THE SEEDING OF DAISY FLOWERS

EXTRACT

 

1. CASE # 101: 4^th May, 10 a.m.

Rufus & Holly

 

Doctor Cal Stamen smiled at the couple across his desk.

In his line of work, there was no such thing as a 'typical couple'; Cal saw older patients who'd been married for 25 years, and he also looked after young wives and husbands who'd barely returned from their honeymoons; he met highly attractive as well as less physically blessed people; some were angry and loud, others were quiet and reticent; his clientele included straight, bi and LGBTQ; white, black and shades in between; blondes and brunettes, redheads and silver surfers, fertile and infertile, potent and impotent.

Naturally most of them had money but, even then, some didn't. Cal reserved several slots per week in his diary for the less financially fortunate. He believed in making his extraordinary gifts accessible to all, rich and poor alike.

Nevertheless, the couple across his desk were as 'typical' as existed in his professional life. Mr and Mrs Sheldon were 32 and 29 years old, married for 7 years with one child, a 3yr old daughter. Rufus Sheldon was a successful salesman with a pale, pleasant face, gingery hair and designer stubble, freckles, and watery blue eyes. He spoke in a calm, measured manner.

Holly Sheldon was a MILF. No two ways about it. A housewife and mother with glossy shoulder-length brunette hair cut in a chic style, intelligent and alluring green eyes, full lips, and white teeth straight out of a Colgate advertisement. She was much more animated and outspoken than her more reserved husband.

Their marital issue was basically a sexual problem. After 7 years, Holly was apparently suffering from 'relationship comparison' concerns. She compared their sex life now with how it used to be when they first dated. She compared their sexual routine with the movies, the 'Hollywood assessment'.

Cal smiled inwardly as an amusing wordplay struck him.

Holly wouldn't? Or Holly would?

"And do you watch pornography, Mrs Sheldon?"

Her husband's blue eyes swivelled sideways to look at Holly. Her cheeks and neck flushed bright red. She didn't need to answer his question. She evidently did indulge.

"So you also compare yourselves and your sex life with what you see in pornography?"

While Holly snatched a sidelong glance at her husband, Cal stared directly at her, waiting, making it quite clear that he required an answer.

"Well ... sometimes ... a little."

The couple both looked at him. Each was now avoiding the other's eyes.

"And do you watch pornography Mr. Sheldon?"

The husband frowned. "Occasionally." He shrugged, defensively.

"Do you both watch it together? Or always alone?"

They hesitated. " ... Alone."

Cal arched his eyebrow and let them see him jot something down on his yellow pad.

"Do you watch on a computer or your phones?"

"B ... both." Mr. Sheldon croaked.

"Only on m ... my phone." Holly stammered.

Again, Cal made a note. This first meeting was proceeding exactly as he hoped and expected. So it was time to take the next step.

"Would you like any refreshment? Tea? Coffee? Water?"

"Water, please." Holly croaked, her mouth parched by the tension.

"Coffee, please. Black."

Cal pressed the intercom and spoke to his secretary.

Aged 50, Dr. Cal Stamen, PhD, MS, FRSST, was one of the leading marital and sex therapists in the world. He was known for solving cases that nobody else could. He didn't need to advertise or to compromise. His clientele sought him out. His network expanded by word of mouth alone.

His secretary, Ivy, entered his office carrying a small tray with one glass of water, one cup of black coffee and a cup of tea. She gave the water to Mrs Sheldon, the coffee to her husband, while the tea was for Cal.

Ivy, who was in her mid-30s, bore more than a passing resemblance to Morticia of that Addams Family Show. She had raven black hair, a long face with sharp features, and she usually wore violent red lipstick.

She also always dressed in black; a black blouse, black bra, black skirt, black stockings and skyscraper stilettos. As usual, she gave Cal a conspiratorial smile as she left his office.

He waited while the Sheldons sipped their drinks.

"Why don't you watch pornography together?"

They exchanged glances again, inviting each other to answer first. Eventually Rufus Sheldon spoke.

"To be honest, I didn't know that my wife watched porn."

"I ... I didn't want him to know." She murmured. "It's private. I just don't think it's what most women do."

Cal nodded, a smirk forming on his lips.

His book-lined office was large, contemporary and comfortable. His desk faced a full-length window. There was an uplifting view of lush green fields, oak trees and blue sky.

In the other half of the spacious room, there was a sofa against one wall, and a pair of cliché 'psychiatrist couches', rather like dentist-chairs, set parallel to the window. He didn't usually put his patients 'on the couch' until they were under his spell.

Rufus and Holly were both staring at him now. Her green eyes like Peridot stones, and his Agate blue ones, had become slightly glassy, as if they were struggling to concentrate.

"Hand me your phones."

Without wavering, Mrs Sheldon simply reached into her handbag and pulled out her iPhone. Mr Sheldon casually pulled his own out of his jacket pocket. They both obediently leaned forward and placed them on the desk.

Cal pressed his intercom again. His secretary opened the door.

"Have Florian look at these. In particular, I need a quick overview of their porn histories and tastes within the next ten minutes. Have him take a full download so that we can study them in detail later."

Ivy smiled, winked, and exited with their phones.

The couple turned their heads and watched her leave. The look in their eyes was even more distant now. They both smiled blankly at Cal.

Behind his desk, he adjusted the front of his trousers.

"Here's the deal." He told them.

 

END OF EXTRACT