The Green Light

Part I:

“And how are you feeling about the incident now? Ready to finally open up? Any change in your thoughts? Still having mixed emotions? You’ve been here for about two hours, and I feel like we’ve gotten nowhere.”

“I’m....I’m just a bus driver, Dr. Verruckt. I drive people around the city all day, then go home to my wife. Why do I even need this? The transportation agency doesn’t even require me to go through therapy, so I’m confused as to why I have a mandate from the city to complete ten hours of psychotherapy. There isn’t even an investigation! Why am I even here?! The incident, the accident, could’ve happened to anybody. This is pointless!”

Dr. Verruckt motions his hands in a defense position as he says, “Whoa there Jeremy. Calm down. I’m on your side.”

“Then why the hell am I here Doc?! I’m sure you have more important clients to see. I’ve been here for two hours and all we’ve discussed is basketball, buffets, and my college love life.That accident that happened hasn’t affected me at all. Of course I’m deeply remorseful, but it wasn’t my fault. She ran HER red light while MINE was on GREEN. I pray she recovers from such a tragic loss, but like I said, she did it to herself.”

“You and your wife have been trying to have kids for what, three, four years now?” A confused expression covers Jeremy’s face. “And you don’t think causing the death of a baby that was probably days away from entering this world has affected you in the slightest? Taking something you’ve been trying so hard to give your wife away from a woman, a family, that already had it…”

Jeremy becomes enraged. “It wasn’t my fault!!! SHE ran the light!!” Jeremy stands up and begins to speedily pace back and forth around the office.

Dr. Verruckt remains seated in his chair with his left leg over his right. “Jeremy, Jeremy, Jeremy. Like you’ve said before, there’s no investigation. The cameras got her in 4k running the red light. I’m just asking, do you feel guilty for that baby’s death? Do you feel guilty taking from one family what you could never give your own?”

Jeremy stops pacing. “You’ve said it again. That’s twice now.”

Dr. Verruckt puts his index finger on his head and says, “Said what Jeremy? What are you referring to?”

Jeremy sits back down on the couch and looks at Dr. Verruckt. “Nowhere in my accident report does it mention me and my wife’s failed attempts at getting pregnant, and I damn sure haven’t mentioned it today. So, what are you not telling me Doc. Why am I here?!”

Part II:

Dr. Verruckt sits in his chair quietly and just stares at Jeremy.

“Why am I here?!” Dr. Verruckt says nothing and looks away. “Oh, okay then.” Jeremy grabs his keys and phone off of Dr. Verruckt’s desk and walks towards the door.

As soon as Jeremy motions for the door knob, Dr. Verruckt yells from his chair, “Jeremy, wait!” Jeremy stops and turns around as Dr. Verruckt continues to say, “You have to promise not to say anything. I pinky swore I wouldn’t tell. Sit down.”

Confused, Jeremy mouths, “Pinky swore?”, as he walks back over to the couch. “What’s your deal, man? This whole...this whole vibe has been weird since I got here. Are you even a real therapist? Show me some papers before I sue for impersonating a psychiatrist.”

Dr. Verruckt chuckles, “I am certified. My four degrees are all highly accredited, and are all located right over there along the wall behind my desk.”

Jeremy gets up to examine them. “You’re saying a lot of empty words right now, Doc. I need you to start speaking with some substance before I leave. I’ve been here long enough.”

“Take a seat Jeremy.”, Dr. Verruckt pleads.

Jeremy sucks his teeth. “Man, just tell me why I’m here before I go...actually, I honestly don’t even care anymore. I appreciate your time, but I’ll just see if I can challenge or reverse this mandate. You have a good one, Doc.”

Dr. Verruckt sits in his chair contemplating whether or not he should tell Jeremy the real reason he’s in his office. As Jeremy opens the door, Dr. Verruckt breaks his silence. “Amber made me do it!”

Jeremy slams the door and turns around.

“Dr. Verruckt, how the hell do you know my wife?!”

Part III:

Dr. Verruckt doesn’t respond.

Jeremy squints his eyes and asks Dr. Verruckt the same question. This time, with a little more exasperation and outrage. “Dr. Verruckt, how in the hell do you know my wife?!”

Dr. Verruckt chuckles and looks out through the window as he sarcastically says, “Mmm, wouldn’t you like to know.”

“Excuse me?”

“She still tastes as good as she looks, Jeremy?”

Jeremy takes offense to it and snaps. “I’ll gladly wipe that smirk off of your face! You’ve been asking for it for about two hours now.”

Dr. Verruckt sits calmly in his chair as Jeremy darts towards him and strikes his left cheek with a ferocious right hook. He then immediately shields his face with his forearms as he takes three more punches. Jeremy stops momentarily to catch his breath.

“To answer your question, we’re ex-lovers.”, Dr. Verruckt wittily says.

Jeremy gets about four more punches in before Dr. Verruckt yells for his secretary outside to get security. “Diane, get security now! Diane! Diane!”

Seconds later, Diane rushes in and tasers Jeremy in his left ribcage, causing him to roll off of Dr. Verruckt, and security comes in moments later to detain him.

About an hour and a half has passed before the guard comes and says, “You’re free to go Mr. Bobman. Dr. Verruckt has decided to not press charges and to have you released. Your wife is outside that door waiting for you.” He opens the holding cell, releasing Jeremy, and escorts him outside to his wife.

Amber rushes Jeremy with a quick, tight hug then releases him. “Heeey. I’m glad you're okay, but what the hell, babe?! What happened during your session?!”

Still testy from earlier, “Why didn’t you tell me you and Dr. Verruckt have a history. You had me in there looking foolish.”

She laughs, “Babe, what are you talking about?”

Straightfaced. “I don’t see anything funny. Why didn’t you tell me y’all used to be lovers.” Amber bursts out laughing. “Amber! Don’t play with me right now. What’s so funny.”

Still laughing, “Babe, babe….he’s gay.”

Part IV:

Jeremy’s face turned pale. “B..b..b...ain’t no way. I know what I heard.”

Amber grabs his hand and they begin to walk out of the precinct and to their car. “That’s why I wanted you to see somebody, honey. All the stress from the accident might be building up and getting to you. I don’t want that to affect your mental health, and I damn sure don’t want that to affect your physical health.” She rubs his back and they smirk. “But seriously, hun. Whatever got into you today, HAD to be caused from the stress from the accident. You’re the last person I’d think to ever do something like this. You’re so sweet, gentle, softhearted, delicate…”

“Hey now!”, Jeremy interrupts, “You’re making me sound like a sucker.”

Amber chuckles, “Baaaaabe, you know those are my favorite traits about you. You’re sensitive, BUT aggressive where and when it matters.”

Jeremy comes to an abrupt stop. “Bae, I think he drugged me.”

“First we’re ex-lovers, and now he drugged you. Yeah, I’m going to find you a new psychiatrist, ASAP.”

“No, really. Think about it. I had forgotten to eat breakfast because you left early and all I had was a couple glasses of water that HE gave me. I swear I was even seeing green when I blacked out. Like a bright green light.”

Amber grabs both of Jeremy’s hands as she looks into his eyes. “Babe, last time I checked, your name is Jeremy Bobman and not Bruce Banner. Relax.”

“But, Amb…”

Amber puts her index finger over his lips, “Relax, babe. Like I said, it could be stress built up from the accident affecting your mental. I mean a green light? I’m not sure the Incredible Hulk pill hasn’t even hit the black market yet.”

“Ugh, whatever.”

Amber lightly kisses Jeremy on his lips and they continue walking. In about forty five seconds, they arrive at their car, and drive home.

About three hours pass and Amber and Jeremy are in bed getting ready to go to sleep.

“I really think you should go by and apologize tomorrow, babe.”, Amber pleads.

Jeremy schoffs. “That man is not trying to see me. He probably can’t see at all right now.” Jeremy notices Amber looking weirdly at her phone. “What are you not telling me now?”

“Uuuumm, don’t be mad...He called me when you were in the shower and said he’ll only continue to throw away the charges if you meet him after hours at his office around eight tomorrow night.”

Part V:

“So you already confirmed it, I’m assuming.” Jeremy says frustrated.

“Yes, babe. Or would you rather go to jail? Let me know now. Cause if you’re going to jail, me and Sam might have to rekindle that love affair. ”

Amber laughs and Jeremy rolls over to the opposite side of the bed. “Good night!”

Still laughing, “Baaaaaabe.”

“I said good night!”

“Haha, whatever babe. Love you.”

Amber cuts the lamp off and they both go to sleep.

Now, it’s seven thirty Friday night. Amber is out having dinner with her mother and Jeremy is at home contemplating going to see Dr. Verruckt again.

“Maybe Amber’s right. I should just apologize. I mean, that is easier than being in jail. I roughed him up pretty bad. Maybe I WAS tripping. Maybe deep down inside the accident did, is, getting to me.” Jeremy checks his phone and sees the time. “But then again, I know what I heard. I’M NOT CRAZY. You know what, forget him. He knows what he said. He probably drugged me too! Man, forget him!”

BING, BING.

Jeremy’s phone goes off. It’s a message from Amber, “I hope you’re on the way babe. If you don’t wanna go for you, pleeeeease go for ME. I don’t want you in jail. I NEED you out here with me.”

“Ugghhhh!”, Jeremy exclaims.

BING, BING.

Another message from Amber, “I promise you he’s not what you think. His name is German for crazy, but I swear he’s not. Can’t wait to talk about it later. See you when I get home. Drive safe XOXO.”

Jeremy reads the messages about two more times before he brushes his teeth, puts on a white t-shirt and jeans, then heads to Dr. Verruckt’s office.

When he gets there, it’s eight on the dot. He knocks on the door but nobody answers. He waits a few seconds before he twists the door knob, realizes it’s open, and walks in.

“What the hell?!”, he screams.

Diane, Dr. Verruckt’s secretary is lying in the middle of the floor surrounded by blood with a knife in her back and multiple stab wounds surrounding it. Jeremy sees Diane move, and rushes to remove the knife out of her back. As soon as Jeremy grabs the knife, WHACK. Dr. Verruckt punches him in the back of the head, knocking him unconscious.

“With you out of the picture, she’ll finally be mine.”