Mandy, Mindy and Me (Closed Thread)

[DeliciousMaiden]

This is very much a joint machination of minds ... a fun idea we've been toying with for a while.
My thanks to Sweet P and Poohlive for sharing this with me ...
and giving me the dubious honour of launching our tale.
Please feel free to comment, but via PM only.
We hope you all enjoy!

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Melinda (Mindy)

Melinda drew a brush absent-mindedly through her long thick tresses. Her eyes followed the direction of its stroke critically, but did not register her true appearance. At the age of 22, Melinda had maturity, but lacked self-awareness. This was evident not only when assessing her looks, not that she ever chose to do so, unless it were in the comparative sense, but also in her outlook on life, the options she would face, her very behaviour.

And yet, if you had asked her, Melinda, or Mindy as her family termed her, she would have told you she was content. Indeed, what was there not to be content about? Her family were solid, respectable. Mom worked as a Corporate Lawyer and dad was in Real Estate. Both she and her sister, Amanda attended college and as bright, bubbly young ladies with background both were popular and successful in their studies.

Discarding the brush now, Melinda eased back into the plush armchair and scooted her bare legs casually over the soft arms, reaching to pick up a book as she did so. She smiled softly at her reflection in the mirror, a slight tugging at the corners of her mouth that was barely noticeable, but accompanied by a sparkle in her eye. Amanda would never be found with legs hooked over a chair in such a fashion. Her sister seemed to have a natural grace, an elegance Melinda could only marvel at. The way she sat, the way she walked, the way she moved in conversation excelled even the social grace of their mother. All eyes turned to Amanda when she walked into a room and Melinda was thankful that when they were together, she could fade more into the background and leave her sister to field all the attention.

Her eyes dropped to the page once more, her eyes scanning to find the place she had left off. Soon she was lost in the antics of Mariette, Willoughby, Elinor, the ludicrous romance of the novel capturing her imagination as she slowly turned page after page, a hand moving through her hair, unconsciously mussing it up once more as she continued to sink more deeply into the story.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

The sound of her door being pushed open made her jump.
Mindy knew even before she looked up that it was Mandy!
Mom and Dad always knocked, not that they really ventured upstairs to see her, not for a long time, she realised belatedly. Wrenching herself from the fantasy that she had allowed to fill her brain, Mindy blinked and slid the book down the side of her chair hastily before it drew comment from her all-seeing sister.
A vision in blue and matching her own 5 ft 7 height, Mandy moved towards Mindy.

”Anything wrong?”

The soft question escaped Mindy’s lips as she found herself unable to read the expression on her older sister’s face.

”They didn’t mind me turning in early did they? It’s just that … “

The explanation died on her lips as she eyed her sister worriedly.

”Mandy…?”

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Mandy / Mindy - links:

Mandy
http://store1.yimg.com/I/spicylingeriestore_1801_17469022

Mindy
http://store1.yimg.com/I/spicylingeriestore_1801_16463239

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

Earlier

It had taken only a matter of moments once Mindy left the table for her parents to start their 'argument', if it could be dubbed as one.

Their voices never changed as they shot remarks back and forth between them. Her meal now left untouched, seemed distasteful to her now that they were going their rounds. It reminded her of a court room case, or perhaps two combatants bidding against the other in cold calculated moves.

"A psychologist? What good would one do for poor Mindy?" Her mother, standing up for her favorite. That little comment however managed two things. To kill any appetite she had left and to capture her attention.

'Poor Mindy' indeed. She wanted to comment herself, but there was already enough sarcasm floating between her parents as it were. They were always referring to her in some form that reminding Mandy of one coddling a child, not a matured sister.

"Why would you send Mindy to a shrink?" Her voice was small, steady but still small. Her parents rarely wanted either of their opinions, but at least in their minds Mandy was an adult responsible enough to know these 'sensitive' things they discussed.

"You never mind young lady!" Her mother's clipped tone reminded her so much of her place here that she fell silent instantly.

"Don't go blaming her because you are angry with my decisions." Her father, always standing up for her.

Mandy felt a headache coming on and asked to be excused. Of course they wouldn't let her go, she had to break the news to her sister. Mandy's temper began to rise although outwardly she was as calm as could be, guarding one's turmoil inside had become a matter easily handled. She blocked them out and their sarcasm.

Once again, she would be informing her sister of the 'court's decision'. She felt her resentment well up, Mindy was protected while she was battered between her parents. One wanted one thing for her, and the other (of course) did not agree. It was a never-ending battle around here, to see who could get their claws in a little deeper. And to think, she used to thank god her mother had two daughters, one for each parent.

Now

She went to her room first, glancing at the closed door across from her own. Mindy would be inside either reading or studying something, not a care in the world really... While she would be wondering and worrying about tomorrow, and what exactly she had to do. Mindy carried around learning tools, she carried around a planner to keep her appointments with her parents.

Changing into her night gown, she didn't bother with her hair and make up, instead marched herself, unannounced, right into Mindy's room.

”They didn’t mind me turning in early did they? It’s just that … “ Mindy must have seen the set look on her face, her features visibly paled, ”Mandy…?”

"They are sending you to a head shrinker to discover what exactly is wrong with you. Your first appointment is tomorrow." She smiled at Mindy as if this was good news for her sister.

Ok that went badly, blurting it out like that, but buttering up the truth was never a fruitful endeavor.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Melinda - Mindy

"They are sending you to a head shrinker to discover what exactly is wrong with you.
Your first appointment is tomorrow."

Mindy blinked, the words not registering.
Slowly she uncurled her legs and sat up in a more dignified manner.

”A head shrinker? … me …? But … “

Her voice was softly incredulous.
She shook her head in an effort to make sense of the words.
Gradually she registered that the “they” in question must be her parents …
but who was she being sent to … and why …?

Mindy looked up at her sister, searching for answers, but all she saw was that broad smile.
Nothing made sense.
Mindy's voice shook with uncertainty as she questioned.

”Wh-what do you mean .. wrong with me ... what’s supposed to be wrong with me?!”

She stood up in agitation, her beloved book falling unheeded to the floor.

”What were they saying about me down there?”

Mindy’s voice had risen in panic as she questionned Mandy.

”Where did all this come from…?”

She paced past her sister and sat on her bed, tucking her legs beneath her almost childishly.
She had had no warning of this ... that they ...
She halted.
Tears spilled over silently as she looked trustingly up at her twin sister, her elder by mere minutes.

”’Manda … are they trying to get rid of me…?”

It was a conspiracy, it had to be.
But she knew Mandy would not be part of it.
Mandy was the one who always looked out for her, took care of her.
Then how could she have let their parents do this?
Without a single word?!

”I’m not going …“

Mindy stated with quiet determination that made her almost seem self possessed.
And then the facade was broken as tears brimmed over at the perceived rejection she felt by her parents, parents she’d tried desperately to please all her life.

" ... they can't make me ... "

She added as she sobbed silently.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

She sighed heavily as her sister had her little fit around the bedroom. She was getting tired of this, why was she the elected parent to her sister? WHY did she always bring the bad news?

She knew why, her parents didn't want to be any more of a monster than they already were. Money always did things to people, two corpses were sitting down stairs now still picking at each other in sarcastic cold undertones.

Steering herself to be light and peppy for Mindy's sake, she moved towards the bed and sat down. Tears always made her awkward, Mindy knew that but still she was a constant water faucet.

"Look, there is nothing wrong with you really, people go to shrinks just to have someone to nag at... thats all. Mother and Father both seem to agree on one thing, you are just too shy. They feel it isn't natural and seek to help you, not get rid of you." Her voice was more gruff than she wanted it to be, the edge was there that kept it from being too reassuring.

She couldn't bring herself to hug her sister, they weren't babies any more by damned and she was not going to continue to let Mindy behave as one! Deep down, she kept wondering if the day would come when she'd be considered sensitive to the real world? It wouldn't happen, since she was older of the two, but she often longed to be left alone as Mindy was.

"Stop crying dear, you are going to give yourself unsightly wrinkles and dark circles. No one likes a ghost face." She said this in a sing song voice and patted her sister's hand. "It'll be all right in the end, no worries. You go to this Doctor, tell him a little about yourself, he will tell Mother and Father that you are perfectly normal and that will be all." It wasn't exactly the truth, her parents could easily afford to send Mindy to a new shrink, but that bit of information wouldn't assist in this matter right now.

"Your face is blotchy Mindy, go wash up." She gave her sister a gentle push, not noticing how hard her tone was. She was used to mothering her sister, and everyone knew that Amanda Jane knew what was best... Her parents voices were in her head too much not to know what was right and wrong.

She really hated that name, her Mother's idea entirely. It reminded her of a librarian in mousy browns.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Mindy

The silence that met Mindy’s declaration made her uneasy.
She glanced sideways at her sister as she sat beside her on the bed.
She knew Mandy didn’t respond well to tears, but she didn’t understand … after all how would SHE feel ….
But their parents would never think for a moment that there was anything wrong with their eldest and dearest.
The thought made her choke back another sob even as Mandy began to speak.

"Look, there is nothing wrong with you really, people go to shrinks just to have someone to nag at... thats all.

The words stemmed the flow, but Mindy was far from convinced.

”Mother and Father both seem to agree on one thing, you are just too shy.”

Mindy’s eyes widened incredulously. Shy? That was no reason to …

”They feel it isn't natural and seek to help you, not get rid of you."

Mindy sniffled, allowing herself to be half convinced.
She could tell by the tone of Mandy’s voice that SHE found the idea of getting rid of her ridiculous.
Perhaps she was right … but it all seemed so unfair.
Mindy rubbed childishly at her eyes only to be scolded by her sister.

"Stop crying dear, you are going to give yourself unsightly wrinkles and dark circles. No one likes a ghost face."

The teasing tone, the pat on the hand brought a tentative smile to Mindy’s face.

"It'll be all right in the end, no worries.
You go to this Doctor, tell him a little about yourself, he will tell Mother and Father that you are perfectly normal and that will be all."

Mindy nodded, all to eager to be convinced.
So .. this man was a doctor, not a head shrinker …
not someone who was going to lock her up and …

"Your face is blotchy Mindy, go wash up."

The words and the push gave Mindy no opportunity to argue.
Obediently she uncurled her feet and slid them to the floor.
Making her way silently to the ensuite, she filled the sink with cool water and washed and bathed her face noting how reddened and unattractive it had become.

Mandy was right … about that … about everything …

But the real problem would be getting everything "right" tomorrow.
How would Mindy convince this Doctor that all was fine .?. normal … ?
Why was it suddenly a crime to be shy?

She wasn’t "shy" anyway..
It was just that she didn’t like to draw attention to herself …
Mandy liked all that kind of thing .. but she, Mindy?
Mindy liked to stick with the people she knew and to what she was good at.…

What was wrong with preferring things to be safe … familiar?

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

Mindy's room was a little messed, scattered things lying about. She stood from the bed and began to put things away for her sister, knowing that organization was the key to success.

She never noticed her attitude was anal, it was how she was raised, it was how Mindy was raised as well. But unlike her, Mindy had little sense of order. Granted, Mindy didn't go out to wild parties like she did often, but those were Mandy's 'day off'.

"You'll do fine. Just don't give the Doctor reason to examine further. If he can't find something to pick at in your mind, he won't keep you coming back." Sound advice for certain.

Mandy eyed a stack of books on the floor about to topple over. Picking them up, she put them away as well. Tossing clothes down the laundry shoot and then arranged her sister's vanity table.

"Be cheerful, no hiding in the chair with your lips shut, Mindy. Of course you can't tell him some things, you know how Mother and Father demand their privacy. But you can easily talk about yourself and college." She wasn't really certain that Mindy could get out of it, not with her Father determined to discover Mindy's 'closed off' personality.

Mandy moved to her sister's walk-in closet and began digging through things to find the right outfit. Something cheerful but not flighty. Perhaps if this Doctor cracked open Mindy's personality and more open to 'going with the flow', Mother and Father would let up a little?

It was possible... But unlikely. Mindy seemed unchangeable... And she didn't see anything wrong with her sister other than Mindy didn't want responsibilities.

That was a little more than unfair, and Mandy knew it.

"You will have to alone to these things, of course. But it's only for an hour... Where did that lovely rose spring dress get to Mindy? I can't find it in here.." Her thoughts trailed off as she eyed a few of Mindy's 'mouse brown' outfits. Now what possessed her to buy those?

"Never mind, I found it." Calling out, she pulled it from the very back of Mindy's closet and hung it on the door hook. "Wear that, it screams, I'm happy!"

Mindy still looked small, pale and very worried. Sighing, she approached her sister and gave her that hug Mindy needed. "Don't fret too much, you won't get enough sleep. Now get into bed and I will turn out the lights for you." Mandy was mothering Mindy yet again, not a conscious thought, just habit.
"Go on, in bed." Mandy released her and grabbed the blanket, pulling it up, she gently hearded her sister into the large bed.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Mindy

It was a very wan and subdued Mindy who presented herself at the breakfast table next morning. She had tried to sleep, but had done so only fitfully. Her head had been reeling with Mandy’s advice …” do this…but don’t do that . “ until she couldn’t remember what she was SUPPOSED to do ..or not anymore.

”Morning …”

The soft greeting to her parents was met by an equally guilty greeting as they avoided her eyes and continued with their daily routine. Mindy studiously avoided Mandy’s eyes from across the table, but she could sense the disapproval. Sure the dress had said “happy”, but Mindy wasn’t happy and couldn’t work out how she was supposed to pretend to be when she was being sent to a shrink! Instead she had donned on a light pair of Jeans and white blouse and would take a co-ordinating denim jacket to throw over her shoulder …or hide behind, she almost acknowledged to herself. She wanted something she felt comfortable in … safe… invisible …

Mindy managed to chase her cereal around the bowl long enough for her parents both to leave for work., dropping air kisses onto her head and telling her to have a good day and that they’d talk all about “it” that night. Mindy didn’t challenge them; she barely made eye contact with either parent even. When finally the house was silent, she raised her eyes slowly to her sister.

”I know … I know what you said … but … I either wear this or I don’t go …”

Any ensuing discussion was brought short by the announcement that the car was ready to take Melinda to her “appointment”.

”I’ll be right out … “

Melinda dismissed the chauffeur and turned frightened eyes to her sister.
Half of her still wanted to flee. She still didn’t see why this was happening to her.

”Can’t you go with me, Mandy?”

She pleaded in a final attempt not to face this alone…

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

She said nothing to her parents, knowing they preferred the dining table to be silent to digest their meals. And as usual, they left with a fraud little 'air kisses' for Mindy and a stern reminder for Mandy's lunch appointment with her Father.

"Do not be late, I have to papers to go over and would like to eat on time this week." They left and again she said nothing. She was merely five minutes late last week for their luncheon, but in this world, on time was good time.

She finished her whole-wheat low carb toast, dry and her small four-ounce cup of orange juice. Wiping her lips gently, she made sure nothing was sticking to her skirts before turning her eyes to Mindy.

”Can’t you go with me, Mandy?”

The plea did not fall on deaf ears, she wished she had the time to do as her sister always wanted, but life wasn't a cup of tea lately. It took a lot of self-control to bite her lip and not comment on the jeans. She felt the familiar ripple throughout her body and her fingers threatening to curl into fists as her temper peaked, BUT! this was not be good, no.. Not at all.

"The outfit is fine sis. Looks fetching on you." She smiled, the compliment an honest one.. for a barn dance! "As for going with you, I am afraid I am not available Mindy. I have a paper to turn into my Professor, a meeting with the spring dance committee and then lunch with Father. I simply can not cancel those appointments..." She watched her sister's face become crestfallen and felt a twinge of regret for her semi-clipped tone.

Reaching across the table, she seized her sister's hand with her own and gave a strong but loving squeeze, "No worries. If anything should go wrong today, I will fix it all up in a jiffy. No no! Stop looking like that, I didn't mean things could go wrong, merely IF they go wrong dear.." she smiled brightly, hoping Mindy remembered everything she said last night at least.

"I have to go love... You take care of business and that will be that with this Doctor whomever he is.." She grabbed her bags and fled from the table, racing out to the second waiting car. Her father's Lincoln stretch was always her favorite when she had too many errands to concentrate on driving...

She glanced out the window as Mindy came slowly down the steps towards the other car..."Please, PLEASE! let that doctor have some brains in his head!" She wasn't sure if she was asking for things to go perfectly and thus end the appointments, or if she secretly hoped that this would liberate Mindy?

"Either way can't be all bad.."

"Pardon, Miss Amanda?"

"Nothing, talking aloud. Campus please." She spent the rest of her ride ignoring the servant and going over her appointment book once more.

 

[poohlive]

Connors paused for a moment, outside his door, as the new glass had just come in, placing his name in lack bold print as, "Dr. Edward Connors, PPS."
It gave him a certain satisfaction looking at this, seeing his name there, permanent for the first time. Almost as if that's what he'd been searching for all this time. Not a promising career, or an impeccible reputation, or even a rewarding life, no, just this one door with his name printed on the glass. That's all he needs. He gave it a final look, and then stepped inside.
The room itself still smalled of the fresh paint. Dark furniture of oak and leather abounded the room, a couch, a couple of chairs, and then his desk which sat opposite of the window. He sat behind it, logging into his system.
A new client today, a seminar this afternoon on the perplexities of human psyche, he'd have to cancel his lunch with Billy at the club. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Two appoinments for today, a drunken housewife of some rich fortune 500 company, who couldn't handle the stress of all that money by herself. She was a bore and a half, all she ever talked about was getting drunk, and fucking the gardener. Two years, and he hadn't made much progress with her. She didn't want to change, she just wanted to make her husband happy.
And after that attempted suicide, going to therapy made her husband happy.
He wondered if fucking the gardener did too, but then realize dthe complex and weird BDSM relationships that went on these days, and thought better of asking.
And, there was this new girl. Melinda. Not much about her, her father had made the appoinment. She seems to be shy, reclusive, not altogether there, something about social issues. He would like her to be her young self again... more like her sister.
Twins? Hmmm.
He made a note about that.
Connors could already see the drama coming forth. It's amazing how many problems a few million dollars seems to create. He already imagined two parents working jobs all day, barely getting home in time to say goodnight.
They didn't need to send her to therapy, they just needed to spend more time with her.
He wrote it down in a new folder, preparing for the appointment. After a few moments, he began to idly surf the internet, coming across a few more interesting sites.
Now, he was just waiting for her to arrive.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Mindy

Mindy made her way slowly to the car, her sister’s compliments and reassurances ringing in her ears. She had expected Mandy to be mad at her, but she’d said the outfit was fine … and even promised that IF things went wrong, then she would sort it. Of course, Melinda didn’t know how, but she had blind faith in her sister and knew she wouldn’t promise to do something she couldn’t.

She watched sightlessly as they past some key landmarks as her mind swam to try to remember the instructions she had received … talk … normal … don’t talk about …
She thought she was calm; that was until the car pulled up and she saw with a sickening lurch at her stomach that she had reached her destination.

It took all the courage she had to walk up those stairs, enter the building and announce her name.
The receptionist was kind .. chic even … the quiet waiting room more suited to a hotel lounge than a medical establishment.

”Doctor Connors will see you now ..”

Finding her voice had fled, she simply nodded and followed as she was escorted to the spacious consulting room. As she walked across the threshold she saw a man come towards her, greet her and introduce himself. Melinda’s cheeks paled, then flushed alternately as she remembered that she was supposed to act happy, yet was at a lost how too. She slipped off her jacket as he told her to make herself comfortable and laid it across her knee like a security blanket, a safeguard, a barrier between them.

She tried so hard to appear relaxed, carefree. She eased back against the leather and tried to strike a casual pose and yet she couldn’t quite carry it off. Instead she looked like a frightened rabbit trapped in the headlights, her hand plucking restlessly at the jacket she clung to whilst the Doctor sat opposite her studying her with a disconcerting intensity.

Despite what she had been told, Melinda dropped her eyes and focused on the fabric across her lap. She blinked rapidly. She would not cry! She would try to talk … about herself … her interests … edited versions of her family … anything … to get this ordeal over with!”

 

[poohlive]

It took Connors a few minutes to get passed her, what she was doing, and more importantly what she was trying to do.
He sat there, writing a note on occasion. She seemed to have an entire conversation by herself before stopping, and staring at nothing in particular.
He wondered just what she was thinking about at that moment. If she could have just told him, honestly, they probably wouldn't have had to ever speak again.
Half of these sessions are just breaking down that wall though, that interpersonal barrier between doctor and patient.
"Your father told me a few reasons why he wants to see you in these sessions, but I don't believe him. I want you to tell me why you think you need therapy, and what you want to accomplish from our visits?"
He sat there, pencil in hand, soft kind eyes eager to hear her response.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Mindy

Mindy looked up as he spoke, as if surprised to find him in the room with her.

"Your father told me a few reasons why he wants to see you in these sessions, but I don't believe him. I want you to tell me why you think you need therapy, and what you want to accomplish from our visits?"

So... it was her father who had actually contacted this man.
She blinked in realisation.

"Did he...?"

She responded softly.

"Then he's told you more than he told me..."

She shuddered visibly as she relived her sister's cruel words from the night before.

"I don't want to be here ... don't see why I have to be ... "

Her words ground to a halt as all the feelings and fears from the night before came back and she knew she had to hide that from him... somehow...

 

[poohlive]

She was defiant, but he could see she was also on the verge of tears. He gave a small sigh, writing about her indecision.
"All right," His voice grew a little stern, "This can go two ways. One, you can sit here each session, and we can talk about stupid little things. What you watched on T.V. or what you had for dinner, never really get anything done, but your father will be happy knowing you are going to sessions, and he'll think you'll be getting better.
"Or two, you can actually open up and talk to me. Therapy isn't for people who've lost their spouses or are on the verge of committing suicide, most of the time, it's just for people who are troubled with some aspect of their life, and need to talk about it. That's all I'm here for. Forget what people may have told you about head shrinking or psycho babble analyzing your dreams for some sort of Freudian love triangle between family members. I'm here to listen, to anything you have to say, about anything, and hopefully offer some advice on things that may be a little overwhelming at times."
He raised his eyebrows once, and gave her a wink.
"Either way I get paid... so it's up to you."
"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Melinda

"All right, this can go two ways... "

His voice was detached as he described her options.

Sitting qnd talking a bout stupid things appealed, but the idea of opening up totally freaked her.

"Forget what people may have told you about head shrinking or psycho babble analyzing your dreams for some sort of Freudian love triangle between family members. I'm here to listen, to anything you have to say, about anything, and hopefully offer some advice on things that may be a little overwhelming at times."

Overwhelming ... well she could certainly relate to that.

"Either way I get paid... so it's up to you."

His attitude had changed, a smile, a conspiratorial wink.
There was a warmth there she could imagine herself responding to ... if she let go ... but Mandy had said...

Mindy stared back wordlessly and did not react to the words that had been spoken until his gaze caused her to give a slight shrug.

"I'm here 'cos ... 'cos ... they think there's something wrong with me... ... "

She told him softly.

"But there isn't ..."

Again she retreated into silence, her eyes casting around studiously avoiding making eye contact.
It was up to him to lead the discussion, she decided.
Let him ask his questions, play his games.

 

[poohlive]

Well, it was something. It wouldn't win him any awards, or go into any Breakthrough hall of fame, but still, she seemed to be at least honest with herself, and with him.
That was something.
"Who are they, your family? Is it your whole family, or just your father? You say they as if everyone's against you."
He put his notepad down for awhile, not needing it for anything further. If she was going to be honest, there was no need for him to be writing down litle sidebars, it would distract her.
"What exactly do they think is wrong with you? It must be something serious, if they are willing to send you here. Although, we don't know there's nothing wrong. Still, maybe we could get to the bottom of all this."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Mindy

"Who are they, your family?

The nod was almost imperceptible.

"Is it your whole family, or just your father?
You say they as if everyone's against you."

Mindy's eyes opened in alarm. She mustn't tell him about mom and dad. Mandy had said. She must talk about happy times ... just chatter ... but the questions had confused her. She shook her head now, denying that her family were against her, but not looking convinced.

"What exactly do they think is wrong with you?

Mindy seemed to consider. She honestly didn't know, didn't know what it was about her that was wrong, she'd always thought that she was just different to Mandy, perhaps she was too different.

"It must be something serious, if they are willing to send you here."

Her eyes widened in alarm. SERIOUS!?!?

"Although, we don't know there's nothing wrong."

She felt her stomach lurch. He'd already made up his mind.
This doctor believed there was something wrong ... seriously wrong with her!
What had she said to suggest that?!?
Surely she'd not said that much!

"Still, maybe we could get to the bottom of all this."

She brushed an impatient hand at her cheek, aware a tear had brimmed over.
Oh God! Mandy would kill her.
She wasn't supposed to cry! That was the last thing she should do!
Her head spun knowing he was watching her intently, feeling like a bug under the microscope.
Between her agitated fingers the jacket was being twisted to ruination.

"I ... I don't know what I'm supposed to say ..."

She looked at him helplessly.
It was as if she had been given the script, but could not remember a single line.

"I - I'm sorry ... "

Then more of the forbidden tears as she hung her head, hiding her face from him.

 

[poohlive]

"You don't need to apologize for anything during our sessions, Melinda. If you want to cry, please... feel free."
He had struck a nerve, and quite honestly, he didn't know if that was a good thing or not. On one hand, she was feeling this overwhelming arch of passion inside her, something she didn't understand and couldn't control, something that she needed to deal with, and if she just accepted that, their work would go a lot easier...
But, on the other hand, this could also turn her off, and make her feel as though he were trying to pry into her life. He didn't want to be the bad guy here, and she was already keeping things from him.
Connors gave a small sigh.
"What do you want to talk about then? We have a bit of time left, anything in the world. A book your reading, favorite television show, your family, just pick something familiar, something you want to tell me. Anything at all."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Mindy

"You don't need to apologize for anything during our sessions, Melinda.
If you want to cry, please... feel free."

Melinda rubbed at her eyes and lifted her head to eye the Doctor warily.
She couldn’t make him out, but he certainly wasn’t what she expected.

"What do you want to talk about then? We have a bit of time left… “

Time had flown so quickly? She was amazed. Her ordeal was almost over.

” … anything in the world. A book your reading, favorite television show, your family, just pick something familiar, something you want to tell me. Anything at all."

Her head ran over the possibilities. Mandy had said to chat … to tell him all sorts of things … to act happy. She swallowed wanting to sound upbeat and confident.

”Ummm… well … “

She ran an impatient had through her hair.

”I don’t really know … I read quite a bit … I don’t really watch TV … I … I like the theatre though… drama … musicals … all that sort of thing … I guess I just enjoy literature … classics … “

She glanced across quickly. He didn’t seem to be taking notes and seemed to want her to continue.
Her mind searched for something to say.

”I like classical music too …ballet … we used to go dancing when I was little … there used to be termly concerts … Amanda always used to star in those …. “

She mused, before continuing.

”Guess I … just like a story you can lose yourself in … like with reading … you just get so into the characters that for a time nothing else exists … “

She halted and blushed, suddenly self conscious.

”Well … anyway … are we done yet?”

 

[poohlive]

"Yeah, we're done here Melinda. This was a really good session, thanks for sharing with me."
He shook her hand, giving her a warm smile as he showed her the door.
"My secretary will handle the next session. I would imagine your father wants us to spend quite a bit of time together, although, it's really up to you. You can stop coming whenever you feel you don't want to. Remember that."
He said his goodbyes, and went back to jot a few notes down. Something had disturbed him just a bit when she talked about her childhood. Old memories. Amanda? Was that her sister?
Amanda had been the star of the show, and she had gotten so swept up in it all.
Did Amanda play a bigger role in this than he thought?
He left a question mark on the page, and shrugged his shoulders. Only time would tell. He still knew so little, she hadn't even come out of her shell yet.
Maybe next time.
He went back to his computer, wondering if there was anything new on Ebay.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

"You're pulling a B in economics." His gaze was stern as she paused just before seating herself. Nodding, she knew she had that grade, but why did he check on her so soon? He usually didn't want to know her grades until mid-term?

"Nice to see you too Father."

"Your GPA is important Amanda Jane.. Don't disregard my advice. Top of my class..." He rambled off the familiar story, her lips moved silently with his as her eyes rolled. "..**** of my class, and don't think I didn't see that. Order something." He put down his menu and stared even harder at her.

"I will fix it with finals, no worries. The professor just felt I could have done better with my market analysis is all." She pushed it back away from her mind, she would not argue with her Father while having lunch. Public places were not ideal locations for scoldings and she knew it. Her promise took the wind out of his sails and he managed a tight smile.

Through lunch little was said about his day, more was said about his phone calls to her professors for updates. Pretending to listen, she kept glancing at her wrist watch. Mindy's appointment was long since over, hopefully when she got home Mindy would be there for a full report.

"I have to get back to the office, remember same time next week." Without even asking her, he pulled her planner from her leather bag, popped it open and wrote down the time and location.

"Yes Father. Have a nice day." She gave a tentitve smile and watched him go. As soon as he was out of sight she was racing for the car to get home.

She just HAD to know what happened, get the scoop before details were forgotten and make sure there was no 'after-math' to clean up after.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Mindy

”Yeah, we're done here Melinda.”

Melinda exhaled in relief. She was nearly out of there!!

”This was a really good session, thanks for sharing with me."

Mindy eyed the doctor in confusion.
What had been good about it? What had she shared?
God … did that mean that she’d told him more than she’d intended!?!
Even as her mind crowded with worries he was shaking her hand.
A dismissal … this was familiar ground. She smiled automatically listening to his words.

"My secretary will handle the next session. I would imagine your father wants us to spend quite a bit of time together, although, it's really up to you. You can stop coming whenever you feel you don't want to. Remember that."

She laughed then, for the first time: A mirthless, self-mocking laugh.
She could stop coming whenever she felt she didn’t want to!?!?
Surrrre she could!
She knew well enough that if her parents were set on her attending these sessions there was little she could do to object!

Automatically she moved through the door he escorted her to and asked for an appointment the following week.

”What about Friday?”

Her eyes widened in alarm. That was only two days away.

”Well… I really don’t think … “

She was told smoothly that it worked better if the first few sessions were closer together. It would help establish communication …
Numbly Mindy found herself agreeing.
Always too quick to back down, she found herself leaving the building with an appointment card in hand.

Once home, Mindy refused the lunch that was offered her and retreated to the safety of her room. She pulled off the denim outfit and donned a pair of leggings and t-shirt.
“slovenly” her parents and sister might have termed her attire, but the house was empty and she cared very little.
She had done what they asked. Now all she wanted was to be left alone!
Deliberately she picked up her book and sprawled out on the top of her bed.
She would lose herself in the story. That way she didn’t have to think about what had been said, worry about what conclusions the doctor might have come to or worry that she would have to go through it all over again the day after tomorrow.

The first indication that her sister had come home was when she burst through the door of her bedroom, pulling Mindy reluctantly out of her fantasy.

”Well…?”

Mindy looked at Mandy as she stood there, expectant, demanding.
Mindy bit back a sigh. She really did not want to go over and over what had happened. She knew she hadn’t followed all of her sister’s advice and really didn’t need to be told that right now.

”It was … OK .. “

She replied softly, as she dropped her eyes back down to the pages in front of her in a vain attempt to recapture the escape she had enjoyed before her sister had interrupted her.

”Please God, let her just drop it … not now … “

She prayed silently.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

"Just okay?" She eyed her sister who seemed to shrink back behind her book. Mindy's face was looking paler than normal and her reluctance to talk was enough to warn Mandy something was wrong.

She marched over, heels clicking on hard wood, stopped and yanked the book from Mindy's fingers. She flung it over her shoulder and glared down at her sister.

"Stop hiding behind that damned book!" She ground out in her frustration. "I want to know what happened, exactly what happened." She folded her arms, cocked her brow and stared.. waiting.

If she had looked into the mirror across the room she would have seen her mother in her stance, in her face, mannerisms. It was a good thing she didn't, Mandy hated being compared to her mother.. But she had no problem mothering her sister.

She only balked a little when Mindy looked about ready to cry.
"Min.. Come on, don't do this. Just tell me the worst and we'll see about making it all better." She relaxed her stance and gave a forced smile. She had a nervous feeling inside, one that disturbed her.. threatened her glass box.

"Please tell me you didn't tell him anything damaging?"