

Joan turns and sees down below a TV news crew setting up their equipment while a uniformed cop waves her down from the bleachers. Joan nods and turns back to say goodbye, but Goth Kid God is simply gone. Joan wonders if that was caught on camera, or was she the only one who could see him this day? She misses the traditional backhand wave, and hopes this doesn't mean God is more annoyed than he is letting on…

X X X X X

An hour later Joan and Dr. Hunter are at the Girardi kitchen table enjoying Monte Cristo sandwiches and homemade cole slaw. Helen enters from the backstairs carrying a tray.

"Mom, how is Grace doing?"

"I got her into bed and tried to get her to eat, but after a few bites, she fell asleep. The poor girl was exhausted."

"I knew Grace was pushing herself too hard, and apparently she doesn't plan to let up. Did you know she was planning to go back to high school?"

"Yes Joan, we discussed it. Grace will be studying at home until she recovers from the delivery."

"Grace talked this over with you and not me, her best friend?"

Dr. Hunter remarks, "Perhaps Grace felt the need to bond in a mother-to-mother relationship?"

Joan retorts, "She has her own mother."

"And yet Grace is living here, and has even taken the Girardi name. I must admit that surprises me. I would have thought someone as independent as Grace would have kept the name Polk, or at least gone with Polk-Girardi."

"After Grace left the nursing home, she was in a wheelchair. Our house is set up for that. Grace moved into Kevin's old room, and after they were married, Luke joined her. As for the name change, I think Grace did that to please Luke." Helen says.

Joan adds, "And before they were married, Rabbi Polonsky insisted Mom and Dad keep a close watch on our happy couple to ensure there was no pre-marital hanky panky. Overlooking the fact that Grace was already pregnant, and that Luke would never try to, ya know, with Grace being so weak."

Dr. Hunter asks, "And how has Grace adjusted to all of this, psychologically?" (Helen and Joan noticeably hesitate. Dr. Hunter continues,) "She has been getting counseling, hasn't she?"

Helen replies, "I'm not sure. Grace goes to a clinic for regular physical therapy, and they have counseling services... I just assumed that she was getting help, and we really have been focused on her physical recovery."

"My impression was that Grace rejected any sort of counseling. Her will is as strong as ever, and I just assumed she was doing okay." Joan says with a feeling of guilt. Here was another example of her need to keep practicing.

Dr. Hunter nods but looks doubtful. "Perhaps while I am in Arcadia, I'll offer Grace a chance to talk over her feelings with her old therapist."

Joan remarks, "Speaking of your visit to Arcadia, what exactly brings you back, Doc? I didn't think anything could drag you back to this town."

"I had an obligation to fulfill. Last spring when I asked to be released early from my contract, there was a proviso attached. I agreed to return and help my successor with the transition into his new position as District Psychiatrist."

"Well, it's good to have you back John, even if it is for only a short visit. So...how is Kevin doing?" Helen asks.

"I'm certain you speak with him on a regular basis."

"Sure, but that's not the same as a eyewitness account."

"I can only report good things. Kevin's physical recovery continues. He has abandoned the use of the leg braces, and expects to switch from crutches to only a cane within a few months. As for his career, Kevin is genuinely ecstatic about becoming a staff writer for the TV show, 'Improper'. Certainly Barbara is happy to be both working with and, um, living with Kevin."

Helen frowns. With frost in her voice she asks, "Yes, how is Barbara?"

"Thriving. I have to admit Kevin has been good for my step-daughter. I've never seen her happier... Helen, are you still angry with her?"

Helen blushes but replies calmly, "John, I don't want to offend you, but I find it hard to put aside what Barbara did. She seduced Kevin while he was engaged to Lily, who is a dear friend of mine. That was just wrong."

"The way Kevin and Barbara tell it, their attraction was mutual during their brief fling. I agree Barbara should have been more circumspect around an engaged man, but as the old saying goes: 'The heart wants what the heart wants'."

Joan looks at Dr. Hunter with surprise. This was an unusually laid back attitude for a man of his conservative religious beliefs. For a moment Joan considers taking a 'read' on John Hunter's soul, but rejects the idea. Frequent practice was one thing, but Dr. H. is a good friend who has saved her life twice, and is an experienced servant of God. There are boundaries Joan can't bring herself to cross...

"Mom, you need to let this go. Remember, Lily found someone else too and is now married. Life moves on. For instance, is Dylan doing okay?"

Dr. Hunter smiles, remembering the intense romance between his son and Joan. "He's doing well in college, but perhaps that's not what you meant?"

"Well...just as a friend, I was curious if he was seeing anyone?"

"There is a girl Dylan spends a lot of time with, but only as a friend. As for dating, he's actually been doing a lot of that. Over the last few months he must have gone out with...20? Yes, that sounds about right--twenty different girls. Although, he only dates them one or two times before he moves on."

"Wow, so many is such a short time? Is he becoming some sort of...'swinger'?" Joan asks, using a word she thought appropriate for a man of Dr. Hunter's generation.

"No, nothing like that. Dylan hasn't lost his moral compass. All of this dating just seems to be casual fun. It occupies a lot of his time, but I haven't objected since it hasn't affected his grades."

Joan nods, feeling oddly relieved. She and Dylan had agreed to remain friends, but still... No, she is unable to complete that thought. Instead, she checks her watch... "Oh hey, look at the time. I have to get back to Arcadia High."

Helen asks, "An assignment?"

"Yeah, I have to help a girl I don't like with some problem she has. Do you remember Susan Radovitch?"

"Yes, and not fondly."

"My feelings too, but duty calls. I gotta jet. Bye Mom. Bye Dr. H."

As Joan turns to leave the kitchen she hears Dr. Hunter murmur, "That's an odd co-incidence."

Joan pauses. "Co-incidence?"

"Yes, the man the school board hired to replace me is a local psychiatrist named Radovitch."

"Oh-my-God, Dr. Dan?"

"Yes, his name is Daniel Radovitch. Why, do you know him?"

Joan nods her head and groans.

TBC. Please review.