The Klone and I: A High-Tech Love Story - By Danielle Steel Page 0,57
the children Christmas shopping.”
“I see,” he said, looking even more worried. “Does Roger have custody of them?”
“No, I do.” But suddenly all I wanted to do was laugh when I looked at him. He was so dismayed by what I had told him. I just wish he could have seen Paul in silver or gold lame, puce, or chartreuse, or hot pink or bright purple. The leopard jumpsuit would have done it too, or the orange velour lounging suit he had worn the night before at dinner. Dr. Steinfeld would have loved him. He would have understood why I was so confused.
“Do you get headaches, Stephanie? Severe ones?”
“No, Doctor, I don't,” I said, smiling at him. I stood up then and he looked intensely worried. “I'm really sorry this is all so confusing.”
“We'll get it all sorted out soon. You'll feel much better on the medication. It will take a few weeks to take hold, so it's very important you start right away. I want you to call me tomorrow and make another appointment.”
“I'll do that,” I said, and practically ran out the door before he could commit me.
I hailed a cab and went home, and found Paul playing with the kids. He was already into his second bottle of bourbon, and all I could do was look at him and shake my head, just like Dr. Steinfeld.
“Are you okay?” he asked a few minutes later, when he came to see what I was cooking for dinner.
“No, I hate you,” and at that exact moment, I meant it. “I went to my old shrink this afternoon, and thanks to you and that lunatic who sent you here, I convinced him that I'm completely crazy.”
“Did you tell him you're not, we are?”
“I tried to. But I think he's right. I think it's contagious.”
“What did he tell you to do?” Paul asked with interest.
“Take medications for my hallucinations. I told him you were a Klone, and he asked me if you were in the room with me at that moment. Nice, huh?”
“Very. Believe me, if I'd been there, he would have known it.”
“No kidding.” He was wearing zebra velvet pants, and a black satin shirt open to the waist, with his peace sign. “He could have heard you, not just seen you.” Paul gave me a look. He heard something in my voice. I just wasn't in the mood for Paul's antics. For the first time, I was actually sick of the outrageous clothes he wore, the way he drank, and picking myself up off the floor after the double flip. I really missed Peter.
And after dinner, when Peter called me, I took the phone in the bathroom to talk in private.
“How's it going?”
“Fine, thank you. I'm completely crazy.”
“Are the kids giving you a hard time?”
“No, you are. Both of you,” I said, and he understood instantly what I was saying.
“Is he there again?” He sounded surprised, and not very happy about it.
“As if you didn't know. Didn't you send him?”
“Not this time. I thought you'd be okay without him since you were so busy.”
“So how did he get here?” For once, I wasn't sure I believed him. It was all too much now.
“Honest, Steph. I'm not sure. But if he's bugging you, just send him away. I'll have him picked up tomorrow. They'll take him back to the shop, and take his head off.”
“No,” I said much too quickly. “He can stay until you come back.” In spite of all the craziness of his being there, I wanted him to stay, but I didn't want to admit it to Peter.
“Do you want him there?” he asked, sounding upset.
“I don't know what I want anymore. That's the problem.” That much was the truth.
“I see.”
“Oh, for chrissake, you sound like Dr. Stein-feld.”
“Who's that?” It was the first time he had heard about him.
“A shrink who would have liked to have me committed today. This is all your fault. Why can't you just go away and let me miss you, like normal people? Instead you have to send a goddam Klone to take care of me, and drive me insane.” I was suddenly angry about it. It was all very upsetting. And it was all Peter's fault, no matter how much I loved him.
“I thought you'd like him.”
“I do.”
“Maybe too much so. Is that what you're saying?” He sounded nearly as upset as I did, and more than a little jealous.
“I don't know what I'm saying. Maybe we're both crazy.”