A Brutal Betrayal(2)
Chapter 1
Seven Years Later…
“Hey Chuck,” Declan answered his phone. “Long time, no hear. How are things? How’s Sue?” he asked his mentor.
“Hey Dec, things are good. Sue’s good, just busy with the kids. But that’s what happens when you’re a stud like me. She can’t keep her hands off me, and then nine months later, we have way too many little me’s running around.”
Declan laughed at Chuck’s humor. Chuck was twenty years his senior and on his third marriage to a woman who was a year younger than Declan. Chuck was one hell of a therapist, well, at least for others. Too bad he couldn’t follow his own advice. Maybe he would have stuck it out with wife number one, or even two. But Sue was a sweetheart and for some reason, she seemed to love Chuck, baggage and all.
“So, to what do I owe the pleasure of this call? I’m not babysitting, and I am not a marriage counselor,” Declan joked.
“Ha, ha, funny guy. I have a patient I am referring to you.”
“Why? Can’t hack it anymore, huh? It’s all right, being old isn’t anything to be ashamed of.”
“Oh, wise ass, just remember that if I’m old now, that means you will be too at this age.”
“Okay, okay, seriously though. What’s the issue?”
“No issue. I met with her a few times, but she’s skittish and not very trusting. I’ve seen her staring at the pictures of my family along my desk. It’s no secret I’m on wife number three and have a brood of kids under my belt, but I think all that intimidates her. When she looks at my wedding picture, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen both longing and fear in her eyes. I think it all actually makes her feel uncomfortable. She’s told me she feels like I can’t relate. Not that my life should reflect my teachings and whether I can help her cope, but she has started closing up on me.”
“I’m not understanding why your family or commitment situation should matter to her,” Declan stated, confusion marring his brows.
“She’s a rape victim. It happened a few years ago. It was pretty brutal too. The guy beat her good and then practically left her for dead. All the details are in the police report; you can take a look when I send it over. It’s left her scarred from having relationships or being able to get close to anyone. She’s been through several therapists before me, but every time, she’s found something that makes her standoffish. I’m thinking that since you’re closer to her age and haven’t had a serious relationship, she might be able to connect to you more. And mind you, Dec—she wants help, she’s actively seeking it—but she’s feeling defeated after years of nothing. So, my lonely, self-absorbed, egotistical, ‘there is no one out there good enough for me’ friend, I hope all those qualities can ensure you’re able to help her.” He chuckled, but there was a slight edge that told Dec he was partially serious.
“Hey! It’s not my fault I haven’t had a serious relationship, and you know it. It’s not like I’ve had time to find someone, let alone maintain a healthy one. And it’s not like I wouldn’t like to have someone I care about.”
“See, there you go. First, you don’t ‘maintain’ a relationship; you actively participate in one if you’re happy in it. And second, excuses, excuses. It doesn’t matter. I had Shirley call your office the last time Megan was here. That’s her name, by the way. Megan Verona. And Shirley set up an appointment with Alice. I think it’s tomorrow, but hell if I remember.”
“Chuck, I’ve never dealt with a rape victim before,” Declan mused, a little worried. He hadn’t been a therapist for long, in fact, he’d only been practicing on his own for six months, but in that time, he felt he had helped numerous people. He attributed that to Chuck’s help. When he first started mentoring under him, it had been rocky. His hard edge, thanks to his army years and the little bit of lingering anger, made him seem gruff. It was with Chuck’s coaching that he learned to tone down what some would call his “alpha” personality and instead be compassionate and caring, almost to the point that he seemed passive, but not disinterested. It seemed to help with his patients, though, but most had PTSD or anxiety, and his new soothing personality worked well with those cases. He had a few depression cases and a mix of various other issues, but he had never tried to help a rape victim. Not that he wasn’t confident in his ability—he was sure he could aid her through whatever fears were plaguing her. But whenever he got a new type of case, he couldn’t help the nervous jitters that fluttered through his stomach.