Faceless Instincts

Beginning of an End

DECEMBER' 1

Existence gets pretty predictable when it falls into a pattern, like a structure disguised as a daily routine? It's not tedious when you love it, but it does get tiresome when you don't even try to change it. Now, it's better if you do it by yourself, according to your choices, because if you don't, life will bring transitions on its own, and sometimes you may or may not like the results.

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Winter's strike was strong that evening. A gush of wind invaded through the window and chilled my entire core.

I was leaning back in my chair with my elbows on the armrest and fingers entwined as I watched Mr Wheeler fidgeting over the table. When he looked up his brows were furrowed, even though his body was slumped his eyes gave him away, "but-" he started to speak and I raised my palm to restrain him.

"There's no but Mr Wheeler, I have already made myself clear on this matter. Also, if it puts anything into perspective for you I am glad to spell it out again - It's not that I can't help you, I can if I want to, but I won't help you." I made sure to have zero expression on my face and keep it stoic.

"You just have to give me the damn reports" he argued pressing his finger in the table.

I stood up silently and buttoned my blazer, "save your words for the court, Mr Wheeler. I have made myself clear that under no circumstances, will I compromise with the privacy of my patients."

I rounded around the table and strode towards the door, "Now if you decide to take a detour and ever stop by again, please make sure to bring in a lawyer and the court orders for those reports"

I opened the door and gestured for him to walk through it, while he still sat in his chair across the room, "Now if you will please leave, I have more important things to do."

He stood up with a murmur and red face as he started stomping towards me. He stopped short as he closed in the door and shot me a nasty glance, while I stood there like a tower and stared him right in the eyes.

"You will pay for this." He threatened and I nodded closing my eyes.

After Mr Wheeler left I started to walk towards my desk, noticing the dying fire I turned towards the fireplace to add some logs when Amy, my assistant, poked her head inside and gave a guilty smile "Do you have a minute?" She inquired.

"I do. Come on in." I beckoned her inside as I crouched down and started poking the charred wood.

Amy walked in with a folder in her hand and stood behind me, "Mr Wheeler looked like he would burst like a volcano." She snickered.

I threw a few logs in the reviving fire and stood up to face her, "Well, he wouldn't if he followed the protocols and brought in the legal requests."

"Do we really need those? Like it's his wife's reports, isn't it?"

I glanced at her, "You really should start focusing on other aspects of this profession, Amy." I shook my head once and grabbed a cloth to wipe my hands, "It would have been acceptable if he had walked in even after a month of the due date. However, it has been over a year now and they both are dealing with an unpleasant divorce. I am glad Mrs Wheeler has recovered but it was a huge case of negligence on Mr Wheeler's part." I pointed towards the folder while continuing, "For all we know, Mr Wheeler could use his wife's reports against her in courts. First, he neglects his wife's mental health, and now he could ruin her life with the reports. We don't want that now, do we? That is why we must have court orders to make sure that they are considering and dealing with this dimension."