Chemical Reaction

Chapter Eleven

The next day, Newton was scared to go to his appointment with Evelyn. What if she hated him or something.

So, Newton combed his hair extra nice and put on a nice pair of jeans and a white dress shirt and headed out.

When he got there, the receptionist was nice again but for some reason hah made Newton even more nervous.

After a few minutes his name was called and he was surprised when Evelyn didn't come out and get him herself like she usually did.

When Newton walked in, Evelyn was sitting on the couch staring into space.

"Hi."

"Oh. Hi."

She wouldn't look at him.

Newton sat across from her. When he looked at her he gasped.

She had a nasty, nasty bruise on her right cheek. It was purple and pink and black. It was just plain wrong. Nothing felt right about where it came from.

"What happened?"

"Hm? Nothing."

"Evelyn--"

"Dr. Ross."

Newton was feeling brave that morning. So he got up at sat next to her.

"Where did that bruise come from?"

"I tripped."

He didn't believe it for a second.

"On what?"

"I tripped and hit my face on the stairs."

"What really happened?"

"That is what happened?"

"No it's not and I know what so you might as well tell me the truth."

"I'm supposed to be giving you the help. So leave it, Dr. Rider."

Newton looked down and suddenly felt like he should grab her hand.

So he did.

And she pulled away.

"What are you doing?"

"I dunno -- I thought--"

"You thought wrong Newton."

"I--"

"You see that picture over there?"

She pointed to one of a man with blonde hair and a creepy smile.

"Yeah?"

"That's Thomas Gouldfelt."

"That's a dumb name."

"Yeah well, we're engaged and we're getting married in the spring."

This hit him like a brick.

"Why--why didn't you tell me?"

"Because we're not dating, we're not friends. I'm your physiatrist. You are my patient."

"I um . . . I don't know what to say."

"How about congratulations?"

"No, not until you tell me the truth about your bruise."

"Whatever, Newton it doesn't even matter."

"Was it him?"

"What?"

"Was it him. Did he do that to you?" Newton asked her, pointing to the frame of Thomas Gouldfelt.