Therapy D.K. Webster

[the_sweetshrink]

After the last meeting, Sweets had decided that he needed to know a lot more about the second world war. What he'd gone to the shelf for was post-war psych texts. What he came away with, other than an armful of what he'd wanted, was a book by the one patient that had prompted the visit in the first place

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[thewordofweb]

I have to admit that while I'm glad to come to these sessions, I'm disappointed that Joe doesn't want to come at all. I suppose I have some relief in that while he tosses and turns, I can tend to distract him with a hand on his back and a well-placed murmur. And the two of us are beyond fine, to the point I don't worry I'm a masochist anymore.

I arrive and manage a small smile in greeting. "Morning, Doc," I greet, settling in the chair.

[the_sweetshrink]

"Good morning," Sweets replied as he retrieved one of the few files he kept handy. "It's good to see you again. How are things since we last talked?"

[thewordofweb]

"I can't complain," I admit as I lean back and keep my eyes on the Doctor. "I'm more intimate with Joe, I'm acutely aware that I'm in love with him, though I'm also aware I can't tell him that. Lipton showed up. He's...an exemplary man, you wouldn't believe it. It's mostly on the up and up. I've got jobs writing, too."

[the_sweetshrink]

"Writing. Really," he replied, interested and impassive, even though it inspired a hundred questions about things he hadn't actually been told.

"Well, let's start with just you before we get into Joe or anyone else. What are you writing?"

[thewordofweb]

"Primarily a manuscript on sharks, to a lesser extent a memoir about the war," I note, rifling through to recall all the commitments I owe. "A non-fiction piece about soldiers on the Island for William and a fictional short story about love in strange places for Briony."

[the_sweetshrink]

"I...see. You're interested in sharks." Just a statement- one prompted by knowledge he really shouldn't have. If Webster knew there was an autobiography available, how would he react? Sweets had been asking himself that question, and variations thereof, for days now.

[thewordofweb]

"Very much so," I agree with a fondness and a yearning in my tone. "I love the way they represent the masters of the ocean in a way that no other creature could. Not whales or dolphins, but only the sharks."

[the_sweetshrink]

"I understand there are sharks here. I think I ate one for dinner," Sweets mentioned, glad to have something to discuss other than the book from the shelf. For the time being, at least.

[thewordofweb]

"I've pulled in a couple myself to supply the kitchen," I agree without flinching much. "I actually have a chapter devoted in my manuscript in regards to why people don't eat shark more often, which is mostly because of the consistency. And, well, the knowledge that you're eating shark."

[the_sweetshrink]

"Yeah. It's different," he agreed. He'd eaten a lot of things here he didn't think he'd have even tried back home.

"What else is in your manuscript?"

[thewordofweb]

"About sharks?" I didn't bring it with me, so I have to go by memory. "So far, mostly about how to entice attacks, how to avoid them, a couple of anecdotes about survivors and victims of attacks as well. General stuff. I'm going into the biology of certain genii soon."

[the_sweetshrink]

That sparked a question that had little to do with their session. It was more of a broad ranging thing.

"Why would anyone want to entice an attack? I mean, like, anyone. Not just you. Is it a hunting thing or a thrill thing or a get yourself eaten thing?"

Maybe it had a little to do with the session.

[thewordofweb]

"Admittedly it's less to do with a person wanting to and trying to strike off behaviors in people who do things that will get them attacked," I drone on in a slightly professorial way, lecturing him. "I mean, I sincerely doubt anyone who isn't suicidal would want to bring on a shark."

[the_sweetshrink]

"Where do you draw the line between participating in something that is inherently dangerous and being suicidal?" he asked, genuinely curious. It was something he could see the parallels to war- the rush of adrenaline, the uncertainty, the risk of death.

[thewordofweb]

"I'd say that you grow suicidal once you leave your security nets down. Like...like if I made the jump without a reserve chute," I offer the best-suiting comparison I can come up with. "That's an event I'd call suicidal. But if you live your life with protective padding constantly on you, ignoring opportunities, would that be a life worth preserving? One of constant fear and doubt?"

[the_sweetshrink]

"I don't have answers for those questions, Webster. It's interesting to hear what you think about it, though."

Jumping out of planes, chasing sharks, the choice of the word 'opportunities'. Everything Webster said, coupled with what he'd written, gave Sweets a much clearer picture of what he was dealing with.