4 sessions tells the story of a delusional and man-eating woman who finally sees a therapist. After going through four sessions of therapy, Paula the therapist goes on the hunt for her own therapist.

Session 1

I stood outside the mundane office building. Autumn leaves fell all around me, reminding me that I now live in Asheville, North Carolina, not Florida. 

“Michelle? Hi, I’m Paula, your new therapist. It’s nice to meet you, come on in,” Paula greeted me. She began by asking about my work and family life. “I’m a chemist, I work over at UNC Asheville.”

“Do you have a significant other?” Paula questioned. 

“No, I just broke up with my boyfriend,” I answered, annoyed. Paula asks why. “Jane, my sister, would tell me to.” This lady asked why again, what a stupid question. “That’s a stupid question,” I voiced my thoughts. 

“What would you like to talk about?” My therapist finally asked a good question. 

“I don’t know, honestly, I only came because of Janey.”

“Would you like to talk about your sister?”
“Oh, Janey, such a sweetheart. The best sister and friend.”

 Paula and I discussed some more things that will remain between us, things you guys won’t be hearing about. 

I ended the session with a question, “So Paula, what do you think is wrong with me?”

“I would refrain from saying something is “wrong with you,” but we should work on your lack of remorse and empathy towards men, your attachment to your sister, and your impulsivity.” Paula’s answer pissed me off. 

Session 2

One more session with Paula couldn’t hurt, so I didn’t cancel my next appointment. I waited outside the haunted building for five minutes. I felt the glass on the tall structure in front of me laugh at me. Paula stared at me patiently, as if she could sit there for hours until I broke. I won’t break though, no one can break me.

 “What did you do this past week?” 

“I was supposed to get drinks with this guy, but he canceled on me at the last minute. Said something about his dog needing to go to the vet. What a bad excuse, right? Anyway, I burned his car down and smashed it with a baseball bat. That’s what he deserves for being a trash guy. Imagine how he’s treated other girls. I’m just avenging them.” Paula didn’t react, she looked up from her clipboard, cool as a cucumber.

“Do you do things like this often?” 

“When he deserves it, yes.” 

Session 3

I headed into the building at 6:20, no longer lingering in the parking lot where the office building mocked me.

“Paula, I have some news that will excite you, I met someone. He’s super sweet and respectful. I think things will end better than they have.” For the first time, I sense an emotion in Paula, and it’s nervousness. 

“Are you sure you’re ready for a new relationship? It seems like you’ve spent the past year serial dating and heartbreaking.”

“That won’t happen with Ryan; he’s a good guy.” I quickly changed the conversation, “ I think I’m going to move apartments, yeah, let me text my real estate agent,” 

“That was a quick decision.”
“I don’t want to live at The Cascade forever.”

“I understand, but it seemed to be an impulsive choice.
“I was trying to change the subject, which a good therapist would’ve been able to detect.

“What’re you going to do after the session?”
“I have plans with Ryan, your favorite person. He’s honestly not a big deal. I’m thinking more about Jane’s birthday tomorrow.”

“How are you planning on celebrating her birthday?”

“I normally spend the day at her grave, saying all the things I would tell her if she were here. I miss Jane, she didn’t deserve that ending.”

“Do you feel like you did her justice with Doug?” Paula questions. I’m going to be honest; I don’t know the answer. 

Session 4

This Tuesday at 6:15 pm, I rushed into Paula’s building. I banged on the wooden door that read “Dr. Paula Agard – Occupational Therapist.” 

“Michelle! You’re early, no problem, come on in,” Paula welcomed me in, no surprise shown on her tan face. 

“Paula, he is a dirtbag. You were so right,” I announce. 

“What happened?”

“I saw a text from another girl on his phone!” 

“Michelle, you’re overreacting. There’s no proof that he’s cheating on you. You’re applying your past experiences to a different situation.” Paula scribbled on her clipboard furiously. 

“What aren’t you understanding? All guys are the same.” 

“You have this idea that every guy is like Doug and is harmful, but that’s not true. You have a pattern of going overboard in these circumstances. Are you going to be okay? 

… 

Later that night, Paula lay across the brown couch in her office, resting her head on a bundle of throw pillows. She scrolled through the news on her MacBook, occasionally pushing her glasses up. Suddenly she shifted to an upright position. The news article on her screen read, “10 DEAD BODIES FOUND IN THE DUMPSTER OF THE CASCADE.”

“Oh no, not again,” Paula’s words echoed throughout her corner office. 

Process

I was inspired to write because I love mystery and stories about craziness in the world. I wanted to create a piece of work that shocked people and also portrayed the consequences of wronging a crazy girl. I ended up cutting the story from 2500 words to 850 words with the original version being titled “5 Sessions.”