For the Dream of 5 years: Chapter Thirty-Eight: We Need A Doctor

Stacy drove to her house first because she knew it would take time before Dave sobered up. She wanted to have a word with him as soon as possible. She was planning to go back to his house that same day. She had a class in the afternoon, but she called in sick. She did not want to do anything until she found a solution to Michelle's issue. She sat in her house and waited. Michelle hugged Dan and gave him a light kiss immediately after Stacy left. She watched as the door slid shut behind her. Dan had the keys and the remote in his hand. After closing the door, he put them back in his pocket. "I crave sour porridge," Michelle said to start a conversation. "What was that? Is what you told your friend true?" He asked. "I said many things. Which part are you interested in?" She questioned. "Everything, you loving me, for instance," He said. "I do love you, Dan, but I was waiting for the perfect time that I would not be confused by your prowess in bed. Remember all the talk we had in the morning while cuddling? We forgave each other for the terrible things we have done recently, right? We have started a new life on a new slate, right?" She asked. "Right. What about my condition? What is bipolar?" He asked. "I am not sure you have it. You just need to be checked by a professional that can give a proper diagnosis and treatment," she said, careful not to sound alarming. "What do you think we should do?" He asked, sitting down. "I have a friend that can recommend you to the best specialist in the country. You have the money, so accept to be checked," she said, massaging his shoulders. "There is no network coverage in this area most of the time; how do we contact this person?" he asked. "I could fetch my friend or ask him to recommend the most suitable person for your case," she said. "But you can't go out of the house, Michelle. You do know the reason. We talked about it in the morning, remember? We agreed we wouldn't hurt each anymore." He said. "I can leave the house and get you the help you need. You need to be healthy before we discuss more serious issues about us?" She said. "I dismantled your Jeep," he said. "We have the Range now," she responded. "Okay, anything you want, curvy girl, just don't stay long, away from home," he said. That afternoon, after Michelle had made lunch in a kitchen that seemed to have been used for the first time since the house was built because it looked so spotless, she prepared to leave. When she was at the door, Dan came to her and kissed her neck. "Tonight Dan, tonight when I come back. We are going to have a good time," she assured him. "Okay, curvy girl, anything you say," he said and gave her the Range keys. She started the car and drove out of the gate. ***** "What is the time, Dave?" Steve asked when they woke up. "Quarter past 12," he said, pinching his nostrils to suppress the stench of the vomit. "Who puked on the carpet? Michelle will be mad," he said, looking for the contacts of the 'car&carpet-wash' garage. He called them and ordered the service to clean his carpet, and they were on the way to pick it up. While Steve microwaved some ribs, Dave took a shower when the carpet guys left. After they ate the food, they left for the mall. They would call Stacy again because they knew they stood her up in the morning. "She won't show up, dude. We stood her up," Steve said after ordering his second cup of coffee. Dave called Stacy again and left several messages when she failed to pick up the calls. He also tried Michelle's number; still, there was no response. They stayed at the mall, taking coffee and waiting for a call from Michelle and Stacy. ***** Michelle drove to Stacy's place in 'her' Range. She could barely hold still when she pulled over. She made several hoots and hoped Stacy was home. She needed to have a word with her. She saw the curtain pull to the side, Stacy's face against the window pane, focusing on seeing whether the car was familiar. She instantly moved away from the window after seeing the Range. Michelle figured out she would not go out because the car was strange. She was right. Michelle alighted from the Range and walked to the house. She knocked, and Stacy opened the door. "I knew you wouldn't recognize this car," Michelle said as she tried to pass by the door. "Where are you going? I don't want a psycho in my house," Stacy stopped her at the door. "Where is your new husband? I can see he bought you a new car," Stacy continued, still blocking the way so that Michelle could not enter the house. "Oh, please, spare me, you dunderhead!" she said, pushing Stacy out of the way and entering the house. "How could you not get the cue? Ever since we met, have I portrayed such kind of stupidity? Even though Dave had wronged me, I could never become Dan's wife. I knew Dan was listening and watching us because of the way he wasn't hesitant to let you in. It was my only chance to get out of that house. I had to play my cards right. It was a miracle you came, Stacy. How the hell did you find the house anyway, madam private investigator?" she said, headed to the fridge to get a bottle of cold water. She drank it and sat on the couch in the living room. "What the hell? Had he held you captive?" Stacy asked, her face so concerned. She moved and sat beside Michelle, took her hand, and squeezed it gently. "Yes, Dan was going crazy. Can you imagine he was calling me his wife? He even demanded sex from me? I pushed him, and he hit his head. I was so terrified because I thought I had killed him. Dan was acting extremely weird, losing touch with reality, and having abnormal mood swings. I think he is bipolar. I want to help him; I just don't know how I can do that and still be away from him," she said. "How was the sex?" Asked Stacy. "You are never serious. I was a captive, and all you could ask for was sex. For the peace of your mind, it was good, refreshing, and something I will never regret trying. But he is a psycho. He had all my photos, from when I was still a child until now that I am a grown-up, all in big posters, inside a big room," she said. "Wait, what do you mean? Where did he get your photos?" She asked. "From my Instagram, before I closed my account, most probably. That was the last thing I needed to wake up. Maybe he could have killed me or kept me captive for life. God forbid!" She said. "You need to report him to the police. What if he kidnaps you again? This time for good?" Stacy asked. "No, he is a gentle soul; he can never hurt me if he were well. He has a disorder. I will help him recover instead. I promised him that," she said. They talked about all the happenings in Dan's house, the many rooms, the many cabinets in each room, the sex, her missing phone, and the dismantled Jeep. Stacy told Michelle about the glass house. Then Stacy told her about their failed meeting that was to happen at the mall in the morning. "Dave has been calling," Stacy said. "I need time to think about what I want to do with Dave. Tell him we shall see him tomorrow," Michelle said. They talked more until the sunset. Michelle used Stacy's phone to call her mother, who told her that her children were with their grandmother. She called Lisa and talked with the children too. She had missed them. She would have called them if it were not for Dan keeping her captive. At night, they ate, played video games, and slept.