My Psychiatrist III

Part 4

I got dismissed from the hospital the day after Ashton had visited. So I left the hospital bed and got driven, by my dad, to my 'new' house. The house they had lived in for months now. How bizarre. 

That evening, I had dinner with my parents. 

'What's the matter honey?' my mum asks.

'I don't know... I'm just confused by Ashtons story. And I miss my best friend.'

'Yeah, Ashton visited, I heard,' my mum smiles kindly. 

'Your best friend?' my dad snorts. 'Who, your imaginary friend from Australia?'

I narrow my eyebrows and drop my fork. I look across the table, at my dad.

'Beg you pardon?'

'Come one Tess, it's time to get real. I understand that the fall of the edge has maybe screwed you up a little, and thank god that you survived - really - but you're a little too old for having an imaginary friend, don't you think?'

'Thomas... she's just returned from hospital, let's be nice,' my mum says whilst grabbing his hand. 

'No, Angelie, no. This girl clearly remembers almost nothing, so it's important to set the rules on the first night here, right here right now.'

I just nod my face and take a bite of my salad.

'I am not crazy or anything,' I mumble. 

'We know sweetheart,' my mum smiles, as she gives me a pat on my shoulder.

'I just miss Luke, okay...' I sigh.

'Hah, here we go aga-'

'Shush.' My mum snaps at my dad. 'Let her talk Thomas. What is he like, sweetie?'

I look at my dad, who just folds his arms over his chest and looks up at the ceiling. 

'He's amazing,' I then smile. 'He's very tall, but very gorgeous. Like, he has this beautiful face, big, piercy blue eyes, and a very symmetrical face, and... curly hair and muscly because he works at the farm of his grandparents, and...'

'How old is he?' my dad interrupts.

'22 I think.' I say. 'Anyways, he...'

'And he works at a farm?' The tone my dad uses is harsh and he doesn't sound pleased.

'Yes. Nothing wrong with that right? He's just saving for going to UNI in New York later when he's a bit older. And for now, he helps his grandparents out on the farm.'

'Ah he sounds very charming,' my mum winks at me as she picks up the plates and walks into the kitchen. 

'He is mum....' I sigh. 'I wish I could see him again. He's the only one who understands me.'

'My god Angelie, she really has turned crazy!' my dad yells as he slams his hand on the table. 'No matter if this Luke exists or not, no way you're seeing him. No way my daughter is dating a farmers boy. You're a city girl, find some guy out there from the city too. With a nice degree or education.'

'Thomas...' my mum starts.

'No is no! Do you hear me?' my dad says as he stands up and looks down at me. 'Get that fucking Luke out of your head!'

'Thomas!'

'No! We have a girl who first almost tries to kill herself by cutting, then she has a psychotherapist who has a crush on our daughter, then she falls down the Niagara Falls, gets found in the US about 300 kilometres away, and now she has imaginary friends and the worst amnesia you can have!'