Page 69 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

She returned his shake, instantly more at ease as she stared into his kind blue eyes. “It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”

“I’m always happy to welcome a new friend to our practice. Especially when I hear you’re keeping a smile on this knucklehead’s face.” Matthew grinned at Nate. “Nathan, how are you on this fine morning?”

“Still smiling.”

“So I see.” Matthew took a seat on his stool by the computer. “Have you talked to my nephew lately?”

“It’s been a couple of weeks, but I do remember Brad mentioning that I should say hello to his favorite uncle the next time I ran into you.”

“I bet he did.” Matthew chuckled and gave his attention back to Callie. “So, Callie Davis, tell me about you.”

“Oh.” She sat up taller and tucked her hair behind her ear, not used to chatting with her doctors. Usually they examined her in fifteen minutes or less and sent her on her way. “Uh, I’m visiting from Manhattan.”

“How long are you staying with us here on the island?”

“I’m not sure yet.” She smiled as she looked at Nate. “My original plan was to leave the first week of November, but I might extend that out a bit.”

“You’re an artist,” Matthew continued.

She nodded. “Yes.”

“You make stained glass?”

“Yes, I create with it.”

“Isn’t that the damnedest thing?” He shook his head as if he were amazed. “Good for you.”

“Thank you.”

Matthew sat back on his stool and folded his hands as if he had all the time in the world. “Nate was telling me you’ve been having a little trouble.”

She hesitated before she nodded again. “I’ve been having dreams—nightmares, I guess. I don’t actually remember what they’re about, but when I wake up, I’m afraid.”

Matthew nodded. “Tell me more.”

“Well, I know I see odd visions, but I don’t like that I can’t remember anything else.” She gripped her hands in her lap. “I should remember, right? Nothing like this has ever happened before.”

“What do you see in your visions?”

“Um, random stuff—a locket and a rug.” She shook her head, finding her confessions embarrassing. “I drew them. For some reason, I feel compelled to draw what I see, but I’m not sure why.”

“Does it help?”

She shrugged. “Yes, I guess so. It helps me try to make sense of what I’m doing.”

Matthew nodded as he picked up a pen. “Do you see these visions at any other time?”

“No, just after I wake up. It kind of pops into my head.”

“Do you hear voices in your dreams?”

“No. Or I don’t remember if I do.”

“What about at other times—during the day when you’re fully awake?

She shook her head.

“Any odd bouts of crying? Mood swings? Anything abnormal?”