Post by drewdangerous on Jul 7, 2021 15:31:37 GMT -5
Tick…tock…tick…tock…the ticking from the old grandfather clock directly behind Drew Dangerous played over and over again in his head as the mechanism and gears worked to count every second. He tightened his grip on the arms of the chair he was sitting in as he grinded his teeth attempting to drown out the repetitive noise.
”Mr. Dangerous, are you okay?”
Finally salvation echoed in his ears as the sweet and warm feminine voice over powered the clocks relentless power over him. His grip slightly loosened from the arms of the chair as he adjusted himself sitting up straight and bringing his hands to his lap. His posture was perfect, it was obvious that even with his rough and rugged demeanor that he had spent time in the military.
”Honestly? This isn’t easy, but Level Up insisted that before I performed in ring that I saw a psychiatrist.”
”Well I am not a psychiatrist Mr. Dangerous, I’m a therapist. A psychiatrist relies on medicine, things like anit-depressants to alleviate symptoms. Therapist like myself we offer counseling specific to the patients needs.”
Drew could feel sweat beginning to form across his forehead, even though the room was cool from the air conditioning blasting heavily throughout the room. He had avoided been through counseling during his time in the military, but always felt they were there simply for money and not to actually help. Even after he had been medically discharged nearly two years earlier he continued to avoid making appointments even when the VA offices called insisting he did. It wasn’t uncommon for veterans to avoid therapist and psychologist, it made them feel weak and useless, as if they were not in control of their own life. However, it was one of the reason veteran deaths by suicide were so high.
”And what do you specialize in?”
The therapist slowly crossed her legs smiling at Drew as she nibbled on the end of her pin, holding a pad of paper in her opposite hand. There was no denying she was stunningly beautiful. Her clothing seemed like something out of a different era, possibly the 1950’s even though she was maybe a year or two older than Drew. Her frame was small, but he could tell she was stronger than she seemed, and by the tone of her arms and lower half of her legs visible from her skirt he could tell she hit the gym regularly. He scanned her left hand surprised to see no ring, not even a tan line from one and obvious sign she more than likely wasn’t married. However, Drew could also tell that she was lonely, the different colored cat hairs on her cardigan showed that she owned several cats, but it could have also been a sign that she was clingy and had a difficult time keeping a man so began hoarding cats to fill the void in her life.
”I actually specialize in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or now more commonly known as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. It’s common in military veterans like yourself that have been deployed overseas and witnessed or done things that are hard to cope with. You may be a challenge though.”
Drew frowned as he let out a small huff giving a look of disapproval.
”And what makes you think that, Miss?”
”Dr. Penny Thompkins.”
She said flashing a smile as she stretched her arm forward extending her hand out. Drew didn’t smile back feeling slightly insulted by her comment, but shook her hand regardless.
”I’m sorry I think you may have misconstrued what I meant. I wasn’t implying that you would be difficult because of what you have went through or the notes I have on you. I was simply saying you would be difficult because I have noticed you studying me the minute I sat down. Usually patients like you are more difficult simply because as I am trying to evaluate you, you’re doing the same with me.”
Drew slightly nodded his head with a crooked smile. She was obviously smarter than he had originally thought. He had seen several different doctors over the years, but none as astute as her. His crooked smile faded as she sat quietly in her chair staring at him rolling the tip of the pin across her bottom lip. One of her fingers on the opposite hand tapped gently on the pad of paper sitting in her lap. Drew eyes slightly squinted and he became uncomfortable hearing the sound over and over again ringing through his ears.
”Interesting.”
”What’s interesting?”
Dr. Penny Thompkins stopped tapping her finger and scribbled some notes down on the pad of paper.
”First the clock behind you, then me tapping my finger. At first I assumed you were sensitive to sound, maybe due to an IED or a VBID. But it isn’t the sound at all, it’s the repetition isn’t it?”
Drew didn’t respond, but his facial expressions let Dr. Penny Thompkins she was right.
”It’s called Misophonia, or Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome.”
”Jesus Christ lady, how many disorders or syndromes are you going to diagnose me with?
Dr. Penny Thompkins let out a small chuckle as she shook her head.
”I know it seems like I am being a little unfair, but it is my job to diagnose you as best I can. Level Up Wrestling might pay me to clear their in ring talent, but at the end of the day no one steps inside the ring for competition unless I have cleared them. I don’t allow money to influence my judgement in any way shape or form. I will always be honest with you and with management, but I expect the same in return. I’m not here to sugar coat things for you Mr. Dangerous, I’m here to help you.”
”Drew..”
”Excuse me?”
”Drew….please call me Drew.”
Dr. Penny Thompkins smiled, as she wrote more notes down on her pad of paper.
”Now we are starting somewhere. Please feel free to call me Penny, I think first name basis are important to help us be more comfortable with one another.”
”I agree.”
”Now I see in my notes you are the son of Dominic Dambrosio. I find it odd that you chose the path of a soldier in the army, versus joining the family business?”
Drew adjusted himself in his chair, the topic of his father was one he didn’t like to speak about to people he didn’t know. His father had fled Italy when Drew was a baby, their family finally settling in New York only for his father to continue his lifestyle as a mafioso crime boss.
”Why do you say that?”
”Well it’s no secret that he is the head of one of the most powerful crime families in New York City. I just assumed you would follow in his footsteps, but you chose to protect your country instead”
Drew didn’t reply to Dr. Penny Thompkins, he had always been told by his father to never discuss family business publicly with anyone.
”We don’t have to discuss it if you don’t want to, but I do believe it would be a path worth venturing down at a later time during therapy. Just remember what is discussed here is doctor patient confidentiality. I am not allowed to discuss anything with anyone else unless it is in regards to something criminal you personally have done.”
”I prefer not to.”
Dr. Penny Thompkins smiled as she grabbed a bottle of water off of the coffee table that separated them. She twisted the cap off and lifted it to her mouth taking a small sip, then placed it on a coaster on the coffee table.
”Fair enough. If you don’t want to discuss your family, why don’t we discuss what you did in the army. I see you served with the 160th Special Operations Nightstalker’s. I looked up your old unit and I was very impressed. They are the best aviation unit across the entire military, and I saw that multiple different schoolings were required in order just to be one of these elite soldiers. Your DD214 shows you went to basic training in Fort Jackson South Caroline, then AIT in Fort Lee Virginian, followed by Green Platoon in Fort Campbell Kentucky until finally being stationed at Fort Lewis Washington. However, your training didn’t stop there, seems like SERE School, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Dunker School were also requirements. Quite an extensive list, you must be proud of your accomplishments.”
”Why would I be proud of any of that?”
”Well because many might now have had the mentality to make it through all those schools and courses without buckling under the pressure. Not to mention the multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan on top of it.”
”It was my job, there is nothing impressive about it to be honest.”
”Have you always done that?”
Drew looked at Dr. Penny Thompkins with confusion.
”Done what?”
”Have you always undervalued yourself. Personally I think you might be underestimating yourself and what you have accomplished.”
”The military was a contract, I didn’t have a choice. If I was told to do something I did it, not much different than the contract I have signed with Level Up Wrestling. They are my boss, when they tell me something I do it, simple as that.”
”Well your file says differently. You were often insubordinate and questioned authority. A few Article 15’s as well.”
Drew clenched his jaw and rolled his eyes as he let out a sarcastic laugh.
”I’ve read my files, and it’s bullshit.”
”Care to explain?”
”Gladly. You see the military calls you insubordinate when you question idiotic officers. Have you ever heard the old saying, “It’s hard to lead a cavalry charge when you think you look funny on a horse?” These so called leaders were more focused on what upper brass thought, rather than doing the right thing. When you talk to a commanding officer you shouldn’t feel like they are important, you should get the feeling that they think your important and your advice matters. Their job was to lead men and women through a battlefield, but it was me and other lower enlisted that did that for them while they took all the credit. There is only so much of that you can take until you can’t bottle it up anymore.”
”So your saying your file is wrong, that you don’t have a problem with authority of leadership.”
”I’m not saying that at all. I’m simply saying that I don’t have a problem with leadership when they make decisions based on everyone and not just themselves.”
”I couldn’t agree more. However, this discussion will have to continue another time. I am afraid this was more of a casual meet and greet before I took you on as a patient. My next appointment is in five minutes, but if you do plan on competing for Level Up Wrestling you will have to see me again. That is non negotiable by the higher ups.”
”I understand, but are you going to clear me to compete?”
”For now yes. You must know though, that if you miss even one appointment then I will be forced to inform management you are not fit to compete. Fair enough?”
”Fair enough.”
Dr. Penny Thompkins sat her pad of paper on the coffee table and stood up smiling as she extended her hand once more.
”Just stop my secretaries desk on your way out and she will schedule you your next appointment. And good luck, I can’t wait to see how you do during your debut match.”
”Mr. Dangerous, are you okay?”
Finally salvation echoed in his ears as the sweet and warm feminine voice over powered the clocks relentless power over him. His grip slightly loosened from the arms of the chair as he adjusted himself sitting up straight and bringing his hands to his lap. His posture was perfect, it was obvious that even with his rough and rugged demeanor that he had spent time in the military.
”Honestly? This isn’t easy, but Level Up insisted that before I performed in ring that I saw a psychiatrist.”
”Well I am not a psychiatrist Mr. Dangerous, I’m a therapist. A psychiatrist relies on medicine, things like anit-depressants to alleviate symptoms. Therapist like myself we offer counseling specific to the patients needs.”
Drew could feel sweat beginning to form across his forehead, even though the room was cool from the air conditioning blasting heavily throughout the room. He had avoided been through counseling during his time in the military, but always felt they were there simply for money and not to actually help. Even after he had been medically discharged nearly two years earlier he continued to avoid making appointments even when the VA offices called insisting he did. It wasn’t uncommon for veterans to avoid therapist and psychologist, it made them feel weak and useless, as if they were not in control of their own life. However, it was one of the reason veteran deaths by suicide were so high.
”And what do you specialize in?”
The therapist slowly crossed her legs smiling at Drew as she nibbled on the end of her pin, holding a pad of paper in her opposite hand. There was no denying she was stunningly beautiful. Her clothing seemed like something out of a different era, possibly the 1950’s even though she was maybe a year or two older than Drew. Her frame was small, but he could tell she was stronger than she seemed, and by the tone of her arms and lower half of her legs visible from her skirt he could tell she hit the gym regularly. He scanned her left hand surprised to see no ring, not even a tan line from one and obvious sign she more than likely wasn’t married. However, Drew could also tell that she was lonely, the different colored cat hairs on her cardigan showed that she owned several cats, but it could have also been a sign that she was clingy and had a difficult time keeping a man so began hoarding cats to fill the void in her life.
”I actually specialize in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or now more commonly known as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. It’s common in military veterans like yourself that have been deployed overseas and witnessed or done things that are hard to cope with. You may be a challenge though.”
Drew frowned as he let out a small huff giving a look of disapproval.
”And what makes you think that, Miss?”
”Dr. Penny Thompkins.”
She said flashing a smile as she stretched her arm forward extending her hand out. Drew didn’t smile back feeling slightly insulted by her comment, but shook her hand regardless.
”I’m sorry I think you may have misconstrued what I meant. I wasn’t implying that you would be difficult because of what you have went through or the notes I have on you. I was simply saying you would be difficult because I have noticed you studying me the minute I sat down. Usually patients like you are more difficult simply because as I am trying to evaluate you, you’re doing the same with me.”
Drew slightly nodded his head with a crooked smile. She was obviously smarter than he had originally thought. He had seen several different doctors over the years, but none as astute as her. His crooked smile faded as she sat quietly in her chair staring at him rolling the tip of the pin across her bottom lip. One of her fingers on the opposite hand tapped gently on the pad of paper sitting in her lap. Drew eyes slightly squinted and he became uncomfortable hearing the sound over and over again ringing through his ears.
”Interesting.”
”What’s interesting?”
Dr. Penny Thompkins stopped tapping her finger and scribbled some notes down on the pad of paper.
”First the clock behind you, then me tapping my finger. At first I assumed you were sensitive to sound, maybe due to an IED or a VBID. But it isn’t the sound at all, it’s the repetition isn’t it?”
Drew didn’t respond, but his facial expressions let Dr. Penny Thompkins she was right.
”It’s called Misophonia, or Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome.”
”Jesus Christ lady, how many disorders or syndromes are you going to diagnose me with?
Dr. Penny Thompkins let out a small chuckle as she shook her head.
”I know it seems like I am being a little unfair, but it is my job to diagnose you as best I can. Level Up Wrestling might pay me to clear their in ring talent, but at the end of the day no one steps inside the ring for competition unless I have cleared them. I don’t allow money to influence my judgement in any way shape or form. I will always be honest with you and with management, but I expect the same in return. I’m not here to sugar coat things for you Mr. Dangerous, I’m here to help you.”
”Drew..”
”Excuse me?”
”Drew….please call me Drew.”
Dr. Penny Thompkins smiled, as she wrote more notes down on her pad of paper.
”Now we are starting somewhere. Please feel free to call me Penny, I think first name basis are important to help us be more comfortable with one another.”
”I agree.”
”Now I see in my notes you are the son of Dominic Dambrosio. I find it odd that you chose the path of a soldier in the army, versus joining the family business?”
Drew adjusted himself in his chair, the topic of his father was one he didn’t like to speak about to people he didn’t know. His father had fled Italy when Drew was a baby, their family finally settling in New York only for his father to continue his lifestyle as a mafioso crime boss.
”Why do you say that?”
”Well it’s no secret that he is the head of one of the most powerful crime families in New York City. I just assumed you would follow in his footsteps, but you chose to protect your country instead”
Drew didn’t reply to Dr. Penny Thompkins, he had always been told by his father to never discuss family business publicly with anyone.
”We don’t have to discuss it if you don’t want to, but I do believe it would be a path worth venturing down at a later time during therapy. Just remember what is discussed here is doctor patient confidentiality. I am not allowed to discuss anything with anyone else unless it is in regards to something criminal you personally have done.”
”I prefer not to.”
Dr. Penny Thompkins smiled as she grabbed a bottle of water off of the coffee table that separated them. She twisted the cap off and lifted it to her mouth taking a small sip, then placed it on a coaster on the coffee table.
”Fair enough. If you don’t want to discuss your family, why don’t we discuss what you did in the army. I see you served with the 160th Special Operations Nightstalker’s. I looked up your old unit and I was very impressed. They are the best aviation unit across the entire military, and I saw that multiple different schoolings were required in order just to be one of these elite soldiers. Your DD214 shows you went to basic training in Fort Jackson South Caroline, then AIT in Fort Lee Virginian, followed by Green Platoon in Fort Campbell Kentucky until finally being stationed at Fort Lewis Washington. However, your training didn’t stop there, seems like SERE School, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Dunker School were also requirements. Quite an extensive list, you must be proud of your accomplishments.”
”Why would I be proud of any of that?”
”Well because many might now have had the mentality to make it through all those schools and courses without buckling under the pressure. Not to mention the multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan on top of it.”
”It was my job, there is nothing impressive about it to be honest.”
”Have you always done that?”
Drew looked at Dr. Penny Thompkins with confusion.
”Done what?”
”Have you always undervalued yourself. Personally I think you might be underestimating yourself and what you have accomplished.”
”The military was a contract, I didn’t have a choice. If I was told to do something I did it, not much different than the contract I have signed with Level Up Wrestling. They are my boss, when they tell me something I do it, simple as that.”
”Well your file says differently. You were often insubordinate and questioned authority. A few Article 15’s as well.”
Drew clenched his jaw and rolled his eyes as he let out a sarcastic laugh.
”I’ve read my files, and it’s bullshit.”
”Care to explain?”
”Gladly. You see the military calls you insubordinate when you question idiotic officers. Have you ever heard the old saying, “It’s hard to lead a cavalry charge when you think you look funny on a horse?” These so called leaders were more focused on what upper brass thought, rather than doing the right thing. When you talk to a commanding officer you shouldn’t feel like they are important, you should get the feeling that they think your important and your advice matters. Their job was to lead men and women through a battlefield, but it was me and other lower enlisted that did that for them while they took all the credit. There is only so much of that you can take until you can’t bottle it up anymore.”
”So your saying your file is wrong, that you don’t have a problem with authority of leadership.”
”I’m not saying that at all. I’m simply saying that I don’t have a problem with leadership when they make decisions based on everyone and not just themselves.”
”I couldn’t agree more. However, this discussion will have to continue another time. I am afraid this was more of a casual meet and greet before I took you on as a patient. My next appointment is in five minutes, but if you do plan on competing for Level Up Wrestling you will have to see me again. That is non negotiable by the higher ups.”
”I understand, but are you going to clear me to compete?”
”For now yes. You must know though, that if you miss even one appointment then I will be forced to inform management you are not fit to compete. Fair enough?”
”Fair enough.”
Dr. Penny Thompkins sat her pad of paper on the coffee table and stood up smiling as she extended her hand once more.
”Just stop my secretaries desk on your way out and she will schedule you your next appointment. And good luck, I can’t wait to see how you do during your debut match.”