You're His Favorite Joke

Chapter 7: A girl has her way

Dr. Harleen Quinzel

After a couple weeks at Blackgate, I finally felt like I belonged.

My patient, Pamela, is now staying in a lower security hall. All thanks to her improvement in my sessions.

I meet with her three times a week, and twice on Mondays. I won't lie, she is my favorite patient, my other two patients are either talking about rats or the calendar.

But with Pamela--I could connect to her. Crazy,I know.

Pamela has a wall up and I can tell that one day, she might let me in--one day.

Beyond all of this, I am more than excited for the best holiday ever: Christmas! The day when everyone is nice, and I won't get a strange look when I shove a double chocolate cake down my throat!

Christmas, being a only week away, Gotham has lifted it's gloominess and has been dressed in Christmas decorations. Even Black Gate developed it's dark look to better fit into the Christmas spirit.

Mrs. AlGale decorated her desk with a small colorful tree and stickers of gleeful snowman all around. But all her decorations was out shined by her smile--well lack of.

"Merry--almost--Christmas!," I enthusiastically said as I reached her decked out table.

"Hmph," replied AlGale as she handed me a folder.

"Oh, come on Mrs. AlGale! No one can be grumpy when we're so close to Christmas!," I complained as I went over the file she handed me.

Before Mrs.AlGale could speak, Dr.Leland busted through the doors.

"Dr.Quinzel, a word--now."She said as she re-entered the hall way.

"Well, not no one," I whispered to Mrs. AlGale,who once again replied with a "Hmph."

As I entered Dr. Leland's office, she plasted herself with a forced smile.

"Good morning, Dr. Quinzel. I sadly have some bad news."

My heart began to race; So much of my life has been going so well, and now it's all about to go down hill.

"We need you to work night shift on the Twenty-fourth," Dr. Leland bluntly said.

"Christmas eve..," I pouted as my eyes searched her for answers.

"I'm sorry, but we will have most doctors out and due to you moving here alone....," She cleared her throat and gave me a sad look, "Wouldn't it be better if you spent your time more productively?"

I was dumbfounded, I gripped my folder to my chest, like a shield to my cracking heart,"But, I do have to spend it with someone," I spoke hoping that she'll believe my lie.

"Oh really, like who?," Dr. Leland asked, tilting her head in the processes.

"Well, you know...someone who you would spent Christmas with," I answered while looking down, not making eye contact.

"A friend?," Dr. Leland asked.

I raised my eyes and shook with disbelief. She would ask me this. How low would she go to make me look like a fool?

"No...," I bit my lower lip.
"A family member?," She tilt her head to the other side.
"No..," I was on the verge of tears, but I did not allow a tear to fall. I won't give her that, she won't see me at my lowest.

"A boyfriend, perhaps?" Now her head was straight and her eyes knew the answer; her smile wanted me to say it.

I tried to answer, my mouth was open but no words flew out. I finally realized how pathetic I truly was.