Hello, Privet! #1: Hello/Привет

Chapter 5

DANIEL

I had promised Sharon that I would have more time at home now that she is in her last trimester; I was going to let go of some of my patients, but now John was bringing me a new patient, the client he often complained about—no less than the Russian Bad Boy of Tennis, Anton Akhmerov.

In my office, after the little scene with Sophie (whom I would have to interrogate later), Anton surprises me by merely unzipping his jacket, and sitting on the chair in front of my desk quietly. He stretches out his long legs, crossing them at the ankles. Anton glances at the pictures on my desk. I am even more surprised when Anton says politely, "Your family is beautiful."

"Thank you." I cough. "John told me—you don't really want to be here."

Anton shrugs.

I take out a notepad and click my pen.

"So what am I to do? I talk about my childhood now?" he asks somewhat sarcastically.

"Do you want to talk about your childhood?"

"Should I?"

"If you'd like to."

"I have never been to a psychologist before."

Actually, I am a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, but I decide not to correct him. "That's all right."

"Aga...I want you to know I do not have any problems."

"John seems to think that you do."

"Where did you meet John?"

"We're here to talk about you, Anton."

"Sorry."

"He was my roommate in college," I say. "Now, tell me what you are thinking."

"Now?"

"Yes, at this very moment."

"I am still thinking about that girl. She argued with me."

I write 'Sophie' on the notepad and underline it. "Yes?"

"If this girl can complain to me about my attitude, then maybe I have a problem."

I refrain from telling Anton that Sophie is the kind of girl who told random people exactly what she thought of them, and that she isn't exactly what I would call a normal girl. Sophie is too outspoken for her own good, especially when she thinks she is right, which is most of the time. But if it gets Anton to admit he has a problem, well... "What do you think is your problem?"

"You should tell me what my problem is. What am I paying you for?"

"That's not how this works, Anton."

Anton sits quietly for about thirty seconds, and then he says, "I'm not a good person."

"Why do you say that?"

"Your receptionist. I was rude." He shrugs. "Sorry."

The way Anton is speaking, I can tell he is embarrassed by his behavior, which means he knows exactly what the issues are, but at the same time he is also resigned that what's done is done and that he can't do anything to change it. "Go on."

"I don't know why I act like this."

"How does that make you feel?"

He looks down. "Ashamed."

"What do you want to do about it?"

He rubs his temples. "Whatever I say here, when I get out, I know I will be the same person."