doctor2

I walked through the large wooden doors. Into a small room, you’d think from looking at the doors, the room would be bigger, but it wasn’t. In the center of the room there were two ‘fainting couches’. There were paintings, and framed degrees that lined the walls. And in the corner to my left sat a large desk, at that desk there was a tall dark haired man sitting there with a look of intelligence and sophistication on his face. He smiled as I walked into the room.
   “Ah, Miss Anniece, I’ve been waiting for you.” He said standing up and walking to the other side of the desk to greet me. “I’m guessing you’re Dr. Richardson.” I shook his hand. “Call me Dr. Kevin please, we’re on a first name basis here.” He smiled. “Okay, Dr. Kevin.” I couldn’t help but smile as I looked at him. “I hope this meeting isn’t inconvenient for you Miss Anniece, but a friend of yours, Nancy, recommended that you come in didn’t she?” Dr. Kevin sat back down in the large plush chair that sat behind his desk. “Yes.” I said also sitting down in one of the posh chairs that was in front of the desk.
    “High Anxiety,” he mumbled to himself, “a horrible thing to live with.” Dr. Kevin added. He then began to pace around the room; I turned around in the chair to watch where he was going. “This became a big problem when you flew to Hawaii didn’t it?” Dr. Kevin sat back down after he retrieved a book from the shelf on the other side of the room. “Are you a therapist or a psychic?” I asked. Dr. Kevin merely smiled and lifted his thick eyebrow. “Yes, senior trip in high school.” I finally answered him.
   Dr. Kevin continued talking about the technical terms of my problem, I glanced out the window and saw that Rosy had pulled away. I figured she had already talked to the woman at the front desk, so I didn’t worry about not paying her for the cab ride.
    “Do you understand all this?” Dr. Kevin asked me. “No, no I don’t. I can’t grasp the concept that only high things bother me. When I was really young, I used to climb trees all the time. Now I can’t even be in the top floor of a two story building.” I explained.
    A few moments of silenced passed, it seemed like an eternity. “Simple solution Miss Anniece, you need to scare the fear out of yourself.” Dr. Kevin sat back in his chair satisfied with his remedy for my anxiety. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I think your medical practice is a little messed up.” I slid the chair back and started to get up. “SIT DOWN!” Dr. Kevin yelled. I quickly did so. “My system is not messed up, it’s not a joke. It’s a way of healing without medicine. You need to face your fears, climb up on the tallest mountain, bungee jump from the Golden Gate Bridge, sleep in the highest possible hotel room in the world! That is how you conquer your fears.” Dr. Kevin was now walking all over the room. “Okay, sure, how do you expect me to get to the tallest mountain or the Golden Gate Bridge? You figure out that and I’ll do it!” I wasn’t buying into to any of the bullshit he was dishing out.
    “Come on!” Dr. Kevin tugged at my arm and pulled me out of the room. “The doctor is out.” He said to the receptionist as we walked out of the building. He whistled for a cab and jumped into the first one that pulled up. Reluctantly, I got in too. “And we’re going where?” I asked him. “For treatment.” He said. “Go here.” Dr. Kevin handed the driver a piece of paper. “No problem.” The driver responded.
   I sat in silence until we arrived at the destination that was written on the small piece of paper that Dr. Kevin had previously handed the driver.
    “Go in.” Dr. Kevin pushed me towards the doors of a huge hotel. “No.” I stood firmly not moving. “It’s the only way to overcome your anxiety.” He stated pushing me again. Unwillingly, I walked into the building. I figured if he saw my anxiety take over that he’d understand.
    We went over to the elevator and rode it to the top, climbed a few staircases and ended up on the roof of the building. The heavy breathing set in. He ushered me over to the ledge. “You know when they say don’t look down, ignore them, look down.” Dr. Kevin said. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and looked down. Everything was whirling around I couldn’t see anything. “Step up onto the ledge.” Dr. Kevin commanded. I did as he said fearing for me life. “Now go!” He pushed my shoulder so hard I fell of the side of the building.

    I woke up screaming. I looked around to see where I was. Did I die? Was I in heaven? No, it looked just like the office of Dr. Kevin Richardson. “What the hell happened?” I asked standing up. “Do you feel better?” He asked. “I don’t know. What was that? And what does this mean? Dr. Kevin Richardson – Licensed Therapist Exclusively Focusing on Anxiety and Depression – in a new technique of medicine never before practiced professionally in the United States.” I read from the card again. “The medical technique never used in professional practice is hypnotism. It really isn’t even medical; it’s a spiritual thing. You weren’t pushed off a building; you never even went to that hotel. You’ve been here under hypnosis the entire time.” Dr. Kevin Richardson smiled at me.