Mandy, Mindy and Me (Closed Thread)

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

"Saturday huh?" She mulled it over a moment, watching this guy move around in his office.

"And if my father calls, what would you tell him?" She had to know if Mindy was in the clear yet or not. If this guy felt they needed more sessions, she had to know.

She would leave no room for error, no chance of Father pushing Mindy into some other psycho-babblers room for simply being shy. No, it was best to see to it now, get it over with, prove she.. Mindy was normal.

If you could consider someone with their head in a hole as normal...

"What I mean is Father will check up to see how it's progressing and your recommendations for .. me. So I was wondering if you'd tell me before hand?" She tried to appear nervous but couldn't manage that 'hand wringing' thing Mindy did.

 

[poohlive]

"Ahhh, I understand," Connors clicked on Ebay, looking up some knick knacks. He wanted a lamp, not quite sure which kind, but just browsing through the assortments of lamps to see which was better.
"Well, I think I'll tell your father exactly what I told him last night. This is a private session betweem me and my patient. I'm not his little spy. If he wants to know what happened, he can ask his daughter..."
Connors paused a second, mulling that thought over in his head, "Yes, that's about all I'll say, unless he wants to know about my golf score or whatnot. I'm not very good though, 4 over par, last I checked. Handicap."
Shaking his head, he gave Mindy a little wink.
"You can tell him whatever you want. We made a breakthrough, we need more time, you don't want to come anymore. He's your father..."
Connors gave those last words weight, as if she had to do her own dirty work, but he pressed on before it could become too much of a white elephant in the room.
"Good day Mindy, I hope you enjoy your afternoon. It's a beautiful day outside."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

She said nothing, merely nodded her head and left.

She was backed into a corner, she'd have to make another appointment. Two visits would placate her Father, he would want more proof she actually tried.

"Saturday then Mindy?" The receptionist smiled sweetly as she gave a curt nod and left as soon as she could escape that building.

Made progress? What was he talking about? She hated that vague psycho babble bullshit, she really did. They hadn't made any leeway in this visit because there was nothing to talk about!

She sat in the car, silent and sulking. She couldn't let Steve (their driver) catch on to who she was. He drove her home in silence and she raced to her room the second she got in the door.

She needed a new plan of attack, a new option. Something.. Anything really. She'd have to explore Mindy's room and find something to give her clues to Mindy's mentallity. Before she started acting like herself.. But what? Mindy didn't even keep a diary, neither of them had. Didn't want to risk their parents finding it and reading it.. That wouldn't go over well if her parents knew what they really felt about them.

So Tomorrow she'd go back, again.. Maybe she should consider this seduction thing more? Mindy didn't bother her, didn't come for questions either. Obviously her sister didn't want to know? Skipping dinner and the whole 'scene' downstairs, she decided to sleep instead. Her mind worked better with sleep.


By morning her mind was made up. She'd 'slowly' come out of Mindy's shell and all would be well. Three more visits tops.. That should do it. And if not, between now and that final session, she'd work on seducing the Doctor. She grinned as she put her make up on, her outfit a little more revealing but chaste compared to ninety percent of her wardrobe.

She arrived earlier than expected, the office was empty, not even a receptionist to be seen.. She wondered if perhaps her saturday could be better spent on the beach instead of saving Mindy's butt?

 

[poohlive]

Doctor Connors came in from outside with his sunglasses still on. A nice red button up shirt and slimmed khaki pants gave him almost a comercial quality, which he particularly liked... on saturdays.
"Oh, good," he passed by Mindy, "Hello Mindy. Don't get comfortable, I'm just getting something."
He made it over to the desk, opened a drawer and pulled out a note book, there, he scrawled something down and picked up the phone.
"Yeah, is Blanch in? ... Uh huh. Tell her it's fine. Yes, I'll be back Monday.... No, I can't talk now. I got some hot here with me, and we're just about to leave... Oh, about 5'7" long curly brown hair, yes... Very stunning, especially today. So, I'm off."
He clicked the phone up, and made for the door.
"Come on, we're going on a field trip. My car's just outside. We'll go wherever you want to go. The beach, shopping, even miniature golf... although, I don't think my swing is as good as it used to be."
He opened the passenger door for her, "Milady, your chariot awaits..."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

She gave him a strange probing look but said nothing, more curious than anything to see what he was up to? What would this accomplish?

"Thank you." She smiled sweetly and slid into his car. She wouldn't ask, she wasn't sure she wanted to know what category this type of therapy fell into.

She had to think however, he wanted her to pick something for them to do? All the options he listed so far were frivolous, pointless. It would accomplish nothing but waste a day..

"What about the new art museum?" She could at least say she learned something, and art did appeal to her. She buckled her belt, zipping her lips tightly so she didn't slip into one of her Father's lectures on time wasted.

 

[poohlive]

"You know, I've never been to the new art museum? What a wonderful idea."
He let the car back out into the road, and took a nice leisurely way downtown. He didn't feel a need to hurry, and she looked so uncomfortable.
He wondered.
"So, how was last night, anything fun happen?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

"No, nothing worth mentioning." She fell silent again, prefering the silence to conversation with him. It was easier to be Mindy without talking to screw it up. Her ideal day would be shopping, not the museum but too many people knew her at the mall. She couldn't chance running into a class mate or a sale's clerk she knew. They'd blow her cover and all would go to shit.

"So? What else is there to discuss?" She was being flippant, realizing she was missing her beach time and shopping spree time by doing her sister this favor. Eventually all this play acting was going to drive her insane and she'd need the shrink! It was much too complicated to act like Mindy, harder than she thought when she decided to do this.

"Park there, I don't want to walk too far in these shoes.. New and all." That was a Mandy comment and order but she didn't really think he'd notice something like that. All women were sometimes bossy. "I haven't been in here in awhile but I hear they've added some new pieces."

 

[poohlive]

"Yeah? Well, new pieces of art. Sounds like a wonderful time. I could imagine someone like you just spending hours and hours in here."
He gave her a little smile, before walking up the marble steps that led inside. There was a small desk and a secretary of sorts, helping those who were lost, and taking collection. He left her with a few bills, took one of those little map brochure's that told you what you were looking at, facts, and tidbits, also where you were.
"Well, since you seem to be the expert. Why don't you take the lead, I can follow and appreciate the view from behind."
He stuck his nose in the brochure, "What's your favorite piece here? Which one really sticks out to you?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

Was she supposed to have a favorite? What kind of geek was this doctor anyway?
"Umm. Well I just like art in general. I really can't pick a favorite.." It bought her some time.
"Will you excuse me for a moment?" She would go into the bathroom and call Mindy. This was more up Mindy's alley anyway! But if she did that.. how would she get this guy off their backs?
She walked to the water fountain, got a drink and then slipped inside the bathroom. Staring at herself in the mirror, she once again had to ask herself how she came up with such a stupid idea?!

Moments later she emerged, she had little else she could do but lead him on a goose chase and bide her time.
"Would you like to go and view some artifacts? Sculptures? Paintings? Or just wander?" She was getting nervous a little, she should have suggested somewhere else.. Somewhere she at least knew something about!

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Mindy

Mindy knew that for the plan to work she had to “stay low” whilst her sister took her place and sorted things out for her with Doctor Connors. Much as she wanted to just “go to ground” in her own room, she knew that was impossible. She wanted to go to college, but if it were known that she’d gone there when she was supposed to be consulting with the headshrinker …
And so she went to the park.
Trying to loose herself in the inevitable book she had brought with her proved more difficult than she had expected. Sure Mandy had told her it would be easy. How difficult could it be … or so she had said … but Mindy felt real bad about it all. So much so that she avoided speaking to her sister that evening preferring instead to let Amanda come to her with the details.
Perhaps that was what had unsettled her more than ever today.
Mindy had expected her sister to boast about how she had run rings around the guy and yet …
Surely nothing had gone wrong?! For Amanda this kind of thing would surely be easy! She was so confident, so in control, so everything that Melinda was NOT!
And yet, all Amanda had done was tell her curtly that she had another appointment the very next day!! Although the frequency of the visits had alarmed Melinda she did not dare question her sister and responded instead by nodding wordlessly when instructed to “disappear” once more the next morning.

Today the novel was discarded in favour of a book on Gaudi. Melinda knew very little about the architect and yet when she had heard of the new exhibition showing photographs of his work as seen in Barcelona, Mindy could not resist taking this opportunity to go hurry along and spend a couple of hours ambling through the pictures, pausing to check the information book she had bought to enhance her understanding of the work she was becoming increasingly enchanted in. She was still bemused, her mind filled with dreams of travelling to Barcelona to see these “wonders” for real when she suddenly ground to a halt.

”Mindy?”

Raising her eyes from the still open book, she blinked, her face flushing in guilt and confusion.

”Doc- Doctor Connors …”

Her mind raced. How could this be possible? Had someone else taken Amanda’s “session”? If so … why hadn’t she tried to call? Even as Melinda’s hand went to her pocket she knew that she had switched the telephone off, the better to concentrate on the photographs she had just been studying. Amanda was always telling her off for that … and now … either way she was in trouble!

Even before her mind forumlated a response she heard a voice as familiar as her own.

"Would you like to go and view some artifacts? Sculptures? Paintings? Or just wander?"

In an instant both girls froze.
Even trying to dress as Mindy, Mandy looked chiquer and more poised.
As ever, Mindy felt decidedly “underdressed” in her short denim skirt, white blouse and sandals.

”’Manda ….”

The desperate exclamation was out of her mouth before she could stop it.
She realised she could have pretended to be Amanda, tried to maintain the pretence, but how could she ever do that!?!?
Dropping her eyes to the ground and looking instantly as if she wished it would swallow her up; Melinda went from happy and almost carefree to frightened and on the verge of tears once more.
Her sister and the doctor were sure to blame her.
Her father was sure to hear and then …
All she could do was wait mutely for everything to come crashing around her ears.

 

[poohlive]

For several minutes there was a bit of confusion... real confusion. Connors stood there, brow furrowed, looking from one girl to the next, and then back again. He had to really think, for his mind had already been formulating something else. Mindy really didn't seem all that interested in the museum at all, and he wanted to ask her about that...
But then, more questions came to him as well.
Had he heard wrong, did she just say Amanda?
Amanda? Of course! The sister. They were sisters, more than sisters, twins. It even took him a moment to realize they were wearing similar outfits, had on similar expressions, even wore their hair the same.
They didn't do this on purpose, did they? He had heard stories of twins playing pranks and switching on unsuspecting people... had she gone to the bathroom to play a joke on him?
"Mindy?" He looked from one, then to the other, "Amanda?"
He once again paused, seeing them both, not really knowing who was who... although, the girl on the verge of tears... that was definitely familiar.
"Ok, what exactly is going on? I feel like I'm on the butt end of some cruel joke here."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

"Miranda!?" She gaped at her sister, then her face did this odd little thing is usually does when she gets even mildly upset.. It turns red!
"Just what in the hell do you think you are doing?!" She completely ignored the Doc, she had a bigger problem to solve! Why had Mindy not listened to her?
"Well?" She waited for her sister to explain herself, but the two seconds Mindy didn't speak was enough time for Mandy to decide she wasn't going to!
"YOU," She jabbed her finger at her sister, "Can explain this. I am leaving!" She whirled around to leave and bumped into a man in a business suit. Hot coffee crushed between them in a paper cup, dousing her clothes instantly.
"YOU!.. YOU IDIOT!" She grabbed for her jacket, yanking it off before she got burned worse than she already was! "Why don't you look where you are going!?" She blamed him completely for what just transpired, and Mindy for screwing things up so royally!
Her cool eyes turned on the staring Doctor and Mindy's reddened face. "I think it's best I just... We'll discuss this later, Mindy." She turned and marched off in a huff out the double doors, wet jacket dragging behind her.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Melinda - Mindy

"Ok, what exactly is going on? I feel like I'm on the butt end of some cruel joke here."

Mindy kept her eyes averted. Doctor Connors sounded annoyed, but not as much as she’d expected. Of course he would be when he realised that this was more than just a joke, that it was a deliberate deception. Dread filled her and she hazarded a glance up at her big sister: yet another mistake.

"Melinda!? Just what in the hell do you think you are doing?!"

Melinda opened and shut her mouth uselessly. She wanted to explain to the doc, she wanted to explain to her sister, wanted to apologise all round, but as usual the words wouldn’t come.

"Well?"

Her eyes dropped instantly to the floor as she felt even more cornered by her own flesh and blood than by the doctor. What had she done wrong anyway? Mandy had told her to lie low. How could she know that she would find the doc and her sister wandering around the art gallery … and come to think of it why were they?!?
She risked a quick glance towards Doctor Connors until her sister’s voice made her head snap around.

"YOU can explain this. I am leaving!"

Melinda’s stomach went into knots of panic, the fear only escalating as she watched the coffee being tipped over and her sister’s rudeness to the doctor.

"I think it's best I just... We'll discuss this later, Mindy."

The words were ominous and held a threat.
She watched in horror as Amanda flounced off leaving her stood in silence beside the doctor.
At this moment Mindy was more afraid of what would happen when she got home, than the fact she had been left to give the "explanation" as to what "joke" they had played on the doctor.

But how was she going to explain that!?!?

Reluctantly Mindy turned her eyes back to the man beside her.
Her arms wound around the book on Gaudi as she clung to it like a life preserver…. “
She dreaded his anger, but now looking at this man who had been kind to her that first session, the main emotion she felt was guilt.

”I-I’m .. so sorry … “

She managed to whisper, her eyes luminous as she forced herself to meet his.

”I didn’t want to … that is … “

She bit her lip and looked away quickly, just catching herself just before betraying the fact it had all been her sister's idea.
For once, she had to take responsibility, she knew.
She had allowed herself to be persuaded, she was as much to blame.

”God what a mess … “

She flinched not realising that she had spoken her thoughts outloud until it was too late.
Her eyes widened as she glanced upwards, just making eye contact again before beginning to back away hastily.

It was a mess … and so she supposed was she …

She shook her head in self censure as she turned to make her escape before things got any worse ...

 

[poohlive]

"Mindy... I," For a moment, he didn't know what to do. He wasn't sure what had happened. This wasn't a joke, he knew that all too well. Amanda had been too angry for it to be some sort of switching prank to fool him.
But, it had been a switching prank, and he was fooled. How long has this been going on? Had he ever seen Mindy, was this the first time they were together?
No, she recognized him, her tearing eyes. He remember that from the first session, a deer caught in headlights, wanting to run, but not knowing which direction.
"Mindy, come here. Let me buy you some coffee. We can sit awhile, and talk. I think you want to talk, even if you don't know what it is you want to say."
The art gallery had a small lounge area where people could sit, talk, and drink expensive coffee. It even had Starbucks beat on the price, if Connors wasn't mistaken. He took a large bottle of water himself, letting her pick what she wanted.
"Ok, so, I gathered up as much that you wanted me to think Amanda was you. It must have been for some reason, very important. What is going on? Don't tell me I'm so scary you never wanted to see me again. If there's something wrong with me, just tell your father. He can find someone else, or stop the sessions all together."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Mindy

”Mindy... I …"

Melinda paused. He had worked out who she was! But of course he had! He was no fool!

"Mindy, come here. Let me buy you some coffee. We can sit awhile, and talk.”

She eyed him curiously. He wasn’t angry … wasn’t shouting at her …
She hesitated.

”I think you want to talk, even if you don't know what it is you want to say."

Part of her knew it was true, but she didn’t admit it. If she walked away now he wouldn’t follow her, wouldn’t shout after her. More than likely he wouldn’t tell her father even. Cautiously she walked towards him, not knowing why she did, perhaps just because she was scared of going home and to Amanda’s rage, she told herself.
And so she walked beside him, through the art gallery, allowing him to lead her to the familiar coffee shop hesitating in her choice long enough for the waitress to smile in recognition and offer, “… cappucinno…? “ Mindy nodded smiling in acknowledgement, adding, ” … please … “ and hoping the doctor didn’t read anything into the exchange.

She sat back and took the spoon, playing with the froth and licking the chocolate covered spoon appreciatively as Dr Connors sat opposite her.

"Ok, so, I gathered up as much that you wanted me to think Amanda was you.”

Her spoon clattered he spoke. She picked it up again and began to stir the froth into the coffee, remembering to drink it “properly” as Amanda would say.
She nodded reluctantly even though it hadn’t really been what SHE wanted.

”It must have been for some reason, very important.”

She sipped at her coffee.

”What is going on?”

She licked her lips and looked at him. How could she even begin to explain, even if she had wanted to.

”Don't tell me I'm so scary you never wanted to see me again.”

Her lips twitched in a smile as her eyes looked over him. Somehow he was less intimidating here … difficult to see as a “head shrinker” who was there to tell her what was wrong with her.

”If there's something wrong with me, just tell your father.”

She tensed, the amusement at the description of his “wrongness” vanishing immediately.

”He can find someone else, or stop the sessions all together."

Her hands wrapped around the coffee cup, but she did not drink. Instead she dropped her eyes at the realisation that it was unlikely he would agree to seeing her anymore and might in fact tell her father.

”I can’t stop the sessions … “

She mumbled.

”Amanda’s the normal one … she … we thought that … “

She looked up at him knowing she had to tell him something, so … why not the truth?

” … that if she did the sessions you might report that I’d been … fixed … and … “

She shrugged. He’d never understand how things were at home.

”And now … “

She took a steadying sip of coffee.

”She’s so angry with me … “

The tears pricked again.

”I never do anything right … can never remember what I’m supposed to do … or say … or … think … which is why…”

She halted. She’d said WAY too much, but more worryingly, she’d wanted to.

 

[poohlive]

IT made a lot of sense now, even more so with Amanda's outburst earlier. She was just some shy kid, who was trying soo hard to please everyone. Her father, her mother. Everything she's ever done is wrong, because she's never been one to do things for herself.
That would be a problem. He saw now why she needed therapy. It might not be the reason she was sent to see him, but it's the reason she was going to be seeing him now.
"Ok. I see. You wanted me to call after a few sessions where Amanda made you look like a perfect child, no real problems, none of this crying, no emotional outbursts. Just a regular old kid. Father would be happy, Amanda would be happy, and you'd be happy, cause you wouldn't have to see me anymore, and everyone would think your normal... for once."
He dropped his head, drinking some water.
"I bet it wasn't even your idea, was it? Amanda's right? She must have said go somewhere where no one would find you, and the first thing you thought of was here. It's a remarkable place, I admit. I find myself getting lost here from time to time myself."
Well, now he was a bit shaken up too. He didn't know what to do, quite frankly. Professionally, he had lost her trust. He didn't even know if she would tell him the truth, and it was hard for him to do his job if she couldn't tell him the truth. he should call her parents, tell them what happened, and be done with it.
But, then... he really did want to help her. She seemed like more of a victim in this thing than anything else.
"If you want, if that's what all this is... some big ellaborate scheme to make me call your father and say everything is fine, than that's all right with me. We can stop right now, I'll call him. You'll be off the hook, and you can go back home to your family, normal as you want to be. All right?"
He took out his cell phone, turning it on, "What's his number."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Melinda - Mindy

"Ok. I see.”

Mindy eased back in her seat watching him carefully as he continued.

”You wanted me to call after a few sessions where Amanda made you look like a perfect child, no real problems, none of this crying, no emotional outbursts. Just a regular old kid. Father would be happy, Amanda would be happy, and you'd be happy, cause you wouldn't have to see me anymore, and everyone would think your normal... for once."

She paled, shocked by the accurate assessment of what the plan had been.
.. no crying … no emotional outbursts … normal … for once …
Yes … he sure knew how to pinpoint the problem …

"I bet it wasn't even your idea, was it? Amanda's right?”

Mindy flushed guiltily but refused to respond as his eyes captured hers again.

”She must have said go somewhere where no one would find you, and the first thing you thought of was here.”

Again the accuracy of his statement made her eyes widen in shock.

”It's a remarkable place, I admit. I find myself getting lost here from time to time myself."

Mindy glanced around … she loved it here … it was something no one else had ever understood … she fought the curiosity she felt about the man sat opposite her finding his perceptiveness frightening and yet …

"If you want, if that's what all this is... some big elaborate scheme to make me call your father and say everything is fine, than that's all right with me.”

She blinked, sure she couldn’t have heard right.

”We can stop right now, I'll call him. You'll be off the hook, and you can go back home to your family, normal as you want to be. All right?"

Her heart raced as he took out his phone.

"What's his number."

She couldn’t believe it! It was the answer to everything. ‘Manda wouldn’t be angry with her anymore … her parents … they’d be pleased … she’d see them smile … approve for once … and she could …

”Why? Why would you do that?”

No… that wasn’t what she should be saying. She should be giving him the number, taking up the offer as quickly as she could.
She eyed him confused by her own hesitation.
If she messed this one up … if Amanda realised that she’d passed up this way out.
But if she did … what then for her …? She couldn’t just change … There’d be more play acting … more deception … and it was just tiring the life out of her!

”But I’d still be screwed up, right?”

Inside her head screamed, STOP IT! IDIOT! GET OUT OF THERE!! , but instead she watched the man opposite as he held the telephone in readiness.
It was then she realised. His understanding of her was scary, but that was only because she had been told, not to tell him anything, not to open up … yet … he understood so much already … without her even trying to get him to understand … what if …

”I’ll get his card … “

Even to her own ears the words sounded reluctant.
She delved in the small bag and searched for the business card, trying to ignore the feuding voices in her head, knowing in her heart of hearts, she wanted to talk to him, but that would be impossible … Amanda …

 

[poohlive]

"I told you, from the very first session... if that was really you I was talking too... there's only a problem if you think there is. I can call him up, tell him whatever you want me to tell him. If all you think is wrong with you, is that everyone else doesn't think your normal, then it's a simple solution right? I'll call your father, your mother, your sister, tell them all what a normal woman you are."
He looked down at the card, seeing the business logo, the sharp name, numbers etching across it, bold and unflattering. His eyes grew thin at the sight of this, but said nothing.
"It's your decision. It's alway been your decision. I'm not in control here. That's what you may think, but I'm not. You're in control. These sessions are yours. I'm merely the captain sailing the ship, you tell me where to go, what to do. If you want help, if you think there's a problem, then we'll talk, we'll discuss it, we'll find out what's wrong. If you think you're healthy, normal, and you just want me to tell everyone else that so they can get off your back..."
He dialed the number, waiting for someone to pick up the other end, his eyes focused, glue on hers.
"It's ringing," He told her, pulling the phone away from his ear just enough so that if she wanted to grab it she could. He stared at her, in wonderous fascination.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Mindy

"I told you, from the very first session... if that was really you I was talking too... “

She nodded as he continued telling her the decision was hers.

”I'll call your father, your mother, your sister, tell them all what a normal woman you are."

Melinda nodded. She was normal. They should know that.

"It's your decision. It's alway been your decision. I'm not in control here. That's what you may think, but I'm not. You're in control. “

He kept saying that … she could almost believe him.

”These sessions are yours. I'm merely the captain sailing the ship, you tell me where to go, what to do. If you want help, if you think there's a problem, then we'll talk, we'll discuss it, we'll find out what's wrong.”

The offer to talk was tempting … but she couldn’t afford to go there.

”If you think you're healthy, normal, and you just want me to tell everyone else that so they can get off your back..."

Yes that was what she wanted … didn’t she …?

"It's ringing,"

Mindy watched him hold out the phone. She heard the ringing tone knowing her father’s secretary would pick up any minute. She wasn’t allowed his direct line … that was for important matters.

Her eyes widened as somewhere a penny dropped.

… Important matters…

Her hand moved to the telephone and pressed the cancel button.

”I’m normal … there’s nothing “wrong” with me … I don’t want fixing … I get fed up of being told how wrong it is just to be “me” … “

She looked at him shocked that she’d actually dared to allow anger to enter her voice.

”They talk at me … no one understands … hell … they don’t even listen.... so … I’ve stopped even trying … and that’s what they find stranger I guess … why you got stuck with me …“

She gave a mirthless laugh.

”Nothing I think or feel’s important … ‘cos it doesn’t fit … maybe this isn’t about finding out what is wrong with me like Amanda said …”

She saw she had his full attention and knew she should stop and hold her tongue, but the words kept tumbling out.

”Even if I had something to say, who would give a damn … unless they were being paid to listen to it all?”

She halted suddenly, astounded herself by the frustration she had allowed him to see and regretting the rudeness of her final words.

”Sorry … I know it’s just your job … “

She gave him the phone back.

”Dad’ll be at lunch by now, but Christine will pass on a message if you ring now …”

She told him in quiet defeat as she dropped her eyes to the milky mess at the bottom of her cup, shocked by her outburst and wondering why she hadn't dissolved into tears long ago.

 

[poohlive]

"Sometimes that's all you need," he took the phone back, putting it in his pocket, "Getting paid or not, doesn't matter. Everyone needs someone to talk to, it's as simple as that. I think, the real problem here isn't that you have something wrong with you, but rather, you don't know how to stand up for yourself. You let all of these people in your family walk over you, tell you what to do, even your sister. And, you just want to please them, make them all happy, so you go along with it."
He shrugged his shoulders, "That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you. I think, it's your family that has the problem. You seem like the only sane one in the lot."
He stood up, offering his arm, "Come on, there's still some time. You can show me a few of your favorites."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Mindy

"Sometimes that's all you need,"

Mindy watched as he dropped the phone back into his pocket.

"Getting paid or not, doesn't matter. Everyone needs someone to talk to; it's as simple as that.”

She couldn’t quite believe the comment about payment, but was pleased she hadn’t offended him.

”I think, the real problem here isn't that you have something wrong with you, but rather, you don't know how to stand up for yourself.”

Mindy met his eyes as he continued.

”You let all of these people in your family walk over you, tell you what to do, even your sister. And, you just want to please them, make them all happy, so you go along with it."

He was right … but what was wrong with trying to please everyone?

"That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you. I think, it's your family that has the problem. You seem like the only sane one in the lot."

Her mouth curved up into a smile.
He had said over and over that there was nothing “wrong” with her, though she didn’t quite believe that her family were less sane than her. She didn’t know anyone more sane or in control that her sister for starters.

Lost in her musings she realised belatedly that he had stood up.

"Come on, there's still some time. You can show me a few of your favorites."

She stared at the arm he offered her. Surely the session was more than over time wise?
But .. he had said that he found the place “remarkable”.
She rose and slipped her arm shyly through his.

”Have you seen the new exhibition … photographs of Barcelonian architecture … Gaudi … ?”

She saw him shake his head.

”The lines … all naturalistic … “

She paused and passed him the book she’d been carrying.

”Might be worth a look … “

She suggested tentatively …

 

[poohlive]

"Yeah, it does, doesn't it?" He flipped through a few pages of the book, liking what he saw in there, a simplistic view, something missed in these new aged photographs. He liked it very much.
"Oh, very nice," he followed her through several galleries, only a couple of people left in the museum. On a saturday afternoon, there were better times to waste a day... for some.
This seemed to fit him fine though.
"Oh, look at that," He paused at the photo, leafing through a page to look it up in the book. Fascinating, just fascinating.
"How often do you come here?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Mindy

http://www.andrewprokos.com/Qstore/uploads/DRAGON1.jpg

Mindy came to a halt in front of one of her favourites.

"He seems to like dragons ... mystical animals ... use of colour ... so strange for a building ... "

She threw a smile over her shoulder and considered his question.

"I come here every couple of weeks ... more sometimes ... less on occasion ... depends ... "

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Dragon

This is clearer ...

 

[poohlive]

"Depends? On what?" He did like the picture, so many lines, so textured, looks as if it just screamed out of the photograph itself. The sparkling green on top of dull beige. He imagined that the building, despite being shadowed over, was more impressive than the dragon.
It did soothe him.
"You never take any of your family here, do you? As maybe a weekend visit or something?"