Jonathan waited anxiously for his wife to return home that evening. It was after nine o'clock, and he had begun to worry. Max finally cajoled him into a game of gin rummy just to take his mind off the time.
"I'm sure she's fine," Max said, looking at his cards.
"Huh?"
"Mrs. H - I'm sure she's fine."
Jonathan frowned. "I hope so, Max."
Freeway barked, as he heard the front door open. Jennifer entered, placing her purse down on the table. She smiled at the sight of Jonathan and Max playing cards.
"Darling?..." Jonathan said, standing.
"Hey, Mr. H, I can see your cards!"
"Oh...ah, sorry, Max. I don't feel like playing anymore," he said, dropping his cards on the coffee table and walking around to greet Jennifer.
"Figures, just when I have a good hand," Max muttered under his breath.
Jonathan kissed her on the cheek. "How'd it go, darling?"
Jennifer smiled and bent down to kiss Freeway, who was impatiently jumping at her feet. She wanted to tell Jonathan everything, but somehow words failed her.
"Fine," she said.
Jonathan studied her closely, looking for signs of change. Maybe it was his imagination, but he thought she seemed more relaxed... and, it seemed to him, her smile was a little more genuine too.
"I think I'll go change into something more comfortable. I'll be right down, okay?" she said.
Jonathan reached out and stroked her hair. "Okay," he replied, and then promptly followed her upstairs.
Falling into the bedside chair, Jonathan picked up a magazine and pretended to leaf through it. He listened as Jennifer ran the water and changed into a breezy silk pant set. When she returned to the room, he tossed the magazine aside.
"By the way, how did that meeting with Susan go the other day?" he said, carefully avoiding the very subject he so desperately wondered about.
"Oh, I'm doing the story after all, but not the way I originally had wanted," she answered, sliding her feet into a pair of gold slippers.
"This is the one about that little girl...Su Ling? The one whose parents were killed in the bombing?"
"Yeah, the Chinese government wants her returned to her mother's family in Beijing. The Pentagon says she's staying right here, given the circumstances."
Jonathan nodded, remembering the news coverage. "It must be awful for her...with no parents."
"I'm going to interview the girl next Friday," Jennifer sighed. "I'm going to tell the story through her eyes."
Jonathan looked at her directly. "Do you think that's a good idea?"
Jennifer shrugged. "Well, it wasn't my idea to do it this way. Susan thinks it's the way to go."
"I mean, do you think you're up to it?" Jonathan rephrased. The thought of Jennifer delving into Su Ling's grief seemed like an unnecessary burden.
"Yes, of course," Jennifer answered, baffled. "Why?"
Jonathan wrinkled his forehead in concern. A grim sense of foreboding washed over him, and he silently hoped that Dr. Kelleher would help his wife navigate her way through this unexpected course. He knew that she was not seeing the storm that was brewing before her.
"It's a very complicated and emotional situation, that's all."
Jennifer cocked her head to the side, still puzzled. "That's what makes it all the more interesting."
"Did you discuss it with Dr. Kelleher tonight?" Jonathan let slip out.
"No, I didn't know I was consulting with her on work issues now," she replied, the sarcasm seeping through her words.
Jonathan winced. He did not want this evening to end on a sour note.
"So, how is Susan doing these days?" he said, changing the subject.
"Jennifer, what do you remember about your mother?" Dr. Kelleher asked, settling into her chair. It was their fourth session together, and Dr. Kelleher was growing quite fond of her new client. Perhaps it was Jennifer’s drive or her spirit, but she caught herself comparing Jennifer to herself at that age.
Tracing her fingertips along the seam of the sofa, Jennifer tried to think back. Her earliest memories just barely ran along the edge of her twelfth birthday, punctuated by the summer she spent at her Aunt Katherine's in France.
"Not very much, I'm afraid. I have these images of her, but I think they're from photographs, not real memories...I don't know why I can't seem to focus on her."
Dr. Kelleher nodded. "Sometimes the human mind can cut off memories that are too painful to remember. It's a way of protecting your self," she said tenderly.
Jennifer looked at her quizzically. "But, I don't think they were painful memories. My mother was a wonderful woman, by all accounts."
"You were twelve when she died," she gently reminded her.
"So everything gets erased from that point back?"
"Not erased, Jennifer...put away, packed in boxes, hidden from your conscious," Dr. Kelleher said, leaning forward and choosing her words carefully, "...but never erased."
Dr. Kelleher's gentle voice tugged at her in a mysterious way. She could feel her eyes fill with warm tears. Put away...packed in boxes.
"So, how do I retrieve these memories?" she asked plainly.
"Do you want to retrieve them?"
Jennifer sat thoughtfully, pondering the question. "Well, isn’t that what I’m supposed to do here – unlock the mysteries of my past?" she said almost patronizingly. "I’m sorry, I don’t mean to sound facetious, but honestly, I don’t even remember why I’m here."
Dr. Kelleher smiled wistfully. The power of the psyche never ceased to amaze her.
"Jennifer, you are a very strong lady…capable of leading a rich, full life. I do not pretend to know what's best for you, nor do I feel the need to prescribe a course of therapy for you."
Jennifer exhaled slowly, the tension in her stomach dissolving.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Jennifer slid her hand along the wall and switched on the light. The damp smell of the basement hung heavy in the air, as she descended the stairs. She had deliberately waited until both Jonathan and Max had left the house to seek out her father’s belongings. She and Jonathan shared everything it seemed, but somehow today’s venture felt intensely private.
Approaching the bottom stair, she turned and looked at the stack of boxes that sat in the middle of the floor. Her pulse quickened when she saw the familiar scrawl of her father's handwriting on the outside flap, labeled simply "Jennifer". She traced the letters with her fingertips, closing her eyes and imagining him standing beside her.
Go on, Jennifer, open the box.
I can't, Pa.
Don't be afraid.
Jennifer opened her eyes and reached into the box, her fingers clutching onto a heavy piece of paper. She pulled it out quickly, as if the entire contents of the box would somehow pull her in and devour her. She looked down at the photograph that lay in her hand.
Mama!
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Jenny....
"Jonathan?" she said, opening the door to his office. Deanne had stepped away from her desk, but Jennifer decided to run the risk of interrupting a meeting. She should have waited for Deanne - there sat Jonathan at the head of the table amidst a group of very serious looking investors.
Jonathan shot up out of his seat upon seeing Jennifer enter. He always loved when she visited him at the office. Something about her presence outside the context of their own home made him feel as attracted to her as the day he first laid eyes on her.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Jennifer said, blushing.
She stood awkwardly at the door, attracting the attention of the seated guests. Some straightened themselves instinctively.
"Is something wrong, darling?" Jonathan said.
Jennifer smiled graciously at the pool of admiring eyes. "No…no," she said, "I was just seeing if you were available for lunch. I’ll come back later."
Jonathan looked around the room. "No, stay. We’re done, aren’t we, gentlemen?"
The men quickly got up and began gathering their notes and belongings. "Oh, yes," several murmured.
Jonathan sat on the edge of his desk, as the last of them filed out. He grinned broadly at Jennifer.
"I’m glad you came," he said, beckoning for her to step in closer.
Jennifer’s eyes sparkled. The floral dress she wore hugged her curves in all the right places, he thought, glancing at her appreciatively. He hadn’t seen her this lucid in months.
"Can you break away for lunch?" she said, sliding her hand inside his coat jacket and patting his tummy affectionately.
"Absolutely," he answered, kissing her cheek in return. How he wanted to kiss her passionately and run his hands over her soft skin at that moment! But, they had never crossed those boundaries at his office. Perhaps that is why he was always so aroused when he saw her here – he knew she was off limits.
Jennifer smiled. "Good. Where shall we go?"
"Home?" he replied, a mischievous look in his eye.
Jennifer shook her head. "Sorry, but I have that interview this afternoon. And, believe me, it took a lot to arrange."
"Do you want me to come with you?" he said, concern washing over him.
"No…I’ll be fine, Jonathan."
He wasn’t so sure he believed her.
"You seem very tense, Jennifer," Dr. Kelleher acknowledged, watching her client trying to get comfortable in her seat.
"Yes, I feel a little anxious today. Not very focused. I seem to have days like this every now and then," she said haltingly.
The silence that followed seemed to intensify Jennifer’s anxiety.
"Are you having a panic attack right now?" Dr. Kelleher asked, leaning forward. She remembered the feeling of those awful ambushes.
"I don’t know…" Jennifer said, her breathing becoming quicker. "Yes, I suppose so. It’s dreadful."
"Yes, it is."
"I just feel like getting up and leaving right now…driving away," Jennifer said, searching the doctor’s eyes for reassurance.
Dr. Kelleher nodded. "You feel like you want to flee…like something is going to happen if you don’t."
"Yes," Jennifer said, relaxing a bit.
"Nothing is going to happen to you," Dr. Kelleher said slowly and deliberately. "As silly as it may seem to you on one level, you must understand that you’re safe here. This is your time. If you want to just sit here quietly and not have to talk, that’s okay too."
Jennifer instinctively drew in several deep breaths and nodded. Immediately, she began to feel more relaxed. After several minutes, she smiled. Dr. Kelleher smiled back – not merely a reflection of Jennifer’s smile – but a genuine show of warmth and affection.
"It passed?"
"Yes," Jennifer whispered. Several more moments passed.
"I interviewed Su Ling yesterday," Jennifer said plainly.
Aha. "The young girl whose parents were killed?" Dr. Kelleher asked, cocking her head to the side. She recalled all the press coverage on the twelve-year-old and the political battle that had ensued.
"Yes, I’m doing a story for Time magazine. I’m telling the story through her eyes."
"That must have been a difficult interview."
Jennifer sighed. "It was."
"Do you want to tell me about it?"
"She was so sad…her eyes…she seemed so far away. My heart went out to her," Jennifer remembered.
"She must miss her parents terribly," Dr. Kelleher said, choosing her words carefully.
Jennifer nodded. "She didn’t want to talk about them. She was very guarded, as I had suspected she would be. After all, the press has made a circus out of her life. It’s going to take me some time to establish her trust."
"When and if you do, are you prepared for what may lie beneath her armor?" Dr. Kelleher challenged.
"What do you mean?" Jennifer said, straightening in her chair.
"I mean, if you want to tell her story…really tell her story, you’re going to have to feel her pain and suffering. Otherwise, it will just be another article about the plight of an orphan. Am I right?"
"Yes."
"I’ll bet there’s an awful lot of pain behind those eyes of hers…are you willing to go there?"
It was a question couched in concern, and Jennifer understood her completely.
"I’m not sure," she answered finally. It was the first time in her life that she could remember questioning whether she was capable of doing a story. "I need to think about it some more."
Dr. Kelleher nodded. "See you next Thursday?"
Jennifer rose and straightened her blazer. "Yes."
As they were walking to the door, Jennifer turned. "Oh, by the way, I found a picture of my mother."
Dr. Kelleher stopped and smiled. "Bring it with you next week, Jennifer. I would love to see it."
Jennifer nodded, and thought about the photograph that was neatly tucked in her purse.
Dr. Kelleher drove to her home in the hills, already an hour later than she had anticipated. Her last client had needed the extra time this evening, and she never liked to have someone leave her office before he had a chance to get himself together.
Ann entered the small, but tastefully decorated bungalow that she shared with her husband Larry, who was also a psychologist. He looked up from his book when he heard her footsteps.
"Long day?" he asked, placing his book down and taking his glasses off. Larry Kelleher’s good looks were fresh even at day’s end. His pool blue eyes played off his silver hair, and he was accustomed to being compared to Paul Newman, even by his students at the university who barely knew the movie legend.
"Yes…I have two clients who are just about wrapping up. I would say maybe two or three more sessions and they’ll be through," Ann said, sitting in her favorite chair. The Kelleher’s cat climbed up on her lap, demanding to be petted. Ann obliged.
"And you’re going to stop taking on new clients, right?" Larry tested, getting up to bring her a glass of wine.
Ann sighed. "Yes. I only accepted one new client recently – honest!"
"Jennifer Hart?"
"Yes, how did you know?" she said, taking the drink from him.
"I saw her folder lying on your desk and recognized the name."
Ann nodded. "Very interesting lady."
"Yes, and very rich too, remember. Her husband owns Hart Industries," he said, getting settled again.
"At least I don’t have to worry about getting paid," Ann chuckled, "or submitting insurance forms." Chantel purred contentedly on her lap.
"She’s every therapist’s dream client – verbal, intelligent, sensitive…" Ann mused aloud.
"… and troubled?" Larry smirked.
"You’re awful. Now I know why you left private practice to teach – you’re jaded!" she cried, picking up the pillow under her arm and tossing it at him playfully. He laughed appreciatively.
"Seriously, though, she is special," Ann said, trying to find the right words.
"Special?"
"Well, I don’t know how else to describe it. She has a presence that I haven’t felt in someone in a long, long time," she said, letting the Cabernet linger in her mouth before swallowing.
"Ah, the old psychic force is coming through?" he chuckled, shaking his head at her.
"Ha, ha," she answered, not enjoying the joke.
Larry’s expression softened. "Just watch for the countertransference, okay? You know that any maternal feelings you have for her will have to be dealt with."
"I know," Ann said, looking away.
But, it was not going to be easy.
Jonathan looked down at the wrapped package sitting on the passenger seat and smiled to himself. He couldn’t wait to see Jennifer’s face when he gave it to her tonight. He felt almost giddy, as he pulled into his driveway and up the path. No one was home, luckily, so he hurried up to the bedroom, two stairs at a time, and quickly hid the package in his top drawer.
He had planned the evening carefully. At first, he wasn’t so sure that the timing was right, but things had been going so well lately, that he felt optimistic. Jennifer was making progress with Dr. Kelleher, that he could see. She was much less preoccupied and, well, happier. And tonight, Jonathan wanted to celebrate the strides she had made.
Jennifer arrived home at six o’clock, somewhat weary. She had interviewed, or rather, tried to interview Su Ling a second time today with little results. The child remained tight-lipped and extremely suspicious of Jennifer’s questions. Finally, after an hour of one-word answers, Jennifer gave up and came home. She knew that Jonathan had wanted to spend a quiet evening alone and she didn’t want to disappoint him.
As she entered the foyer, Jennifer tossed her keys onto the credenza and headed upstairs to change. The house felt unusually quiet without Freeway and Max roaming about. She was going to miss them this weekend.
"Darling?" Jonathan called from downstairs. "Dinner’s ready!"
Jennifer changed into a peach colored sarong and joined Jonathan in the dining room. She smiled lovingly at him when she saw the table setting.
"Jonathan, it’s beautiful," she said, admiring the lovely roses sitting in the center of their favorite china. He had ordered Thai food – her favorite. Pulling out her seat, Jonathan nodded appreciatively and smiled.
"How was your day, darling?" he asked, sitting down.
Jennifer sighed. "Oh, I’ve had better," she said, not wanting to explain. "How about you?"
"Fine…actually, I’ve been thinking about you all day," he said, grinning at her like a schoolboy.
"You have?"
Jonathan continued smiling at her.
"Any particular reason?" she said, looking at him suspiciously.
"Do I need a reason?" he said. "I love you – that’s my only reason."
"Aw," she said reaching out to touch his hand.
Jonathan served her dinner and they ate quietly. Jennifer could feel a palpable excitement in the air, as if Jonathan were waiting for something.
"Jonathan," Jennifer said softly, pushing her plate away, "this was a wonderful meal. What do you have planned for the rest of the evening?"
Jonathan’s eyes twinkled. "Hold on. I have a surprise for you."
Jennifer watched him leave the room and return within moments. Dragging his chair close to hers, he handed her the wrapped package. His heart pounded loudly in anticipation.
Jennifer took the package and looked at him quizzically. "Gee, it isn’t my birthday…and it isn’t our anniversary."
"No…it’s just because I love you," he said, meaning every bit of it.
Jennifer slid her fingertips under the wrapper and gently pulled the brown paper away. Jonathan sat at the edge of his seat watching her expression.
She looked down at the framed photograph in her hands. A loving couple playing with their young child, frozen in time, gazed up at her. Her hands began to shake and her face drained of color. Slowly, she lifted her gaze to meet Jonathan’s.
"Where did you get this?" she barely choked.
In a moment’s time, Jonathan’s reality shattered into a million broken pieces. A horror overtook him, as he watched his wife’s face become hardened like stone.
"I found it in one of your father’s boxes. I thought you’d like it," he said, his words rushing out in an attempt to soothe her.
"My father’s boxes?"
Confused, Jonathan’s mind raced back through time, searching for a sign that the boxes perhaps had been off limits. He couldn’t remember any such sign.
"Was that all right? I thought you’d like a picture of you and your parents. I’d never seen one of all three of you together," he said, searching her eyes for understanding.
Jennifer placed the picture down on the table, flustered by her own emotions. Surely, she couldn’t be angry with Jonathan. After all, she had never told him that he couldn’t open the boxes. Still, her mind could not stop the current of anger that charged through her, taking her breath away. Slowly, she got up from her seat and stood, a wave of anxiety washing over her. She wanted to run – run out of the house, run away, run anywhere. Jonathan stood up beside her, helpless to intervene.
"I’ve got to get some air," she said finally.
Jennifer began moving out of the dining room, picking up pace as she strode into the living room. Jonathan followed after her. Feeling his pursuit, Jennifer bounded up the stairs toward the bedroom. This is ridiculous. What am I running from? But, her legs continued to carry her swiftly, until Jonathan could take it no longer and grabbed hold of her.
He pulled her into his arms, but she struggled against him.
"Jennifer!" he commanded, but she turned away from him, hiding her tears and straining to get away.
What am I doing, she thought.
He was surprised at her strength, as she continued to struggle and almost break free. For a moment, he contemplated letting her go – letting her run it out of her system – whatever it was. But, his better judgment told him to hold on tight. Finally, he pushed her up against the wall, pinning her arms to her sides and forcing her to face him.
"Oh, Jonathan," she sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Tormented by his desire to protect her and the desire to restrain her, Jonathan was overwhelmed with conflict. Tears welled in his own eyes, frightened by his wife’s fury.
Jennifer finally let go, crumpling into Jonathan’s strong shoulders. He relaxed his hold on her and wrapped his arms around her lovingly.
"I’m so sorry, Jonathan," she sobbed quietly into his chest.
"It’s okay, darling…it’s okay," he whispered into her ear.
Susan sat slumped in her chair, mulling over the situation.
"So, you’re not getting anywhere?" she said, looking at Jennifer.
Jennifer frowned. "That girl is the toughest twelve year old I’ve ever met. She looks so fragile, but she’s tough as nails."
"Huh," Susan muttered, shaking her head slowly. "You’re alone when you interview her?"
"Yes, I’ve managed to persuade the DYS administrators to leave me alone with her."
"Is the room comfortable? Well lit? Has she had lunch?"
"Yes," Jennifer said, feeling offended by the line of questioning. "For heaven’s sake, I know how to set the stage for an interview."
Susan looked across the desk directly at Jennifer.
"Okay then, do the story about Su Ling as the girl robbed of her past. Write about how hardened she’s become – how she’s been stripped of her emotions, how she’s turned into a stone epithet of her country’s apathy."
Jennifer stared at her editor. "That’s not fair," she whispered.
Susan looked away. "Well, you’re telling me that you’ve tried everything. So, the only story left to tell is the one about the monster that our governments have created."
"She’s not a monster."
"How do you know that?"
Jennifer stood up, furious. "She’s no monster, and I’ll prove it."
She walked to the door briskly, her cheeks flushed with passion. Without looking back, Jennifer left the office determined to win Su Ling’s trust.
A slow grin slid across Susan’s face.
"She’s beautiful," Dr. Kelleher commented, looking down at the black and white photograph in her hands. "You look just like her."
Jennifer blushed. "Thank you."
"Do you remember her like this?" she said, handing the picture back to Jennifer.
Jennifer looked off into the distance. "Vaguely," she frowned.
Dr. Kelleher sat quietly, allowing a silence to fill the room.
"Something terrible happened between Jonathan and I the other night," Jennifer finally said.
Dr. Kelleher raised her eyebrows.
"He had an old photograph of me with my parents framed as a gift… and I just…," she said, cringing at the memory.
"…and you just what?"
"I was angry at him for going into my father’s belongings and taking the photo."
Dr. Kelleher nodded, encouraging her to say more.
"I don’t know why I felt that way. I mean, it wasn’t like I told him he couldn’t go through those boxes… I never would hide anything from him…"
"But you felt betrayed somehow?"
Jennifer’s expression was pained. "Oh, no, I trust Jonathan. It was very sweet of him to want to give me that gift."
"I’m sure he gave it to you with every good intention…" the doctor offered, "…which makes it all the harder to be angry with him."
Jennifer nodded, her eyes filling with warm tears.
"Those boxes were your memories and you didn’t want anyone going into them before you…even Jonathan?"
Jennifer took a deep breath. "It’s ridiculous actually. I mean, those boxes have been down there for months and I’ve barely touched them. Why shouldn’t Jonathan go through them?"
"Jennifer," Dr. Kelleher said softly, "your head knows that Jonathan meant no harm, but your heart doesn’t play by the same rules as your head. It isn’t always logical – in fact, it usually isn’t logical… and it’s okay for your head and heart to contradict themselves."
"So, what do I do?"
"What do you want to do?"
Jennifer sat thoughtfully for a moment.
"I want to go through those boxes," she said quietly.
Jonathan sat at his desk, rubbing his forehead. The headache that had begun that morning had nagged at him all day. Feeling the stress of the past few days, he knew that he needed a respite. More than anything, he wanted to whisk Jennifer away for a week...or two…or three. Her therapy sessions seemed to unleash a quagmire of emotions that he didn’t felt particularly adept at handling. Certainly, last week’s fiasco with the picture had signaled a dangerous curve in the road for him. He was fearful of every move he made around her now.
And, her interviews with Su Ling only seemed to fuel her confusion and frustration. He couldn’t understand why she hadn’t dropped the story altogether. Jonathan had toyed with the idea of calling Susan and asking her to take Jennifer off the assignment, but he didn’t want to interfere…and he certainly didn’t want her to accuse him of violating a privacy he was only beginning to understand.
Finally, he picked up the telephone and dialed.
"Is Dr. Kelleher available? This is Jonathan Hart."
"Just one minute. I’ll check," the voice on the other end said.
Several moments passed.
"Hello? Mr. Hart?" Dr. Kelleher answered.
"Yes… I’m sorry to bother you," Jonathan said, taking a deep breath, "but I don’t know what else to do."
"Is something wrong with Jennifer?" Dr. Kelleher asked, taking note of her own sense of alarm.
"Oh, no…I mean, she’s not in any danger," Jonathan said. "It’s just that she has been very emotional. I’m worried about her."
"Yes, it’s a very tumultuous time for her."
Jonathan slowly exhaled, feeling his head pound. "Is she getting better?" he said, unable to articulate his feelings.
"You’re doubting her progress." It was more of a statement than a question.
"I don’t know what to think anymore. She’s changed, but I honestly don’t know if it’s for the better."
"How so?"
"She’s so emotional. I feel like I’m walking on eggshells around her…I’m sure she told you about the picture I gave her."
Dr. Kelleher pondered the possibility of inviting Jonathan in for a session with Jennifer, but then thought better of it. Jennifer had already had her privacy invaded once – this was probably not the best time for a couple’s session.
"Jonathan," Dr. Kelleher said gently, "I know you care about her deeply, and I’m sure it’s been difficult getting through this tough time…would you like a referral to talk with someone yourself?"
Jonathan straightened himself in his chair. "No," he chuckled nervously, "I don’t think I need that…I’m sorry I bothered you."
"You didn’t bother me," she said, meaning it.
Jonathan paused. "I just want my wife back."
"I know you do."
Larry Kelleher finished his lecture and was about to leave Adkins Hall, when he saw Ann walking down the corridor. He was surprised to see her on campus, as she usually spent the better part of her days at the office.
"Now, to what do I owe this honor?" he said, as she approached him.
"I need some supervision," she said, smiling. He looked particularly handsome in his blue sportcoat and she told him so.
"Flattery will get you everywhere," he said, returning the smile. "Let’s go grab some coffee."
They walked hand in hand through the campus green toward the coffeehouse. Several of Larry’s students waved hello and smiled at the popular couple. Both students and faculty admired them; not only for their professional integrity, but also for the respect they showed one another.
They entered the small coffeehouse and found a quiet booth in the back.
"So, is this about Jennifer Hart?" Larry asked, keeping his voice low.
"Is it that obvious?" she said, folding her trenchcoat on the seat next to her.
Larry smiled. "You have that look in your eye."
"What look?"
"The maternal look."
"Oh," she said, stirring her coffee.
Larry took her hand. "Okay, tell me about it."
"Well, I don’t think it’s getting in the way. I mean, it’s completely natural to feel maternal towards her…especially since her issues seem to center around the loss of her parents."
"Is she making progress?"
"I think so. We’ve established trust. Her panic attacks are less frequent, but more intense."
"Does she see the connections?"
"Yes, she does. She’s very intuitive. She seems to know what she needs to do," Anne said, wrapping her hands around the coffee mug and enjoying its warmth. "I’ve been thinking about hypnosis."
Larry raised his eyebrows. "Is she blocked?"
"She can’t seem to retrieve any memories prior to age twelve."
"What will recovering those memories do for her?"
"Hasten her progress?" Ann offered. "I’m sure her ego is strong enough."
Larry thought about it for a moment.
"I wouldn’t do it. There’s no point in rushing her. If she’s as intuitive as you say she is, she’ll get there on her own time."
Ann nodded. "Maybe I’m just feeling some pressure to move her along. She’s very intelligent. I want to see her enjoy some of the rewards of her therapy."
"That’s your maternal pride showing. You want her to succeed."
Ann smiled. "I suppose so."
"She will. Give her time," he said, looking fondly at his wife.
He knew Jennifer Hart was in good hands.
