Page 14 of PSYCHOlogical

“That’s an affirmative on the negative, Doc.” I gave her a serious look. “When this program ends are you concerned that I’m going to traipse the earth slaughtering people for the sake of entertainment?”

“Not at all.”

“Why the chaotic world scenario?”

“I was just curious,” she said.

“About what?”

“How your mind works.”

“I don’t see where that question provided any idea of how my mind works.”

She laughed. “If your answer would have been different, there would have been a lot for me to learn.”

“Are you dissatisfied with my response?”

“Not at all.” She opened my file. “It was what I was hoping for.”

“I’m glad I met your expectations.”

She flipped through the pages in the file, and then stopped. “Since our last meeting have you had any suicidal thoughts? Long-term memory loss? Short-term memory loss?”

“No, no, and no.”

She marked the paper and then closed the file. “Would you like to have an off the record conversation?”

“I suppose that depends.”

“On?”

“What you want to discuss.”

She leaned against the edge of the desk. “I’d like to assure you if we do this that I’d keep the content of the conversation off the record, regardless of the topic of our discussion.”

I had no reason to distrust her. I simply didn’t trust people, period. I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. If she crossed me, I’d consider it a lesson learned. If she didn’t, I’d allow her one step closer to the real me.

“If we have an off the record conversation, the only thing I’d be willing to discuss would be me,” I said. “I don’t talk about others. Ever.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to,” she responded. “I’d like to know you better, that’s all. Understand a few things about you that I don’t already know.”

I studied her for a moment. She always seemed content with who she was and satisfied with what she was doing. I liked that about her. It suggested confidence. It was an attractive quality.

“Are you ready?” she asked.

“Whenever you are.”

“We’re officially off the record.” After removing her jacket, she draped it over the arm of her chair and sat. “You’re my last client. You can stay as long or as short as you like.”

“Be careful with statements like that, Doc,” I said. “I might stay until dark.”

“I’d enjoy that.”

“Why?”

“I find you interesting.”

The thought was flattering. I wondered what about me interested her.