Free Twisting Topeka by Lissa Staley Page A

glued to the other side
of the door. “But I was telling you about my understanding of
psychiatry—from growing up and listening to my father. Just this
afternoon I had the most interesting experience. I wish you could
have been there.”
    “ Tell me about
it.”
    She recounted meeting Reginald in the
park and explained that she was confident his fiancée, Loraine, was
being treated at Menninger’s. When Melanie told Dr. Fritzl that the
poor man was contemplating selling his farm she began to tear up,
and noticed Dr. Fritzl doing the same. When she finished her story
he sat back with his wine, spinning the stem of his glass between
his fingers, watching the liquid react against the movement of the
glass.
    “ Tomorrow I’m going to find
out exactly who this Loraine is,” he said. “I’ll assist in her
care.” He finished off the glass. “I’m here on a special grant,
Miss Rains, and can do with the funds as I see fit. If Loraine is
my patient, and I document her situation and my conclusions, it’s
reasonable to me her care should be funded by the grant. I’ll make
it my mission to track down Reginald before he sells his farm. No
one should have to lose their home and livelihood to get treatment.
Not if I have a say.”
    Melanie pressed her hands over her
face and tears released everywhere. “That’s…I…” she wiped her eyes
with her napkin. “You’re so generous and compassionate. I could
kiss you.”
    “ You’re too kind. It’s my
obligation,” he said. Dr. Fritzl had the last few bites of dinner
and lavished praise upon Mrs. Lewis when she came through the door
with the wine bottle. After she filled both glasses and went into
the kitchen, he leaned forward toward Melanie. “I feel we’re being
chaperoned, don’t you?”
    Melanie burst out laughing. “Yes. She
treats me like a child, but so do my parents. You’ve had time to
analyze me, Doctor. Is my inner child dominating?”
    “ Your outer woman
dominates,” he said. “And your inner woman is running a close
second.”
    She put the chilled wine glass to her
cheek. “That’s romantic.”
    “ I assume Mrs. Lewis has
prepared a tasty dessert for us.”
    “ Oh…I’m sure.”
    “ And that she will be
serving it any minute.”
    “ Yes.”
    “ And that you’re looking
forward to it, as I am.”
    “ Well…”
    “ But what would happen if
we weren’t here when she brought in the desserts?”
    Melanie moved the cool wine glass to
her other cheek. “Go on…”
    “ What if we were in the
drawing room, listening to something on the phonograph?”
    “ Mrs. Lewis would never
take dessert into the drawing room. Or more wine. It would be
improper for her to do so without us asking.” Melanie leaned closer
to him and whispered: “She’s not my nanny.”
    Dr. Fritzl stood up with his glass,
and Melanie did the same. As he walked toward her she noticed Beau
beside his feet. Obviously the dog must have been there throughout
dinner. She wanted to scold him but it would spoil the moment.
Melanie led the doctor and her dog to the drawing room and put a
Glenn Miller record on the phonograph. She turned around to find
Dr. Fritzl right behind her.
    “ May I have this dance?” he
asked.
    “ Certainly.”
    He drew her close. “Would your father
object to this?”
    “ I’ve danced with boys in
this room for years.”
    “ I’m not a boy, Miss
Rains,” he whispered. “Perhaps you do need a chaperone.”
    She noticed Beau hovering
around his feet. She pulled back and glanced at the doctor’s lips,
and then to his eyes behind the thick glasses. “ Bringing up Baby ,” she whispered.
“That’s who you remind me of—the actor in that movie. He played a
doctor—a paleontologist. But I can’t remember his name.”
    “ I never pay attention to
the movies,” he said, kissing her softly.
    As the kiss grew she closed her eyes
and imagined her water fountain in Gage Park. “You make me feel
like Aphrodite,” she said when the kiss broke.