CHAPTER EIGHT

Joan chooses a public place for her date with Susan—Fum's Coffee Bar, a coffee house just around the corner from Dr. Dan's office. She is surprised when Susan offered no objection to her father's close proximity. They take separate cars, and Joan quickly spots the detective who is following her (the war with Ryan taught her to double check for such things).

The two girls have their laptops with them, and while enjoying over-priced lattes, they share favorite websites. The pair has a lot of fun making funny or seriously thoughtful reviews of various new movies, songs and TV shows. Joan finds she enjoys Susan's snarky sense of humor, and doesn't mind when she begins turning their conversation toward more personal topics.

With an uncharacteristic giggle, Susan asks, "So when was the first time you got felt up?"

Joan briefly laughs bittersweetly. "That would be Jim Dawes, eighth grade. Not a good memory."

"Was he clumsy?"

"He was 13 and did the best he could. Jim was my first official boyfriend, and I remember I use to wake up every morning with a smile on my face thinking: 'I have a boyfriend'!"

"Sounds good so far."

"It started great—the excitement of this new experience. I thought I was so grown up after a ten minute kissing session with him. But of course, he eventually wanted more than kisses. Jim begged me for two weeks to please, please, please let him get to second base." (Joan shrugs.) "Eventually, I did."

"And the bad part?"

"He got what he wanted, and the next day he bragged to every guy in school. It was his not too subtle way of dumping me. He…broke my heart. I spent the next month crying and eating mint chocolate chip ice cream."

"The rat bastard. I hate anybody, guy or girl, who plays with someone else's emotions like that."

Joan gulps, feeling a little guilty. "Uh, yeah, that's not cool. So what about you? Who was your first…er, person?"

Susan laughs. "You were going to say 'guy' and then changed it. Well, I'll have you know, the first 'person' to put the squeeze on me was also a guy."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. It was the graduation dance from junior high. I knew even then that I preferred girls, but I didn't feel comfortable going to a school dance with another girl, so I wasn't planning to attend. But, my Dad wouldn't let it go--that I shouldn't miss one of those big life moments. I certainly wasn't ready to tell him the truth, and frankly, I wasn't completely sure I didn't have a little bit of 'bi' inside of me. So, I did my own version of 'the experiment'. I got a simple dress, put on a little make-up, and went with a guy I knew wasn't going to have a date for the dance."

"He doesn't exactly sound like the cream of the crop."

"Oh, he wasn't so bad. He was chubby, but I didn't mind that. Mostly he was kind of shy, and that's why I knew he wouldn't be asking anyone else. It was a first date for both of us, and I at least tried to make it a good experience for him. Scott Taschen is his name. We still go to Arcadia together."

"I met Scott. I stick with what I said, not the cream of the crop."

Susan shrugs. "I wasn't looking for a grand romance. I just wanted to see what it was like to date a boy, even if it was the only time in my life."

"How did it go?"

"Actually, it was okay. Once Scott loosened up, he turned out to have a weird, crude sense of humor that appealed to me. He was an okay dancer, and I really like to dance. Plus, it was fun freaking out all the kids who thought they had me pegged. Toward the end of the evening, Scott and I slipped away to a supply closet and started making out. He was sooo grateful, especially when I let him get his hands on my boobs. But as I expected…"

"Nothing?"

"It was like trying to light a candle with a squirt gun. It just wasn't working. I suppose it could have been worse. Scott enjoyed himself, and I learned for sure I am one hundred percent gay, for which I'm grateful. I never again had a reason to slither into one of those horrible dresses."

"I noticed you never wear them. Personally, I kinda like the girly-girly experience."

"Hey, there's an idea. For our next date you could come to my place and try on all the stupid dresses my folks insist on buying for me. Anything you like, you can keep."

"And I suppose you would be watching me change?"

Susan grins. "A girl is entitled to have at least a little fun in life."

"I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with that."

"Hey, what's the big whoop? We use to shower together after soccer practice."

"With twenty other girls, and we were so mad at each other then, it never occurred to me that you might be attracted to me."

"I wasn't. I mean, sure, I noticed…that you have a great body, but I never thought of you…that way."

"That's not the only reason why I'd be uncomfortable. Hanging out with the kid of your shrink, past or present, is really awkward. Last year I dated the son of the District Psychiatrist, and I was never comfortable in his house."

Susan chuckles. "Sounds like you have a thing for the offspring of any District Psychiatrist. But okay, I get how uncomfortable that could be. Trust me, I'd pick a time when I knew we would be alone. Besides, I don't think my Dad would mind if you were in my bedroom."

Joan laughs nervously. "That's not the impression I got yesterday. I thought Dr. Dan was going to pop a blood vessel when he saw us kissing."

"Oh that. After dad calmed down, he had a change of heart. You'll get a laugh out of this, but now he's worried that I might hurt your psyche if I rejected your 'bisexuality'. Hilarious?"

Joan thinks: 'So that explains why we are dating with a detective following us. Dr. Dan, you old schemer'. "Actually, that sounds really sensitive of your father. I'm not surprised. At Gentle Acres I realized how...dedicated your dad is to his patients."

"That's true. Growing up I learned to expect that Dad would only have a limited amount of time to devote to me because his patients needed him so much. Don't get me wrong, if I were ever in need, he was always there. I never doubted that I was first priority in his life. Still, I use to miss him in the summer when he spent so much time volunteering at Gentle Acres."

"I do admire that about him. Dr. Dan has such a hectic schedule with his private practice, but he always finds time to help others. During my time at Gentle Acres, I spent every day crying out my problems to him. But then, you know that."

Suisan blushes. "Again, I'm so sorry for invading your privacy. Was your time at Gentle Acres really that awful?"

"It seemed so at the time, but hey, at least I learned to make a lot of unusual lamps. What's your opinion of the place?"

"I've never visited there."

"Really? But it's such a big part of your father's life. Aren't you curious?"

"Of course I am, but Dad made it clear he never wanted me to go there, what with all of the..."

"Crazy people?"

Susan blushes again. "Uh yeah, that and all the juvenile delinquents who end up there."

"Oh, them. That part wasn't so bad. Security was ultra tight, and you never felt at risk. In fact, your dad had a program where he would team up tough kids with what you might call nature's victims. They had to work as a team to win extra priviledges. It helped the 'predators' see their prey as real people. Stirring their underdeveloped sense of empathy."

"And that always worked?"

"No, some of them were such hard cases, nothing seemed to work with them. They would be weeded out from the herd and kept in a high security area that was strictly off limits. I have no idea how the camp dealt with them. I guess I see why your dad didn't want you there, even for a short visit."

"And I really wanted to see the place, especially since it was a part of my heritage."

"Meaning?"

"Oh, years ago I was rummaging through my Dad's desk when I came across some papers that told how Gentle Acres got started. The land originally belonged to my Dad, and he donated it to the charitable organization that runs Gentle Acres. I guess that's why he's always had such a strong connection with the place."

Joan pauses, musing over this information. "Yes, that explains a lot."

X X X X X

In the Girardi den, Dr. Hunter looks over Grace's list of out-of-body experiences...

"Are these twelve incidents the only ones you remember, Grace?"

"It's a complete list, Doc. Trust me, I haven't forgotten any of the times I was 'sent'."

"How do you feel about that, Grace?"

"Do you mean about God utilizing me this way?"

"You weren't exactly given a choice, Grace. God is apparently using you without your consent. I find that disturbing."

Grace shrugs. "That's not how I see it. I think of this as a gift."

"How so?"

"Look at me, Doc. I'm as big as a house and as weak as a kitten. I hate this! I've never been so helpless...and dependent on others. Being able to 'astral' travel , to be pain free without restriction, is the greatest freedom I've ever felt. If the price for that is occasionally witnessing some weird things for...Him, then that's okay with me. Besides, I know--and don't ask me how--that I can say 'No' at any time. But then, it would all go away."

"I'm relieved to know you have given some level of consent to these experiences. Now, as to your list, the one common factor seems to be this person you call 'T.M.' He appears in every event but one."

"Sorry for the abbreviation. I was in a hurry when I made the list. T. M. stands for Teddy Marks."

"I know that name... Oh yes, he had a red stripe file because of violence. I remember he spent a summer at Gentle Acres, and there was some rumor about him..."

"That he was a drug dealer? Because he supplied the whole school. Teddy graduated back in June after five years at Arcadia High."

"Did you recognize anyone else from these astral events?"

"Not sure. I watched Teddy in meetings with a variety of tough looking guys--most of them in their late teens or early twenties. This was usually at night because my astral travel happens in real time. One of the guys Teddy met with, this was during an afternoon nap for me, he looked familiar. I think he was a senior at Arcadia when I was a freshman, but I'm not sure."

"He's the one you saw with Teddy taking target practice with a rifle?" Dr. Hunter asks as he consults the list.

"Yeah, they were out in the woods. Weird thing, they were on a small platform high up in a tall tree and shooting at a target far away."

"Some people hunt deer that way. The hunter waits on the platform near a deer trail, waiting for his target to show up."

"I don't think these guys were hunters. Anyway, this other guy--the one with the rifle--I later saw alone on the roof of a tall building. He was using binoculars to watch a business across the street--a restaurant, I think. That's the only event I witnessed without Teddy being there."

"Could you make out which restaurant, Grace?"

"Nah. It was downtown, because of how tall the buildings were, but the restaurant was too far away to see without binoculars. Maybe the first letter in the name was a 'B', 'P' or "R'. Sorry I can't be more sure."

"And the other events were mostly one-on-one with Teddy and other young men, and they mostly talked about money and drug deals? But what is this item on your list described as a tribal council?"

"That's how I thought of that bizarre gathering. It was deep in the woods in a circle of lit torches. Teddy Marks was there standing next to a pole with a wolf's head on it."

"A wolf's head?"

"Yeah, like what you would get from a taxidermist and hang on a wall, except that this one was on a pole. All the guys I'd seen meeting with Teddy, plus a bunch more, were facing him. In unison, they all pulled out knives, took one step forward, and then dropped to their knees before Teddy. I can't imagine what that was about."

"It sounds like an established ritual...maybe a loyalty oath? Gangs often have elaborate rituals in such matters, but the addition of the wolf's head makes this sound like a very old ritual. I see what you mean about all of this being pieces of a puzzle."

"Don't forget the final piece."

"The one you labeled Old Guy/Greenhouses?"

"Yeah, that was another daytime nap event. Teddy was with an Old Guy near a row of really large greenhouses. They talked as equals about some upcoming event. Teddy wanted to get started right away, but the Old Guy convinced him to stick with their schedule."

"Can you describe the man better than 'Old Guy'?"

Grace shrugs. "Fifties, balding and kinda fat. He was well dressed and sounded educated."

Dr. Hunter pauses, thinking. He removes the Gentle Acres brochure from his pocket and silently reads the third page: 'Our new, state-of-the-art greenhouses provide fresh, organically grown vegetables year round...'

X X X X X

Back at the coffee house, Joan and Susan's date is drawing near to a close. They put away their laptops and finish their drinks...

"This was fun. How about tomorrow we meet at my place around noon? We can do that thing with the dresses, and I promise--really promise--I won't peek." Susan eagerly says.

Joan sighs. Away from home and close friends, she has been diligently using her new ability to read people, including Susan. Joan again feels guilty about this, especially since she knows Susan's attraction is moving beyond the physical into a real fondness. Joan realizes that continuing, now that she has what she wanted, would be cruel.

"Susan, I too had a good time--surprisingly good. As first dates go, this has been one of the best I've had. But, every time I think about how much I like you, one thought keeps coming to mind."

"What's that?"

"I wish you had a penis."

Susan loudly cackles with laughter, drawing the attention of the other shop patrons. Susan bristles and shouts, "What are you looking at?"

The others look away, and Susan turns back to Joan. "Sorry, but that was so funny."

"Susan, I wasn't joking. You're great, and if this was going to happen with any girl, it would be you. But...I'm a candle who needs the squirt gun."

"Maybe...maybe if we gave it more time? If you need to relax, I could get a bottle of wine, and..."

"And maybe if I got drunk enough, I'd go through with it? How do you think I'd react if a guy made that suggestion?"

"Yeah, I see what you mean. It's a shame, because I think we would be great together."

"I'm sure you're right, but it just wasn't meant to be."

After that, there was nothing more to be said. Joan escorts Susan out to her car, and they pause for their farewells.

"I'm sorry Susan that this 'experiment' was such a failure. I hope we can remain friends?"

Susan shrugs. "Sure. I guess I can always use more friends. Goodbye, Joan."

"Goodbye, Susan." Joan says as she leans in and gives Susan an affectionate kiss on the cheek.

Susan smiles, enters her car and drives away. Joan curses under her breath. She hated hurting Susan, even if it were only a little, because she knows there is more pain to come. She has the assignment to get Susan to see her father with a true perspective. Susan's hero-worship of her dad, marred only by his blind spot to her sexuality, was a happy fantasy that Joan will have to destroy.

"Why God? I know you're upset with me for not being totally diligent about practicing my new ability, but I need your advice. Do I really have to crush Susan's world like this? I know the truth is important to you, but isn't there another way? I don't want Susan to go through what Stevie Marx experienced, because this will be worse. At least Erica Marx's crime was motivated by love. Dr. Dan's crimes will show him to be the greedy, self-absorbed man he has become."

Joan pauses for an answer, but all she hears is her cell phone ringing. The caller I.D. says: The Friedman.

"Hey Friedman, what's the good word?"

"Joan, I have a preliminary report for you on all of those companies who are paying Dr. Dan. I've only checked three so far, but the trend is obvious..."

"Let me guess. They're all overseas sham companies that exist in name only?"

"How did you know?"

"It's what made sense considering what I've learned and suspected. Were you able to trace them back to their parent company?"

"Yes, I knew that would be a high priority. So far they are all owned by an international charitable organization that exists in name only. The only real asset the place seems to own is Gentle Acres."

"And I'll bet the sole officer of the organization is Dr. Dan."

"Once again, you're way ahead of me. Although it is well hidden, Dr. Dan is the true owner of Gentle Acres, and its' huge profits are laundered overseas before coming back to him. But why would he do that?"

"Conflict of interest. For years Dr. Dan has been volunteering at hospitals, with the police and social services all so he could recommend Gentle Acres to disraught, desperate parents. Those people have been mortgaging their homes, selling their cars and borrowing large amounts of money just so they can afford to help their kids. The sad twist is that Gentle Acres' tough love practices actually helped a lot of disturbed kids."

"But when this scandal breaks, Gentle Acres will be closed, and Dr. Dan will lose his license. He probably will go to jail. At least that part must give you some satisfaction, Joan."

"Less than you think. Thanks for your help, Friedman."

"I'll stick with it until I have all the details nailed down, and then I'll do the anonymous source method to get it to your dad."

Joan sighs. "Okay, I guess we have no choice in the matter. Talk to you soon."

Joan disconnects and begins walking toward Dr. Dan's office building. She might as well let the old goat know she is on to him. Maybe, she can convince him to give himself up? That would spare him the harshest penalties. As she walks along, she notices Bob Crowley still following her. Now that he is in the open, she recognizes the former police detective. Fine, follow me to the guy who hired you. All you've got to show for your efforts are couple of innocent kisses on the cheek.

Joan crosses the wide boulevard that separates the businesses of the historic district from the very tall office building across the street. As Joan rides the elevator to the top floor, she ponders Dr. Dan's latest scheme. By closing his private office, Dr. Dan will save a fortune in expenses, and as District Psychiatrist, he will have access to an endless stream of desperate parents he can exploit. That's the thing about giving into Greed, there's never enough.

The receptionist smiles as she recognizes Joan... "Miss Girardi, how nice to see you again. If you're here to make an appointment, I have bad news."

"No Mrs Tanner, I'm here on a private matter about...Dr. Dan's daughter and me. Can he spare a moment?"

Mrs Tanner gives Joan a suspicious look. She is apparently aware of Susan's true nature. "Uh...certainly. If you will take a seat, the doctor is finishing up with his last patient of the day."

Joan nods and sits next to a coffee table piled high with magazines. She rummages through them, but doesn't find any current issues. While reading a three year old article on Hillary Duff, Joan hears the door to Dr. Dan's office opening. Suddenly, she is aware of a great evil, and knows she is in terrible danger...

TBC. Please, please review.