#Chapter 25 - Weakness

As I lay in bed that evening, I hear a phone ring. I glance at my bedside table, intent on ignoring it, when I realize that the screen of my cell phone remains dark. Huh? Suddenly, I realize that the tinny ringing is the old-fashioned rotary phone that I use for sessions with Victor. Shit. I head to my closet, where I’ve hidden the phone and the equipment. I pick it up on the sixth ring. “Hello?” “Hello. I apologize, I know that we don’t have an appointment tonight. I just…I needed to talk.” Victor’s voice is disguised, as always, but I can tell that he’s upset. I raise my eyebrows. That makes two of us. “It’s okay,” I say, eager to talk to him, but scrambling for the language that a regular therapist would use on such a call. “It’s going to be…an extra charge. For out-of-hours care. Is that acceptable?” “Sure, fine.” He says. “Okay. I’ll…process that with the office,” I riff, grimacing, hoping it’s the right response. “Great. I’m having some trouble,” Victor says, dismi