Not long after we walked into the psychologists' office, he had me sit down on his couch chair.

"So, tell me what's going on, ma'am? Why do you need some help?"

"I've had fits of rage, a feeling of dread when I think about what my former son said to me, I just up and leave for no reason. In fact, I left for 10 yrs. 'til I decided to come home. I was almost sexually assaulted tonight, was raped three times. I'm wondering if its me that's damaged and I need to be living on my own."

The Dr. had been writing all this down so he can better help me with my problem. He went to his computer and looked up some stuff to make sure he was right on his diagnosis. He looked up from his search and wrote something down on his note pad.

"It sounds like bi-polar disorder, ma'am."

"I forgot to mention that I had "those" thoughts earlier today."

"That's definitely alarming. What made you have "those" thoughts?"

"For some odd reason, I thought about what my former son has said to me a long time ago and wished I was anywhere but where I was. I wanted to pick up the heaviest rock and just start walking out into the ocean and hope I drown so I wasn't a problem to anyone."

"Is that the only time you had that kind of thought?"

"Yeah, it is. I'm afraid I might actually do it one day. I don't wanna be that kind of person to leave their family like that."

"Tell me about your family. I would like to know more about your former son and what he had said to you that made you wanna hurt yourself."

So, I explained everything about Tony and what he said to me which hurt me a lot and made me decide to leave for 10 yrs.

"So, all this is stemming from what Anthony told you when he was younger? Have you tried to repair your relationship with him?"

"No, cause he doesn't want anything to do with me. I was working away from home to put food on the table, a roof over his head and clothes on his back and he turned on me. My other son, Tony's twin brother, Tyrone, understood why I was away a lot. He knew it was to feed them, clothe them and keep a roof over their heads. He was the smarter one and he still wants to learn things from me, even at 16. My soon to be adopted son, Richard, I hope, will want to learn things from me, too."

"Let's talk about Richard. Why is he going to be your soon to be adopted son? What happened to his parents? Are they wanting to put him up for adoption?"

"Its not quite like that. His parents were killed in a drive by shooting while they were on a date night. Richard is old enough to stay home, so when his parents were killed, he had police come to his door and they notified him of what happened to his parents. His parents had already planned ahead in case something happens to them. They want my husband and I to legally adopt him. They have all the paperwork filled out and waiting for my husband and I to sign them to make him legally our son."

"How are things between you and your husband?"

"Things could be better. I haven't told him that I had "those" thoughts today. I honestly don't know how to tell him."

"I can set up a couple's appt. so you can tell him and we can figure out what we can do to help you."

"That would be great, thanks. I'm glad you were available."

"I'm glad you decided to seek help before you actually hurt yourself. After you and I talk to your husband, I'll prescribe the bi-polar meds."

"I am pregnant, doc."

"I am aware of that. I will put you on a low dose for the time being."

"I'm not worried about the dose, doc. I'm not keeping the baby. I'm going to abort it like I did the last one."

"Are you sure you don't care about the dose? I don't want you hurting the baby."

"I'm sure. Just make sure it doesn't make me a zombie. That's all I ask."

"Not a problem. How do you feel since you talked about your problem?"

"I feel much better. I'm glad I decided to do this now rather than later."
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Chicago. Christina and Fourby have been running the garage year-round and non-stop. Business has been very steady every day, which is hard to believe considering where the garage is located.

Christina turned to Fourby, who was working on a 2018 Dodge Ram 2500 Truck. She stepped over to it and lightly knocked on it so she wouldn't startle him and he end up hitting his head on the hood of the truck.

Fourby popped his head out from under the hood and smiled at her. "What's up, girl?"

"How do you feel about hiring a few more people? We have been pretty steady with work and at times, we are swamped and can't get every vehicle and motorcycle done."

"Who did you have in mind?"

"I was thinking Rimfire, Marcus and his girlfriend, Krystal."

"Who are Marcus and Krystal? Transplant Martian Mice?"

"You could say that. Marcus had come to Earth to look for his brother, Vinnie. When he found out that he was dead, it shocked him. Its not how he wanted to reunite with him. Krystal is Marcus' girlfriend and a relative of Stoker's. I think she said she was his niece or something. I don't remember. Rimfire and Marcus can work on the bikes and you, me and Krystal can work on the vehicles."

"I'm fine with that. Give them a call and find out. Who's the girl I've seen with Rimfire?"

"That's his twin sister, Primer. She had been missing for years until recently. Her grandma also came with her, Marcus and Krystal."

"Family reunion, huh? Bet Rimfire was ecstatic to his twin sister again after so long."

"He wouldn't let her out of his sight for a month straight. She told him to stop hovering over her like a hawk. He explained why he was hovering over her and surprisingly, she understood, but got tired of it. He don't do it as much as he did when she first showed up."

"You probably keep him busy so he won't."

"Yeah, I do keep him busy. He runs my errands for me."

Christina walked a short distance to the workbench and picked up the phone. The first person she called was her husband, Rimfire.

A few mins. after she dialed the number, Rimfire picked up.

"Hey beautiful. Everything ok?"

"Yeah. Wondering if you'd like some extra work on your days off?"

"Doing what?"

"Working here at the garage. There are days when we get so swamped, that we can't get everything done. We need the extra help. I'm also gonna call Marcus and Krystal and see if they'd like to come give us a hand."

"I'd love the extra work. When do you need me to come in?"

"Now would be good. We're getting behind."

"I'll be there shortly, pretty lady. Love you."

"Love you too." Then she hung up. She turned around and told Fourby that Rimfire is on his way.

"Great! We need the help bad."

"Tell me about it. I'm gonna call Marcus and Krystal right now." Then she picked up the phone again and dialed their number.

5 mins. after she dialed, Marcus picked up the phone.

"Hey Christina. What's up?"

"Are you and Krystal still looking for work?"

"I am. Not sure about Krystal, though. She's not here right now. She's getting some groceries."

"We're needing more help. Fourby and I can't keep up with all the work that's coming in. Rimfire is on his way right now to help out."

"You need help right now?"

"Yeah, if you wanna come in and help get some of these cars and bikes done, that would be great."

"I'll leave a note for Krystal and I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Awesome! See ya soon, Marcus and thanks." Then Christina hung up again.