Journey Series: Ellick

Flabbergasting Progress

For the first time in fifteen years of practice, Dr. Helen Parks was absolutely awestruck. Her model patient of moodiness and barriers had cracked and it had been easier than taking candy from a baby. All it took was the presence of a blonde woman with trickster eyes. One minute they were hazel, next a fiery green, then a deep blue. Whoever she was, Parks made a mental note to give her a very expensive bottle of wine at some point.

Of course Parks wasn't dull-headed. She was a psychiatrist. She could see the chemical response they had to one another. In less doctor-ish verbage, they were in love. But it was more than that. She could see that he trusted her. That was huge for someone who didn't trust anyone. The blonde-haired woman had literally unlocked the gold mine of any psychiatrist: trauma. Trauma shared very willingly. Nicholas Torres was a changed patient. She could ask him any question and as long as he held eye contact with the blonde to respond, she got an answer. For the first forty-five minutes, she got what she needed. Then, to be honest, for the following fifteen, she got what she wanted. To see if there was a real change, she asked big questions. Then the smallest questions. He answered them all. It was very hard to maintain her composure.

Ending the session, she said evenly, "Well Nick, I'll be honest, you just made flabbergasting progress. At this point I would clear you for duty completely and forego future sessions. But," she began quickly, seeing the relief flooding across his face. She had profiled him, she knew just what he thought about her. "But, I want you to clear three more sessions with me. Just to make sure it's a permanent result." He again glanced at the blonde. "Okay." Dr. Parks slipped her number to Ellie on their way out. After she was sure they were gone, she began to laugh hysterically.

Hearing her laughter on the other side provoked this question from Torres, "Are we sure she doesn't need psychiatric help?" Ellie grabbed his hand and raced him out of the building, only dissolving into laughter once they reached his bike. "What is going on? I am so perplexed. B, you gotta give me something." Gulping desperately for air, she said, "You! You're what's funny." A casual smile danced across his face. "Oh, I beg to differ there. You see, I am all mysteriousness. No funny business here, not at all." She nearly choked on more laughter. "If you say so..."

Watching Torres chase Ellie around the parkinglot like a child from her window told her that Torres really was making progress. She wasn't about to let him off that easy, but she knew, that he was really good.