Harrison.weekafternextFebruary 25 2008, 20:35:17 UTC
[a few thoughtful pen taps]
Harrison. I will kindly request you refrain from informing of my own motives. While I'm sure a disembodied cat head on your doorstep has done little to shake your resolve, that is far from why I believe it is time you start fresh and away from Mr. Coolidge. Let us look at things objectively for a moment. You've been living there two months, perhaps? You were together for a little over five weeks of that, if I'm recalling correctly from our sessions. As you've said, you are not a child, or a little girl simpering after her first boyfriend. I'll be blunt. You have unhealthily attached yourself to Mr. Coolidge, in a way that is both psychologically and emotionally damaging. A man ought to be able to stand on his two feet, independent of what someone may think or feel about him. Yes, he's important to you; yes, he's your best friend. But you cannot build your entire present existence on his approval and love of you. He cares for you, I'm certain, but Harrison, darling, I'm afraid you're simply more committed to this relationship than he is. Devotion is one thing; you're bordering on fixation.
I have never said you were stupid, Harrison, and I would appreciate you not putting others' words into my mouth. Likewise, I would also appreciate you not informing me of how my job, which I have been successfully performing for years, is to be done. Of the two of us, I am a licensed psychologist; I am well aware of our general practices.
Anne. Darling. Dearest. ...Head-doctor. I need to tell you a few things. I think perhaps it might be easier in here rather than in person because in- I'm not comfortable talking about it. Not with you or anyone. And I know you'll probably lash back into me with "But, darling, it's unhealthy..." or something, but I don't care. Now kindly just actually read what I'm telling you because it is important.
[his handwriting gets a bit neater; more controlled]
Almost eight years ago now, my mother died. She died of brain cancer. Being an intelligent psychiatrist, I'm sure you know that brain cancer is often (if not always) incurable. The doctors couldn't really do much for her at all, and we couldn't afford a live-in nurse, even though they recommended one...So they told me what to do, how to treat her, and I took care of her. Do you have any idea what it is like to watch your mother, your closest friend in the entire world, slowly die...every day, a little bit more...for a year? Of course you don't. But you know how to diagnose my problems. You don't know my problems. By the time she died, she- she couldn't even close her eyes properly and she was always, always... in pain.
When she died, I handled everything. I payed for the funeral...lived without food for a while, because I didn't have much money afterwards. Or an appetite, really. My father didn't do anything. Didn't even come to visit. Didn't help. I suppose I did get quite a bit depressed. And, as soon as I had the money, I got out of there.
While I realize that you think I'm more committed than Gabe, you do not have any idea what is going on in our personal life. We've got a lot on our plate right now, and we've decided to take a break while we sort things through, anyway. But I am not going to move away from him. I am not fixated with him. I do not need him in the way you think I do. I lived on my own just fine before. I love him. Completely. And he loves me too.
As for being independent, I am most definitely working on that. Gabe goes off every night and I stay home, tend to the pets, do all sorts of responsible things. Sure, I miss him when he's gone, but that's normal when you like being in someone's presence.
I appreciate what you are trying to do, but I am my own person. I do not think the way many people do. When I love someone, I'm affectionate. That doesn't mean that I cry when he goes to work or whatever. That doesn't mean...
Gabe knows me better than anyone. Except that bit about my mum, which I trust you won't tell him.
[a few thoughtful pen taps]
Harrison. I will kindly request you refrain from informing of my own motives. While I'm sure a disembodied cat head on your doorstep has done little to shake your resolve, that is far from why I believe it is time you start fresh and away from Mr. Coolidge. Let us look at things objectively for a moment. You've been living there two months, perhaps? You were together for a little over five weeks of that, if I'm recalling correctly from our sessions. As you've said, you are not a child, or a little girl simpering after her first boyfriend. I'll be blunt. You have unhealthily attached yourself to Mr. Coolidge, in a way that is both psychologically and emotionally damaging. A man ought to be able to stand on his two feet, independent of what someone may think or feel about him. Yes, he's important to you; yes, he's your best friend. But you cannot build your entire present existence on his approval and love of you. He cares for you, I'm certain, but Harrison, darling, I'm afraid you're simply more committed to this relationship than he is. Devotion is one thing; you're bordering on fixation.
I have never said you were stupid, Harrison, and I would appreciate you not putting others' words into my mouth. Likewise, I would also appreciate you not informing me of how my job, which I have been successfully performing for years, is to be done. Of the two of us, I am a licensed psychologist; I am well aware of our general practices.
Reply
[a long pause]
Anne. Darling. Dearest. ...Head-doctor. I need to tell you a few things. I think perhaps it might be easier in here rather than in person because in- I'm not comfortable talking about it. Not with you or anyone. And I know you'll probably lash back into me with "But, darling, it's unhealthy..." or something, but I don't care. Now kindly just actually read what I'm telling you because it is important.
[his handwriting gets a bit neater; more controlled]
Almost eight years ago now, my mother died. She died of brain cancer. Being an intelligent psychiatrist, I'm sure you know that brain cancer is often (if not always) incurable. The doctors couldn't really do much for her at all, and we couldn't afford a live-in nurse, even though they recommended one...So they told me what to do, how to treat her, and I took care of her. Do you have any idea what it is like to watch your mother, your closest friend in the entire world, slowly die...every day, a little bit more...for a year? Of course you don't. But you know how to diagnose my problems. You don't know my problems. By the time she died, she- she couldn't even close her eyes properly and she was always, always... in pain.
When she died, I handled everything. I payed for the funeral...lived without food for a while, because I didn't have much money afterwards. Or an appetite, really. My father didn't do anything. Didn't even come to visit. Didn't help. I suppose I did get quite a bit depressed. And, as soon as I had the money, I got out of there.
While I realize that you think I'm more committed than Gabe, you do not have any idea what is going on in our personal life. We've got a lot on our plate right now, and we've decided to take a break while we sort things through, anyway. But I am not going to move away from him. I am not fixated with him. I do not need him in the way you think I do. I lived on my own just fine before. I love him. Completely. And he loves me too.
As for being independent, I am most definitely working on that. Gabe goes off every night and I stay home, tend to the pets, do all sorts of responsible things. Sure, I miss him when he's gone, but that's normal when you like being in someone's presence.
I appreciate what you are trying to do, but I am my own person. I do not think the way many people do. When I love someone, I'm affectionate. That doesn't mean that I cry when he goes to work or whatever. That doesn't mean...
Gabe knows me better than anyone. Except that bit about my mum, which I trust you won't tell him.
Reply
[a few thoughtful pen taps]
I'll see you on Tuesday, Harrison.
Reply
Yeah.
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