CHAPTER 16

Cassie completed the form answering the generalized questions with brief responses and presented it to the receptionist. Starsky paced the floor for the next few minutes while Hutch sat next to Cassie reading from one of the many magazines that lay on the small table in front of them.

Doctor Hall finally arrived around ten minutes after 8. She entered the room in somewhat of a panic as she removed her coat and spoke quickly to them…

“I’m so sorry I kept you waiting.” She stated as she extended her hand to Starsky. “I’m Jackie Hall.”

Hutch rose to his feet and dropped the magazine onto the table as he waited for his turn to introduce himself. Starsky took her outstretched hand in his and was at that moment…about to lay into her about her tardiness. But when he looked into her warm green eyes…he suddenly had a change of heart.

“I’m Dave Starsky…” He told her with a sheepish grin. “And this is my partner Ken Hutchinson.” He added as he noticed Hutch offering his hand to her.

She released her light grip on Starsky’s palm and took Hutch’s hand in hers as she spoke…

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” She said glancing only for a moment at either of them.

She then turned her attention to Cassie….who stood slowly and decided to offer her hand as well. She was shaking with anticipation and Jackie could feel it in her fingers as she touched them.

“You must be Cassie.” She said with a smile. “Why don’t you step into my office so we can talk.”

She placed a concerned hand on her shoulder and led her into the next room while they watched. Starsky decided to take a seat next to his partner and sift through the large pile of magazines while they waited. After about thirty minutes…the door opened slowly and Doctor Hall emerged.

“You can come in now.” She told them.

Starsky was a little curious at her request…but he had been told that she was the best. So he decided to let her handle things her way.

They followed her into the office and found just enough chairs in the room to accommodate them all along with a large couch…which wasn’t unusual. Cassie sat in the chair nearest the desk with a hurt expression on her face. It was obvious that she had been crying. The room was spacious and comfortable. The wallpaper was colorful and matched the furnishings in the
room. But while it all seemed quite cozey…Neither of them could feel totally at ease.

Jackie took a seat behind her desk as she spoke to them in a calm voice…

“I assume Officer Starsky…that you are Cassie’s legal guardian?” Jackie began.

“Yes…”

“And your partner is here for moral support?”

“I’m concerned about her.” Hutch replied.

“The reason I ask is because I wanted to go over some of our options…and I wanted everyone to be in complete agreement.” She told them.

“Ok…so what do you suggest?’ Starsky prompted her as he glanced over at Cassie.

She was staring into space feeling emotionally drained and distant. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him…but she could feel his eyes on her.

“There’s always the conventional method of standard therapy…twice a week…where we can attempt to get to the root of the problem and eventually help her to cope with it. But that could take months…and aside from the cost…we may never reach the core.” She explained. “Then there are certain anti-depressive drugs that other doctors will prescribe…but I feel that they
only mask the problem and form a lifelong addiction.”

“Go on…” Starsky coaxed…knowing that there had to be a third suggestion lurking in her analogy.

“I’ve had quite a bit of success with hypnosis…” She paused as she watched them for a response.

They all three gave her the same puzzled expression. It was the reaction she had anticipated from them.

“I know how strange it sounds…believe me. But it works.” She stated as she continued. “The answer lies in her subconscious…and under hypnosis, it can reveal itself. Once we can reach that part of her mind…we can accomplish
what might otherwise take years to achieve.”

“Forgive me if I sound a little cynical.” Starsky said as he leaned forward and placed a hand atop his head and scratched his hair lightly. “But I always thought that was just a bunch of …”

“Wait a minute…” Hutch spoke up as he raised a finger to stop him. ( He had chosen to remain quiet up until this point. But he found himself suddenly intrigued with the idea…)

“Maybe she’s right.”

Starsky shot him a curious look as did Cassie. It wasn’t like Hutch at all to be so willing to accept something so out of the ordinary. His was usually the voice of reason…and he had made it clear in the past that he didn’t believe in such things.

“Are you serious?” Starsky asked him in disbelief.

“Yeah…I remember reading something about it.” Hutch offered as he gave them a hint of his recovery.
 
“You do?” Cassie asked with encouragement. “That’s wonderful!”

Jackie was confused by her remark, and it was evident on her face. But she hoped that however they were persuaded…she could get them to accept her proposal.

Hutch watched for Starsky’s reaction…wondering if he would be able to sense it. Wondering if he had chosen his words carefully enough.

“Yeah…that’s terrific.” Starsky said in a concerned tone that held just a touch of sarcasm as he pulled his eyes from his partner’s and placed them back on the Doctor. He hadn’t expected Hutch to disagree with him…but he decided to go ahead and give in. “Ok…so when do you wanna start?”

“Cassie?” She asked as she looked in her direction. It’s up to YOU now…”

“Fine…whatever.” She said with a shrug of her shoulders.

“Good…then if you’re ready…we can begin.” Jackie told her.

“You mean right now?” Cassie asked with surprise.

“It’ll be alright dear.” She assured her. “We can do it alone if you’d feel more comfortable…either way I’ll have to tape record the session.”

Cassie was afraid. She had never done anything like this before …but there was one thing she was sure of. She didn’t want to be alone.

“Can they stay?”

“Sure…they can.” She told her with a smile as she stood up and reached out a hand to her.

She accepted it and allowed herself to be led over to the large brown leather couch on the other side of the room as Starsky and Hutch watched in silence.

“Lie down here and let me know when you’re comfortable.” Jackie instructed her.

“Alright.” She said as she positioned herself. “I’m ready.”

Jackie walked over to her desk and pulled out a small tape recorder, which she placed at the top of the large couch above Cassie’s head. Then she gently laid the microphone on top of it and positioned herself in front of her. As she sat beside her on the couch… she gave her instructions.

“Please try to remain quiet.” She told them as she directed her attention to the two Detectives seated in the room with her. “Now…I want you to count slowly backwards Cassie…from 100.” She told her softly.

“100…99…98…”

“Let you’re body relax a little more as you degress …” She said even softer.

“97…96…95…” She said slowly as her eyes began to close.

“Imagine you’re on an elevator…heading down…and as you do you feel yourself growing lighter and lighter…your arms…and your legs…are weightless…

“94…93”

Cassie’s voice grew softer and softer…and by this point…it was barely above a whisper.

“Your floating now Cassie…can you feel it?”

“yes…”

----------------------------------- Chapter 17
Pebbles Page
Gallery