EPISODE 50 – A sudden end, but the cheque’s in the post
DEAR Cicely,
I am writing to inform you that I will not be attending our scheduled session tomorrow. I might have attended, or called, to inform you of my decision but frankly, I felt you might encourage me to reconsider. And I don’t wish to do that. My apologies for the abrupt decision and my probably underhand means of communication.
If I now offer you my reasons for terminating our sessions you may, quite reasonably, be sceptical. Indeed, as I contemplate them I am mindful that they seem slender. I have little time available and I don’t want my wife to know about our sessions. I was prompted to see you because of my recent difficulties with sleep. Medication seems to be addressing that.
Furthermore, I have seen the “individual concerned” for lunch on more than one occasion. Once I recognised that I’d been dishonest with you about that in our sessions I knew I had to end them.
For me, it has felt like addressing unfinished business from 10 years ago but I don’t know if there is genuine feeling from the other party or, perhaps, simply a desire to manipulate, even destroy. Clearly unhealthy though. And I have responsibilities and obligations elsewhere. So, just as I’m ending our sessions, I shall also be ending that – what? – “other interaction”. I can imagine a therapist having a field day with the juxtaposition of those two simultaneous terminations.
I enclose a cheque for tommorow’s and next month’s sessions. Please let me know if this is insufficient. My thanks for your help and insights over recent weeks.
I know it’s unnecessary to specify this but I shall do so anyway – I trust that the fact and content of our conversations and this letter remain strictly confidential.
With thanks and kind regards,
David Cashman
City Dad will be continued next Tuesday. For previous episodes, please see www.cityam.com