Authors: Charlotte Hughes
High Anxiety (13 page)
The younger one spoke up. “Actually, eternity is free for the asking.”
“Let me guess,” I said. “Bitsy Stout sent you.”
“She’s worried about you,” the older woman said. “She asked us to pay you a visit and pray with you. We would also like to invite you to Sunday services. Even someone like you is welcome in the Lord’s house.”
“Someone like me?” I asked.
“A nonbeliever,” she said.
I gave a sigh. “I’m really busy right now.”
“Too busy to accept Jesus into your life or end up in hell?” she asked.
“I already know what hell is like,” I said a bit louder than I’d meant. “It’s living across the street from Bitsy Stout.” They looked shocked as I closed the door in their faces.
Thad called and asked if I had reached Alice Smithers.
“I’ve left several messages on her answering machine,” I said, “but she hasn’t returned my calls. I’ll keep trying.”
“She’s probably out trying to screw up somebody else’s life,” he said. I heard the irritation in his voice.
“Thad, you and I both know that this has nothing to do with Alice,” I told him.
“It doesn’t matter,” he replied. “I could still lose my license.” He ended the call on a sour note, and I wasn’t in such a great mood either. Seemed all I did was wait for the stupid phone to ring.
The first thing
I did the next morning, even before I poured my first cup of coffee, was try to reach Alice Smithers. Hopefully, I could catch her before she left for work. When she didn’t answer, I left a curt message for her to call me back right away.
I did the next morning, even before I poured my first cup of coffee, was try to reach Alice Smithers. Hopefully, I could catch her before she left for work. When she didn’t answer, I left a curt message for her to call me back right away.
My annoyance quickly turned to surprise when I arrived at my office and found Abigail scrubbing the bathroom. “Why on earth are you cleaning?” I asked. “That is not part of your job description. Besides, there’s a cleaning crew that comes in every night.”
“They don’t do a very good job,” Abigail said, “and I have this thing about bathrooms and kitchens. I think they should sparkle. By the way, your coffee is ready.”
The kitchenette had been cleaned as well and smelled fresh. I poured a cup of coffee, added cream and sugar, and took a sip. Perfect.
A smiling Abigail joined me a few minutes later.
“We need to talk,” I said, and watched her smile droop.
“You’re not pleased with me.”
“You’re trying too hard. I wish you’d relax.”
“I have to make a good impression with the temp agency,” she said. “I really need a job.”
“You’re doing fine,” I said.
She looked relieved. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”
I got up and poured another cup of coffee, hoping it would clear the cobwebs in my brain. I had wakened several times during the night wondering why Jay hadn’t bothered to pick up the phone and let me know he was okay. I rejoined Abigail at the kitchen table and saw that she was staring at me. “Is something wrong?” I asked.
“You have dark circles under your eyes. Are you not sleeping well?”
I had tried to conceal the circles with makeup. Obviously, it hadn’t worked. “I have a lot on my mind,” I said.
“I’m a good listener.”
I decided it would not do any harm to tell her. “Jay is among the firefighters working the wildfire in the Apalachicola National Forest,” I said without going into details of how I fretted constantly over his job.
I noted the sympathy in her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’ve been watching the fires on the news. People are afraid it’s going to be as bad as the one here in 2007.”
“That was a monster,” I said, shuddering mentally at the thought that the present fire might prove just as deadly.
“That’s why it’s important to have a lot of support right now,” she said, “so you don’t feel you’re going it alone.” She put her hand on mine. “Please remember that I’m here for you. When I make friends, I make them for life.”
The phone rang in the reception room, and Abigail bolted from the chair and hurried from the room. As odd as it sounded, I still felt the imprint of her hand on mine. I knew she meant well, but something about her made me uncomfortable, and I couldn’t put my finger on it. Maybe it was me.
Abigail returned a moment later. “There’s an Alice Smithers on the phone.”
I wasted no time going into my office and reaching for the telephone. “Why haven’t you returned my calls?” I demanded.
“I was in the shower and didn’t hear the phone ring,” she said. “I was on my way out the door when I saw I had a message. I had to wait until I arrived at work to call you back. Is something wrong?”
“I’ve called you a half dozen times,” I said.
Silence at first. “I didn’t know.”
It didn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that Liz Jones had erased my messages. “I need to see you immediately.”
“I have to attend meetings this morning. I could come during my lunch hour.”
“Fine. Just make sure you show up.”
I saw several patients back-to-back before Alice arrived. She apologized profusely. “My answering machine is old,” she said. “I guess I’m going to have to replace it.”
“Don’t rush out and buy one,” I said. “I have a feeling Liz has been erasing the messages.”
The color drained from Alice’s face. Although the alter personalities were able to keep up with Alice’s comings and goings, she was only aware of their actions through me. “Has Liz done something?”
I told her about Liz’s threats against Thad. “I need to speak with her, please,” I said, although there was no guarantee that Liz would give me the time of day.
Alice sat there quietly, but within a few minutes I noted the subtle changes in her face and demeanor. Liz had a hard look about her that was often seen on much older women who’d lived a not-so-pleasant life. One side of her lip curled upward into a half sneer.
“Hello, Liz,” I said. “It has been a while.”
“I know why you want to talk to me,” she said. “It’s about Thad.”
I wasn’t surprised Liz referred to Thad by his first name. “I understand Dr. Glazer wants to set you up with another psychiatrist.”
“Just let him try.”
“And that you’ve threatened to file charges against him for inappropriate sexual conduct,” I added.
She didn’t reply.
I didn’t let her silence dissuade me. “You’re aware that Dr. Glazer is one of the most prominent and reputable psychiatrists in Atlanta,” I said.
She met my gaze. “I don’t care if the man walks on water. It’s his word against mine. I can be very convincing.”
“What are you going to do if one or more of the personalities comes forth and denies your charges?”
Again, she didn’t reply, but I could see the anger and uncertainty gathering in her eyes like darkening clouds.
“Dr. Glazer’s colleagues will back him up, as will his impeccable reputation,” I said. “You’ll look foolish.”
“You’re a real bitch,” she said.
“You’ve worn out your welcome, Liz,” I told her. “The others don’t need you anymore. You’re of no value. You’re like a guest who has overstayed her visit.”
Hatred burned in her eyes. I realized I was taking a great risk by goading her. She was clearly a narcissist. When you call narcissists on the carpet, expose them for what they are, they either get depressed or fly into a rage. I had no idea what to expect from Liz.
I went on. “Surely you realize that if there’s a hearing, your past will come to light. How you had an affair with your old boss, how you and your ex-boyfriend tried to extort money from him, how that same boyfriend attacked me in my office,” I added. “It won’t bode well for you, Liz.”
“I had nothing to do with that attack. You can’t pin it on me.”
I leaned closer. “Don’t screw with me, Liz. You want to make trouble, go ahead. I’ll draw up commitment papers so fast you won’t know what hit you. You’re going to hate being locked up.”
She smirked. “You’d never do that to the others.”
“Try me.”
I caught a flash of uncertainty, then she was gone.
Abigail had messages
waiting for me. I was not surprised that one of them was from Thad. I called him back on his cell phone.
waiting for me. I was not surprised that one of them was from Thad. I called him back on his cell phone.
“I can’t say for certain,” I told him, “but my gut tells me that Liz Jones isn’t going to bring charges against you after all.”
He gave a sigh of relief. “How did you manage that?”
“I can be a real badass when I put my mind to it.”
Thad chuckled. “I’ve seen that side of you.”
“Only once,” I reminded him, “when I caught you in your hot tub with another woman and realized you had commitment issues.”
“That was a long time ago, Kate. I keep telling you I’ve changed. I’ve matured. The fact that I’m not asking you what kind of panties you’re wearing should be proof, even though I can’t help but be curious.”
I laughed. Same old Thad.
“So what’s the possibility of us getting together later?” he asked, his tone changing and becoming almost somber. “I need to talk to someone, and I’d prefer that person be you.” He paused. “It’s not about Liz Jones; it’s something else.”
“Sounds serious,” I said, noting his tone.
“I’d like your advice on a matter. Maybe we could grab dinner tonight.”
“I don’t know, Thad. You’ll probably try to ply me with wine and get me to go home with you.”
“That’s what the old Thad would have done,” he said. “You’re talking to the new and much-improved Thad. Anyway, I owe you for taking on Liz Jones.”
“That’s true. Where would you like to have dinner?”
“How about that French restaurant you like so well,” he suggested.
“That’s a bit intimate, don’t you think?”
“I’m trusting that you’ll be on your best behavior. I’ll make reservations for eight o’clock.”
I was gathering
files and stuffing them in my file cabinet so I could leave for the day when Abigail knocked on my door.
files and stuffing them in my file cabinet so I could leave for the day when Abigail knocked on my door.
“I was wondering if you’d like to get a bite to eat,” she said. “I have a coupon for Waffle House. Buy one meal, get the other one free.”
“Thanks for the invitation, but I’ve already made plans,” I said, annoyed that I couldn’t find a file and hoping I hadn’t misfiled it. Crap.
“I guess you and Mona are getting together,” Abigail said.
“Huh? No, I’m meeting Dr. Glazer for dinner.” I gave a sigh, half relief, half frustration, when I found the damn file lying on top of the cabinet.
“The guy who keeps calling here?” she said. “Where are you going?”
I paused and looked at her. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t listening.”
She shrugged. “I asked where you’re having dinner?”
I shoved the file in place, closed the cabinet, and locked the drawer. “No place special,” I said, feeling the less Abigail knew about my personal life the better.
“Well, don’t worry, my lips are sealed.”
I looked up. “Excuse me?”
“Jay won’t hear it from me,” she said.
I was both surprised and annoyed by her response. “Don’t give it a second thought, Abigail,” I said. “The last thing you need to concern yourself with is my personal life.”
“In other words, mind my own business, right?”
I gave her a tight smile. “Something like that, yes.”
I swung by
Mona’s on the way home. Willie-Mae met me at the door. She wore baggy denim overalls, a flannel shirt, and her long hair had been pinned up and covered with a bandanna. She looked happy to see me.
Mona’s on the way home. Willie-Mae met me at the door. She wore baggy denim overalls, a flannel shirt, and her long hair had been pinned up and covered with a bandanna. She looked happy to see me.
“How is Mona today?” I asked once Willie-Mae stepped aside so I could enter.
“She’s down in the dumps. Maybe you can cheer her up.”
I found Mona in the sunroom at the back of her house, feet propped on an ottoman, white pads on the soles of her feet. She didn’t look happy. I was surprised to find a dark red splotch on her neck, but I would have bitten my tongue clean off before mentioning it.
“What are those things for?” I asked, pointing to the pads.
“They’re supposed to draw toxins from my body.” She shook her head sadly. “I sort of regret calling my mama,” she added. “You’d feel the same way if you had to drink her tonics.”
I sat near her. “What is in them?”
“I have no idea, but they’re nasty. I’d give anything for a burger and fries.”
“I would try to smuggle them in if I thought I could get away with it.”
“There are no secrets in this house,” Mona said. “My mama is all-knowing.” She gave another sigh. “So how is what’s-her-name doing?”
“Her name is Abigail. I guess you could say she’s a little strange.”
“Well, then, she should fit in well at the loony bin.”
Mona could be irreverent as hell when the mood hit her. “She asks a lot of questions. Some are way too personal, in my opinion.”
“She obviously has boundary issues.”
“Ah, I take it you’ve been watching
Dr. Phil
.”
Dr. Phil
.”
Willie-Mae joined us in the sunroom. “Kate, would you like to stay for dinner?” she asked.
“Thanks for asking, but I already have plans.”
“Well, just so you know, you have a standing invitation,” Willie-Mae said before hurrying out.
“Who are you having dinner with?” Mona asked.
“Thad.”
“Uh-oh.”
“He’s been through a couple of tense moments lately. One of his patients threatened to bring charges against him for inappropriate sexual behavior.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Mona said. “Thad could have just about any woman he wanted. He’s not dumb enough to get involved with a patient. Besides, he’s still got the hots for you.”
“That’s in the past.”
“Anything from Jay?”
“No. And guess what? I’m going to stop worrying about it.”
“Good for you.”
“Right now I’m more concerned about you. I don’t like that you’re isolating yourself.”
“I can’t let people see me like this,” Mona said. The expression on her face told me she wasn’t about to budge on her decision. We chatted for close to an hour before I checked my wristwatch. “I should get going,” I said. “I’ll try to stop by after work tomorrow.”
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