A World That Is Not Mine

IV.

The next week would start up, and instead of going to work this Monday, Rick would take Stevie to her therapist. She had, had one in the past, but she was going to see a different one this time around. Her husband thought that was best for her. Rick actually hated that he had to bring the thought up, but he really was trying to stop his wife's suffering.

"Rick, I don't see the point in me going to see a stranger. Just so they could learn my name and my life and tell me how I should run it. This is my life and this is who I am---I know right from wrong. I don't think I need somebody to tell me how to cope with my son. I'm not crazy, I know he's alive and he wants me to find him."

"Stevie, I am sorry. But I really think this is the best thing. He's dead and I don't know why you can't get that through your head."

"Because he is my child!" she yelled at him sternly. He really infuriated her a lot and she really felt like getting violent with him. He just made her so upset, she didn't know what to do with herself.

"Relax," he said calmly back. "This is all going to go away soon."

Stevie crossed her arms and stayed quiet the rest of the way there. She had a full plan of what she was going to answer when she got there. She was going to be honest with her feelings and she intended to stay quiet about her craft. It wasn't necessarily witchcraft, but strong intuition---but in an every day person's eyes, it was witchcraft. That was one other reason she hated the idea of seeing a stranger.

...

When they arrived to the clinic, Rick guided his wife through the building and to the floor they needed to be on.

"I don't want to be here," she mumbled to him as they waited in the quiet lobby.

"Sweetheart, I know--"

"Don't sweetheart me, I am here against my will. I'm only doing this for you and I am not going to answer questions I don't like. I think this is absolutely ridiculous, Richard," she whispered to him.

"I didn't drag you in here---you came willingly--"

"But how many times did I refuse? I don't need help, I think you--"

"Stephanie O'Connell," the shrink opened the door.

Stevie and Rick stopped their quiet bickering.

'Please?' he mouthed to her.

Stevie rolled her eyes and got up---taking her purse with her. She let out a light huff and got up to meet the woman, only feet away.

"Would your husband like to--"

"No!" Stevie, sternly said.

"Okay," the woman nodded---shooting a sympathetic smile toward Rick. The woman then introduced herself briefly. "My name's Leanne," she allowed Stevie seating once they entered.

"Stevie," she bluntly responded.

"Cute," she kind of laughed.

Dear God, help me! she thought. "Thanks, it's more of a nickname, but it's what I go by."

"Very nice, you may have a seat," Leanne gestured as she took a seat.

Stevie mentally; let out a breath, sigh, and an eye roll. She was so not thrilled about being there, but she plopped on the couch anyway. She crossed one leg over the other.

"Do you have any children, Stevie?" the woman first asked.

"I had a son, but he died seven years ago," she replied. She knew her husband wanted her to talk about her dreams and tell the shrink, their son was alive. She wasn't stupid and she wasn't going to fall in the trap, he so willingly created for her.