Caged Eagles (4 page)

“Mr. Evans, why don't you help us begin.” Her lips parted into a thin smile. Trevor grew uneasy because he knew how horrible these group sessions could become for her chosen target.

“I don't know what to say.” Forrest didn't shift in his chair or show any other sign of discomfort.

“Any appropriate subject is acceptable.”

“I really can't think of anything.”

“Appropriate,” Trevor whispered, the men around him snickered. Ilene's cold eyes narrowed but she said nothing.

“Health System.” A booming voice ended the uncomfortable tension.

“Mr. Martin, what questions do you have?”

“How was the health system reform fifty years ago beneficial?”

“Does anyone want to answer Mr. Martin's question?” The room fell silent again and most of the men refused to have eye contact with Stout.

“I'll start with an answer then. The reform provided health assistance to those less fortunate and in need of medical help.”

“Didn't taxes rise because of this?”

“Only for the wealthy.”

“So because most of them worked a large portion of their lives for that money they have to give it away to a slob that sits on the couch and does drugs?”

“Mr. Martin, I think you should calm down.”

“Dr. Stout,” Gary, a balding man of five feet stood and addressed the counselor.

“Yes, Mr. Donohue, do you have something to say?”

“In school I was taught that health care was a good thing for this country. It provided for the helpless.”

“Why is the government controlling our personal choices? The government wants power over its people, plain and simple.”

“Mr. Martin, I have had enough of your insolent outbursts.” In order to stop the session from becoming a shouting fest, Dr. Stout ordered the managers outside the doorway to return the prisoners to their rooms.

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He sighed. Usually, he looked forward to sessions with Dr. Taylor. Today, he dreaded the meeting. The last time he had demanded to leave the session early. Trevor didn't know how she would react after the insult he had spat at her. She was already seated when the manager led him into the room. Her hand moved in precise curves between the lines of paper. She completed her notes and pulled the glasses off her nose.

“Good morning.”

“Morning.” He leaned back in his chair and yawned.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yeah, I'm just bored.”

“What?”

“When people yawn it means they're bored.” He threw his hands up in the air. “It's something I heard once.”

“I did too.”

“We finally agree on something.” Trevor chuckled. Dr. Taylor grinned and put her glasses on. “What's the issue today, Doc?”

“I have decided to let you choose.”

“Why's that?”

“You have not been very happy with my topics. I want you to feel comfortable in here and discuss whatever you would like.”

“Anything?”

“Anything
appropriate
.”

“Of course!” He made her smile again but only for a moment.

“Hmm,” he cupped his chin in one hand. “I want to know about you.”

She frowned. “That is not an acceptable topic.”

“Why, we always talk about me.”

“Because it's unprofessional.”

Trevor crossed his arms over his chest. “Are you always so stiff?”

She took her glasses off, leaned forward, and looked him directly in the eye. “This is not about me.”

“Come on, it isn't an unsuitable question.”

“The purpose of these sessions is to help you.” She sat back in her chair with perfect posture.

“What if I don't need help?”

“Mr. Wells, you are in rehab.”

“Not everyone in prison is an emotional, psychological mess.”

“I suppose you could be right.” She turned her head to the side and thought about what he said for a moment.

“See,” Trevor uncrossed his arms and leaned his head against the palm of his hand.

“If that's true, why are you so defensive toward all your counselors?”

Trevor sat up and shrugged, “It's who I am.”

“Guarded behavior is a protective barrier.”

“Did your fancy textbooks tell you that?”

“Mr. Wells, I know I have said this before but I want to help you.”

“Will it make you happy if I kiss your butt? Should I tell you what you want to hear? Manipulation really isn't my thing, but if that's the key to these sessions ….”

“No, Mr. Wells.” The corners of her mouth fell and her tropical eyes lost their luster.

“I don't talk about my personal life.”

“Why? Do you feel that I am a stranger prying into your business?”

“Assume what you want.”

“Then I hope to become someone you can confide in. I know that will take time, so I won't rush you.” Dr. Taylor turned her wrist watch. “You're free to return to your room.”

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“Hi.” Her infectious smile seized Trevor's heart. He felt weak in the knees.

“Hi,” he grabbed her hand. “I'm glad you had a day off.”

“Me too, so what are we doing today?” Sarah asked Trevor. He opened a taxi door for her to climb in.

“I thought I would keep it a surprise.” Trevor winked at her, leaned forward and told the driver, “Penrose Amusement Park, please.”

Sarah giggled and grabbed a hold of his hand.

“Oh, I can't wait to find out where we are going, I can only imagine,” she sarcastically said. Trevor now chuckled and leaned back in the seat with his arm around her. He fell for Sarah faster and faster every day. This scared him to death, because he didn't know how she felt. She might think they were casually dating, and end things before they got started. He shook the thought from his mind, it was paranoia talking.

The afternoon was sweltering and heat radiating from the asphalt burned through Trevor's shoes. The water park would have been a better idea and Trevor wanted to see Sarah in a swimsuit. He could just imagine it would fit her beautiful body perfectly. Sarah tugged on his arm and jerked his mind away from the daydream.

“Trevor! Let's go on that!” She pointed to the “High-rise of Terror.”

Trevor loved to see her so excited. She was nearly out of breath as she dragged him into the long line of people. Not until they were securely harnessed into their seats and pulled up into the air, did Trevor realize why Sarah had been so anxious. She was not exactly delighted about the ride, but instead she was nervous and frightened. Her eyes were pinched closed and she gripped the metal bar until the whites of her knuckles showed.

“Sarah, babe, are you okay?” Trevor was amused, but didn't show his emotions to her.

“I don't like heights,” she muttered.

“I think closing your eyes will only make it worse.”

“It doesn't though, I've done this before.”

Trevor held back a snicker of astonishment. He wondered what kind of morbid person he was dating. He couldn't imagine doing something he was terrified of, just for … well, he couldn't figure out why. Suddenly the ride plummeted to the ground. Trevor saw the scenery of the city disappear and the ground grow larger. People who were only the size of ants moments before grew until their sunburned faces smiled up at him. This was a thrill for Trevor. He loved surveying his surroundings at this speed. He was perfectly safe, yet only a single bar held him back from immediate danger. Trevor's body buzzed with adrenaline.

Sarah was the first released from the ride. She had a huge smile on her face and the golden specks of amber twinkled in her eyes. There in the sun she looked more beautiful than Trevor had ever seen her. The strands of red in her hair became visible in the sun, brilliant and strong.

Before Trevor could get one word in edgewise, Sarah had dragged him off to the roller coaster nearest to them. Again, he watched her smile become nervous, her breathing shallow, and her knuckles white as she clutched her seat. He studied her all afternoon on every ride she hauled him to. She always repeated this ritual. Trevor was sure the water rides made her happier than she had ever been; her laughter rang through the air along with the small giggles of the children around them.

Late that afternoon, as the sun was setting, the couple sat on the Ferris wheel. The director stopped the ride, leaving them suspended at the top. Sarah gripped the bar in front of her.

“Heights again, Sarah?” Trevor asked, putting his hand over hers.

“Yes,” she whispered. Trevor pulled her hand from the bar and held it tightly in his. It was cool to the touch.

“Okay, so now if anything happens I will fall too.”

“Trevor, don't say that!” Sarah squealed.

“Okay, let me rephrase that, if something happens I have a hold of you. There is no way you can fall.” Trevor took her other hand from the metal bar. Sarah drew in a sudden breath of air.

“How can you save me from falling? You have your hands in mine?” she asked.

“I'm talented, just trust me. Do you trust me, Sarah?” Trevor raised an eyebrow. Sarah nodded. “Why do you get on these rides if you are so scared?”

“For the feeling of really living after it's over.” Sarah replied.

“What I don't get is why you close your eyes. Are you certifiably insane?”

“No, I close them because then I can think logically, tell myself I will be fine. I can only feel the rush of air around me and the feeling of falling but inside my head I'm calm.”

“Yep, definitely psychotic,” he teased. “But I have to say, you have guts, Miss Morrison.”

Sarah forced a smiled onto her lips and squeezed Trevor's hand. The Ferris wheel had begun again and the soft breeze blew around them. Trevor watched Sarah. She was an angel on earth. Women were not like her anymore. She had an air about her of complete purity. A soft pink rose was the perfect way to describe her.

Sarah locked her eyes on Trevor's. She softly gasped and he knew her heart had skipped a beat. She wasn't the type of woman to jump into a meaningless, five-minute physical relationship. Trevor respected her–no, he adored her, and it was plain to see in his evergreen eyes. The couple drew closer and closer until their lips just touched. The kiss was gentle yet full of passion. Sarah rested one hand on the side of his face. The ride slowly came to a stop along with their kiss.

“That was perfection.” Sarah squeezed Trevor's hand as they got off the ride. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close.

“Sarah, you made it through the ride.”

“I know, I had no reason to be scared of falling this time.” Sarah stood on her tip toes and kissed his cheek.

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“Does your office always throw a Halloween party?” Trevor yelled from the couch. He could hear Sarah shut the oven door in the kitchen and set something down on the counter. He reclined on her couch, but had just read the invitation that had been sitting on her glass coffee table.

“Yes,” she called from the kitchen. Trevor leaned farther back to inhale the wonderful smell of cookies. Sarah pushed open the kitchen door and saw Trevor's head leaned back with his eyes closed. He reminded her of a cat she'd had when she was little. She delicately walked over and kissed him softly on the lips. He opened his eyes and sighed happily, the human equivalent of purring.

“It's a huge party, a lot of important people come and usually there's a theme. This year is famous couples.”

“Do you want to go?”

“Only if you do, but we need to figure out a couple to go as.” Sarah went back into the kitchen to take more cookies out of the oven. Trevor followed her. Sarah asked.

“Speaking of work, aren't you late for your shift?”

“No, I have the day off. One of the guys wanted extra hours.” Trevor reached out to grab a cookie and Sarah smacked his hand.

“Abuse!” Trevor shouted.

“No cookies for you. Not until we figure out our costumes.”

“Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog,” Trevor reached for another cookie.

Sarah smacked his hand harder and said, “No cookies at all after saying that.”

“Two months ago you would have let me have a cookie.” Trevor pouted.

“That look won't work on me, Robin Hood.” Sarah scooped raw dough out of the bowl and plopped it onto the pan.

Trevor laughed. “I'm
not
wearing a ridiculous hat with a feather, dress, and green tights.”

“You were thinking about being a green frog.”

“You're right.” Trevor quickly grabbed a cookie and licked it.

“You did
not
just do that!” Sarah's dark eyes opened as wide as they would go. She dropped the spoon in her hand.

“Me hungry.” Trevor went to eat the cookie. Sarah grabbed it and ran around the counter.

“I will not dress up as Jane … Tarzan.”

“Oh shoot, you could pull off a strip of fur really well.” “No, I'm wearing clothes to this party. Romeo and Juliet, or Scarlet O'Hara and Rhett Butler.”

“No, and over my dead body. Now give me that cookie!” Trevor darted around the corner and Sarah ran screeching out of the kitchen. She jumped the couch and turned to face her boyfriend.

“An angel and devil, we fit that perfectly.” Trevor walked leisurely into the room.

“Only if I'm the devil.” Sarah took a huge bite out of the cookie. Trevor's jaw dropped.

“Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” Trevor said, “but then what would I go as?”

Sarah laughed and covered her mouth so she wouldn't spit chunks of cookie onto the floor. Trevor jumped the couch before she could get away.

“Trevor!” Sarah pleaded. Trevor sat on top of her and tickled her ribs.

“I bet you're rethinking Jane and Tarzan aren't you?” He paused.

“Never,” Sarah defiantly replied. Trevor grabbed her sides and wiggled his fingers; she laughed uncontrollably and tried to push his hands away.

“Are you sure about Jane and Tarzan?” Trevor had stopped the torture session.

“Yes, but I have a brilliant idea.”

“You came up with an idea while squirming around laughing?” Trevor questioned.

“Yes, I am a female, I can multitask.” She wiggled away from his reach.

“So what was this idea, oh brilliant one.” Trevor began bowing to her.

“Can you do that every day?” she pointed at him. Trevor let out a sarcastic chuckle to inform Sarah he wouldn't be doing it again.

“My idea was Fred and Ginger.”

“Who is that?” Trevor vaguely recognized the names. He crawled back onto the couch.

“They were a very famous dance couple back in the twentieth century. I had a teacher once that said they were the most elegant couple in history, that they just oozed romance when dancing together. Of course, they weren't a couple but my dance teacher, being the hopeless romantic she was, thought their dancing made them look like one.”

“I didn't know you took dance?”

“Yeah, I learned ballet when I was a girl.” Sarah nibbled on the remains of the cookie. Trevor held out his hand and she handed him a piece. “My parents had me dance until I was about fourteen. Then I got tired of it, but back to the subject, what do you think of the idea?”

“I think it's good.” Trevor yawned and stretched out for a nap.

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Trevor rushed to the bathroom to change into his costume. He was glad to be dressing in a relatively simple outfit; shiny black shoes, and old-fashioned black suit with a long tailcoat from the 1930s. He took the hair gel and slicked his hair back until it shone as much as his shoes. He thought he could probably see his reflection in both.

He received a few heckles from the guys in the bar already past their limit. Outside he was enveloped in darkness. His taxi driver didn't say anything about his costume, but Trevor guessed the guy probably saw stranger things on Halloween night than a guy in a twentieth- century penguin suit.

The office party was in a large ballroom downtown. Trevor walked up the great steps becoming lost in the crowd around him. He chuckled at a couple dressed as Tweedledee and Tweedledum. He couldn't understand what kind of man would allow a woman to talk him into such a stupid costume, and if (for some bizarre reason) it had actually been his idea he didn't understand how a woman would want to be caught dead being called Tweedledum.

Sarah was nowhere in sight so he decided the best place to watch for her was by the punch bowls. The floor and staircase were in full view from that spot. Trevor was startled out of his own thoughts by the sound of a voice to his right.

“Hey sexy, I thought hell would freeze before I ever saw you in a suit and tailcoat. I'm just wondering where the top hat is, but I do have to say you look
delicious
.”

Trevor turned to see his ex-girlfriend, Brandi, in a short red dress and bright red fingernails–Betty Boop. One hand was positioned on her hip and the other was playing with the short black wig she wore. Her height and body size were perfect to impersonate Betty Boop. One distinct difference between this woman and the character she impersonated, was her eyes. They were a perfect mix of green and brown; in a certain light one of the colors was usually dominant. Trevor thought this characteristic fit her personality perfectly, always shifting. Before she could reach out to touch his elbow he pulled away.

“Testy as usual, I see,” she replied to his rejection. Her hand returned to her hair.

“Let me jump right to the point. I think I told you I never wanted to see you again; plus I'm waiting for someone, so get out of my face,” he said coldly.

She ignored his last statement, “Waiting for someone? I would say she probably stood you up considering it's nearly nine-thirty.”

Trevor ignored Brandi, not because he despised her, but Sarah caught his attention from across the room. She was enchanting. Elegantly, she floated down the stairs in a black silk dress. It flowed around her like water. Trevor almost laughed at the short, curly blonde wig she was wearing. He couldn't do anything but stare at her and found delight in the idea that she didn't know he was watching her. She was marvelous.

“Her?” Brandi said from behind him in a disgusted voice.

“Yes.”

“If I had known you liked short blond hair I could have arranged something.”

Trevor ignored Brandi; he almost didn't even hear what she had said. Sarah was the only one who mattered. He wanted to look into her golden eyes, kiss her red lips, and touch the silk of the black dress that covered her equally exquisite body. He met her at the bottom of the staircase and offered his arm to her. He scanned the room for a seat and spotted two empty chairs along the edge of the dance floor. From there they leaned close together and talked about costumes and people Sarah worked with. They watched the dance couples twirl around on the dance floor after they grew tired of looking for new Halloween outfits.