Tough Love

Chapter Eighty-Three

Ash's voice breaks her focus on me. “Hey darlin'. So, today's the big day, huh?”

“Hey Ash. Yeah, they're finally letting me out.”

“I bet you're excited, hey?”

She shrugs and then replies, “A little nervous. It's been a while since I've seen the outside.”

This shows how much progress Dani has made. She would never have admitted that to anyone before; probably not even me.

“You've got your bodyguards here; no one's gonna mess with you, darlin'.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Dr. Stone appears in the room with a bright smile on his face. Dani takes a look at all of the people filling the space and I hear her breathing hitch, so I make my way over to her side and reach for her hand. At first, she shies away from my touch, so I look down on her and try to send her a reassuring look. It must work because she tentatively takes my hand in her's and I feel her trembling subside a little. I squeeze her hand softly, to let her know I'm right here and Dr. Stone clears his throat before speaking.

“Hey Dani. I see you have a leaving party with you today.”

“Yes sir.”

“I'm glad you're getting to leave, but we are going to miss you...”

The shock is evident on Dani's face and in her voice when she lets one simple word slip out, “Really?”

“Oh yes. We've grown quite attached to you and your Lieutenant here. Obviously I'll need to see you as an out patient, but we can schedule the first appointment at another time. I would like have a word with Dani alone, if you don't mind guys...”

I see the panic in Dani's eyes before the rest of her body gives me any signs. My head snaps to Dr. Stone and I question, “Doc?”

“If Dani wants you to stay Lieutenant, that's fine by me.”

“Baby, do you want me to stay?”

She nods quickly and with purpose. My ma and Ash step out of the room to let Dr. Stone talk. He takes a deep breath before he starts, “I don't want you to think I've been talking out of school about you, Dani, but I have felt the need to help you with your other issues. I don't know what happened, but I don't need the details to know something bad happened. You've just come through a very traumatic experience and I would suggest this to any of my patients after an attack like this... I'd like to refer you to a psychologist...”

She looks horrified and I hear her gasp, but Dr. Stone doesn't let that deter him.

“Just hear me out for a minute, Dani. My daughter, Sam, she's a psychologist and she's been making some great headway with different forms of therapy. I have spoken to her about a hypothetical case, and she has been very intrigued by the prospect of such a case. She believes that she could help my hypothetical patient and has already told me about a treatment she thinks would work. If you would just meet her one time, I think you'll see she can help you. Would you even just consider it?”

Dani can't speak. She's shocked, but she's scared. I think Dr. Stone realizes this because he quickly says, “You won't even have to tell her what happened. She doesn't need to know the actual memories; all she needs is for you to be there and open to what she's trying to do. I don't know exactly how it works, but I do know that she has seen some good results with her treatments. Can I give you her card? At least so you can contact her once you've thought more about it.”

Dani doesn't, or maybe can't, speak so I say, “Thanks, doc. I'll take her card. We'll talk about it more before we make a decision. Maybe Dani needs to settle at home for a while before we think about it though.”