Absolutely, Positively

“You do realize that I am a clinical psychologist, don't you?”

    “Harry told me. I have a great deal of respect for your professional expertise, Olivia, but I don't think you understand Harry very well. He's quite unique.”

    “He's dysfunctional, not unique,” Olivia snapped. “He's very likely suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder and periodic bouts of depression. To be quite honest, he's an excellent candidate for medication.”

    “A candidate for medication?” Molly wrinkled her nose. “I don't think he's interested in running for that office.”

    “I'm not joking, Molly. This is a serious matter. I cannot advise you to marry a man with Harry's problems.”

    “Relax, you're off the hook. I'm not asking for your advice.”

    Olivia glared at her in obvious frustration. “Look, I'll be frank. You and Harry haven't known each other very long. Your relationship is still in its early phase. I think you should know that sooner or later Harry will demonstrate some clinically significant abnormalities in his sexual relationship with you.”

    Molly held up a hand. “Hold it right there. I'm not one of your patients. I have no intention of discussing my sex life with you.”

    “I'm trying to save you from making a terrible mistake.”

    “You don't have to worry about saving me from Harry.”

    Olivia narrowed her eyes. “You do realize he's not in line for any of the Stratton fortune, don't you? He quarreled with his grandfather. He won't see a dime.”

    “Money has nothing to do with this. Good night, Olivia.”

    “You're either very stupid or very foolish.”

    Molly grinned. “You mean I have a choice?”

    Olivia swung around on her heel and went swiftly down the hall toward the front door. She let herself out without a word of farewell. The door slammed shut behind her.

    Molly saw Harry lounging, arms folded, in the entrance of his study. He gazed thoughtfully after Olivia for a long moment. Then he met Molly's eyes.

    “Clinically significant abnormalities?” he repeated slowly.

    “You heard that, did you?”

    “Only the last part. Did she give you her complete diagnosis?”

    “Yes, but I wouldn't put too much stock in her theories if I were you. She is one weird shrink. That's why she probably became a shrink in the first place. She was looking for answers to her own problems.”

    His mouth curved slightly. “I see.”

    “Which is not to say that I don't believe that one can't get a great deal of help from a good therapist,” Molly continued with scrupulous honesty. “But one does need to select one's therapist with great care.”

    “Care.”

    “Right. There's all that business with transference and countertransference, you see. One has to find a therapist whose own hang-ups don't get in the way of treating the patient's.”

    “You sound like an expert.”

    “I consulted a therapist for a while after my mother died,” Molly said. “As a matter of fact, I consulted half a dozen of the little suckers before I found one I could talk to. I went to her a few times. She helped me work through some stuff.”

    “What kind of stuff?”

    Molly hesitated, reflecting back on those difficult days and the dreadful fear she had faced at the age of twenty. “A feeling of being overwhelmed by the responsibilities I knew I had to handle. Some anger at being stuck with those responsibilities. My therapist was good. I only saw her a handful of times because I couldn't afford her for long. But I got a lot out of our little chats.”

    Harry smiled fleetingly. “I guess that makes you an expert, all right.”

    Molly eyed him thoughtfully. “It doesn't require expertise, just plain old common sense, to figure out that Olivia is not qualified to diagnose you. She's got her own problems, and they're connected to you.”

    Acute interest burned in Harry's eyes. “What kind of problems?”

    “Isn't it obvious?”

    “Not to me.”

    “The two of you have a history. At the very least, I'd say she feels guilty about having ended the engagement. She's probably rationalized her actions by telling you and herself that you've got psychological problems that make it impossible for you to have a healthy relationship.”

    “You don't think she might be right?”

    “Heck, no.” Molly smiled. “You're different, Harry. Definitely one of a kind. But you're going to make a terrific husband and father.”

    Harry was silent for a moment. “Maybe you have a thing for