Read Online The Banishing by Fiona Dodwell - Free Book Online Page A

watching as the sun sent shadows scattering across the lawn outside, feeling the warm rays penetrate the office, sending heat across her skin. Lately, there had been nothing but rain, but today was turning into a beautiful day.
    “It’s my husband,” she said at last, desperate to say what she needed to say, wanting to get it out of the way. “He has changed a lot over the past year, but it’s becoming more extreme as time goes on. I’m worried about him.”
    Josh nodded. Sitting back in his chair, he folded his hands in his lap. He looked relaxed, open, even interested. “How so?”
    “We moved into our house about a year ago. It was then that things changed, but it was nothing major at first. Initially, he just started becoming stressed, agitated, and frustrated at silly things.”
    “And now?”
    “Now, he has more of a temper. Small things set him off. He gets angry really quickly. It’s not like him at all. He used to be so laid back, placid, a gentle soul.”
    “How long have you known him?”
    Melissa paused, thinking back. “Just under six years, now.”
    “No sign of a temper before?” Josh asked.
    Melissa shook her head no. “Not at all. He was the most easy-going person you could imagine. Now, he’s on edge all of the time.”
    Josh leaned forward again, nodding. “Nothing in particular seems to get his temper going?”
    “No. It could be anything.” Actually, it seems to be me. Anything I do.
    Josh fell silent, running a hand through his thick, dark hair. “There’s more?”
    It felt like an accusation. Melissa felt her heart thud. It felt heavy in her chest, like a trapped bird in a cage, beating to get out. She knew then that she couldn’t mention the violence. It just didn’t feel right to tell a stranger this. Despite his promise to keep everything confidential, she wondered if he would abide by that if he knew her husband had beat her, raped her. Didn’t Josh, as a professional, have a duty of care? Maybe he did, but right now she wasn’t his patient. Confused, Melissa decided she would not venture in that direction.
    “The thing that has bothered me the most,” Melissa said, still fiddling with her silver wedding band, “is that he has been sort of…talking to himself.”
    Josh raised his eyebrows. “I assume this is something new?”
    Melissa nodded. “Yeah, and it’s not normal. I mean, I have gone into a room before, and he’ll be talking to himself, but lately he seems mentally far away, like I couldn’t get his attention even if I hit him. He seems distant.”
    “What sorts of things does he talk about, to himself?”
    Melissa swallowed hard. Didn’t know what to say. “Weird things. It kind of freaks me out. Weird things like he can actually hear a voice, like he is responding. The other day, he said ‘yes’ in agreement to something, then said he would do as he was told, and it really just spooked me.”
    Josh nodded, smiling that warm, reassuring smile. “Can I ask, Melissa, if there is any history of mental illness in your husband’s family?”
    Melissa shook her head “no”. “He has no siblings, but his parents are healthy, together people. They’ve never had that kind of illness. Not sure about his grandparents, but his parents are definitely the full ticket.”
    Josh laughed. “Not many of us are the full ticket. Sometimes, I wonder about my own sanity.” He was trying to lighten the mood. Despite the warm sun pouring in through the large, double windows, a dark cloud seemed to have shifted across the room, darkening the atmosphere.
    Melissa inched forward on the chair. “Josh, what can it be? Can you tell me that? I’m worried about him. It’s just not him, not like him at all. Do you have any idea what it could be or how I could help him? I’m scared of losing him.”
    Josh walked around to the front of his desk, leaned against it, and placed his hand on Melissa’s shoulder. “I want to help you, okay? I have to be totally honest with you. I