Once Upon a Time (Read 38,275 times)

[Kpatch]

Chapter 57c


“Are you suggesting that I just walk away from Chloe because our relationship is a struggle?”

“Only you can decide that, Philip,” the doctor answered without emotion, saying the opposite of what he expected her to say. He thought she’d tell him every relationship has its struggles. But instead, she said, “What I’m saying is you need to determine how long you can live with that gnawing anger, how much you’re willing to put up with.”

Philip chuckled wryly. “I’m apparently willing to put up with a hell of a lot. Let me ask you, doc. Are you having this same conversation with Chloe? About me?”

The doctor smiled and said nothing for a full minute. But Philip continued to stare her down until she finally answered. “I’m not free to discuss what Chloe and I talk about in our private sessions. But this isn’t about Chloe. It’s about you, and your reaction to her lack of trust. Your anger. Your guilt. Let’s think about this for a minute.” She paused for effect. “There’s no guarantee that Chloe will change or grow less insecure no matter how long I work with her. She has trust issues, and that’s not violating a confidence. You already know about that. So, what happens if she can’t get past those issues?”

Philip’s eyes widened. He firmly believed that failure wasn’t an option this time. Was the doctor saying he was wrong? “But… Isn’t that what you’re working on with her?”

“We’re working on a variety of issues. What I want you to think about, Philip, what I want you to decide is whether you are willing to wait for Chloe to get to that place where she’s able to trust — if it ever happens.”  

His stomach turned when she said that. Looking down, Philip squeezed his hands together and cracked his knuckles in an effort to distract himself from the pain in his heart. The idea of living a life without Chloe had been all but unthinkable, but that’s what the doctor was suggesting. He lifted his head and looked at her, fighting back the tears. Clearing his throat, he said, “So you think it’s possible that Chloe might never get past her trust issues?”

“Again, only she can answer that question. I’m merely pointing out that Chloe may never become the kind of partner that you need. But you’re just as much my patient as she is and it’s clear that you don’t have those same issues. You deserve a healthy relationship.” Philip looked up at the doctor with surprise. “Think about it, Philip. That’s all I’m saying. Think about it.”

[heroicmuse]

Dr. Richards is right. Philip needs to be able to accept Chloe as she is, not as she might be, or this will never work. She's not saying to walk away -- she's saying Philip needs to go in with his eyes wide open. I hope he doesn't keep interpreting it as the doctor telling him to break up with Chloe.

Please can we have some previews Kpatch?

[melly]

What heroicmuse said!

Feb 12, 2016 7:02:29 GMT -5 heroicmuse said:

Dr. Richards is right. Philip needs to be able to accept Chloe as she is, not as she might be, or this will never work. She's not saying to walk away -- she's saying Philip needs to go in with his eyes wide open. I hope he doesn't keep interpreting it as the doctor telling him to break up with Chloe.

Please can we have some previews Kpatch?

[André DiMera]

This is great stuff! I agree with what's been said above. Philip needs to learn to trust, but he also needs to learn to accept Chloe as she is, not as he wants her to be.

Can we please have previews, Kpatch?

[doolfan4life]

I dunno how I feel about this yet....... perhaps some previews with persuade me?!?!?!?!

[fluffysmom]

Philip is having a very emotional session. I think Dr. Richards wants him to realize that therapy isn't going to magically make any relationship perfect. Don't give up Philip! He does need to let go of his anger and have realistic expectations.

Will there be previews Kpatch?

[Kpatch]

Thanks so much for continuing to read and comment on Once Upon a Time. I don't know what Dr. Richards was up to last week and frankly, it made me as uncomfortable as it made Philip. Who thinks Dr. Richards went too far with this exchange?


“There’s no guarantee that Chloe will change or grow less insecure no matter how long I work with her. She has trust issues, and that’s not violating a confidence. You already know about that. So, what happens if she can’t get past those issues?”

Philip’s eyes widened. He firmly believed that failure wasn’t an option this time. Was the doctor saying he was wrong? “But… Isn’t that what you’re working on with her?”

“We’re working on a variety of issues. What I want you to think about, Philip, what I want you to decide is whether you are willing to wait for Chloe to get to that place where she’s able to trust — if it ever happens.”

[melly]

Maybe? I thought so, but now I'm a little less sure. She's being realistic, I suppose. If Philip can't (or refuses to) deal with the fact that Chloe may always struggle with trusting others, then their relationship is going to continue to be on the rocks and possibly fail. If he can learn to accept it, maybe they have a chance. I don't know....it seems awfully harsh, regardless.

[fluffysmom]

I don't particularly care for some of her techniques but I think she is finally getting Philip to realize that therapy is helpful for him not just for Parker and Chloe.

[heroicmuse]

I think she could have been more optimistic but she was telling Philip exactly what he needs to hear. Therapy isn't just about reflecting what the patient feels -- sometimes it's about making them aware of things they need to think about.

[Kpatch]

Here's my thought process on the subject of Chloe's trust issues.

I didn't like Dr. Richards' methods, but I agree that it's not something Philip can just accept and forget about. He has no control. It's not like Chloe has a wart on her nose that Philip can choose to disregard. 

Chloe's trust issues are what caused her to believe Philip was unfaithful to her and ultimately led to their divorce. Is he willing to risk his heart again like that? Can he live with the uncertainty of her reactions? In this instance, I do believe it's Chloe's issue to solve, not Philip's issue to accept. The fact that Mary said Chloe may never get past her trust issues worries me.


Previews soon.

[kathyj]

I think Dr. Richards knows that you can't sugar coat things for Philip. You have to hit him over the head with cold, hard facts. He has been holding on with a death grip. Maybe it is time to let go a little. I don't think he should give up on his relationship with Chloe but just take a few steps back. Let Chloe work out her demons, support her but don't buy into Chloe as victim. She has had some really rough times but I think she is starting to woman up. Philip and Chloe seem so isolated. I wish he had some buddies outside of work that he could play golf with or do some guy stuff. Chloe also needs some girlfriends. It seems that Nicole is the one who makes all the calls to check in on Chloe. Chloe receives but doesn't seem to be in a place to give yet.

[fluffysmom]

Philip behaviors played into Chloe's trust issues. He was acting very secretive and taking multiple business trips with a young woman who he was getting pretty close with.

[Kpatch]

Thanks for your thoughtful answers to the question above. I enjoy reading your comments and always find it interesting that they are sometimes different than my own.

Okay. So … this is going to be another tough week, so fasten your seatbelts. As promised--


Some previews….

Philip and Chloe go out on a much anticipated date, but Dr. Richards’ words haunt Philip and cause him to question his relationship with Chloe. The date takes a turn when Philip says something that shocks Chloe.

[heroicmuse]

Oh no! I hope Philip gets to the other side of all this questioning and realizes he wants to be with Chloe, trust issues or no trust issues.

Thanks for the previews Kpatch.