New York.
Most crowded city in USA. Living in this city cost a lot of money. The city has a fair share of Looney too.
(Memory Loss)
Sneak peek: "I'm scared, Doc. Can't you help me? Few days ago I woke up in a strange motel. Alone. Covered with stick...
"Parents! They always have ways to ruin a kid's life!" curses John.
A little girl, 4 years old sits on his lap. She gives him a good hug and asks naively, "Are you going to ruin my life too, Papa?"
She stares him with her large brown beady eyes. John sighs. He says, "Sometimes parents meant well, Isabella. They just used wrong methods." "Papa?"
It's so obvious that a child at her age wouldn't understand the psychological problems. Finally John says, "No, of course not, Isabella darling. I love you and your mom. You know that, don't you?" "Love you too, Papa."
A wet loud kiss to his left cheek. John smiles to her and she smiles back, showing her toothless smile. Yup, she just lost her front teeth yesterday.
Gotta be careful when a kid is nearby. You may want them to learn from you by giving them advices. But honestly, kids don't learn with ears. They learn with eyes. They copy your actions even if you notice them or not.
John sighs. He shouldn't curse at home. Don't want Isabella to learn cursing from him.
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"I'm ready," announces Marianne. "Finally," complaints John. Marianne protests, "Doctor, you should leave your work problems at hospital. Tonight is our family time."
A kiss to her sexy lips. And John says, "Yes, I will do that. I got two pretty girls in each sides. What else do I need?"
"Popcorn, Papa! We have to buy some popcorns! A movie isn't complete without one!" yells Isabella. "Yes, Cupcake. Everyone will have their popcorns," says John.
The Invicible 2.
John is very quiet during the movie. Marianne knows he's in deep thought again. His body might be in theatre. But his mind is somewhere else. He is very dedicated doctor. Trying hard to solve his patients' psychological problems.
*****
This morning...
Patient name: Susan Acres. Age: 22 years old. Occupation: A worker in Youth foundation.
Susan explains, "I got this strong phobia against dark and cramped space. I felt like dying whenever I got trapped in one. Last week, an elevator broke down. Leaving me stranded in that dark small confinement. Doc, I felt like I'm dying in there..."
John types down the name for her problem in his laptop.
"Claustrophobic. Fear of dark, confined space."
John asks, "Tell me about your childhood. When did you realize you are afraid of it?"
She seems to think for a while. Finally she replies honestly, "5-6 years old, probably. You see, I started to lie to my mom. I knew one bad boy and I tend to lie so I could go out and play with him."
"And?" "One day, pop found out. He knew I was afraid of the dark. So he locked me up in our dark small basement. It looked like a mauseloum with all the dead animals in it. He is a taxi...err, I don't remember what's it called..."
John adds, "Taxidermist. He made dead animals looks alive and well." "Yes. That's it. I kept screaming but he wouldn't let me out for hours. I cried and cried until I fell asleep on the floor."
"And?"
"He kept locked me up everytime I lied to mom. Eventually I stopped seeing that naughty boy. I stopped lying too."
John sighs. Another case of phobia caused by parents.
(Why they have to make life difficult for a kid? He could just cut her allowance money or stop buying her sweets).
John says to her, "Susan, we will make progress, I promise you."
"Doc, I don't have much time. You see, I got an important assignment to Japan in three months from now. You know that country, right? A lot of earthquakes in a year? What if I got trapped under debris? What if I were so paralyzed I couldn't scream for help?"
He understands her worries. She must felt dying each time she's trapped in a small dark confinement. Hard to cure phobia. And in three months? It's nearly impossible.
*****
(Ouch!)
Marianne just pinched his arm. She knows he is thinking about his patient again. She whispers, "Family time. Stop thinking, John."
The doctor stares to the large screen, trying to enjoy the movie.
A bunch of super heroes in one family. That's what happened when a guy with super strength married a plastic (rubber like body) woman.
Suddenly John got a good idea. Family caused this phobia for poor Susan. Family must heal her too. He sends her a text, asking for her parent's phone numbers. And a boyfriend's numbers if she had one.
*****
John sent Susan a gift. A super huge locker. Even smaller than tiniest elevator. No light in it. And he sent her some notes how to use it properly.
She must spent three hours a day in it. At first, she would have company for half an hour. Her mom volunteered for the role. She felt guilty not stopping her husband years ago. Her stupid father kicked the bucket few years back.
Her boyfriend would accompany her during the weekends. Cuddling, chatting, anything to comfort her in the darkness.
It's self imposed therapy. The best cure for phobia is by dealing it.
Afraid of dark, small confinement?
She must stay in that space. For half at hour in first time. Gradually it would increase into few hours.
For months, there's no email from her. John begins to worry if his solution had got backfired. It isn't the first one if it happened. His colleagues always said John is one Looney too. With a title.
Finally she sent him an email. She's in Japan. Eating local dish, ramen. And she sent him a picture of the locker. She even brought it to Japan with her.
"Doc, I felt I'm getting better and better. I didn't panic as much as I used too. Mom helped me out at first. Then my boyfriend, Greg. We did many things in total darkness. In such confined small space. Did you know we even make love in it? It's even smaller than a janitor closet!
I just want to say thank you. Sorry, it took me so long to write to you. I made sure I got better before I could report to you..."
John smiles. He felt a heavy burden has been lifted from his shoulders. Another case solved.
Naughty children must be punished. But make sure it won't leave traumatic scars in their gentle hearts.
Nanny 911 used to advice parents to make a circle of punishment. The naughty kid mustn't go out and do nothing in the circle. Standing erectly and do nothing for an hour.
I think it's a good punishment for kids. Instead of locking them in wardrobe or basement.
