Julia Lelieveld and the fifth element

~18~

Three hours later, Lucas was on the curb with his motorcycle. He looked as nice as ever. I could see a light shirt peeking out from under his leather jacket. He was wearing dark blue jeans. His hair is stylishly messed up again and a big smile around his mouth. I also wore jeans myself. On it I wore a white blouse with a short brown waistcoat. Over my pants I wore leather boots with a heel the same shade of brown as the waistcoat.

I noticed my stomach jump a little at the sight of Lucas. The only bit of happiness I felt in my body, it did me good. "Hi, you're here!"

"Yes, of course I'm here!" He looked at me questioningly. "That was a short night, wasn't it."

"Yes indeed, early to bed tonight." I shrugged, hoping I'd come across as casual. "That's right," he said, handing me the same helmet from yesterday. Once at school, it was clear that gossip was going around. Everyone looked at me wide-eyed. Eva was already waiting for me and she wanted to know everything that had happened. She had probably already heard it from Bas, but of course she also wanted a detailed explanation of why I arrived with Lucas on the bike this morning.

In the morning the story was still going around that I had indeed bruised my wrist when falling. In the afternoon the story circulated that I had become so angry with Sandra that I had hit the wall next to Sandra's head out of frustration. And because I had argued with a police officer, I was taken to the station for further questioning. I had long been glad that no further comment had been made on the fact that my mother had died and that my father was never home.

The whole day passed in a bit of a blur. I tried to shut myself off from all the gossip and stares. Before I knew it it was half past three and I had to go to the therapist. I was sure that if I didn't go, my father would find out. I didn't want to argue anymore.

The therapist's office was next to the downtown park. The village had two parks. The park I looked out on from my bedroom and the park right in the center.

I stepped into a sort of waiting room. The waiting area looked more like a comfortable living room. It was decorated with warm colors. I sat down on a green cloth sofa. There were several magazines to read. There was a name tag on the door opposite the entrance. I got up to see if I was really seeing it right. That too, shit. Would it be her? No, it won't, will it? But on the other hand, how many will live in this village with this name?

The name tag said Hannah Rondebal, a psychiatrist. The mother of Eva and Bas. Still a psychiatrist. Dad had said it would be a therapist, but a psychiatrist is a tad worse. A psychiatrist has a say in the treatment, a say in the administration of medication, let's not talk about forced therapy. So I really wasn't going to do this. How could my father do that? He knew I was friends with Eva and Bas. He went to find someone else, and this time a real therapist. I grabbed my coat and bag and walked to the exit. At the same moment the door opened behind me. "You must be Julia," said a friendly voice behind me.

I turned and I looked at a beautiful woman in her forties. She had the same black hair as Eva and Bas. She had beautiful curls that fell past her shoulders. Her eyes were large and reliable, unlike those of Eva and Bas. They both had those happy twinkle eyes. They must have got it from their father. No, I could tell exactly who had her eyes, Daan. He had the same big and reliable eyes.

She wore a gray pencil dress, which showed off her slim figure. She still held the door of her office open expectantly. Reluctantly, I walked over to her and shook her hand. "Good afternoon, I'm Julia Lelieveld." I had always learned to introduce myself properly to someone. She shook my hand with a firm handshake. "I'm Hannah Rondebal, come on." And she gestured her hand toward the office. I walked into a spacious and bright office. It had the same atmosphere as the waiting area. Homely and calm. The wall opposite the door consisted almost entirely of windows. You looked out on a very beautiful courtyard garden. On the right wall, right next to me, was a large bookcase, which was completely filled. In front of me was a comfortable sofa and a large lounge chair. To the left of the office was a large wooden desk. Several diplomas hung framed behind the desk. Hannah gestured to the couch for me to take a seat. She herself sat down in the large recliner. She clasped her hands together and rested them on her lap. "I've heard a lot about you, Julia," she said in a friendly tone. I wondered if she had heard much from my father or from Eva and Bas. "You are the mother of Eva and Bas?" I asked her. Although I was almost certain, I needed confirmation. She nodded, causing her curls to dance on her shoulders for a moment. "Yes, that's right. You get on well with them, don't you?"