It is Tuesday afternoon which means that Abigail should be going to her weekly appointment with Rick Tanner, PhD at Good Samaritan Clinic. However, today Abigail just isn’t feeling like talking to anyone. So, being the good friend that she is, Lucy has chosen to attend the appointment with Dr. Tanner in Abigail’s place. This will not be new to Dr. Tanner since Lucy and Evelyn share these appointments with Abigail all the time.
Today, Lucy is discussing Abigail’s last couple of days with the psychologist, explaining why Abigail has once again decided not to attend her appointment.
“Well, Abigail’s uncle came by again. And, like always, he made her very sad after dinner.” explained Lucy.
“How did Abigail deal with this most recent visit with her uncle? I taught her some self-defense techniques during our last appointment. Do you know if she used them?” said Dr. Smith.
“What does self depends taqueeks mean?” asked Lucy in her innocent, young voice.
“They are ways that someone can use to fight off big meanies that are trying to hurt you.” explained Dr. Smith, smiling.
“ Oh! Ok. Nope, she didn’t. He was bigger than her and she was stuck in a corner in the basement and she couldn’t get out. She knew no one would hear her scream. I told her to kick and hit him but whenever I try to tell her what to do, she gets those bad headaches and she can’t think. So I tried to save her but she didn’t let me.”
“Well at least you tried Lucy. That’s all that matters.” said Dr. Tanner. Lucy smiled with pride.
“Speaking of headaches, has Abigail been getting a lot of those lately?”
“No, not really. Me and Evelyn--she lets me call her Evie!--have been helpin’ with that. I think that Abby is gonna get real sad soon. So, like we always have to, we’re probably gonna have to help her. But maybe not though.” said Lucy.
“I am very proud of that you two you are helping her. Well, that’s all the time we have for today, Lucy. I need to see all three of you soon, ok? I have seen you a lot and a little bit of Evelyn but not so much of Abigail. Do you think she will be available soon?” asked the doctor.
“I don’t know, maybe. I’m gonna go see her later. I will tell her to come see you! Thank you Doctor!”
“See you later, Lucy!” Lucy walked out of Dr. Smith’s office, heading for the front door. The young receptionist reached into the candy container on top of her desk and said, “Here is a strawberry Dum- Dum for you Abigail. You look so cute in your pigtails and bows!”
“Ms. Kline, I am not Abby! I am Lucy!”
“Oh I’m sorry sweetie. I always get you two confused.”
“Oh don’t worry Ms. Kline! Thanks for the lollipop! See you soon!” Lucy responded as she skipped out the door on her way to the grocery store while sucking on her lollipop. She continued down the street, memorizing the short grocery list given to her by Abigail’s mother. She couldn’t forget any item because Abigail would suffer the consequences of her forgetfulness and neither she nor Abigail would want to witness that speech.
Luckily, Lucy had no reason to worry because the shopping trip was really easy. She remembered everything on the list, paid the cashier, and left. The interesting part of her day came while she was prancing and dancing back to Abigail’s apartment. Right in front of the pawn shop, she ran into this old, blind, homeless man and she accidently knocked his stereo down. Lucy was very embarrassed and reached down to pick it up for him.
“I’m so sorry mister! I liked your songs that you played. Who sings them? Why are you all dirty? Why don’t you take a shower? Do you not have a bath? Do you live in a house? I am going to see my friends Abby and Evie. I just went to the grocery store for Abby’s mommy. Abby is always so sad and mad so I help her out all the time! Do you help people out? Why do you have a brown shiny bowl with money in it? Why are your eyes like that? Can you still see? Me and Abby like to take pictures of what we see. Her mommy just bought her a camera and we take pictures of everything.”
“Whoa little girl, why so many questions? I can’t answer all of them at once. Are your parents around?” asked the poor old man.
“No. I had to go to see the doctor and then the grocery store. My doctor is very nice and Ms. Kline, she always gives me candy. I like her a lot!” answered Lucy
“Sweetie, what are you doing roaming these busy streets by yourself?” asked the old man.
“I tole ya, I am gonna see my friend, Abby. She lives at The Castle Apartments on Poplar Avenue in apartment number 1153, so I know where I am goin’. Are you ever gonna answer my questions?” asked Lucy.
“Honey, let me tell you this … I have already. The truth with all its power lies inside me.” said the blind man.
Lucy had no idea what the man meant. So, she hugged the man, said goodbye and walked the rest of the way to The Castle Apartments to see Abby. She kept thinking about the man saying that the truth lies inside him. Try as she might, Lucy didn’t have any clue what this meant. She stopped thinking about it and decided that she and Abby would need to figure it out together. Whatever the real meaning, she had a feeling that Abby could benefit from hearing this quote.
