The air was crisp, a completely different feel from the stale air in Chicago. Jason held Julia's hand tightly as they wandered through downtown Denver, taking in a few sights before heading off to Marek's office. The two of them desperately needed this alone time.

Their daughter stayed with Julia's mother. The two of them were like peas in a pod. Whenever Jason and Julia returned from a trip their daughter would cry incessantly knowing that her vacation was also over. She didn't want to leave. Jason was never jealous. The more people Samantha had that made her feel loved and safe, the better.

"Thanks for allowing me to do this."

"You're thanking me?" Julia asked, annoyed. "I'm not your boss, you know. You have a mind of your own."

I was confused. Julia would always tell me what to do, how to do it, and when it should be done. However, she hated being reminded how controlling she could be. She wanted me to, at the very least, pretend that I had free will. From what my few buddies had privately told me, every single woman was like that, so I never let it bother me....very much.

"I know," I replied. "I guess what I wanted to say was, thank you for coming with me. It means a lot."

"Of course. I wouldn't be anywhere else." Julia squeezed my hand. It was one of her many ways to say I love you.

We arrived at Marek's building. His office was on the top floor of one of Denver's tallest office towers. The lobby had a white marble floor and stainless steel pillars that held up the thirty-foot-high ceiling. The walls were glass. I didn't have to ask where the elevators were. Four round glass elevators were directly in the middle of the building, with one opening in each direction. And finally, in front of the elevators were four stainless steel security desks. Julia was in awe.

"I love minimalist, but this takes it in a whole new direction. There isn't even a chair here." Julia paused. "I love this place. It's beautiful, but at the same time, it says; Go about your business. This isn't a museum or a coffee shop."

"Who are you here to see?" One of the security guards called out.

"Marked, the.."

"Oh, the mad scientist," the guard interrupted.

"The psychiatrist," I replied, feeling a twinge in my throat.

"Nah..you'll see. Take this pass and flash it in front of the screen in the elevator. It's the only way you can to the fifty-second floor. No buttons to press."

"Thank you." What had I gotten myself into, Jason wondered, nervously.

Julia grabbed my hand and pulled me into the elevator. The numbers went up to fifty-one. Jason waved the pass in front of the black screen, and fifty-two lit up. And then came lift off. This building was known for having the fastest elevator in all of Colorado. Jason felt like he was in a silver bullet, and not just because Denver was the home of Coors beer.

They exited the elevator. Marek's office was directly across the hall. It was the only office that wasn't see-through with clear glass. His was frosted.

"He must charge a bloody fortune," Julia commented as they walked in.

🏔️

"I hope your wife understands why she can't be in the room with us," Marek told Jason in a calm voice.

"I'm sure she does. I think it's more about her not trusting anyone who claims they know how the mind works, or how to heal it."

"Who said either of those things?" Marek replied. "Anybody who says they know how the mind works is a charlatan. Psychiatry is about taking our best guess and hoping we're right. We aren't even certain why some medications prove to be helpful."

"I beg you, please don't say any of that to Julia." Marek smiled.

"Let's get to work here. Eva filled me in on parts of the story. Is there more I should know about?"

"I'm losing my mind, Doc. I'm thinking about a girl I met in my youth. I'm driving into trucks. I'm beyond nuts. I'm even hearing voices. I'm actually crazy. And I can't tell my wife any of it. Imagine how that conversation would go."

"Say no more." Marek took a deep breath, then exhaled."Women."

"First of all, you're not crazy until I say you're crazy. And you don't sound crazy. Are you hearing voices? Whoops, you just told me you do."

"Do you feel a compulsion to hurt yourself or someone else?"

"I'm no longer suicidal, if that's what you're asking, and no, not once have I ever thought about hurting someone else."

"Good to hear. Do you go somewhere and then forget how you arrived?"

"No."

"If you could be any breakfast cereal, what would you choose?"

Jason didn't know if he should he laugh or answer. "What?"

"Come on, just answer the question."

Jason thought for a moment. "Oatmeal," he finally replied.

"You could have chosen any sugary cereal. Fruit Loops, Lucky Charms, Count Chocula, my personal favourite, yet you chose Oatmeal. I've concluded that you are crazy. And that's my diagnosis. I'll call Eva now and send you home with meds."

"Excuse me?"

Mark leaned back in his black leather chair and laughed. "Did you believe it would be that simple?"

"I had no idea."

"I have to be honest, that was the first time I ever had someone say oatmeal."

"Do you ask that to all your patients?"

"Always. I have two reasons. It catches them off guard which usually helps them relax."

"And the second reason?"

"I enjoy watching people's dumbfounded looks. It amuses me. I may even write a book about it. Breakfast Psychiatry - What You're Cereal of Choice Says About You."

"Okay," Jason replied as if to say, I'm here with a crazy person. I'm going to have to seriously lie to Julia about today's session, he realized.

"Back to the oatmeal. Close your eyes and describe it to me."

"Is this still you amusing yourself at my expense?"

"No. We're doing real psychiatry now."

Jason closed his eyes and pictured the bowl of oatmeal. "It's very thick. It's in a fancy bowl, ceramic I think."

"What else?"

"There's a dollop of butter and brown sugar on top."

"Have you ever eaten it that way?"

"With brown sugar, yes. Butter, no."

"Then why are you picturing it like that?"

"I don't know. What do you think?"

"I think every answer leads to more questions."

⛰️

Jason & Julia left shortly afterwards. Of course, Jason lied about the session. Evidently, he did a brilliant job because she was excited for Jason to return tomorrow.

After returning to the hotel Jason went for a walk. He needed to clear his head. And then he called Eva, as promised. Told her about the day's events. To Eva, Jason told the absolute truth about his season.

Eva was mortified. She didn't tell him, but this wasn't what she wanted Marek to do. Jason needed real help. To Eva, Marek was doing the same thing she could have done.

"Jason, I'm going to fly out to Denver. If it's alright with you I'd like to sit in on your session."

"Of course," replied Jason. "May I ask why?"

"I haven't seen Marek in years. This feels like the perfect excuse."

👨‍👧

"There's nothing better than father-daughter time," Tom told Jessica. She was their oldest. They didn't see much of each other since she started university in Denver. The suburbs might sound close but it really isn't for someone like Jessica who didn't drive. Public transit was wonderful in the city core. The outskirts...not so much.

"Remember, this is a shopping trip. I need clothes. I can't keep showing up to rehearsals wearing the same three sweaters."

"I get it. I won't embarrass you. Just pretend I'm mommy."

"I miss her," Jessica said to her dad. "I can't wait til she's all better. We're performing Back To The Future in three weeks. If she's not there, well, I need her to be there."

Tom took Jessica by the arm and turned her towards him.

"You know she'll do her best."

Smack..Tom walked right into another guy, nearly knocking him to the ground.

"Are you alright?" Jessica asked. "This was my fault. I distracted my dad."

Jessica looked at Tom. "See? This is why I need Mom. I can't take you anywhere." Tom smirked.

Tom stared at the guy he'd run into. He noticed his long black leather jacket, his perfectly coiffed hair, the expensive watch on his wrist and his pretty boy face. This is the exact type of guy I'd have picked on in high school, Tom told himself. I loathe the wealthy yahoos that walk around pretending they own everything. I'm glad I bumped into him. Should have knocked him down.

"Dad, aren't you going to apologize?"

"Right. Completely forgot." Tom was resentful that his daughter demanded he say anything to this man. "Sorry."

"Forget it about it," the man replied.

Tom heard his words but they felt insincere, however, he wasn't going to stick around to ask.

🏩

"How was your walk?" Julia asked Jason.

"I love it here. The air is so...breathable."

"I know what you mean."

"Some large dude walked right into me. Funny thing is, it was his daughter who made him apologize."

"Sounds like back home to me. Minus the apology."