Read Online Nutcase by Charlotte Hughes - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Charlotte Hughes
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accountant doing?” I asked, proud that Alice had not only landed a job with a prestigious firm but had climbed the ranks quickly.
She took a deep breath. “I like being challenged, but it can also be stressful. I’m constantly worried about losing time.”
Losing time, sort of like an alcoholic blacking out, usually meant the appearance of an alter personality. “You’re afraid Liz will show up and do something that will cause you to lose your job?” I asked.
“Yes. You know how she is.”
I’d seen very little of Liz since Thad and I had been consulting on Alice’s treatment plan. He’d prescribed a psychotropic drug and was seeing Alice every other week for med checks, but it was Liz Jones that showed up because she was hot for Thad. Since I served no purpose for her, she kept quiet during my sessions with Alice.
“What would Liz have to gain by getting you fired?” I asked. “It would create hardship for her as well.”
Alice seemed to think about it.
“As for the other personalities, they have proved helpful. I can’t see how they would pose a threat.”
“Since I haven’t met them, I have to take your word for it,” she said.
The other personalities knew about Alice and had listened to our conversations, but Alice knew nothing about them.
“Like I said, Emily is very personable. I think she was a great asset during your job interviews, especially when you felt so depressed. And Sue was the one who scanned the employment classifieds, wrote a kick-butt resume, and mailed it out to more than a dozen companies. They both have your best interests at heart.” Sue seemed to be the glue that held everything together when Alice became stressed and overwhelmed. Frankly, I wished I had someone like Sue in my life.
“I suppose I should feel relieved and appreciative that they are so eager to help me,” Alice said, “but as we both know, not everyone has my best interests at heart.”
We were back to Liz again. “I think you’re giving Liz more power by fearing her,” I said. “You’re turning her into the monster beneath the bed.”
“She is a monster!” Alice said. “She almost got us killed.”
Alice had a valid point there.
“Have you been practicing your relaxation exercises and writing in your journal?” I asked. I had tried to impress upon her the importance of keeping a journal as a way of lessening her stress. Stress was one of the reasons Alice sometimes took a hike and allowed an alter to handle her problems.
“I listen to the relaxation tapes before I go to sleep at night,” she said, “but I get a little freaked writing in my journal since I’m not the only one making entries.” She sighed. “It’s not like I can hide my journal from them, you know?”
I gave a sympathetic nod. It would have been funny if the situation weren’t so serious. I’d seen Alice’s journal, including the entries made by Emily and Sue and even Liz. What was fascinating was that the handwriting was different and while one personality was right-handed, another could be a lefty. Also, each personality had a different outlook on life.
Emily’s writing was curvy with tiny circles dotting her i’s and with smiley faces waiting at the end of her sentences. Emily longed to get out more and socialize because she was extroverted. Alice’s and Sue’s handwriting were similar; very neat and precise. They both enjoyed reading and browsing in antique shops.
Liz’s strokes were large and bold because she only used a black felt-tip pen; and she spouted a lot of four-letter words and complained bitterly about the lack of fun in her life. She resented the others and often spoke about getting even, leaving me to wonder if Alice was right. Liz might just be the monster beneath the bed.
chapter 5
“Your mother called during your session with Alice and Friends,” Mona said as I stared into the back of the small refrigerator to see if I could find real food. “She said it was
She took a deep breath. “I like being challenged, but it can also be stressful. I’m constantly worried about losing time.”
Losing time, sort of like an alcoholic blacking out, usually meant the appearance of an alter personality. “You’re afraid Liz will show up and do something that will cause you to lose your job?” I asked.
“Yes. You know how she is.”
I’d seen very little of Liz since Thad and I had been consulting on Alice’s treatment plan. He’d prescribed a psychotropic drug and was seeing Alice every other week for med checks, but it was Liz Jones that showed up because she was hot for Thad. Since I served no purpose for her, she kept quiet during my sessions with Alice.
“What would Liz have to gain by getting you fired?” I asked. “It would create hardship for her as well.”
Alice seemed to think about it.
“As for the other personalities, they have proved helpful. I can’t see how they would pose a threat.”
“Since I haven’t met them, I have to take your word for it,” she said.
The other personalities knew about Alice and had listened to our conversations, but Alice knew nothing about them.
“Like I said, Emily is very personable. I think she was a great asset during your job interviews, especially when you felt so depressed. And Sue was the one who scanned the employment classifieds, wrote a kick-butt resume, and mailed it out to more than a dozen companies. They both have your best interests at heart.” Sue seemed to be the glue that held everything together when Alice became stressed and overwhelmed. Frankly, I wished I had someone like Sue in my life.
“I suppose I should feel relieved and appreciative that they are so eager to help me,” Alice said, “but as we both know, not everyone has my best interests at heart.”
We were back to Liz again. “I think you’re giving Liz more power by fearing her,” I said. “You’re turning her into the monster beneath the bed.”
“She is a monster!” Alice said. “She almost got us killed.”
Alice had a valid point there.
“Have you been practicing your relaxation exercises and writing in your journal?” I asked. I had tried to impress upon her the importance of keeping a journal as a way of lessening her stress. Stress was one of the reasons Alice sometimes took a hike and allowed an alter to handle her problems.
“I listen to the relaxation tapes before I go to sleep at night,” she said, “but I get a little freaked writing in my journal since I’m not the only one making entries.” She sighed. “It’s not like I can hide my journal from them, you know?”
I gave a sympathetic nod. It would have been funny if the situation weren’t so serious. I’d seen Alice’s journal, including the entries made by Emily and Sue and even Liz. What was fascinating was that the handwriting was different and while one personality was right-handed, another could be a lefty. Also, each personality had a different outlook on life.
Emily’s writing was curvy with tiny circles dotting her i’s and with smiley faces waiting at the end of her sentences. Emily longed to get out more and socialize because she was extroverted. Alice’s and Sue’s handwriting were similar; very neat and precise. They both enjoyed reading and browsing in antique shops.
Liz’s strokes were large and bold because she only used a black felt-tip pen; and she spouted a lot of four-letter words and complained bitterly about the lack of fun in her life. She resented the others and often spoke about getting even, leaving me to wonder if Alice was right. Liz might just be the monster beneath the bed.
chapter 5
“Your mother called during your session with Alice and Friends,” Mona said as I stared into the back of the small refrigerator to see if I could find real food. “She said it was
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