It is not uncommon for husbands and wives to see the world differently. But what if their difference in opinion concerns what is real and what is not in the life of one of them.

The wife believes the husband is going crazy and pushes him into getting help. What happens next might surprise you, as you will see in . . .

The Nighttime Traveler

Or . . . My Wife Thinks I Need To See A Shrink

     My stomach rumbled and my head throbbed, as we walked from the car toward the main entrance of the medical building on 5^th Street. Entering the building, we made our way to the third floor. I didn’t want to be here. I couldn’t hold my feelings in anymore, and they poured out of my mouth. “Okay, Laura, you know I don’t want to do this. It’s ridiculous. So now what?”

     “Just open the door and go in, Adam.”

     “You open the door. This was your idea, not mine.”

     “But you agreed to see Dr. Freed.”

     “Only to keep the peace, dear. You’re the one who thinks I need to see a shrink.”

     “All right, it’s open. Now, go in.”

     I didn’t move. So Laura pushed me gently through the door and over to the front desk to check in. Then she tugged me, not so gently, toward the seating area. She sat down, and I collapsed into the seat next to her. I sat there staring off into space. And then . . .

     “Oh, she’s ready for us.”

     Dr. Freed ushered us into her office and we sat down on the couch across from her plush leather chair, Laura on one side and me on the other.

     She closed the door and joined us. “Good afternoon. I’m Dr. Simone Freed.”

     “I’m Laura Sage, doctor. And this is my husband, Adam.”

     “Hey, I can talk for myself. I’m Adam . . . Adam Sage.”

     “Okay, it’s nice to meet both of you. Now, tell me, how can I help you?”

     “I don’t need any help. But Laura doesn’t believe me. She thinks I’m going crazy. And that, doctor, is why we’re here.”

     “Well, Adam, before we make a decision on whether or not you do need help, please tell me about yourself.”

     “I’m sixty-eight years old. I’m retired. And I’m trying to figure out what I’m meant to do for the rest of my life? Is that what you want to hear?”

     “That does sound quite normal, Adam. It’s the process all retired people go through. Some find the answers sooner than others.”

     “Yeah, probably. But while I was working, I knew who I was and my purpose in life was clear. But now . . .”

     “Oh, Adam, you’ve only been retired two years. So you’ve got plenty of time to figure it all out. For heaven sakes, we live in Sunset Ridge. It’s a wonderful Active Adult Community. There’s so much to do there. You’ve already joined the Actors Club and the Writers Group. You’re blowing this all out of proportion.”

     “It appears you are making strides toward finding out who you are, Adam,” Dr. Freed stated.

     “Yeah, I create lives and live out the dreams of others. I’ve become so many different people that, at times, I’m not sure who I am.”

     “Adam, you’re my sweet, loving husband. That’s who you are,” Laura said, with a lilt in her voice.

     “Okay, maybe so, Laura. But you don’t always see things my way. You have trouble understanding what is real and what is fantasy in my life.”

     “Oh, come on. You can’t be serious. That’s not true.”

     “Now, calm down, folks. I think we’re making some progress. Adam, why do you think Laura doesn’t see things your way?”

     “Because she doesn’t. I never sleep. And I’ve told her this.”

     “Sure you do! Once you’re in bed, it takes about thirty seconds and you’re off to dreamland.”

     “I’ve tried to tell you before; I don’t go to sleep. I’m off, yes. But I travel to different places and become a part of other societies and times. Sometimes I take on the lives of people I don’t know, and at other times, I revisit my own life.”

     “See doctor, this is getting really weird.”

     “Why do you say that, Laura?” Dr. Freed asked in a soft voice.

     “Because it’s just his imagination. He’s reliving the roles he plays on stage or the lives of the people he writes about. That’s not reality, doctor.”

     “See, she doesn’t understand me at all. What I do at night is real. It has nothing to do with my acting or writing. And I do so much, that when I awake in the morning, I’m always tired.”

     “So am I,” Laura sighed. “I can never get comfortable. My arms hurt from my arthritis, and the cramps in my legs drive me insane.”

     “But that’s not my problem, Laura,” I groaned.

     “Okay people, we’re getting a bit off track,” Dr. Freed emphasized. “What is your problem, Adam?”

     “My fatigue occurs because I’m not here. I’ve spent the night fulfilling my destiny as a traveler in worlds past, present, or future.”

     “Adam, you’re scaring me. You do need help. Honey, you do sleep. Most mornings when I wake up, you’re fast asleep.”

     “That’s because, most mornings I’m at peace, for I enjoyed the trip I took.”

     “You’ve got an explanation for everything. I don’t think this conversation is going anywhere. I’ve had it,” Laura blurted, in total frustration.

     “I think this is a good time to stop.” Dr. Freed stated. “I’d like to see you again, possibly on the day after one of Adam’s nighttime adventures. Would you both be willing to try this?”

     “Okay, if you think it will help,” Laura said.

     “If I have to,” I grumbled. “But I’m not sure it’s worthwhile.”

     After we arrived home, we ate dinner and watched a little TV, but said nothing about that afternoon. In bed, I rolled over and kissed Laura goodnight. “See you in the morning, if I’m here when you get up.”

     Laura looked at me with a scowl on her face, shook her head, and muttered, “Just keep it up, Adam. You’re not helping matters. I’m going to call Dr. Freed’s office in the morning and see if we can get in to see her tomorrow afternoon, since it appears you will be gone during the night.”

     Well, I did travel. And this frustrated Laura. However, she was able to get an appointment that afternoon. I wasn’t too excited about going, but I went anyway.

     “Good afternoon, Laura, Adam. I’m glad I had an opening this afternoon. My office assistant said you sounded quite upset on the phone, Laura.”

“More fed up, than upset, Dr. Freed.”

“I’m not sure I understand what you mean by fed up, Laura.”

“Well, it’s Adam. I think he’s going . . .”

“So say it, Laura. Don’t keep the good doctor waiting.”

“Say what? Now you think you can read my mind, Adam?”

“Maybe I can. You think I’m going crazy. So, say it, if it makes you feel better.”

“Please Adam, relax. Let Laura finish what she was going to say. Laura . . .”

“I love Adam, Dr. Freed. But he’s losing touch with reality, and I can’t take it anymore.”

“You can’t take it anymore? What about me? Why won’t you listen to me? What I do is real. If I knew how to make you part of it, I would.”

“Maybe you can, Adam,” Dr. Freed interjected.

“I can? Are you serious?”

“What are you talking about, doctor?” Laura queried, somewhat dismayed by Dr. Freed’s statement.

“I have an idea for our next session. For now, go home. Love each other for who you are, even if you don’t fully understand what that is. I’ll see you one week from today at 2 pm.”

     Sun snuck in through the bedroom shutters the next morning, creating magical, colorful circles on the ceiling. I stared in awe at them. I was at peace. I’d gone to Rob’s high school reunion last night. And, for a period of time, I was Rob. He learned how time has a way of leveling the playing field. People do change. Those who ignored him or treated him with disdain in high school no longer placed themselves above him. They saw him for what he had become—a success. “What an evening!” I blurted.

     “What a what? What are you talking about?” Laura shrieked.

     “”Rob’s class reunion.”

     “Who’s Rob?”

     “The guy whose life I led last night.”

     “You are nuts, Adam. But if living in your fantasy world makes you feel good, then enjoy it, but leave me out of it.”

     I shook my head, as I watched Laura leave the room. I needed to prove to her my travels were real. And maybe, just maybe, this could be accomplished at our visit to Dr. Freed’s office next week.

     The week passed with little discussion about my travels. Laura called to me, “Adam, are you ready?”

“Yes, my sweet, I’m coming. Just got back from my latest trip, so I’m running a little late.”

“Don’t start that again.”

“Why not? The good doctor said you’d be going with me next time.”

“If that happens, she’s as crazy as you are.”

“You’re the one who picked her out, Laura. If you don’t have faith in her, why are we wasting our time?”

“Believe me, I’m beginning to wonder. But we did agree to go today, so let’s be on time.”

We drove the six miles to Dr. Freed’s office without saying a word. We arrived, parked the car, entered the building, and made our way to the third floor.

“Okay, open the door, Adam.”

“You know, I don’t really want to do this.”

Laura pushed passed me and opened the door to Dr. Freed’s office and we entered. Dr. Freed was standing at the front desk chatting with her assistant. Hearing the door close, she turned toward us and smiled.

“Laura, Adam, it’s so nice to see you again. Come into my office. Rachel, please hold my calls—and no interruptions.”

“So, how have you both been since our last visit?”

“I’m doing fine,” Adam chanted. “Still a little tired from my last nighttime excursion. But fatigue is a small price to pay for the benefits I receive from going—a thoroughly amazing experience. I’m looking forward to my next adventure.”

“He’s utterly impossible,” Dr. Freed. He’s playing me and you, too. I think this is all a game to control me and make my life miserable. He says he loves me, but sometimes I wonder if he really does. Because the way he shows it is anything but loving.”

“And I suppose calling me crazy and making me go to a shrink demonstrates your love for me.”

“Adam, I want to help you. Isn’t that what a wife does for a husband she cares about?”

“Oh, my! If that’s caring, I’d be better off if . . .”

“Okay, okay. I think I’m getting the picture of what’s been happening in your lives since we last met. It’s obvious little has changed for the better. So please sit down, so we can begin today’s session.”

“Should we sit close to each other rather than on opposite sides of the couch, since you said Laura will be traveling with me today?”

“You just won’t drop it. Will you, Adam? I’m sure the doctor didn’t mean I’d be going anywhere with you. She’s just going to help me understand why you believe you travel at night, so I can support you in working through your problem.”

“Problem? My only problem is a lack of sleep. This is your problem. I told you, I shouldn’t be here.”

“I’d like you both to stop your incessant bickering. It’s not getting you anywhere,” Dr. Freed ordered. “Adam, you sit on one side of the couch and Laura, you sit on the other. Are you both comfortable?”

“Yes, I think so,” Laura replied in a soft, polite manner.

“Fine. Now what?” I responded, somewhat angry.

“I’m going to hypnotize you both. Hopefully, I can help you to gain a better understanding of your respective positions with regard to Adam’s nighttime traveling. Laura, I will start with you.”

“Okay, if you think it’s going to help, doctor.”

“I do.”

Laura looked somewhat apprehensive, but appeared to be willing to follow Dr. Freed’s instructions. Softly and slowly, Dr. Freed began.

“Please sit back and try to relax, Laura. Stretch your legs out and wiggle your toes. Now stop and let your feet drop to the floor. Wiggle your fingers. Stop and let your arms and hands rest on the couch. Relax. Focus on your breathing. Take a deep breath, and as you let it out begin to feel yourself relax even more. Concentrate on each inhale and each exhale, as you let yourself sink even deeper into a trance. You are feeling tired, sleepy. When you hear the words, ‘pleasant journey,’ you will be asleep in a world of silence. This silence can only be broken when I say, ‘Journey with Adam.’ Do you understand?”

“Yessssss.”

“Okay, Laura, ‘Pleasant journey.’”

“Is she asleep, doctor?” I asked.

“Yes, very much so.”

“Can she hear us?”

“No, not at all.”

“Thank you for doing this for me, doctor.”

“You’re welcome, Adam. When we met on your nighttime journey that night three months ago, you helped me to save my daughter from a life of drugs. You took on the life of Detective Richard Angel and you, as him, became my angel. I told you, if you ever needed my help, I would be there for you. And I meant it.”

“You are here for me now. And I really need you. But you never told me just how you were going to help me.”

“I couldn’t tell you that, Adam. I had to let you believe the therapy sessions would be focused on you. I wanted you to protest what was happening. I wanted to elicit natural responses from you.

“You certainly did that.”

“May I ask you a question, Adam?”

“Yes.”

“How did you get Laura to call me?”

“One night when she was really frustrated with me, I handed her five business cards I got at the ‘Home and Health Expo’ I attended at our clubhouse. Your card was one of them—the only therapist. I didn’t know if she’d use it, but, obviously, she did. Now what do we do?”

“By the end of today’s session, Laura will believe that you and she traveled back in time, three years to be exact, where you worked together for a social work agency to save Johnny Morgan from ruining his life. This will become very real to her. And, hopefully, she will believe what you tell her in the future about your adventures as the ‘Nighttime Traveler.’ If not, we’ll just have to have a follow-up session.”

“All I can say is thank you for supporting me and for helping me to save my marriage.”

“You’re welcome. Now let me finish my session with Laura.”

I listened as Dr. Freed created a tale that mesmerized even me—one that Laura would have a very difficult time questioning. And then, I heard the words . . .

“’Journey with Adam.’ Open your eyes Laura.”

“Oh my God! It is real. Your travels do happen. Adam, I’m so sorry for questioning you. I’d love to go again. That is, if you want me to. Would you take me?” Laura implored.

“Maybe, if you say you love me.”

“Oh, Adam, I do love you.”

Copyright © 2020 Alan Lowe. All rights reserved.