"So tell me a little bit about yourself, Kevin." The doctor sat in the chair across from me, one leg sideways over the other, his right ankle to his left knee, leaving a gap between his legs, where his notepad rested
"What do you want to know..?"
"Well, let's start simple.. why do you think you need my services?"
"..I wouldn't know where to begin."
"Okay. Well, I've read your file, but obviously, I don't know everything about you.. how long ago did you lose your parents?"
"Four years..."
"And that's when you stopped leaving the house?"
"The exact day.."
"Was your last doctor working on exposure therapy with you?"
"A little.. mostly, Connor's been helping me.. I can go out onto the porch.. partially. Not the whole porch."
"Who's Connor?"
"Oh.. he's uh..... he's my boyfriend."
"I see. When did you meet?"
"Uh... Gosh, I don't know... over six months.."
"And where did you meet?"
"He moved in next door.."
"How fortunate.."
"...yeah, I guess."
"..Can Adelaide attest to this boyfriend?"
"...What do you mean?"
"I'm just wondering if Adelaide would.. agree."
"Agree with what?"
"Your boyfriend who just happens to be your neighbor."
"...I'm sorry, I-I'm not sure I understand what you're asking."
"..Some of my patients, after trauma, will create someone to make them feel.. less alone. Prove that somebody loves them."
"...are you asking me if I made up my boyfriend?"
"Are you telling me you did?"
"No.. that's absolutely ridiculous!"
"Has Adelaide met this 'Connor'?"
"Yes! She adores him!"
"And if I spoke with her, would she give the same answer?"
"Yes! Look, I'm not a child, I'm not someone that can't be trusted or believed! A-And quite frankly, I'm insulted!"
"Defensiveness is common in these situations."
"You seriously don't believe me?"
"You're a deeply troubled boy, Kevin, I just want to make sure we're on the same page" he spoke down to me in this sickly sweet, condescending tone that made me sick to my stomach
"Good Lord- you know what?" I took out my phone and quickly dialed Connor's number, putting it on speaker
He answered rather quickly, with a familiar
"Hey there, Sweetheart!"
"Hi, Connor."
"Hey! What's going on?"
"I-I just wanted to say hi"
"Well, Hi... wait didn't you have an appointment scheduled right about now?"
"Yes, I do, he's right here, he doesn't believe you exist. You're on speaker."
YOU ARE READING
Under My Skin
FanfictionTwenty three year old agoraphobic Kevin Price lives a tame and routined life. Until a new neighbor moves in next door.
