Backfire by J.R. Tate Read Free Book Online Page B

the shoulder.  “Remember what I said.  Between now and then, keep your head on straight and listen to that psychologist of yours.  She doesn’t have a PhD in it for nothing.”  He exited the kitchen, leaving Michael alone. 
    Most of the other guys were watching the morning news.  His thoughts crept to Dr. Bowen and her suggestion of visiting Viper.  He had spent most of the night awake, pondering about it.  He had weighed the pros and cons of what would happen in that situation and if it really would benefit him.   He worried that seeing Viper would just m ake him angrier.  What if it dre dged up old memories?  But on the other side, nothing else was really helping him get over his issues.  He was almost desperate enough to try anything. 
    He had talked to Eva about it a bit more too, and she seemed to be leaning toward him doing it.  She brought up a good point about how much things would change if Viper gave him a sincere apology.  He didn’t have much to lose.  He was already distraught to the point of no return. 
    Dialing Dr. Bowen’s number, he felt a knot form in his stomach.  It seemed that every decision he made lately came with great effort.  He was definitely thinking on it too much.  Her secretary answered and transferred him to her office.
    “This is Dr. Bowen.”
    “Hey Dr. Bowen, this is Michael McGinnis from Ladder Twenty One.”
    “Hello Michael.  What can I do for you?”
    He got up to leave the room when another firefighter came into the kitchen.  He really didn’t want anyone overhearing this.  Stepping into the bathroom, he locked the door behind him.  “I’ve been thinking about what you suggested yesterday.  I’ll go and visit Viper.”
    “Wow, I’m kind of surprised.  It didn’t take you long to decide.  I was going to give you until our appointment next week to make a decision.”
    “I thought about it all last night.  And, I’m going out of town soon, so I figured I need to get on the ball with it before then.”
    “Okay Michael, I’ll put in the visitation request and be in touch with you on the details once I hear from Rikers.  I think this will be very good for you.”
    “Thanks Doc,” he replied, as he hung up.  He didn’t really feel like going through another counseling session, so he ended the call before she could say anything else.  He tossed the phone on the sink counter and ducked his head, hoping to God that this wasn’t another mistake he could add to his ever-growing list.   
     
    ***
     
                  A few days had passed since he called Dr. Bowen about arranging a visit with Viper.  He was shocked to get a phone call from her so quickly, urging him to get to her office to get everything in line and ready for the visit.  Things seemed to be moving very fast.  They had successfully booked a round trip flight down to Austin. They were only planning on staying a few days due to both Eva’s and his mom’s jobs. 
                    Michael made it to her office in the early afternoon, nervous since he didn’t know what to expect.  The waiting room was busier than he had seen it before, and he worried he would be spotted by another firefighter that he knew.  Thankfully, from what he could tell, he didn’t recognize anyone.  He didn’t have to wait long.  Dr. Bowen was always quick.
    She handed him a folder with information in it.  “Viper was all for you visiting him.  No problem at all.” Handing him a pen, she invited him to sit down.  “This is some paperwork you need to fill out to register as a visitor.  Usually you have to do it at Rikers, but I got it faxed over for you.  Visiting hours are from one to nine tomorrow.  You have to get your paperwork turned in by eight pm.  Make sure you take a current photo I.D. There is a list inside the folder of things you are not permitted to take in with you.” Michael thumbed through the papers.  “Is there a problem,