Piper

Behind the Shadows

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you." - Walt Whitman

Dr. Everett's accurate assumption made Joanne smirk. She believed that Nolan had a negative feeling about her since he just mentioned David's name.

However, Joanne wanted Dr. Everett to view her with an open mind, rather than believe she was someone who was ill-tempered as her ex mentioned. And she had a hunch that if he knew David well, her ex talked about how they fought over their children. Nothing positive. Just the negative points of their twenty-year marriage. And probably his affair with a younger woman was out of the picture as if Joanne was the only one to blame.

This was nobody's business but their own, yet Joanne knew David wouldn't keep his mouth shut. She was shocked even when the mailman asked her how she felt once she took the mail from him. So, if the neighbors and his  friends knew about the divorce and the affair, who knows who else heard about these tragic events. It was as if Jo married a major gossiper! And this wasn't going to help Janneth's case if the two didn't see eye to eye.

She sighed and tried with all her might to put her thoughts aside. It was not healthy, but the mention of her ex's last name made her cringe. Instead, she opened her mouth and hoped for the best.

"Hello Dr. Everett, it's nice to meet you again. Yes, I'm David's ex-wife but please refer me by my maiden name, Swanson. I'm not on good terms with Dr. Hadley, so please respect my wishes."

Nolan agreed and nodded his head to assure her, yet he crossed his fingers behind his back as he needed to warn David that his wife was now working with a client of his.

Dr. Everett did not want David to accidentally meet his ex since his office was just a floor below him. Like Joanne, he did not want Dr. Hadley and Ms. Swanson's argument to linger while he had to figure out what to do with Janneth and this so-called doll conspiracy.

Nolan massaged the temple of his forehead a bit and bowed to the two ladies in the room.

"Now, Doctor ... can you tell me why you let Janneth out so soon? Is her appointment over or did you postpone it?"

Joanne's dark brown eyes widened as she stated this and her shoulders were crossed, so Nolan knew she meant business. Perhaps Dr. Hadley was right all along, his ex could have a temper.

But he had to think of something quick to say or Joanne would probably beat him with his own words.

"Well, Ms. Swanson, I felt Janneth has been a little troubled lately and she needs to refreshen herself a bit before she could tell me what is bothering her."

Nolan bit his lip once he mentioned that as he spoke in a nervous tone instead of a self - assured one. But he said it, in the simplest terms he could think of, and hoped for the best that Joanne wouldn't say something back that would offend him. 

As her eye twitched, Joanne knew something was up. She knew about this so-called case about the doll named Piper.  After all, she learned about why Janneth was tried in court and was taken to rehab and was ordered to do community service. Seeking a forensic psychologist was basically Judge Warren's decision because he felt bad for Ms. Hudson.

Joanne sighed. Things don't work out well with someone who likes to fool people. She viewed Janneth to be insane and delusional. Dolls don't steal people's souls to harm someone.

No, that can't be true. 

Yet, that's what Joanne wanted to believe.

She summoned Janneth to follow her through the hallway and smirked.

"Thank you, Doctor, for that report. We'll come back tomorrow to try again. And next time" ... as she looked at the scared woman as if she were reprimanding her child ... "I hope we can get a better account of this 'Piper business'. We will see you tomorrow, come now Janneth, we have to go ... now".

Nolan watched the brunette woman leave with Janneth and walked toward his secretary with a hand through his hair.

"Vera, I swear that woman is going to take the worst out of me. Sometimes I hate my job!"

Seeing how stressed he was, Vera stood up and gave him a hug. She had a motherly bond with most of the doctors, so Vera seemed to know what was going on. In fact, Vera put herself out there as if she wanted to know how all her co-workers were doing as if she already knew what was in their minds. 

"Don't worry Doctor, everything will be alright. I'm sure Ms. Swanson is just a little hard up right now and will come to her senses."

Nolan looked up at her and asked how she could be sure of that since he just felt that Vera just wanted to make him feel better.

Vera replied, "I just know these things, Doctor." and winked. Her eyes also twinkled once Nolan faced the wall.