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"Are you a lawyer?"
The man shook his head. "No, dear."
"It's Angel."
"Angel, my name is Doctor Bender. Do you remember me? We met once before."
I shook my head.
"Well, I am a psychologist. I've been appointed by the court to examine your mental health on behalf of the state of Arizona."
"Another doctor?"
"I have been advised of the charges against you, the incidents in the interrogation room, and have consulted with your regular physician and a doctor Elena Williams." His brow furrowed. "Doctor Williams sent over her very extensive notes with a copy of your file." His index finger plunked the top of the accordion file. "I would have followed up with you sooner, but I had to go over all the information and gather research."
He popped off the rubber band holding the thick file folder and it sprang open, tripling in size. He removed a stack of papers and adjusted his rimless glasses.
"I've met separately with Avery, but this time I would like to speak with the both of you at once. Would that be okay?"
My forehead crumpled. "She's here?"
I didn't hear any doors open but as I spoke, Avery walked in wearing the same chains as me. She was bound at the waist, wrists, and ankles. She was allowed to sit beside me-at my left. I watched her from the corner of my eye.
Her shoulders were squared, her chin held high. "I will only speak to Doctor Williams. We had a deal."
She twisted my direction. I refused to acknowledge her presence that felt like a weighty collar holding me back. She was so smug and demanding-I could not fathom why she and I had ever been friends.
The gray-haired man looked down at his papers-my file-and one corner of his mouth twisted down. "Avery, is it? I was told you might say that. So I have taken the liberty of asking Doctor Williams to join us. She should be arriving shortly."
As if on cue, the same plain door, cordoned off by chain link fencing topped with barbed wire across the visitor's area, opened. In stepped Doctor Williams and another guard, but he stayed inside the fencing, allowing her to pass through into our chamber, filling in an opening on the opposite side of the table.
She and Doctor Bender quickly exchanged whispers before her eyes locked on me. "I'm glad to see you, Angel. Avery."
I couldn't respond.
Avery screamed. "What happened to Doctor-Patient confidentiality?"
"You are being charged with a felony. Your case has officially been passed off to Doctor David Bender. I am here as a consultant."
"Consulting my ass." Avery spat. "You're glad to get rid of us. No more Angel. No more head-case."
"Your specific issues are not within my scope of expertise, but they are within Doctor Benders. His opinions on your condition and this case may decide what happens to you from this point on."
"We have to talk to him." Her voice was suddenly soft and close. Half of my face burned from her breath on my cheek. She was looking directly at me, speaking into my ear. "Remember, Angel, how I always look out for you?"
My throat swelled with unshed tears. How could she say that?
She paused, waiting. "Don't worry. I'll tell them."
"One moment." Doctor Bender held out his index finger then swooped it down into his briefcase. It reemerged on the button of a compact tape recorder. He set it on top of the table, speaking into the air, aiming his voice at the recorder, stating three names: his, Doctor Williams' and mine. Then he looked to Avery. "I'm ready when you are, Avery."
Avery mumbled, "Don't hate me." And then began in a steady voice, "We are broken, but we have value . . ."
With those few words, I felt a sudden wave of dizziness descend upon on me. It crashed over my left shoulder, rolled me onto my back, and I swear, it carried me away to another place and time.
I was six years old. Maybe seven. I was goofing around with Avery in the family room of whosever house I was staying in at the time. We were running, playing tag. My shoulder knocked one of the bookshelves lining the wall. I fell to the hardwood floor. A tall jar of coins that was kept up on one of the higher shelves toppled over and rolled off the edge.
It hit the ground beside me with an ear-splitting shatter.
