The Seer by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 18

“Alright,” he began. “Gordon, I want you to just breathe.”

He had taught Gordon a breathing technique he could use to alleviate anxiety, but when confronted with what appeared to be the souls of the dead, the breathing exercise was always forgotten. Under the guidance of his doctor, Gordon took a minute to let his arms dangle as he held his breath, and letting it out slowly, felt the effects of CO2 rushing through his body. As he sat with his eyes closed, his doctor paged through the reports from the neurologist. The results of his tests had all come to the same conclusion. Everything was within normal limits. His doctor never said it out loud, but given the lack of a diagnosis, he felt they had reached a dead end. He could prescribe an anti-depressant, but didn't believe that Gordon's issue was the result of depression, or any other mental illness. So, he took a wild swing at something he normally wouldn't address.

“Gordon,” he began. “I know that this is going to be a bit 'out there' for you. I know how logical you are, but have you thought about going to a priest?” Walter was raised as Catholic and felt that sometimes speaking with a priest could be helpful, but never pushed religion onto any of his patients. Gordon's attention was grabbed immediately as he reacted with a slight laugh.

“Jesus, Walter,” he began. “You can't be serious!”

“I know how it sounds,” his doctor replied. “But between my assessment and the neurological workup, there's nothing wrong. You're as normal as anyone else.” He took a moment to read Gordon's reaction.

“Look,” he continued. “I know you don't believe in those things, but I don't have an explanation. Just think about it, okay?”

The idea of going to a priest for something that should be a matter of brain functioning left Gordon feeling somewhat hopeless. But given that all options had been exhausted, he came to the conclusion that it couldn't hurt to talk to a man of the cloth. Gordon sighed in resignation.

“Alright,” he said. “It might be interesting to get a different perspective anyway.”

With this decision, Gordon's session ended. Again, the two men shook hands, and Gordon left for home, feeling that somehow, his life had been cursed, that he would have to live with whatever it was that was slowly fracturing his psyche.