Ыоуве Been Warned   ::   Patterson James

“Well, you’ve definitely had an eventful week,” he says, looking up again with a reassuring smile. “I’d like to try something if you don’t mind. Won’t take long, I promise.”

I listen to him explain his “simple exercise.” All I have to do is fill in the blank.

“For example,” he says, “I consider myself a blank person. And you would answer…?”

Nothing.

I sit there like a lump. “It sure would be easier if this were multiple choice,” I say, stalling, trying to figure out what the game is here and if I really want to play.

He chuckles. “I suppose you’re right. Just remember there are no wrong answers, so don’t overthink it. All I ask is that you be as honest with your answers as possible.”

“Because there are no wrong answers,” I say.

“That’s right.”

He repeats the sentence for me. I consider myself a…

“Decent person,” I answer.

“See? Nothing to it. Okay, next one,” he says, picking up the pace. “The world is getting moreblank. ”

“Dangerous,” I say. No indecision about that one.

“I think most people are…”

“Lonely.”

“When I’m under stress I like to…”

“Work in my darkroom.”

“If I could change one thing about myself it would be…”

“My career. I mean, I’d like to be more successful at it. I’m a photographer.”

“The last person I got upset at was…”

“Myself.”

“The most important person in my life is…”

Without thinking, I open my mouth to answer “Michael.” I barely catch myself. I can’t tell him that!

“What’s wrong?” asks Dr. Curley.

“Uh, nothing,” I say, shifting in my seat. “I had to think about it for a second. The most important person in my life is Connie, my best friend.”

He nods. He’s been nodding all along, only this one is a little different, slower. Does he know I’m lying? Of course he does. The guy’s no dummy.

“Okay, last two,” he says. “I had a blank childhood.”

I hesitate before answering. “Difficult.”

“And last, the thing I’m most afraid of is…”

That’s easy. “Dying.”



Chapter 67



I WATCH AS Dr. Curley makes a few more quick notes, his pen gliding back and forth across his notepad. Given my lack of sleep, the effect is like the swinging pocket watch of a hypnotist. I can barely keep my eyes open.