LISA
I stare at my dad in utter shock. Never in my life have I seen a real reaction on his face and now he sits before me with a true emotion. It is clear that this emotion is of pure hate toward this man. I can see that he is trying very hard to control himself but he has shown me his weakness.
"Okay dad, just tell me what is going on with this guy. Why isn't he random?"
He shakes his head and then avoids my eye contact when he says.
"That is not what is important..."
Then he looks back into my eyes and says.
"What is important is that whether my daughter is going to do what I ask or not? I am giving you the lake house. Just do this for me..."
I stare at him for a little while and then I say.
"For how long?"
"For as long as it takes for you to prove to them that he is mentally unstable"
I take my dad's hand and I can see that it is almost painful for him to take hold of my hand. He has never been a man of affection but I need him to hear me. Then I look deep into his eyes and say.
"Dad, I do not know how you can expect me to leave my practice and just pick up and leave. Who is going to look after my practice?"
"I am sure you have a doctor friend that can help you out. Please, please do this for me"
I know that Dr. Santana always said that he would like to have a practice like mine. I guess I can put him in there for a few months. I sigh loudly as I sit back in my chair. I stare at my dad who is still staring at me as if we are trying to convince each other and see who will win this match.
I guess I am going to have to do this for my dad because this random guy has been able to do something that I have not been able to do with my dad. I am a psychologist and I could never get my dad to show emotion to me.
But today that guy, that he seems to be hating with his entire heart, got my dad to break the ice around his heart and show me that he is human after all.
"Okay, dad but there is one condition"
"Yes, of course. What do you want?"
"Besides me getting the lake house, I do not want anyone to know that I am your daughter..."
"What? Why?"
"Because then the people will treat me differently and I need to be one of the soldiers. I will not be able to get to who he is if I am walking in your shadow"
"Okay, I will treat you just like any other soldier"
"Good. Now when do you want me to start then?"
"I need you there as soon as possible. Can you start on Monday?"
"Yeah, I guess I can do that"
I realize that I might have made a mistake by saying yes but for some reason, this guy intrigues me. I need to know who is the person that could get emotion out of my dad. I also like the fact that I am not seen as his daughter because I know not a lot of people like him.
I remember when I was stationed at a different base than what he was, the rumors would travel all the way back to our base about him. I did not have the best childhood and I guess that is part of the reason why the soldiers are suffering now too. He is not exactly the best person to get along with.
We spend the rest of the night talking about nothing important and then I make my way back to my apartment. I fall on my bed and then just stare at the ceiling thinking about what decision I just made. I realize that my life will change completely and most of all, I am going to have to lie to each and every soldier on base about who I am.
BRIAN
We sit down at our table in the pub and suddenly all the memories come flashing back about how we enjoy messing things up when we got drunk. I can not remember half of what I did but I do know that some of the things were the reason I was declared mentally unstable.
I had a lot of fun times and I also had some great sex with some of these girls but also got into a lot of trouble. I guess the question is if I have changed at all, nah... I do not think so. I am going to enjoy tonight and I will make sure that the girls will know me. It is not long after we sat down that one of the waitresses walk our way.
"What can I get you, boys?"
I sit back in my chair and make sure that she knows that I am looking at her entire body when I say.
"I would not mind having a piece of you..."
She smiles while biting her lip and then she walks closer to me sitting on my lap. Then she puts her hands in my hair and says.
"I do not think that you can afford me..."
I look over to Jim and I see him smiling while snapping his fingers. I love a challenge and so I put my hands on her thighs and say.
"Then, I guess I am going to have to settle for a drink"
I am sure that I see the disappointment in her eyes but she quickly stands up and still tries to smile.
"What will it be?"
"We will take two beers, please"
Then I look back and Jim while she walks away. He comes in close to me and then he says.
"What the hell man? Why did you let her go so easily?!"
I smile and then I look over to where she is ordering our drinks.
"Trust me, she will be begging for more"
Then Jim smiles and sits back in his chair while he is pointing with his finger at me.
"You...you are a man of a different brand"
I only smile at him and then the waitress return with our beers. I make sure not to look her in the eyes and then she says.
"Will that be all?"
"Yes, thank you"
I make sure not to look at her and then she stands there for another second, just hovering. I watch Jim smiling at me and then she turns around walking away. But just as she is a few tables away I say to her.
"Darling!"
She turns around smiling at me and then I say.
"Can you get us some peanuts please?"
I give her my thousand dollar smile and then she turns around looking extremely mad. I sit back and smile while I look at her body, just teasing me.