Monday Banshee
Oct. 10th, 2011 12:13 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lavandarlizard2We all know it's been forever... *sigh* I am not going to make any 'do better' resolutions; they seem to be a jinx. Expect me when you see me. ^___^
Ever have the experience of a smell triggering memories? I have candles and incense going right now to try to over-power a weirdly familiar smell from my childhood - and not a particularly good one, either. Someone in my apartment complex is generating the smell of cheap hamburger mixed with stale coffee and dirty ashtrays. It reminds me of visiting certain relatives, people I was expected to 'behave' around, i.e. follow their orders and keep my mouth shut. >_< *bleh* I've caught myself looking around, expecting to be smacked by a sub-human cousin or cornered by an unfriendly dog. It's very unsettling. >_> On the other hand, it does make me happy that I no longer have any contact with "family". ^___^ Blood may be thicker than water, but it's also a bigger mess to clean up.
BFB – Part 103 – Crazy is as Crazy Does
I punched in the doctor’s number, pausing before the last digit to take a deep breath and let it out. I’d kept my promise to supply Julie with yarn, but I had no idea how that had worked out. No one had called to say she’d gone even more nuts and crocheted a slipcover for the jail, so I just assumed everything was okay. And truthfully, after what we found in the woods… yeah, that tarp was pretty big.
I hit the last digit and listened as the ringing began. My bravado was strictly for Heero’s benefit; I’d rather be having my head shaved with a rusty blade than doing this, especially right now, but that’s what adults do: deal with the hard stuff.
Just as I was hoping to get voicemail, a pleasant voice answered, “Dr Radcliffe.”
“Good evening, Dr Radcliffe,” I began in my customer service voice. “This is Duo from the MIO. I understand you wanted to talk to me?”
“Ah, yes. Thank you for calling back so quickly… um… Duo.” They do like their surnames, Humans do.
“I figured if it was important enough for you to leave a personal number, then I’d better avail myself,” I smiled. She chuckled.
“That’s true. Getting a personal number from a doctor is pretty rare these days. The reason I called, Duo, is that I have been assigned to Julie Strauber’s case at Cumber State. I am looking for something more than what is in her file and she listed you as her only close friend. I am aware of the circumstances that brought her to us and I do understand that you may not wish to be associated with this, but I felt I needed to ask you personally. Julie isn’t at all well, but I believe there is hope with the right treatment. Would you be willing to talk with me?”
Okay, pretty succinct. Not like I couldn’t have predicted it, had I bothered to think about it in the past months. Still annoying, though. It felt like she was trying to lift the edge of my tarp. And when did Julie get moved to a hospital?
“Dr Radcliffe… I… You know…” I stopped and cleared my throat and stiffened my spine. “I understand, Doctor. In spite of everything, I don’t have any animosity toward Julie. I’d like to see her get better and maybe have a real life someday. But right at this moment, my schedule is insane. There is no possible way I could sit down with you right now.” Wow, I was saying no to someone! Heero would be thrilled.
“It needn’t be right this moment, Duo. Perhaps we could schedule an appointment for next week or the week after? I have a number of openings.”
I felt him before I saw him. Heero materialized in front of me, pointing at his wrist. He doesn’t wear a watch, but the gesture is universal. I rolled my eyes at him.
“I’m working on a time-sensitive case right now, but I should be free next week. Do you have time on Wednesday?”
“I have openings at 0900 or 1400.”
“Make it 0900. Where do I find you?”
“Cumber State. The gate guard will direct you to the building and the receptionist will show you to my office.”
“This is an actual mental hospital?”
She sighed. “I’m afraid so. It’s not like in the movies or on TV, though. We’re really very benign.”
I snorted; she probably got that a lot. “Okay, I’ll see you on Wednesday at 0900.”
“Thank you very much, Duo. This could be very helpful for Julie. See you then.” The connection dissolved.
But would it be helpful for me, I wondered. I shook that away and looked at Heero. “I have an appointment next week.”
“All right,” he said and I waited for my guard-lizard to inform me that he would be going with. He surprised me, though. “Would you like me to be with you or would you prefer to speak with the doctor privately?” Damn that had to hurt.
I thought about it for a moment. “Can I get back to you on that Tuesday? I’ll probably waffle all weekend.” I grinned at him and he relaxed. Give and take, folks, give and take.
Ever have the experience of a smell triggering memories? I have candles and incense going right now to try to over-power a weirdly familiar smell from my childhood - and not a particularly good one, either. Someone in my apartment complex is generating the smell of cheap hamburger mixed with stale coffee and dirty ashtrays. It reminds me of visiting certain relatives, people I was expected to 'behave' around, i.e. follow their orders and keep my mouth shut. >_< *bleh* I've caught myself looking around, expecting to be smacked by a sub-human cousin or cornered by an unfriendly dog. It's very unsettling. >_> On the other hand, it does make me happy that I no longer have any contact with "family". ^___^ Blood may be thicker than water, but it's also a bigger mess to clean up.
BFB – Part 103 – Crazy is as Crazy Does
I punched in the doctor’s number, pausing before the last digit to take a deep breath and let it out. I’d kept my promise to supply Julie with yarn, but I had no idea how that had worked out. No one had called to say she’d gone even more nuts and crocheted a slipcover for the jail, so I just assumed everything was okay. And truthfully, after what we found in the woods… yeah, that tarp was pretty big.
I hit the last digit and listened as the ringing began. My bravado was strictly for Heero’s benefit; I’d rather be having my head shaved with a rusty blade than doing this, especially right now, but that’s what adults do: deal with the hard stuff.
Just as I was hoping to get voicemail, a pleasant voice answered, “Dr Radcliffe.”
“Good evening, Dr Radcliffe,” I began in my customer service voice. “This is Duo from the MIO. I understand you wanted to talk to me?”
“Ah, yes. Thank you for calling back so quickly… um… Duo.” They do like their surnames, Humans do.
“I figured if it was important enough for you to leave a personal number, then I’d better avail myself,” I smiled. She chuckled.
“That’s true. Getting a personal number from a doctor is pretty rare these days. The reason I called, Duo, is that I have been assigned to Julie Strauber’s case at Cumber State. I am looking for something more than what is in her file and she listed you as her only close friend. I am aware of the circumstances that brought her to us and I do understand that you may not wish to be associated with this, but I felt I needed to ask you personally. Julie isn’t at all well, but I believe there is hope with the right treatment. Would you be willing to talk with me?”
Okay, pretty succinct. Not like I couldn’t have predicted it, had I bothered to think about it in the past months. Still annoying, though. It felt like she was trying to lift the edge of my tarp. And when did Julie get moved to a hospital?
“Dr Radcliffe… I… You know…” I stopped and cleared my throat and stiffened my spine. “I understand, Doctor. In spite of everything, I don’t have any animosity toward Julie. I’d like to see her get better and maybe have a real life someday. But right at this moment, my schedule is insane. There is no possible way I could sit down with you right now.” Wow, I was saying no to someone! Heero would be thrilled.
“It needn’t be right this moment, Duo. Perhaps we could schedule an appointment for next week or the week after? I have a number of openings.”
I felt him before I saw him. Heero materialized in front of me, pointing at his wrist. He doesn’t wear a watch, but the gesture is universal. I rolled my eyes at him.
“I’m working on a time-sensitive case right now, but I should be free next week. Do you have time on Wednesday?”
“I have openings at 0900 or 1400.”
“Make it 0900. Where do I find you?”
“Cumber State. The gate guard will direct you to the building and the receptionist will show you to my office.”
“This is an actual mental hospital?”
She sighed. “I’m afraid so. It’s not like in the movies or on TV, though. We’re really very benign.”
I snorted; she probably got that a lot. “Okay, I’ll see you on Wednesday at 0900.”
“Thank you very much, Duo. This could be very helpful for Julie. See you then.” The connection dissolved.
But would it be helpful for me, I wondered. I shook that away and looked at Heero. “I have an appointment next week.”
“All right,” he said and I waited for my guard-lizard to inform me that he would be going with. He surprised me, though. “Would you like me to be with you or would you prefer to speak with the doctor privately?” Damn that had to hurt.
I thought about it for a moment. “Can I get back to you on that Tuesday? I’ll probably waffle all weekend.” I grinned at him and he relaxed. Give and take, folks, give and take.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2011-10-10 07:47 pm (UTC)Anyway...
The story.
The story is good. I'm proud of Duo for actually saying
'no, not now", and for being honest about waffling.
no subject
Date: 2011-10-10 11:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-10 11:46 pm (UTC)*snickers* Duo and his guard-lizard
no subject
Date: 2011-10-11 12:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-12 03:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-12 08:04 pm (UTC)Oddly enough, the smell of cows is a good memory for me. I spent about 12 years living within 2 miles of dairies as a kid, and when the wind was right... ummm... fertilizer. ^___^ Might have something to do with one of them being across from the school I attended and I used to detour on the way home just to pet the cows who were always happy to hang their heads over the fence. ^___^
Duo has a reputation as a pushover, but he's really not. He just falls into "helpful" mode a little too easily. He's trying to adjust that. ^___^ Part of his deal with Heero.
no subject
Date: 2011-10-12 08:05 pm (UTC)He's trying to see these things from Heero's POV. Not always successful, but looking for balance. ^___^
no subject
Date: 2011-10-12 08:06 pm (UTC)Everyone should have a guard-lizard. Preferably one as hot as Heero. ^___~
no subject
Date: 2011-10-12 08:08 pm (UTC)I had waffles for breakfast. ^___^ And my cat apparently likes low-sugar syrup.
That's why Duo left that notion open. Kind of depends on how he feels the morning of. He promised to give a little, so we'll see. ^___^
no subject
Date: 2011-10-12 08:10 pm (UTC)Hm... I see him as choosing a convenient tree and parking himself on a large branch right outside the doctor's window. ^___^
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Date: 2011-10-12 11:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-12 11:48 pm (UTC)Holy Torii! Duo would come unglued if Trowa and Wufei showed up. O.O
no subject
Date: 2011-10-13 02:21 am (UTC)*hugs you*
no subject
Date: 2011-10-13 04:26 am (UTC)Heero was prepared to argue - even while knowing it would not be a Good Idea. ^___^ Now he doesn't have to argue.
no subject
Date: 2011-11-02 01:24 am (UTC)Good for Duo, saying 'no' even if he got talked down to 'later'. *grin*
And I want a watch dragon...
no subject
Date: 2011-11-02 04:10 am (UTC)I could use a watch dragon, too. Maybe even a pair. ^___^
Duo is trying to do better at budgeting his time. ^___^
(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)