Love is Merely Madness ~ Book 1 ~ Batman Begins

Chapter 6: St. Valentine's Day Massacre

Chapter 6: Happy Valentine's Day Massacre

Ever since the incident, Kathryn gained popularity, more patients, and her own office, except she had to refer Zeus back to Doctor Whistler. Cassidy was so thankful for her life, she gave Kathryn a gift card to Starbucks as a token of her appreciation.

Kathryn used the card, but not just for her. She shared it with a friend, who wasn't Elise Berg. She and the head man would meet up and go out for a cup every morning on the way to work.

The holidays passed by - Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, and Kathryn's 26th birthday on October 13.

Much to Kathryn's dismay, she had to work on her birthday, but afterward, she and Elise celebrated at the condo, drinking margaritas till Kathryn felt tipsy. The next day, her head was pounding wildly as she counted out 200 dollars sent by her family through the mail. Enough for gas, but not for rent. Her check won't come through till the end of the week.

Elise invited Kathryn over to her mother's place for Thanksgiving dinner with her family. The psychologist admitted that the widowed Mrs. Berg was a better cook than her own mother. She also learned that the Berg contained heroes. The late Mr. Berg was a firefighter, Mrs. Berg retired nursing to help the homeless at Haven's shelter, Randy Berg became a police officer, eventually, his fiance would join the rank as a doctor. Poor Elise. Apparently, she was the odd woman out - the disappointing daughter who had yet finished her law education. Her tensed face was evident. It's clear that she could afford school, but lacked the time to improve her LSAT scores. Her brother was nice enough to blurt out the reason while eating mac and cheese.

"Maybe if you stop sucking a grandpa's dick, you could actually make a living."

That comment created an argument between the siblings which resulted in the brother storming out, taking his wife and leftover banana pudding with him. Much to Elise and her mother's embarrassment, Elise confessed to Kathryn that she worked as a sugar baby for tuition. It didn't necessarily surprise Kathryn. Elise didn't do a good job keeping it under wraps, considering the downpayment for the condo didn't match up to her minimum wage job at the diner. Regardless, against her better judgment, Kathryn remained friends with Elise and swore to keep her job a secret. That's when the blonde awarded Kathryn with the BFF title. According to Mrs. Berg, that title was rare for Elise usually acquaints then forgets. She told Kathryn that she was glad that the psychologist was in her daughter's life. Elise needed someone, other than family, to influence her to do better. A lot of pressure for the new girl in town.

...

Kathryn flew back to Florida to spend Christmas and New Year with her family, slightly disappointed with the presents this year: a couple of outfits, more farmhouse signs to decorate her place, and a check for rent. There was an early Christmas party at Arkham's house. His wife was the best at cooking beef tenderloin. Unfortunately, Jonathan wasn't around at the party. He did warn her that he wasn't going to attend. It seemed like holidays were not his specialty. Though, it didn't mean Kathy needed permission to drop off his Christmas gift by his office door. The Stephan King book series with a note, daring him to read it if he wasn't afraid. Jonathan's voice lacked emotion when he said the two most polite words.

Thank you.

...

It was Valentine's Day. Kathryn didn't care much for the holiday because she didn't have a boyfriend. She knew her best friend's plans for the special occasion: meet up with her sugar daddy at a club, get drunk, then spend the night with him.

This morning, Kathryn entered her office, taken back by a set of heart-shaped balloons tied to her chair, a bouquet of white roses, and a box of chocolates on her desk. This was every girlfriend's dream come true.