Tuesday - 5/18
KIRIAKIS MANSION
Philip was putting his coat on as Melanie came down the stairs.
MELANIE: Morning.
PHILIP: Good morning.
When Melanie got to the bottom, they kissed.
MELANIE: Not that I’m not happy to see you, but I thought you would have left by now.
PHILIP: Thankfully the one meeting I have this morning isn’t at the office, it’s slightly closer.
MELANIE: That’s nice.
PHILIP: Yeah. And, since we have your appointment this afternoon, I was thinking after the meeting, I could pick you up and we could have lunch beforehand.
MELANIE: Mm. I like the sound of that!
PHILIP: Then I shall see you later, m’lady.
MELANIE: Can’t wait.
They kissed again, smiled at each other, then Philip walked out.
HORTON CENTER
After checking in, Joey and Alanis sat down in the waiting room, their hand in each other’s.
ALANIS: Thanks again for coming with me.
JOEY: No problem, you know that. How’re you feeling about the changeover?
Alanis shrugged.
ALANIS: I get why Dr. Evans has to do it, and Brandon’s really nice, so far. I’m still kind of adjusting to it, though, so I’m glad they’re letting me do a few sessions with both.
JOEY: That’s good.
ALANIS: I’ll be okay, I just need to remember that it’s for the best. And I’m not giving up.
JOEY: Good.
Joey squeezed her hand. A moment later, Brandon walked in.
BRANDON: Alanis, come on back.
Alanis got up and turned to Joey.
ALANIS: See you in a bit.
JOEY: I’ll be here.
Alanis followed Brandon to his office. Marlena was already there.
MARLENA: Good morning, Alanis.
ALANIS: Morning.
She turned to Brandon.
ALANIS: You have a nice office.
BRANDON: Thank you. You can take a seat wherever you’d like.
Brandon gestured to the two empty chairs. Alanis sat down in one, and Brandon took the other.
ALANIS: Thanks again for letting me have a few sessions with both of you.
BRANDON: Of course. Both Marlena and I understand that transitioning therapists is a process, and we’re both here to help in any way that we can.
MARLENA: Exactly. We both agreed that a few sessions together would likely be helpful to you.
ALANIS: It has been, really.
MARLENA: Very good.
BRANDON: So, how are you doing today?
ALANIS: I’m good, actually. I’m finally starting to feel more normal. I mean, more like I used to feel before all the stuff with my parents from a couple months ago.
BRANDON: That’s good. Is there anything specific that you can point out that’s making you feel more at ease?
ALANIS: I’m not as jumpy. When I first came back after all that...after being kidnapped by my Dad and shot by my Mom, I mean, I would jump anytime that somebody knocked at the door, or anytime that I heard something that sounded even remotely similar to a gunshot. But more recently, I’ve been doing more breathing exercises for my anxiety, and looked into that music therapy app the two of you suggested, and it’s helped a lot.
MARLENA: We’re glad to hear that. We’ve talked before in our sessions about how deeply connected you feel to music, and I’m glad that you’re using that as a healthy coping mechanism when you do feel anxious or worried.
BRANDON: As am I, that’s good progress. Are you still having nightmares?
ALANIS: Occasionally. Not every night, like they were for a while.
MARLENA: What do you do when you wake up from a nightmare?
ALANIS: Usually try to find a way to calm myself down. Mostly put on some music that I like and try to remind myself that I’m safe where I am. It helps, most of the time.
BRANDON: That’s encouraging. These nightmares you’re having have been a recurring subject during these sessions we’ve had so far. The fact that they’re occurring less often, and that when they do, you’re seeing positive results when you attempt to calm yourself down after one, is a sign of improvement.
Alanis nodded.
MARLENA: Now, what would you like to discuss today?
Alanis bit her lip.
ALANIS: So...even though I’m feeling better about things, and having less nightmares than I was for a while, I’m still not sure how to get past what happened. Specifically, my Mom shooting me.
DIMERA MANSION
E.J. walked into Rolf’s lab. André and Luna were looking at something on a computer.
ANDRE: Enjoy the party last night?
E.J.: It was quite enjoyable, yes. Samantha was surprisingly civil for the entire event.
ANDRE: An act which, I’m sure, you saw through.
E.J.: Oh, of course. I know exactly what game she’s playing. This is what she and I do.
ANDRE: Don’t take your eyes off the prize. And definitely don’t allow yourself to be distracted as you have in the past.
E.J.: I won’t. I know what Samantha and I had is in the past. What’s important now is making sure that Johnny continues his interest in our heritage.
ANDRE: Precisely. Though I must say, it was quite nice seeing him in a cap and gown.
E.J.: You were there? André, have you no idea how risky you being there was?
André turned to E.J.
ANDRE: Do I look like a simpleton, Elvis?
E.J.: No, of course not. I’d never suggest-
ANDRE: I should hope not. As it happens, I was there. I stayed in the shadows, of course, and didn’t draw attention to myself.
E.J.: Ah, good. So, what are you two looking at?
LUNA: The latest fruits of our videographer’s labours.
E.J.: Let’s see, then.
André turned back and resumed the video. E.J. watched over their shoulders.
E.J.: Brilliant.
