CHAPTER FIVE
It was a nice kiss. A very nice kiss, which surprises and pleases Joan because being with a good kisser was always important to her. But something was missing. Usually after such a good kiss, Joan has to struggle against the overwhelming hormonal rush that surges through her hot Girardi veins. No rush.
"Joan Girardi!" shouts an outraged voice. Joan sighs. She knows this voice only too well.
"Dad?" Susan gasps and jumps back from Joan's touch.
Joan turns and sees a chubby, 50-ish, balding man who is utterly livid. Dr. Daniel Radovitch strides toward them, red-faced and muttering under his breath.
"What the hell is going on here?"
Susan jumps to her feet and rushes to hug her father. "Dad, I'm so sorry you saw that. She caught me off guard when she suddenly kissed me!"
Joan's mouth hangs open in outrage despite the fact she suspected something like this was going to happen. The major fear in Susan's life is that she will damage her relationship with the father she hero-worships. No worries there, Susan. Dr. Dan, experienced child psychiatrist, is clueless about your sexuality.
Dr. Dan tries hard to calm himself and act professionally. "It's okay Princess, you did nothing wrong. Miss Girardi has a lot of issues she is dealing with. Although this aspect comes as a surprise."
Joan smiles sheepishly. "Hello Dr. Dan. Long time no see."
"Susan, wait for me in the car while I have a word with Joan."
"Yes Dad." Susan meekly replies as she casts a guilty glance at Joan. She walks away toward a Bentley sedan.
Dr. Dan says, "Joan, I don't know why you hid this aspect of yourself during therapy, but as my ex-patient, that is no longer my concern. Susan is an innocent girl who doesn't need your advances confusing her during this hormonally upsetting time of her life. Let me be blunt, Susan is 17, a minor, and you are now a legal adult. Now I'd never want to do anything to embarrass my daughter, or a former patient. Your father is the chief of police, and you are the town's hero. If this came out, the scandal would be huge. Stay away from my little girl!"
To Dr. Dan's surprise, his belligerent attitude has no effect on Joan. She stands, smiles and looks him squarely in the eye…
"I hear you're making a career change, Dr. Dan. Switching from a lucrative private practice to public service? That won't keep you supplied with brand new Bentleys. Now why would you be making such a financial sacrifice with Susan only one year away from college? What could you hope to gain?"
Joan's words have a strange, chilling effect on Dr. Dan. He goes pale, and nervously begins backing away from her. The kiss from only a few minutes before now seemingly forgotten. Dr. Dan hurries back to his car. As he does, Susan passes him while saying over her shoulder…
"I'll be right back, Dad. I have to get my gym bag."
Arriving, Susan quietly says, "Sorry about that, Joan. I wasn't expecting Dad to come looking for me when I was late getting home from practice."
"How can he not know the truth?"
Susan shrugs. "My Dad is a good man, a wonderful father and a great doctor, but he's always had a blind spot when it comes to me. Someday I'll have to tell him, but until then I'll remain his 'Princess'."
"Don't you think he'd understand?"
"Sure he would. Dad is a modern man with modern views, and I'm certain he would adjust to the news and quickly accept it. But, it would forever alter our relationship. For a while longer, I'd like to remain his innocent little girl. Okay?"
"Sure, it's your call."
"Thanks. Hey, can I call you?"
"Yeah, okay. I'd like to hang out sometime."
Dr. Dan shouts from the car, "Susan!"
"Coming Dad!" Susan calls back as she gives Joan a wink.
Joan watches as Susan runs back to the Bentley. If this assignment lasted very long, things could get…awkward between them. But at least Joan has identified the problem. Dr. Daniel Radovitch, esteemed medical professional and a pillar of the community, has not one but two demons riding on his shoulders.
X X X X X
In the early evening, Joan is watching the street from a window in the living room. She spots two familiar cars parking in front of the house. Joan goes to the front door, opens it and waits. Moments later, the first one through the door is Grace Girardi, being pushed in a wheelchair by her father Rabbi Aaron Polonsky. Sarah Polonsky is right behind them, followed by Will and Helen, and lastly, Dr. Hunter.
"Grace, are you okay?" Joan asks.
Grace mutters, "I told everyone this was a waste of time! I was tired, so it was hard to wake me up. That's not worth a trip to the hospital!"
Helen responds, "Grace, we couldn't wake you for ten full minutes. We shouted, we shook you and we even sprinkled cold water in your face."
Dr. Hunter adds, "Yes Grace, you were unconscious."
"But I woke up feeling fine even before you could call for an ambulance. Doc, you even checked my vitals."
"Which were all in the normal range, but more sophisticated tests needed to be run for your sake, and for the baby's"
Grace pats her mid-section. "Which is the only reason I agreed to visit the emergency room. And what did they find? Nothing. Just like I knew they would. All of this fuss over a simple case of exhaustion. I'll admit I was pushing myself pretty hard over the last few days…"
"You sould have waited until after the birth before trying to get out of that wheelchair." Sarah says.
Grace looks annoyed but calmly replies, "Maybe you're right, Mom. Certainly my OB/GYN agrees with you. The only way she would agree to release me is by my agreement to get back in this damn thing."
"Grace, language." Rabbi Polonsky automatically says.
"Sorry. At least none of you made the situation worse by telling Luke about this… Right?"
Will hesitates before replying, "We promised not to call Luke as long as all of your tests turned out okay. But…we did send a text message asking Luke to call tonight."
"Oh crap—sorry. Brain Boy will be in a panic. He might even be on his way back to Arcadia."
Will responds, "No, we made certain the request sounded casual. I'm sure Luke doesn't suspect anything is wrong."
"Because there isn't!"
Sarah says, "Okay grumpy girl, time to get you back into bed."
"I'll help." Helen adds.
Moments later, an obviously resentful Grace rides the rail chair upstairs while Sarah and Helen solicitously follow her all the way. Joan can also detect a low level of resentment coming from Sarah Polonsky toward the Girardis. The fact Grace is choosing to live with her in-laws is a barely hidden sore spot with her. Hastily, Joan raises mental barriers to block her 'gift'. She still has trouble with the privacy issue.
Will asks, "Aaron, John can I tempt you with a scotch?"
Polonsky replies, "Maybe a small one. I rarely indulge, but after the stress of today…"
Dr. Hunter shakes his head. "No thanks. I need to keep a clear head for the drive back to the hotel, and for the mountain of paperwork I have to review before my meeting tomorrow with my replacement. So if you will excuse me, I'll be on my way."
"I'll show Dr. Hunter out." Joan adds.
Will and Rabbi Polonsky say a hasty farewell before heading for the den. Joan takes Dr. Hunter's arm and escorts him out to the porch, but once they are alone, Joan tugs him over to the porch swing.
"Doc, if you have the time, there's something we need to discuss."
"I would love to talk over numerous topics with you Joan, but I really do need to prepare for my meeting with Dr. Radovitch tomorrow morning."
"Actually, Dr. Dan is what I wanted to talk about. You do know he was once my shrink?"
"Yes, I remember that from your school file."
"Well, in full disclosure, I admit I've resented the man for a long time. Dr. Dan, besides running a successful private practice in the city, volunteers every summer at Gentle Acres."
"The camp for troubled teens on the west side of the county? I hear they do good work."
"Maybe, but they really blew it with me--especially Dr. Dan. After my bout with Lyme disease, I was sent to Gentle Acres because I was halucinating the day I was admitted into the hospital. When I got to Gentle Acres, I was so confused I confessed to Dr. Dan about talking to God. He convinced me that I was crazy."
"I'm sure Dr. Radovitch never called you that."
"No, he said I had invested myself in my fractured perception of reality. The point is, he took a sane girl and made her worse."
"Joan, you can't blame Dr. Radovitch for not believing you. Hearing messages from God is a classic psychosis, and any psychiatrist would try to lead you away from such a 'fractured reality'. How was he to know that in your unusual case, you spoke the truth?"
"Well...maybe I expected too much from his instincts. After all, you never had any trouble seeing the truth about me, Grace and I guess, all of your patients."
"Yes, having divine guidance was always a great advantage in my practice--one that Dr. Radovitch didn't share. So, are you willing to cut him some slack?"
"No. Dr. Hunter, I want you to use your influence with the school board to block Dr. Dan's taking over as District Psychiatrist. He isn't fit to hold the office."
"Joan, it's not like you to be so petty. Why are you so opposed to the man?"
"Because now I know why Dr. Dan always gave me the creeps. He's under the control of two demons!"
Stunned, Dr. Hunter can only stare in amazement while he digests this news. Meanwhile, Joan once again hears Ryans mocking voice in her head...
("You always wondered how I so easily blackmailed so many people. Now you know, Joan. I could see their demons. And tell John 'hello' from me, and remind him I don't forgive him for murdering me!")
"Joan, are you okay? You had the strangest look on your face."
"I'm fine, Doc. I'm fine. So you see what I mean about Dr. Dan?"
"Two demons?" Dr. Hunter dubiously asks.
"Yes, one is an envy demon, and the other is a greed demon. Technically, he isn't posessed, but I can tell Dr. Dan has spent years surrendering his will to them."
"This is a strange new area for me. Joan, are you sure? Is it possible your animosity has clouded your judgement?"
"You...you don't belive me? After all we've been through?"
Before Dr. Hunter can respond, Helen suddenly appears from the front door. "Oh John, I'm glad I caught you. Grace really wanted a chance to say goodbye. I know we've monopolized your whole day..."
John sighs, but forces a smile on his face. "Nonsense. I'd be happy to speak with Grace."
Dr. Hunter follows Helen back into the house while avoiding looking back at Joan. He wants to believe her, but his own problems with the divine connection have him doubting everything. Arriving at Grace's room, Helen knocks before entering...
"Grace, may we come in?"
From the bed Grace replies, "Sure, but if you don't mind, I was hoping to talk with Dr. Hunter alone."
"Certainly dear. Have a good talk." Helen exits.
Dr. Hunter moves a chair to the bedside. "Well Grace, it has been a momentous day. How are you doing, other than physically?"
"I'll admit I'm stressed, but...not about the trip to the hospital. Doc, are we still covered under that doctor/patient thing?"
"Technically, our professional relationship ended when I left the school system's employment. However, if you need a guarantee of confientiality, then consider yourself one of my private patients. Now, what has you so stressed?"
Grace breaks eye contact and gulps nervously. "What put me under so much stress is that my secret was almost found out today."
"Secret?"
"When you and Mama Girardi couldn't wake me this afternoon, it wasn't because I was unconscious. It was because I was having an out-of-body experience!"
TBC Please review.