Psych

     The Acropolis sits atop a rocky outcrop above Athens, an ancient masterpiece, a wonder, a tribute to brilliance and beauty. Millions of people climb this amazing citadel each year, pilgrims longing to connect to its glorious past. And so, the couple strolled along the crumbling structure, in the shadow of the Parthenon and the amazing Temple of Athena Nike, the Theatre of Dionysus below in its ruined splendor. She looped her arm around his bicep, a tell-tale sign of their budding relationship, a soft pink jacket tied loosely around her shoulders, a fashionable water bottle carrier slashed across her chest, dangling as she walked. His denim shirt sleeves were rolled up, his phone ready for the next great photo opportunity.

     They turned a corner to view the stunning statues of the Erectheion, those graceful, robed ladies, when suddenly he collided with a careless woman.

     “Oh, well, excuse me,” he growled sarcastically.

     “Dan? Dan Seever, is that really you?” The women leaned back incredulously. “What a small world, running into you here.”

     He stood silently for a moment as if processing the situation, as if calculating some great equation, then pronounced, “I’m sorry, you seem to have confused me for someone else.”

     “It’s me, Carol Crabtree, from Jordan College. In Ohio.” She noted his twisted facial expression. “We taught together in the psychology department for years.” Her smile froze.

   After an awkward pause he responded “My name is Matt and we’re from San Diego. I’ve never been to Ohio.”

     “Don’t be so coy, Dan. I know we had a rough patch. I can admit now that I was a challenging employee. I don’t think I deserved to be fired, but, hey, water under the bridge. I hold no grudges.” He stood silently, his hand resting on his partner’s arm. “So, how’ve you been?” Carol noted the young woman on his arm, perky, lovely, young, but confounded. “How’s Debbie? I’ll bet the twins are out of school by now. I’ll never forget that dinner party you two gave at your big old Victorian on Chestnut Street when the girls tried to give the dog a bath and he escaped and ran through the dining room shaking water on everything. It was hilarious!”

     “Look,” he took off his Ray Bans, “I don’t want to be rude, but you are obviously confused. I am not married to anyone named Debbie. I think you are upsetting my wife Skye here, so please move along.” He began to back away.

     “Listen, Dan,” Carol grew serious. “I know it’s you. I get that you didn’t like me, that I caused you some problems, but that was six years ago. I sought treatment as you so strongly encouraged in my hearing, and I’ve worked through those issues. I was a train wreck then, I can admit that now, but there’s no need to live in the past. It’s not like I’m asking you to strike up a friendship or anything. But we can at least be civil.”

     “See here,” he dropped Skye’s arm and pointed at Carol. “My name is Matt Horton. I’m from San Diego. I’m an architect. I’ve never heard of Jordan College. You obviously have some issues with this Dan person, and you clearly are struggling with some mental health problems, but that does not concern us. So, we are going to move along, and you need to as well. If you do not, I will alert security.”

     “Fine, Dan, be that way. You always were a jerk, thinking you’re better than everyone else, that you’re some superior intellectual stuck at a small-time school. But I remember your wandering hands, your naughty comments, your leering glances, all those TA’s who mysteriously transferred midterm. I think you’re the one with mental health issues, but whatever. I’m at peace with it all now. I can live with myself.” She turned and climbed across a pile of rocks toward the Sanctuary of Zeus.

     “What was that all about, Dan?” Skye asserted. “That woman clearly knew you and all about your life, your ex-wife, the girls, your house. Why did you lie to her like that, darling?”

     Dan sat on the steps and gently pulled Skye to him, rubbing her back like an attentive lover.

     “She taught abnormal psych when I was the department chair. Frustrated, irate, inferior, she was passed over for the position. Had a crush on me and when I did not return her overtures, she became the most despicable human I have ever known. She defied my authority, lied, sowed dissention among the faculty. And on top of that, she was a lousy instructor. I spent more time putting out her fires than anything else. She wore me down, burned all her bridges, and I had to fire her. It was ugly.”

     “So, why do you care now if it’s all over?” Skye questioned.

     “You don’t understand how she ruined my life. Every day was a new headache, another complaint filed, another discipline hearing. The dean began to doubt my ability to lead, started to suspect me of indecent behavior, Debbie complained it was consuming my life. My teaching and research started to suffer. It was hell.” He put his hands to his temples and began to massage to alleviate the stress of simply reliving it all.

     “I still don’t get why you pretended to be someone else,” Skye pulled a pebble from her beautiful, wholly inappropriate sandal.

     “I know her all too well. It will unnerve her that she made the mistake, that she embarrassed herself like that. She’ll begin to wonder if she had the right guy or not. It will rankle her. Then, it will irritate her like a seed caught in her teeth, rubbing the gum, festering. It will keep her up at night. Her mind will race with thoughts of it. Eventually, it will drive her over the edge. Maybe she’ll jump off a Greek cliff like Sappho or drop a radio into her bathtub or drink a Drano daiquiri.” He smiled with delight.

     Skye squirmed uncomfortably. “Dan, that’s terrible.”

     “Yes, I know.” He paused for dramatic effect. “A little taste of what she did to me.”

     “But that was years ago. Isn’t it time to let it go?”

     “Oh, I have. I haven’t even thought of her in years. This was just a gift from the gods, a little honeymoon bonus.” He swooped his arm dramatically toward the sky, smiled and rose, pulling Skye with him, wrapping his arms around her tiny waist.

     “Wow, remind me to never piss you off,” she deadpanned.