My Patient

Followed

I looked up at him and smiled warmly. Rory smiled and sat down.

"As we were talking last time, you said you had just moved but our hour was over. I'd like to continue from there. Tell me about your move," I my notepad to his one. 

"I just moved into the apartment building down the street. I think it's called Rosevelt Apartments?" He spoke out.

Rosevelt Apartments...that's where I lived. Surely it was a coincidence. I didn't want to tell him, though. For my protection, I try not to tell patients about my personal life.

"How do you feel about this move?" I asked.

"Nervous... It's new and you know I don't like change," He looked at me. His eyes were piercing through me. It was like he was looking into my soul, reading me. 

"How come you moved then?" I asked, looking into his eyes.

He was silent for a moment, but it felt like time was going by slowly. He was staring back at me. My heart was beating fast from the lack of response. 

He finally responded, "My old apartment is getting demolished."

It was an obvious lie, but I try to ignore it. I was uncomfortable but had to stick it out. If I just stopped the session now, he'd know I was onto him. I was scared he do something. 

We finally broke eye contact, it felt like a weight was lifted off of me. 

"I see. What made you choose this apartment?" I questioned him. I hoped he wouldn't be suspicious. 

"It's closer to my mom's house." He said and leaned back in his chair, brushing the hair out of his face. 

"Do you get along with your mom?" I asked, looking to see if having family issues would correlate with his sleeping issues. 

He nodded, not giving me more explanation. 

The clock hit 6 pm, and our session was over once again. 

"I'll see you next time, Rory." I smiled at him.

He smiled back, but something felt off about it. After he left, I could finally relax. 

Then, my office phone rang, startling me. I picked up the phone,

"Miss Casper's office," I answered. 

"It's Danny, I-I just wanted to call and let you know I c-can't make it today-" My 6 pm patient, who was on the other end of the phone, informed me. His voice sounded shaky and nervous, which made me worried.

"Are you okay Danny?" I asked.

"Y-yes, I'm okay I just-" He sounded breathless. "I-I have an emergency to attend to." 

"Alright then, I hope you're okay. I'll see you next week." You replied. You were confused and worried about what was going on. Patients cancel, but Danny usually called me at least a few days before, never the day of. 

"S-see you..." He hung up.

You put the phone down and leaned back in my chair. You now had an hour to waste before my next patient. 

But the phone rang again...

You answered, "Miss Casper's office,"

"It's Ramona, you're 7 o'clock. I just needed to let you know I can't make it in today," My other patient Ramona said.

All of my next patients called mysteriously and canceled. They all sounded nervous and rushed. In all of my 5 years of being a Therapist, I never had this happen. It was strange. But I had to pack up and just go home. I had nothing left to do with no more patients until the next day. 

As I was about to leave the main lobby, the receptionist stopped me, "Leaving so soon?" 

"Strangely, all of my patients for the rest of the day canceled. 

"All of them?" She had a confused look on her face. I nodded and we said our goodbyes. 

I got to my apartment and as I was unlocking my door, I heard a familiar voice from down the hall.

"Miss Casper?" The voice called out. I turned my head and saw that it was Rory, walking towards me. 

"Oh, hey, Rory!" I smiled, keeping my composure.

"I didn't know you lived here." He spoke. Liar.

"Yeah, I live here," I said. It was bad enough he knew my apartment building, but now he knew which room. 

"It looks like we're neighbors," Rory said, gesturing to my room and the room next to it. I put it together and figured he lived next to me.

"Oh, wonderful! Hopefully you're not a loud neighbor," I smiled at him, trying to act normal. 

"Well, you know me, I'm pretty quiet." He said and got his keys out, unlocking his door. "I'll see you around," He went inside, and I was relieved.