Page 29 of Caged
The man grinned. "I'm Doctor Franz, but you can just call me Gary. I'm not big on being formal unless that's what you prefer." He sat down behind the desk and relaxed back in his chair.
"Gary is okay." Danny's voice cracked as he spoke.
"Nervous?" Gary asked.
"A little."
"That's normal. No one likes coming in here and talking about their issues. I don't blame them. I wouldn't like it either, but you know, the thing is, sometimes talking helps. We don't even have to talk about issues, but just talk. It's Danny, right? Is it okay to call you that?"
Danny nodded.
"Good. Now, since this is our first meeting, I'd like to set some ground rules. I keep things pretty simple. The rules are as long as there is no violence, there are no rules. We can hang out for an hour in silence, we can talk, we can read, we can even pull out the video game console and play games. The key is spending time together and getting comfortable." Gary smiled. "Don't look shocked. I've never been one for rules or formality. I have your case file from your doctor. I've seen the news. I'm aware of the basics of what you've been through. If you feel like talking about it at some point, I'm here to listen, but I think what you could use more than a therapist right now is just someone to be your friend. So, that's what I'm hoping for from all this. I don't want you nervous about coming to see me twice a week. I want you to look forward to it."
Danny rubbed his hands down his pant legs. "But I'm supposed to tell you how messed up I am and you're supposed to fix me, right?"
"Are you messed up?" Gary asked.
"Probably. I don't know because I don't know what normal is. I was locked away for so many years my messed up is normal to me."
"Well, the way I see it, all of us have messed up lives in one way or another. I have a bad divorce from when I was twenty that still messes with my head. I changed majors in college four times before finally settling down. My father left when I was three, my mother sleeps around with men like she can't go a night without one, and my sister and I finally gave up trying to understand it all. So you see, I'm just as messed up as the next guy. It's just that my mess isn't the same as his mess or your mess. We all have to figure out what normal is for us because it's not the same for everyone."
Danny just stared.
"Do you feel like you need fixing?" Gary asked.
Danny shrugged. "Maybe, but I think I really just need time."
"Things happening too fast?"
Danny nodded.
"I imagine you're a bit overwhelmed. You were held for twelve years, and now that you're free, everyone is treating you like you should know what's going on."
Danny shrugged. "Marshall tries to remember, but sometimes he forgets."
"Marshall is the man you're staying with now?"
"Yeah."
"Tell me about him."
Danny bit his lip for a moment, not sure what to share. "Um, he saved me. He was the first person I saw when I escaped. He stood up to Larry and wouldn't let him take me back into the house until we called the police. I think he felt sorry for me when he heard my mom was dead and I didn't have anywhere to go."
"You think that's why he invited you to stay at his place?"
Danny nodded.
"How is it living there?"
"Good. He doesn't make me go out if I don't want to. I've tried a few times, but I keep worrying Larry will show up and find me."
"That would probably be something I'd fear too if it was me. Does Marshall know you're scared of that?"
"Yeah, he's got a good alarm system and even guns in his room, but I still get nervous. Sometimes I lay in bed at night worried Larry will sneak in and find me."
"Are you sleeping enough or does this fear keep you awake?"
"I think I sleep enough. Sometimes it's hard to get to sleep, but once I do, I sleep a long time." Danny relaxed a little, leaning back into the couch.
