Defect

The Doc is In

The waiting area was pretty nice. The chairs weren't really anything to write home about, but they were comfortable. A coffee table was in the middle of the room. It was covered with old tabloids. Evan glanced around the room and spotted a coffee machine on a counter. It was the kind where you could make a single cup. He was tempted to make himself some, then decided to pass. He knew that's how they got you. They pump you full of caffeine, and you start spilling your guts. It's the ultimate truth serum. The receptionist kept her head down. He could hear her fingers flying over the keyboard of her computer. His thoughts were interrupted, when the door to the inner office opened. A pretty black woman with short hair and glasses stepped out and smiled. 

"Mr. Winters?" He stood, and followed her back into the room. Her office was more modern than the waiting area. The set up was more like a living room. There was a large white overstuffed couch on one side of the room, and two black leather chairs on the other. A glass top coffee table in the center of the sitting area was littered with a box of tissues, a legal pad, and a smaller pad with a couple pens. In the far corner stood two big file cabinets, a bookcase, and desk with a laptop computer on it. Evan sat on the couch and looked out the window at the various office buildings in the area. Dr. Tipton sat on one of the leather chairs, and set her cup of water on the table. She watched him for a moment before she spoke.

"Hi, Mr. Winters. I'm Dr. Tipton."

"Please, call me Evan."

"Alright, Evan. Why don't we get started." She picked up the legal pad and one of the pens.

"Great. I can't wait to cry like a schoolgirl and blame all my problems on my mother." Dr. Tipton giggled quietly. 'He's one of those.' she thought. She could handle him, no problem.

"It's not so bad. I'll start you off easy." She smiled and scribbled a quick note on the pad. "How old are you?"

"Twenty seven."

"Any family or kids?"

"My parents live in Texas, and I don't have any kids." His gaze went back to the window. "At least, not that I know of." He mumbled absently.

"See? Not so bad, right?" Evan's and the doctor's eyes met. He stared, but he didn't speak. 

"OK." she said, breaking the awkward silence. "According to the court records, you claim to be suffering from insomnia."

"Yes." He affirmed.

"Any ideas on what's causing it?" She crossed her legs and watched Evan fidget in his seat. His hands balled into fists, and his eyes looked weary. 

"I have..." he broke off, debating whether or not to finish his sentence. "terrible nightmares."

"Describe one of your nightmares for me."

Evan closed his eyes. With his elbows on his knees, he put his face in his hands. He sat like that for a couple minutes. Dr. Tipton thought he had shut down on her completely. But, he started to speak.

"I'm standing against a wall, when this beautiful woman walks by. I'm watching her, and I want her." He takes a deep breath. "I really, really want her."

"I see." There was just a hint of disdain in her voice.

"No, you don't understand. I don't mean sexually." He looked up at her.

"Then what DO you mean, Evan." He let out an irritated breath, and closed his eyes again. He clenched his jaw, and raked his hand through his hair. Finally, he opened his eyes and looked at her pointedly.

"I mean I wanted to hurt her."

"Hurt her, how?"

He looked out the window, while his mind recalled the details of this particular nightmare. He could feel the chilly air. He heard her high pitched, shrill voice. He could feel the softness of her skin when he grabbed her arm.