Vivian's hands trembled as she locked her front door, the deadbolt clicking into place like a fragile shield against the outside world.
Her weekly therapy session with Dr. Patel was just hours away, and anxiety already gripped her chest like a vice.
She wandered to the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water while glancing out the window - the same streets she'd avoided for years seemed darker tonight.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed - Dr. Patel's text.
"Vivian, something unexpected came up. My colleague, Dr. Ethan Lee, will visit you instead tonight. Same session, new face."
Vivian's heart skipped a beat...
The Doorbell Rings...
Vivian's heart sank as the doorbell pierced the silence. She hadn't expected Dr. Lee to arrive so soon after the text - Dr. Patel always called before sending a substitute.
Her eyes fixed on the peephole as she approached the door... A man stood outside, dressed impeccably, with a calm smile and piercing brown eyes that seemed to bore into hers even through the tiny window.
He held up a ID badge:
"Dr. Lee, Vivian. Dr. Patel sent me."
Vivian's instincts screamed WARNING.
She hadn't given Dr. Patel permission for a substitute, and something about Dr. Lee's gaze felt...off.
Vivian's hesitation hung in the air as Dr. Lee's smile widened, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Dr. Patel spoke very highly of you, Vivian," he said softly. She assured me you're ready for this transition. May I explain why she couldn't make it tonight?"
His voice was like honey - warm and soothing. Her guard dropped slightly... She opens the door and lets him in. He takes a step in. Vivian nodded slowly, and Dr. Lee smiled again as he stepped across the threshold.
"Thank you, Vivian," he said, his eyes scanning her living room with gentle interest.
"I promise to make this transition as smooth as possible. May I sit?"
He gestured to the couch, and Vivian nodded again, feeling a tiny spark of curiosity about this unexpected substitute therapist.
As Dr. Lee sat down, he pulled out a small notebook and pen, then looked up at her with kind eyes.
"Dr. Patel shared your session notes with me. Shall we start with what was discussed last week?"
Vivian's mind flashed back to her last session...
Vivian took a deep breath and began to share her thoughts from last week's session:
"Honestly, Dr. Lee, not much has changed. I still have nightmares about...everything.
Crowds, loud noises, even my own apartment feels suffocating sometimes."
Dr. Lee nodded attentively, scribbling notes in his book.
"Can you tell me more about these nightmares? Dr. Patel mentioned they started after...a traumatic event?"
Vivian's eyes dropped, and her voice barely rose above a whisper:
"Yes. My parents' accident. I was home alone that night...heard everything."
Dr. Lee's expression softened with compassion.
Vivian's voice cracked as she continued,
"After that night, I felt like I was living in my parents' shadow... always waiting for them to come home."
Dr. Lee leaned forward, his eyes locked intensely on hers.
"That must have been incredibly painful. Did you feel like you were losing yourself in their memory?"
Vivian nodded slowly, tears welling up...
Suddenly, Dr. Lee's expression turned thoughtful, and he asked:
"Vivian, may I ask something personal -
(pauses for dramatic effect)
"Do you still have the locket your parents gave you before...the accident?"
His question seemed innocent enough, yet Vivian sensed a hint of curiosity beyond therapy...
"I've never told anyone about the locket..." Vivian responds. Suspiciously looking at Dr Lee. Her words hanging in the air like a challenge.
"You couldn't have known about the locket... I've never even told Dr. Patel about it."
Dr. Lee's calm demeanor cracked for a split second, revealing a flicker of surprise -
then, he regained composure, leaning back in his chair:
"Interesting... Vivian, it seems I've made an error. (Pauses, studying her reaction intensely)
"I must have misinterpreted some of Dr. Patel's notes or... (clears throat)
...simply made an educated guess based on common trauma symbols. Yes, that's it - an educated guess."
He smiles again, his eyes still locked intensely on hers, as if daring her to doubt him. Vivian's instincts scream that he's hiding something...
Vivian nodded slowly, pretending to accept Dr. Lee's explanation.
"That makes sense, I suppose. Educated guess."
Dr. Lee's intense gaze lingered for a moment before he smiled again.
"Exactly. Well, Vivian, our time is up for today. (glances at watch)
I'm afraid I have another appointment waiting."
He stood up abruptly, gathering his things quickly.
"Thank you for sharing with me today. We'll discuss this further next session."
Vivian felt a chill as she practically escorted him to the door.
As he stepped out into the stoop she hears a faintly, Dr. Lee's voice through the door:
"Until next time, Vivian. I'll be looking forward to it."