Chapter 56
IT’S JARRING TO SEE DR. Leto’s office packed up.
Her therapist’s work space has always been a very comfortable, informal environment, cozy and stuffed with random objects to fixate on.
Now the walls are bare, most of the furniture gone; even the colorful Turkish rug has been rolled up and taped.
It’s leaning against the wall, as tall as a person, leaving the hardwood floors bare and exposed.
All that remains is the old loveseat Barb is sitting on.
Across from her, Dr. Leto is seated on a folding chair.
From somewhere in the near-empty house, she hears Marvelous yowl. The cat sounds as mournful as Barb feels.
“Skipping town, are you?” she says, even though she already knows the answer. Her voice echoes in the room without anything to cushion it.
“Ben and I are downsizing,” Dr. Leto says, taking a sip from his tumbler. “Everything we’re taking with us is already on a moving truck on the way to the cargo ship that will bring it to our new place in Lisbon.”
She blinks. Again, even though she already knew, it’s the first time her therapist has ever alluded to being in a relationship, never mind using the word we. And he’s certainly never said his partner’s name.
“You don’t have to act surprised,” Dr. Leto says with a smile. “I know you already know I’m married, and that we’re retiring to Portugal.”
“How would I know any of that?”
“Barb.” Dr. Leto folds his hands in his lap. “I know you. You’re not comfortable opening up to someone unless you know everything about them first. I don’t have social media, but my husband does. I’m sure you found his Instagram account a long time ago.”
Busted.
“It’s fine,” he says with a chuckle. “Had you ever asked, I would have told you. It’s okay if you know things about me. Sometimes knowing a bit about your therapist’s personal life helps you understand where they’re coming from.”
Barb slumps. Reflexively her hand reaches out for Marvelous, but of course he’s not there. “When do you leave? And what about Marv?”
“We fly out tomorrow,” he replies, and she blinks again. “You’re my very last appointment. As for Marv, my sister is coming by in a little while to pick him up. You might actually run into her on your way out.”
“You’re not bringing Marv to Portugal?”
“I know, it’s awful, but he’s just too old to travel as far as we’re going. Regina will take good care of him, but she does have two dogs and . . .” The therapist sighs, the worry etched in his face.
“Okay, this is weird,” Barb says. “Obviously you’re an actual person with a family and a life outside of this room, but to me, you’ve always been this blank canvas that I can project onto.
And so the only side I know of you is the one you reflect back to me.
It’s strange to picture you with . . . more sides. ”
“Spoken like a writer,” Dr. Leto says with a smile. “So. Obviously I’ve seen some things in the news. But why don’t you catch me up?”
Barb exhales, wondering where to even begin. “You know Daniel Hawks-field was arrested for Lorelei’s murder.”
Her therapist nods.
“Since then, eight of his former students have come forward with abuse allegations, including me, Nicolette, and another friend of ours from high school,” she says.
“We’ve given our official statements to the police, and we’ll be testifying at the murder trial, assuming he doesn’t cut a deal.
I’ve heard his wife—who was one of his former students—is sticking by him, at least for now. ”
“That’s not surprising.”
“The arrest exonerates Samuel Figg of Lorelei’s murder, which of course Jana Jones is thrilled about,” Barb says. “But it ultimately doesn’t change anything for Figg because he’s still serving life sentences for the other four. And he’s got cancer.” She pauses. “I heard he’s not doing very well.”
“And you?” Dr. Leto asks. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m . . . really good, actually,” Barb says, and smiles. “I finally finished my novel. It’s with my agent. Of course I have no idea what will come of it.”
“But you finished.” Her therapist seems genuinely delighted. “That’s a huge accomplishment all by itself. Congratulations, I knew you could do it.”
“Thanks,” Barb says, feeling pleased that he’s pleased. “Oh, and Ray told me that Nicolette is planning to come back to Seaside after rehab. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m looking forward to having her around. As much as she pisses me off, she’s the closest thing I have to a sister.”
Dr. Leto smiles and nods.
“And Cam and I are . . .” She hesitates, dropping her gaze.
“Barb, are you blushing?”
“No,” she says, even though she can totally feel the heat in her cheeks.
“His other relationship didn’t work out.
And maybe everything that happened brought us closer together, and so we’ve been .
. . hanging out. It’s . . . nice. I guess I’m just trying to let things happen without getting in my own way.
” She finally looks up again. “But I do like him. I like him a lot.”
Dr. Leto isn’t just smiling now, he’s grinning. “I’m thrilled for you. I’m really proud of you, Barb.” He pauses. “I’ve asked you this before, but did you want me to refer you to another therapist? I do have someone in mind if you’re interested.”
Before Barb can answer, a Siamese cat walks into the room, tail swishing, announcing his entrance with a loud meow. Heading straight for Barb, Marvelous jumps up onto her lap and starts purring.
“You know, I think I’m okay,” Barb says, stroking Marv’s fur. “I actually had something else in mind that I think might be really therapeutic.”
* * *
Turning on the TV, Barb settles into the sofa and clicks on the Quan app. Criminal Confessions: The Carnival Killer is the first show that pops up on the home page, which makes sense as it’s currently number one on this week’s new releases. She presses play and takes a deep breath.
The first episode begins with Samuel Figg introducing himself, same as he did in the first trailer.
“My name is Samuel Figg. I’m fifty-four years old and I was born in a small town in Arkansas I guarantee you never heard of.”
The show’s standard intro begins. Eerie music, generic prison footage, producer credit for Jana Jones.
Four hours and two bags of Cheetos later later, the final episode is over.
As irritating as Jana Jones has been, the young producer has done a good job with the docuseries—it was detailed but well-paced, engrossing but not gratuitous, and the facts and timelines for all of Figg’s crimes were made clear.
And Figg himself had made an interesting subject.
He’d managed to come across as both weary and charming, with only occasional moments of bravado.
Had it not hit so close to home, Barb would have given the season a solid B-plus.
When the screen cuts to black, the docuseries finishes with a note.
DANIEL HAWKSFIELD, A TEACHER AT SEASIDE HIGH, HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR THE MURDER OF LORELEI GLASS.
SAMUEL FIGG DIED OF LUNG CANCER FOUR DAYS AFTER HIS FINAL INTERVIEW.
Barb exhales.
From somewhere in the house, she hears a meow.
Her new roommate has finally ventured out from wherever he was hiding, and a moment later, he enters the living room cautiously.
When he reaches Barb, he sniffs her hand, and allows himself to be picked up and placed on the sofa beside her.
She strokes his fur gently until he calms down. Usually it’s the other way around.
“It’s okay, Marv, you’re safe,” she says as he finally begins to purr. “You live here now, and word has it I’m the cat whisperer.”