Jillian walked them to the door, said, “Just going to take the dog out once more before getting on the train,” then went to the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. She started punching herself in the cheek and making a face like she was screaming. She stopped hitting herself, grabbed the edges of the sink, leaned forward, and started making a face like she was screaming even louder. She panted for a second and then took off all of her clothes and put on a nightgown.

The next day, Dr. Billings said, “Did you hear what happened to Jillian?”

“No,” said Megan.

“She hit a deer with her car. Her car is totaled. She lives in the suburbs, you know. She called me this morning. She was at the doctor and trying to get her car fixed yesterday.”

“Huh,” said Megan.

“It’s terrible,” said Dr. Billings.

“Yeah, terrible,” said Megan.

“Can you make her reminder calls?”

“Sure.”

Later, Randy asked, “Why are you smirking like that?”

“I don’t know,” said Megan. She took off her jacket and bag and shoes, opened a beer and said, “I don’t know.”

Randy sat at the table.

“I think the self-destruction that I predicted for Jillian is finally happening.”

“Congratulations,” said Randy.

JILLIAN WASN'T SITTING at her desk the next morning when Megan arrived, but Megan could sense her in the office. Megan could hear the other doctor, Dr. Schraeder, talking behind a partially closed door, and she could also hear Jillian saying, “Yes ma’am,” in a childish voice.

“Hi, Jillian,” said Megan when Jillian came out into their desk area.

“Hey, Megan.”

“How are you? Are you ok?”

“Yeah, you know, I just hit this enormous deer with my car,” she said.

“Oh no,” said Megan.

They worked quietly. Dr. Billings came out and said, “Jillian! Good to see you again. How are you?”

“Oh, I’m still a little shaken up more than anything. But my back is killing me, too, and my car is, you know, absolutely useless. Umm . . . ”

“Where were you driving that you came across a deer?” he asked. His question was innocent.

“Oh, I was picking up a dog from a rescue center outside of town.”

Bold, thought Megan. A very bold choice.

“Ah, good. Was the dog hurt at all?”

“No, no one was hurt, we’re all fine.”

“Good, good. Well, good to have you back.”

A truly needless fib. Megan sort of admired it.

Dr. Schraeder came out of the examination room. “Here you go, Jillian,” she said, putting a piece of white paper on Jillian’s desk.

“Thank you so much,” said Jillian.

“Now that has two refills, and it’s free of charge, ok? I’ll cover it.”

“Thank you so much.” She breathed this, lower than a  whisper.

When the doctors and patients had left for the day, Jillian said, “Hey, I’m sorry for leaving you all alone yesterday.”

“It’s ok.”