CHAPTER 15 - THE DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT

Around seven in the morning Courtney woke up by her alarm and decided to get ready for the day. Her first schedule of therapy will be in two hours so she has enough time to get ready and grabbed a nice morning meal at the hotel’s restaurant.

“Buongiorno signorina (Good morning miss)!” One of the hotel staff greeted her by the lobby.

“Buongiorno.” Courtney acknowledged the staff.

The hotel receives a lot of remarkable comments when it comes to best accommodation and excellent service. As a matter of fact it was her great grandmother who named the hotel Grand Italia, according to her mother this is the only hotel that stood out when an earthquake hits during the 1900s. It became the sanctuary of those victims and from there the hotel became popular.

“Buon appetito signorina.” The Chef served her usual breakfast meal.

Courtney saw two croissants, slices of apple and her favorite cafe latte. The coffee was the signature of the hotel’s restaurant since it’s known for its latte art that you can even request upon order. It is a method of preparing coffee created by pouring microfoam into a shot of espresso and resulting in a pattern or design on the surface of the latte.

“Grazie Chef Gustavo.” Courtney smiled as she took her first sip.

After her delicious meal, she took her doctor’s bag and laptop and head to her clinic that is about two kilometers from her location. Upon entering her clinic, her secretary welcomed her and they started to huddle before the patients started coming in.

“Hey Nat! I love your tan.” She greeted her best friend’s sister.

“Hey Ni-Ni! All thanks to the sun of Spain, if only you joined us we could have had it together.” Nathalia flaunts it more with teasing tone.

“I know right but at least you still get it and let’s not forget that wine festival you went too, I’m so jealous.” Courtney has a teasing tone.

“Speaking of hunk, your first patient is at the waiting area. If I were you I will tap that guy whatever illness he has.” She teased back.

“You know that’s against policy Nat.” Courtney opens the chart that her secretary handed over.

“It still counts as sex therapy.” Her secretary giggles.

“You are really like Nic-Nic’s, anyway let’s start the day before your mind gets wild.” Courtney

“Ai Ai Doctor.” Her secretary salutes her.

Few moments later, the first session started to her patient that is suffering from bipolar syndrome. He is a 28 years old and he’s been her patient for a year now. At first it was a bit struggle with him because he refused to accept his illness and rejects medication but after 6 months of continuous sessions and convictions, her patient agreed.

“Doctor Montini, is there any improvement with my son?” The mother approaches Courtney after the session ended.

“Based on the past sessions that we did, I can say that your son’s mood has been improving after today. He is more responsive with my questions and most importantly he can control his temper unlike before.” Courtney gave her inputs.

“I just hope his condition will not last a lifetime, don’t get me wrong Doctor I love my son so much it’s the society we are in that I am worried about.” The mother stated with pure concern.

“I understand your situation not only because you’re his mother but also how the society acts when it comes to this type of illness. I can’t assure you that the society will change their point of you but one thing I am certain is that your son will live as normal as he could. It is a lifetime treatment but with continuous support and acceptance from your family will get him better.” Courtney advised.

“Amongst the Doctors that my son has been through, you’re the only one who didn’t treat my son as her patient but also a family.” The mother is now teary-eyed.

“Perhaps it’s due to life experience and the dedication on helping.” Courtney answered while giving tissue to the crying mother.

“I hope a lot of Doctors think the way you do. Forgive me for prying but are you in a relationship?” The mother asked out of nowhere.

“I… yes I am.” Courtney almost said no but remembers her contract with Ben.

“Oh I see, you might be wondering why I asked you, it’s just that I was thinking maybe you can date my son considering you know him well and he seems to be livelier every time we come here.” The mother wiped her tear.

“Your son is an incredible man and I am sure someone out there will love him the way you wanted him to be love but I’m sorry that it will not be me.” Courtney gave blunt reply but with softness.

“I understand Doctor; anyway I will not take much of your time. Thank you again.” The mother stands up.

“You’re most welcome, you can come to me if you need some advice too you know and don’t worry is for free.” Courtney smiled at her.

“I will; thank you again Doctor Montini.” The woman walks towards the door.

Three hours passed Courtney finally was done with her morning schedule since each of her patient have an hour of session to consume. Sometimes they exceeded the time and she doesn’t charge them for that because there are days that the sessions are shorter and they paid enough for that day. It was nice to see that few of her patients are improving yet some of them don’t show any development even after months of session. If there is one syndrome that she considered to be challenging it’s the Borderline Personality Disorder. Sometimes she finds it hard to build connection with her patient as their mood is unstable and their behavior can be good or bad during their sessions, but still she is passionate and determined to help cure their illness to the best of her ability. She was pilling up the videos for therapy on the shelf when her attention was called.

“Hey Ni-Ni, I’m off to lunch you want to join me?” She peeped through the door using her own term of name with her.

“Oh I didn’t realize the time, you go along I’ll follow I just need to answer this call real quick.” Courtney hollered as she looked at her phone.

“Should I order your usual lunch?” Her kind secretary asked.

“Yes please, and thank you.” Courtney courteously answered.

As soon as Nathalia closed the door, Courtney answered the unknown call. She found out that it was from the Academy, they wanted to check if she receives the mail that they sent. She immediately checked the email and saw the time slot she inquired. She confirmed the registration and the schedule that will fit her schedule. After making sure she got her card, she locked her clinic and followed her secretary to the adjacent building to get her lunch.

“At last! Thought I’m going to wait for another 30 minutes.” Her secretary was relief to see her.

“Sorry to keep you waiting Nat, let’s eat I know you’re starving as well.” Courtney took a seat beside her.

During lunch Courtney told her secretary/friend about the conversation she had with the mother of her patient. As expected Nathalia almost choked since she was not expecting to hear it directly from the mother.

“I can’t believe she will try to set up her son to date you.” She wiped the corner of her lip.

“I know right but what can we do? She’s a mother and she’s afraid that no one will accept her son because of his condition.” Courtney explained while stuffing herself with spaghetti Bolognese.

“Most people don’t really understand the importance of mental health and they don’t take it seriously like we do.” She took a bite of the baguette.

“I just hope this world will be open in this type of disorders so those people who are diagnosed will not go through discrimination or be rejected by the society just because of they are not mentally stable.” Courtney stated.

“Exactly, there are people who are clinically diagnosed but too afraid to admit it because of those factors.” Her secretary seconded.

“Yeah, that’s true. Anyway enough about work tell me about Spain, did you meet any nice hunks?’ Courtney changed the topic as it affects them.

Nathalia told her the hunk she met without her family’s knowledge and Courtney swear to keep it with specially with Nic-Nic. Half hour passed their lunch was over and they headed back to the clinic. After her afternoon sessions with her patients, Courtney finally called it a day. She decided to drop by at her parents house since she left few of her work stuff after the argument. After saying goodbye to each other, she drove her car feeling exhausted but accomplished at the same time.