The Light That Guides You Home

Chapter 8

Laura's visit with Dr. Evans hadn't taken as long as she expected, and she got to Ben's office just a little after noon. She entered with a smile on her face. As a matter of fact, she couldn't stop smiling. Rather than being nervous or scared, as she would have expected, she was feeling exuberant at the prospect of going back to her old home and finally facing her demons.

She walked in and went straight into Ben's office, taking the visitor chair across the desk from him, and beamed at him.

"Well, someone is certainly in a good mood today. Looks like that little visit with Dr. Evans was just what you needed." Ben said, looking up from a pile of forms on his desk. "I'm guessing you had a very good session this morning."

"I did.", she replied. "I'm going to sell the house. But first, I'm going home. And Dr. Evans is going to go with me." Ben didn't look nearly as excited at the news as Laura thought he should be. If anything, he looked disturbed. "What? You've been urging me to sell the house forever. I thought you'd be happy to hear that I'm finally ready to get rid of it. Besides, I'm happy about this. You should be happy for me too!"

"I'm sorry, Laura. I am happy that you've decided to sell. And if you honestly think it is a good idea to go back there first to try to get your memories back, then you know I'll support you in any way I can. It just feels irresponsible of this doctor to suddenly decide to take you back there without a few more visits. Are you sure you're ready for this? How are you going to do it, just walk around and see what happens, is he going to try to hypnotize you, or what? Are you going to stay at the house while you're there, or somewhere else?"

"I don't know how we're going to do it. We never really talked about that.", she answered. "I guess we'll just stay at the house, I mean, that seems like the most logical place to be if I want to remember. And maybe I do just need to go there. I'm not a little girl anymore, so there's no reason for me to keep blocking these memories. Whatever happened, I'm sure I can deal with it. Ben, it's going to be fine. You worry too much."

"Maybe I do, but if so, it's because I care about you Laura, and I'm worried about you being there alone."

"I won't be alone. I'll have Dr. Evans there with me."

"Yes, and I'm sure he's perfectly competent as a psychiatrist, but how much help is going to be on a more personal level? What if you learn something that's really hard to take. I'm not saying you won't be able to handle it, but are you going to be ok with no one but the doctor there for comfort?" He hesitated for just a moment, and then added "Besides, won't it be awkward, staying there alone with him? Maybe you could get one of your girlfriends to go with you for moral support."

"Ben, are you really worried about my well being, or do just not like the idea of me spending the night in that house alone with Dr. Evans?"

"Both. If you won't ask anyone else to go with you, then maybe I'll come. I don't really think it's professional for him to agree to go with you without anyone else present, anyway."

Laura felt a faint flush spread across her cheeks. Was Ben actually jealous of Dr. Evans? That was ridiculous, she knew, they were just friends. Not wanting him to realize what she was thinking, she replied quickly. "I don't even know who I could ask. I'll be fine, Ben, really. It's only a few days, and then this will be all be over, once and for all. Besides, I couldn't take you away form the office. You don't have anyone to cover right now."

Ben's partner, Melissa Duncan, was out on maternity leave and wouldn't be back for several weeks.

"When are you going, exactly?", he asked.

"Next Tuesday. Dr. Evans had a conference he was going to attend in Michigan, but he's cancelling to come with me instead. He's free until Friday, but hopefully one or two nights will be enough."