Angie of the Garden

Chapter Thirteen-2

"I'm going down to the cafeteria. Does anyone want anything?" Sebastian asked them.
No one responded. He walked out of the room behind Clare.
"Did this have anything to do with the ghost?" she asked him as they stood in the elevator. "I'm only wondering because I can't remember Hollis ever being sick before." "He had the flu, and then aggravated his condition by leaving the house to speak with the ghost. I found him lying on the lawn last night. But according to him, it's all over now. He doesn't think she's coming back."
"Did she tell him that?"
"No, but he thinks Angie's cured. It's a long story, and I don't know all the details. Maybe he'll tell me more about it now that it's over."
"So how are things with you?" she asked.
"I'm still working at the bagel shop. I think I'll be looking for a change in the near future, though."
Clare smiled at him as they stepped out of the elevator.

"I guess you were right to be worried about Hollis. I do miss you, Sebastian. You should give me a call sometime."

She gave him a kiss and walked out the front door of the hospital. Sebastian stood there for several moments after she left.

John Block visited Hollis later that evening.
"How are you feeling?" he asked his former pupil with a concerned expression on his face.
"I'll be out of here by tomorrow," the patient said confidently.
"Good. How's that unusual case you told me about going?"
"I believe her emotional conflict has been resolved. I'm thinking of writing a paper about my sessions with her."
John Block gave him a skeptical look.

"You better be thinking about your career instead. Alec is making sure that all the people who work in this hospital know about your condition. You don't want to let them start speculating about whether or not it was caused by your treating a spirit."
"I guess that would give him an advantage over me."
"You'd best publish that paper after you retire. Don't do anything to help Alec." "Did someone mention me?" Collins asked as he strode into the room.
He shook his head while shaking Hollis' hand.

"You try to do too much, my friend. You should either become a full-time celebrity or a full-time psychiatrist."
"It's just a simple case of the flu. I do greatly appreciate your concern, however.
You'll be glad to know that the doctor has given me several medications. He is treating my condition with some of the most advanced chemicals known to man."
"As well he should, though in this case, I would also prescribe behavior modification."
"I never thought I'd live to hear that," John Block remarked.
"So when are we going to play golf?" Hollis asked them.
"He is feeling better," Olivia said as she joined them. "But I'll decide when
you're capable of physical exertion."
"You'll have to rescue me from my confinement, gentleman," Hollis pleaded with mock anxiety. "Or else I'll simply waste away."
"I'm not that brave," John said with a laugh.
"He speaks for me as well," Alec agreed. "I fear the wrath of your keeper." Hollis took her hand into his. He had discovered that being the object of so much affection suited him, at least for the moment.

Simms returned home two days later. Frank came by to see him soon after his arrival.

"First I find your brother on the lawn flat out on his ass. Then you do the same damn thing. How am I gonna keep it green and growing if you two keep using it to flop on?"
"It must be hereditary," Hollis answered with a laugh.
"I'm glad to see you're feeling okay. Let me know if I can get you anything." "Thanks, Frank."

Gregory Hill stopped by the next day. Hollis was sitting on the long veranda enjoying the crisp autumn air.

"I'm sorry to bother you, doc," the detective said as he walked up the steps. "But I heard you were under the weather, so I thought I'd check you out."
"I'm glad you did. Have a seat. Can I offer you something to drink?"
"No thanks," Gregory replied as he sat down. "So how are you doing?"
"One hundred percent better. How are you?"
"Good. I want to thank you for helping me out. And also to apologize for the way I left your office after our last session. I was pretty surly."
"It's quite understandable."
"I felt embarrassed. How I ever believed in that woman is beyond me."
Hollis gave him an understanding look.

"The human mind is a very tricky thing," he told him. "It lets us believe in the most incredible things, yet will often let us ignore the most obvious ones. What's most perplexing to me is that you haven't developed a million such devices, given your occupation. You see the truly depraved side of humanity on a regular basis."
"I guess you're right. But you must see a lot of that yourself."
"That's true. But I also get to meet some interesting people as well. I once treated a pro quarterback who was having trouble performing on the field. The general manager of the team he played for was convinced the cause of his problem was psychological."
"How did that turn out?"
"After a year of intensive therapy, we discovered the reason for his difficulties. It was because he simply sucked as a football player."
"I bet I lost a ton of money because of that guy. Thanks again for telling my boss that I'm fit for duty."
"I only did so because it's true. You haven't had any problems dealing with your job since Avalor has been gone, have you?"
Hill smiled at Hollis.

"Will you change your mind about me if I tell you that I miss her? Talking with such an unusual person made me feel kind of special. Now every day is pretty much the same for me as it is for everyone else. But I can handle that. I just take things head on, and focus on all the times I've managed to prevent people from being harmed by getting some of the low lives off the street."
"Good. And believe it or not, I do have a strong sense of what you're talking about. I was in a similar situation not too long ago."
"Really? Can you tell me about it?"
"I can't because it involves another patient."
"I understand. I guess I picked the right shrink. Take care, Doc."

Hollis also received a message from Perry Albright. He had sent a note to the company Perry worked for, explaining that his patient had to wear the regulator to alleviate the symptoms caused by his allergies. Albright was initially the object of scorn when wearing the device. Then one day he took a deep breath through the regulator. The noise it produced reminded his co-workers of the sounds produced by the character Darth Vader in the movie Star Wars. Their laughter in this instance was much kinder, and Perry soon found that he had become a welcome diversion from the mundane tasks his fellow employees performed. The manager was at first concerned that he would be a detriment to his staff's productivity, but then realized that his presence actually improved their morale, and their performance. Albright enjoyed his new role as Darth, and relished the attention it brought him, which was what Doctor Simms suspected he was after all along.