Hybrid (Brier Hospital Series Book 7)

by Lawrence Gold

  “What exactly did he say?” Lola asked.

  Denise looked at Gabe, and then back to Lola. “He said that if we pushed too hard, we wouldn’t like the consequences.”

  “That’s a little opaque,” Jacob said, “but he certainly made his point.”

  Gabe looked at Lola, and then turned to Denise. When Denise nodded, he said, “Please, would you see Zack for us?”

  Lola’s eyes widened. “You know that I’d do anything for you and for Zack, but this is too important to act hastily. First, there’s the issue of timing. Is this the right time to intervene, and secondly, is an analyst in her mid-eighties the appropriate therapist for a teenager?”

  “There’s one thing I’ve learned for sure, both in psychiatric training and in practice,” Denise said, “the therapist’s character, skills, and experience are what counts. I can’t think of anyone I’d trust more than you, Lola.”

  Lola smiled. “Even an old lady can be had. Let me think on it.”

  “Remember one thing, Lola,” Gabe said, “Zack loves and respects you. That’s a leg up.”

  At 4 p.m., Zack was pacing outside Lola’s office at the Berkeley Family Mental Health Clinic. He started to walk away several times, but then turned back. He was about to leave again when the door opened and Lola stepped out.

  “Zack,” she said smiling, “too late to escape. Come on in. I’m so glad to see you.”

  When she walked up and gave Zack a hug, he leaned back and stiffened.

  “What’s the matter, Zack? Can’t give an old lady a hug?”

  “I’m sorry, but this is the first time I’m seeing a shrink professionally.”

  “Shrink’s okay, but I prefer analyst. C’mon,” Lola said, as she sat in her easy chair. “How about a ride on my couch?”

  “Are you going to psychoanalyze me, Dr. Weizman?”

  She laughed. “It’s Lola, and I won’t be alive long enough to do that,” she paused, “moreover, analysis is the last thing you need.”

  “Then what…”

  “Let’s just say that I’ve lived long enough to have seen the best and the worst of human nature, and I have experience in helping people with their emotional problems.”

  “And, you think I need that type of help?”

  “Don’t go simple on me, Zack. You’re anything but. I know that you recognize a new, and perhaps not so great change in the relationship with your parents, and with Ella.”

  “What have they told you?”

  “That they’re concerned.”

  Zack looked down, remaining silent.

  “Here are the rules of the game. Take them to the bank. I’m not your mother or your girlfriend, nor am I their surrogates. If you want help, I’m your gal. Nothing you say here will ever reach the light of day or the ears of anyone. I can’t guarantee anything but my best efforts to help you.”

  “Okay,” Zack said, “where do we begin?”

  “Tell me your first memory.”

  “What?” Zack said, wide eyed.

  “You’re too easy, Zack. As the kids say, I’m kidding…LOL.”

  Zack took a deep breath and smiled. “Denise was right when she said, ‘Lola Weizman is something else.’”

  “Tell me what you think is happening, and why?”

  “Okay,” Zack said. “I’ll try to be objective.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “You know that being me hasn’t always been easy. A ‘gifted’ child may be every parent’s fantasy, but it also creates problems. I learned early that I wasn’t like the other kids. That set me apart. It left me feeling lonely…estranged. I was popular, but that was because no one knew the real me except for my parents, Ella, and to a certain extent, Kenny, Ella’s autistic brother.” Zack paused. “Has anyone described for you my skills?”

  “I know what I’ve always known; that you’re immensely bright, physically talented, and especially perceptive…”

  “It’s more than that…” Zack interrupted.

  “Hold your horses, kiddo,” Lola said.

  Zack reddened with anger. “Do you or don’t you want to know, Lola?”

  “Of course I want to know. Go ahead.”

  “I can read people’s minds,” Zack said.

  “Okay,” Lola smiled. “What am I thinking?”

  “It’s not like that. I get impressions and on occasion, visuals.”

  Lola leaned back in her chair in silence, and waited.

  “I’m no cheap magician,” Zack said. “Denise tried that with a deck of cards.”

  “If you don’t know what you’re doing or how you do it,” Lola said, “How am I supposed to help?”

  Zack sagged back.

  Lola crossed her skinny pale legs, and studied Zack. “I can see that you’re trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”

  Zack erupted in laughter. “Now I know that you weren’t a Boy Scout. Where did you learn that?

  “My head’s full of useless information.” She paused. “But, I was making a point. You’ve been a good kid, maybe not a boy scout, and that’s what people noticed and reacted to before they learned a thing about your other talents. From the perspectives of your folks, and from Ella, you’ve changed. Do you see that at all?”

  Zack scratched his head. “I’m not a child any more. Soon, I’ll be a man, and independent. I’m entitled to choose what I do, and with whom I associate myself.”

  “So parents and friends have no role in your future?”

  “That’s not what I’m saying.”

  “What are you saying, Zack?” Lola asked.

  “I don’t know. Maybe you can explain it for me, Lola.”

  “I’ll try, sweetheart,” she said. “As teenagers mature they seek independence. That’s normal. Some teens need to prove their independence, but that’s only a mechanism to deal with their insecurities—act confident, and you’ll be confident. When you’re truly mature, you have nothing to prove.”

  “Okay,” Zack said, “but none of that helps me. They want one thing. I want another. Are you suggesting compromise?”

  “Absolutely not. Compromise, too often, leaves both sides unsatisfied.”

  “So?”

  “I’ve been glib enough for one day,” Lola said. “I’ve never been an advocate of role playing, but its principles are sound…insight into both sides of a conflict. I’m going to ask your parents and Ella to think for you, and you for them. Afterward, we’ll get together and share our observations.”

  “That’s it?” Zack asked.

  “That’s just a start. Remember, that understanding both sides of an issue doesn’t guarantee a solution. While each one of us has his or her own truth, love and goodwill goes a long way.”

  Zack smiled and looked into Lola’s eyes. “Do we get to sing Kumbaya?”

  Lola laughed, and hugged Zack again.

  This time, he returned her hug.

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Zack was working on his Zener cards with Jorge and Zeru in the Denisovan research lab.

  “Where’s your mind today,” Jorge said, “you’re way off.”

  “I know,” Zack said. “Things aren’t that great at home.”

  “What’s wrong?” Zeru asked.

  Zack paused a moment and looked up at Jorge.

  Jorge smiled. “You don’t have to say anything. We respect your privacy.”

  Zack nodded. “May we try the Energy Wheel?”

  Zeru brought out the lightweight rotor and placed it on the table before Zack. Just the movement through the air was enough to make the wheel rotate.

  After the wheel settled down, Zack sat before it, and began to concentrate. He remained focused on the wheel, and after ten minutes, he said, “No can do. I feel the wheel, but I can’t make it move.”

  “This is only your third try,” Zeru said, “be patient.”

  Zack took a deep breath, and looked from Zeru to Jorge. “My parents and my girlfrie
nd, Ella, are pressuring me to leave the Denisovan School.”

  “Why?” Jorge asked.

  “God knows.”

  Zeru stared at Zack. “They must have said something.”

  “I’m trying to be objective…to see the situation through their eyes, but they’re chafing against my independence. I don’t get it. They should want me to be self-reliant.”

  “Still,” Zeru said, “you’re only sixteen. I’m not prepared, and neither should you, to dismiss their concerns. I know how much they love and worry about you.”

  “They’re smothering me. I can’t stand it.”

  “Zeru and I are your friends, Zack,” Jorge said, “but you sound a bit over the top…melodramatic.”

  “You don’t know…” Zack said as tears filled his eyes. “I’ve finally found a place here where I can be myself. I’ll be damned if I’m going to lose it.”

  Jorge stared at Zeru, and then back at Zack. “Don’t misinterpret what I’m saying, Zack. I, too, may have problems with your parents’ decision, and we surely don’t want to lose you, but you’ll need to show me much more before I call child protective services.”

  “You’re on their side,” Zack shouted. “I don’t believe it.”

  Zeru stood, walked over to Zack, and placed her arm around his shoulders. “Please, Zack, calm down.”

  “Not you, too,” Zack said glaring at Zeru.

  “Try a deep breath,” Jorge said. “Let’s take a break and have you try the Energy Wheel again.”

  Zack shook his head in disgust, gritted his teeth, and sat before the rotor. He concentrated on the apparatus, and within thirty seconds, the wheel was spinning.

  Lola arranged for the conference room at the Berkeley Family Mental Health Clinic. Lola and Jacob sat at the head of the table. Denise, Gabe, and Ella sat on one side, Zack on the other. They’d been talking for about an hour, but Zack had contributed little. He sat with his arms folded across his chest.

  “We can’t do this without your help, Zack,” Lola said.

  “I’m only here as a courtesy,” Zack said.

  “A courtesy to whom?” Gabe asked.

  “Cut the crap, Zack,” Jacob said. “Stop acting like an ass.”

  Lola patted Jacob’s arm. “Don’t listen to him. He’s getting excitable in his old age.”

  “No,” Zack said, “I appreciate Jacob’s comment. He’s the only one here whose opinion I can trust.”

  Denise’s eyes were filling. She stared at Lola. “This may have been a terrible idea”.

  Ella leaned across the table. “Zack. Please. What’s going on with you?”

  Zack swallowed, looked down at his lap, and then raised his gaze to meet Ella’s. “You, of all people, should know what it’s been like for me. Finally, when I finally found a place of serenity, a place where I truly fit in, you want to take it away from me.”

  “You’re making this an all or nothing situation, Zack,” Lola said. “It needn’t be so.”

  Zack looked from Denise, to Gabe, and to Ella. “I know that you love me. That you want what’s best for me. That you’d do anything for me, but I also know that despite your best efforts, none of you can hide your true feelings.” He paused. “I can’t live that way. I won’t live that way.”

  “What are you saying, Zack,” Gabe asked.

  “Pause for a moment, Zack,” Lola said. “Don’t say something that you’ll regret.”

  Zack stood. “You give me no choice. I’ll be applying for legal emancipation.” He turned and left the room.

  Gabe and Denise sat in shock. Ella began to cry.

  “Don’t get too worked up,” Lola said. “No way will a court grant Zack emancipation. He fulfills too few criteria.”

  “But, Lola,” Denise said, “Just the fact that he’s demanding emancipation means we’ve lost him.”

  “No way,” Lola said. “I’ll bet anything that he’s already regretting his outburst.”

  “What can we do?” Gabe asked.

  “Let me meet with him,” Lola said. “Easy solutions are off the table. I have a lot of work to do with this young man.”

  “Don’t worry too much,” Jacob said. “When Lola gets that look in her eye, it’s amazing what she can do.”

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  Adam and Zack were waiting for their rides home after class.

  “What are you doing this weekend? Zack asked.

  “I’m heading up to the Sierra foothills for some special training.”

  “I’m getting a little sick of all the secrecy, Adam. How about it?”

  “Now that you’re making a point of it, Jorge suggested that it’s about time you joined us.”

  “Doing what?” Zack asked.

  “Jorge had arranged for us to meet with Senoia Jaso, a Basque Special Forces trainer. He’s been working with me on a combination survival and weapons program.”

  Zack’s eyes widened. “Weapons? What for?”

  “If we’re going to work with Jorge, we may need the skills to protect ourselves.”

  “From what?” Zack asked.

  “I’d rather have Jorge explain the whole thing to you.”

  “I don’t know if my parents will let me get away. Things aren’t so great at home.”

  “What’s happening with your decision to seek emancipation?”

  “I went to the East Bay Area Law Center, and the attorney said that, based on my situation, I had no chance in hell. Maybe, over time, if things change, he might reconsider representing me.”

  “What about this weekend?” Adam asked.

  “Weapons training…Denise will flip out if she hears that. She and Gabe are strong gun control advocates.”

  “Don’t tell them.”

  “Right. Everything’s so easy for you, Adam. For me, it’s different. It’s one thing to seek more independence, it’s another to lie. My relationship with my parents, for better or worse, has always been an honest one. I’m not crazy about deceiving them.”

  “It’s your life,” Adam scowled. “Handle it in any way you want. Just let me know in a day or so.”

  Zack studied Adam. “You’re not involved in anything you wouldn’t tell your parent or a police officer?”

  “Absolutely not. Trust me, Zack, then wait to hear Jorge’s explanation.”

  After dinner that night, Zack turned to Denise. “I’m thinking of going away for the weekend.”

  “Away where? “Denise asked.

  “To the Sierra foothills and Grass Valley.”

  Gabe looked at Denise, and then at Zack. “Who’s going? Who will be supervising? Where will you stay? What will you be doing?”

  “Anything else,” Zach said with a tight voice.

  Gabe reddened with anger. “Don’t be a smart ass.”

  Zack trembled. “Then don’t cross-examine me. Just ask, and I’ll answer.”

  “My God,” exclaimed Denise, “what’s happening to this family?”

  Both Denise and Gabe sat with their arms crossed.

  “Jorge, Zeru, Adam and several other students will be undergoing a two-day course in survival training. They designed the course to encourage self-reliance, confidence, greater group cohesion, excellence, and integrity. That doesn’t sound too bad, does it?”

  “Where will you stay?”

  “Jorge has an old friend, an outdoorsman. He’ll direct the weekend activities. He lives in Grass Valley and owns several cabins we can use.”

  “I don’t know,” Denise said staring from Zack to Gabe.

  “What don’t you know,” Zack said.

  “Maybe we should talk with Jorge first?” Denise asked.

  “Do as you damn well please,” Zack shouted, and left the room.

  Denise embraced Gabe. “We just can’t do anything right.”

  Jorge planned to depart with the group after class on Friday. He pulled Zack aside and placed his arm over his shoulder as they walked into his office. Jorge moved his desk chair to sit beside Zack. “We need to talk befo
re we leave for the weekend. If you’re unhappy or uncomfortable with anything I say, you still have time to back out.”

  Zack looked down. He spoke in a low voice. “Well, I did have some questions. Mostly, it has to do with arms training.”

  “Have you ever fired a weapon?”

  “Once, a friend came over with a BB gun. Before I got a chance to try it, Denise screamed that I was going to shoot someone in the eye. Gabe took it away at once. They’re not into guns of any type.”

  “If I didn’t trust you, Zack, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Nobody outside our school can ever hear what I’m about to say. Do you understand?”

  “I understand, but you’re asking me to give you enormous latitude. Suppose you say something or plan an action that I can’t abide? How can you ask me to ignore that?”

  “Here’s what I’ve told everyone. You object, we discuss, we come to an agreement, but if we can’t, then you or any of the students have absolute control to do as you like. I can’t—I won’t go on, unless we all agree.”

  “Did you talk with my parents,” Zack asked.

  “Yes. They were just nervous. I was able to reassure them.”

  “All players in the Denisovan School understand what happened to me, and to my family?”

  Zack nodded.

  “While I’ve disavowed violence, I’m not so noble that I don’t want revenge. For people like Antonio Marin Vega, now the consul-general, and Francisco Salazar, now the Minister of the Interior, death would be too easy.” Jorge reddened with anger. “I want them to live and suffer.”

  Zack shuffled in his chair. “This is all a bit too intense for me, sir. I’m not sure that I want to be involved.”

  “Your involvement, if any, would be strictly up to you, but I’m guessing that allowing murderers to escape justice doesn’t sit well with you either.”

  “What do you have in mind, and what would my role be?”

  “Both men had risen to power based on violence, but their further ascension had come through unethical, immoral, and illegal practices. These simply need to reach the light of day. I’d hoped that you and Adam could provide surveillance of their activities and contacts. In addition, you have certain computer skills which could prove helpful.”