Hannigram AU: Couple’s Therapy
“Tell me why you’re here.”
The words made Will frown, and Molly’s exasperated noise before she spoke was even worse.
“He’s not the same man I fell in love with.”
“How so?”
Molly reached for her glass of water and took a sip before she put it down. “When we were dating it was...he was so happy,” she said, shaking her head, “He smiled all the time, was affectionate, and he was...see, I didn’t know he had nightmares.”
Will felt his face turn red. He looked at their therapist, who frowned at Molly. “Lots of people have nightmares, Mrs. Graham.”
She scoffed. “Not like Will’s. He wakes up in cold sweats, screams, thrashes, and sometimes he’s even...tried to hurt me.”
“Will?”
“I...”
“I know it’s that job of his,” Molly continued, taking up her glass again, “Seeing all those terrible things everyday. But...he wasn’t like this before.”
Will watched Dr. Lecter write something down in his book. “I was,” he whispered, “But I just...”
“I thought I was marrying a good quiet guy who likes dogs and old music and...not...”
“I am all those things, Moll.”
His chest ached as she laughed.
“We’ve been married for almost a year, Will. If you were you would’ve gone back to being that guy and you’re not. You’re the Murder guy, a guy who looks at crime scene photos on our kitchen table and steals dogs when he wants to feel better about himself. You...”
“Mrs. Graham, can I interrupt?”
Will blinked back tears.
This wasn’t going to work.
They’d been arguing for months now, and dancing around the inevitable. Will wasn’t meant to live a normal life, not with anyone, and he had to stop pretending he could.
“...and I think perhaps separate sessions are in order.”
Will frowned. “Separate?”
Dr. Lecter nodded. “We need to get at the root of your individual problems before tackling your marital ones. I think two separate sessions a week for...some months is best.”
Will looked at Molly. “Moll?”
“I’m game if you are.”
“Excellent,” Dr. Lecter said, writing something down and tearing it off to hand to Molly, “give this to my receptionist and schedule your appointment Mrs, Graham. Will and I can continue without you for the remainder of this hour.”
Molly frowned. “You want to start...today?”
“I think it best.”
She shrugged at Will and left them alone a minute later. Will felt oddly relieved to have her gone.
“Now, Will...tell me why you lied to your wife.”
Will frowned. “I didn’t...”
Dr. Lecter looked down at his paper. “A good quiet guy who likes dogs and old music. You never told Molly you had violent nightmares? Never explained your work would...where is it you work?”
“I consult on murder crime scenes, I...I’m...I can see into the killers better than anyone.”
Dr. Lecter’s smile widened as he leaned back in his chair. “Can you really? That’s quite...fascinating.”
Will blinked. “Really?”
“Pure empathy is very rare. I’ve always admired those who have it and you freely using your gift to catch murderers is very admirable.”
He frowned, shaking his head. “It’s not a gift.”
“I disagree. I envy your strength to wield such a gift.”
Will leaned back in his chair suddenly feeling better than he had since they’d walked into the office. “Molly thinks it’s weird.”
“There’s no reason to feel badly for being different. It’s fine to be weird, Will. Aren’t we all?”
He laughed. “You don’t seem to be weird, Dr. Lecter.”
Dr. Lecter smiled. “You have no idea.”
