Page 32 of Marlin's Faith

He walked along with me and I hugged myself protectively. Finally, I turned and looked at him plainly.

“Why are you here?”

“To have dinner with my brothers.”

“I mean, here, now…”

“You lost some blood, making sure you’re not woozy.”

“I’m not woozy.”

“Okay.”

I stopped my slow march towards the sea completely and cleared my throat.

“You know I’m here if you need me, Faith.”

“I… I gather. I just, need some space.”

“I can respect that, Baby Girl, I just needed to say…” he looked me up and down and after a span of time murmured, “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

“You didn’t,” I protested, but it was already too late, he was making long strides back toward the house and I couldn’t help myself. I continued my slow progressive march towards the sea for that sensation of being carried away.

17

Marlin…

This was fucking stupid. Probably the dumbest thing I’d ever done, but I couldn’t fucking help myself. I was sitting on my bike, outside Faith’s shrink’s office smoking a cigarette. Only Faith wasn’t with me. She wasn’t inside either. I was here by myself to talk to the good doctor, and maybe get an answer or two. See? Fucking stupid. A violation of Faith’s privacy, for sure, but I couldn’t fucking help myself. Not after talking to the Captain, not after Hope…

I looked up sharply as the door opened and stood up, dropping my cigarette to the ground and grinding it out under my boot. She walked right up to me which surprised me, and I half wondered if the cops were on their way.

“She doesn’t know that I’ve seen you bring her here, but I assume you’re here about Faith?”

She was a grand lady; older and reminded me of that dame in the double-oh-seven Bond flicks. The newer ones with that badass that plays him with two first names. Daniel something. Only reason I could remember that much was because of my little brother having the same first name.

“Doctor Shiendland?” I asked, just to be clear.

She smiled sweetly, comfortingly and said, “The one and only; now what can I do for you…”

“Marlin.” Her eyebrows went up and she nodded.

“What can I do for you, Marlin?”

I frowned, “You don’t know who I am?”

“No.” She smiled again and waited patiently.

“You can’t tell me why you told her she shouldn’t see me anymore?”

“I can’t tell you anything about my sessions with Faith. Mental health professionals, such as myself, are bound by a code of ethics, confidentiality chief among them. You seem like a very smart man, however, so might I ask, if I know nothing about you…”

“You didn’t. How could you, if you don’t know who I am?” I bowed my head and nodded to myself. Faith had lied. I wondered why.

“Let’s talk about you, my dear boy. Walk an old woman to her car.” Without missing a beat, she linked her arm through mine and gestured across the lot to a newer Nissan. What could I do but oblige her?

I turned with her on my arm and started the slow walk across the lot, asking, “What about me?”

“You must care for her a great deal to come all the way out here.”

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