Chapter 1

On his first appointment at his new psychiatrist’s office, my father showed up in body but not in personality. Eleanor decided to go instead.

After taking a long bubble bath, Eleanor chose a spring dress from the closet. It was frilly on her broad shoulders. The skirt stopped just below her knee (she was no harlot). She pulled pantyhose over her freshly shaved legs and slid her feet into conservative two-inch high-heeled shoes adding to her six-foot- two inch height. Tucking dark brown hair under a blond wig, she smiled in the mirror and turned her head searching for stray dark strands.

Eleanor spent ample time trying to get her make-up as perfect as she could get on such masculine attributes. Outlining soft brown eyes with eyeliner, she looked over her face in the mirror, as Corinne watched her, sighing. Eleanor raised an eyebrow, shaking her head at Thomas’ sister. Eleanor slipped on white cotton gloves onto large hands that annoyed her. Eleanor went to the closet and retrieved the Kentucky Derby hat Corinne had worn the year before.

“Stop poutin’, Corinne. I told you, I’d go. I just don’t think it’s fair that I have to deal with Thomas’ personal problems on such a beautiful day. I should be out pokin’ ‘round my garden. My roses are goin’ to win the garden party vote this year,” she said. Eleanor ’s Georgia accent was undeniably strong.

“I’m not pouting, Eleanor. This is important. I just need Thomas for an hour. Is that too much to ask,” asked Corinne, almost begging.

Looking at Corinne in the mirror as she arranged the hat on her head, Eleanor shook her head. “It ain’t my fault, Corinne, poor Dr. Pope died, and I have the right to mourn, as well. I just choose to do it amongst my girlfriends over a nice glass of iced tea and some delicious southern gossip.” “What girlfriends?”

“Corinne, don’t be rude.”

“Eleanor, give me an hour with just Thomas at Dr. Scott’s office, please.”

Annoyed, Eleanor picked up her purse and tucked her compact inside. “The answer is no. Since I have to deal with this ‘doctor,’ I think it’s only right that I meet him, ladies first and all. Thomas can wait his turn. Now let’s get this over with, I have things that have got to get done today, Corinne, and my time is extremely precious to me.”

In Dr. Scott’s office building downtown, Eleanor pushed a curly lock of hair out of her eyes and smiled pleasantly as the elevator doors opened. A middle-aged couple got in. The man looked back at her over his shoulder not so subtly.

Narrowing her eyes, Eleanor snapped, “Didn’t your momma ever tell you, it’s not polite to stare?”

He shook his head, “Did you mother ever tell you that you look like a man?”

Angered by his words, but trying to keep her composure, Eleanor sneered at him. “You’ve got beady eyes and bad manners.”

“Eleanor!” whispered Corinne, abruptly.

Eleanor looked down at her. “I’m not a rug to be stepped on, Corinne, and I won’t tolerate bad etiquette. I obviously have a medical condition.” She started fanning herself with a Southern Baptist Church pamphlet she kept in her purse.

The man had already turned toward the elevator doors, shaking his head, when they opened again. Corinne walked out of the elevator pulling Eleanor out, before she really had the opportunity to start a verbal spat.

When they entered, the psychiatrist’s Russian receptionist, Elsa Vasiliev, looked up at Eleanor as she stepped into the office after Corinne.

“Go sit down and I’ll tell the receptionist we’re here.” Annoyed at being directed, Eleanor groaned. “Fine, I suppose I can wait a minute or two,” she said, tucking her pamphlet back into her handbag.

Corinne walked up to the pretty blonde sitting behind her desk, smiling uncomfortably. “Hello, I’m Corinne Walling, my brother Thomas and I have an appointment with Dr. Scott at two o’clock.”

Elsa nodded toward Eleanor who was scanning the waiting room selection of magazines. “Your brother?”

Corinne sighed, struggling to come up with words explaining her situation, but gave up. “Yes, — but not at the moment.”

Elsa gave her an odd look and then called the doctor, to let him know that his clients were waiting.

It was a few minutes before Dr. Scott opened his door and looked out at his two o’clock patient seated in the waiting room chairs.

One of the women was lovely with dark hair, delicate features, but tired eyes.

The other was large and looked ready for a Sunday church service. Deciding to ignore the earlier experience on the elevator, Eleanor sat thumbing through a celebrity magazine pointing out pictures. “Goodness gracious, will you look at her, Corinne. She’s no movie star, that girl is dressed like a common street walker. Hollywood seriously needs to re-examine what beautiful is. I just know poor Marilyn would be turnin’ over in her grave.”

Dr. Scott interrupted, “Hello, Ms. Walling and…” He paused when both women looked up at him. He stared at the large woman, not realizing his mouth had fallen open.

Eleanor looked at him with an air of confidence, fluttered her long, fake eyelashes and got up from her chair. She was attracted to him immediately. His light brown hair, broad shoulders, and piercing dark blue eyes had her swooning. “I know I have the power to silence a man into thinkin’ the naughtiest of thoughts.

Since we are just meetin’ please, Dr. Scott, pick your jaw up off the floor and show a lady in proper like.” Eleanor offered him her hand as she stood towering over his five-foot, ten-inch height. “I’m Eleanor Dubois, of the Georgia Dubois’,” she said smiling, proud of her lineage.

Dr. Scott closed his mouth, took her hand, and then responded, “Yes, it’s a pleasure meeting you, Miss Dubois. I’m sorry you caught me by surprise, I was expecting Mr. Walling.”

Eleanor smiled at his polite manners. “Let’s avoid that tired old topic, Dr. Scott. Please call me Eleanor. The title ‘Miss’ just reminds me how fast my biological clock is just tickin’ away, if you catch my meanin’.”

Dr. Scott looked at her for a moment, and then smiled. “Yes well, we can’t stop the hands of time, can we, Eleanor? Won’t you come in? Feel free to call me Elliot.” He released her hand.

Corinne shook his hand. “Thank you, Dr. Scott, for seeing us on such short notice.”

“It’s not a problem.”

The women entered the office. Wood-paneled walls added a masculine touch to an office with furnishings comfortable enough to make you feel at home while you spilled out your feelings and problems.

The doctor ’s well-worn, dark-brown leather armchair faced two newer ones in front of a large wall of windows overlooking the busy downtown street below. Between the chairs sat a table with a bowl of glass fruit. A large oak desk stood on the other side of the large office with the psychiatrist’s diplomas and certi- fications on the wall behind it.

Dr. Scott closed his office door and pointed the seating to the women. “Please have a seat — ladies.” He paused, picking up a tape recorder from the coffee table. “I hope you don’t mind, but I like to record my sessions.”

Eleanor nodded. “That’s fine, Elliot.”

Picking up his notepad, he looked at Eleanor. “According to Ms. Walling, you’re here because your previous psychiatrist recently died?”

“Oh, Dr. Pope wasn’t my psychiatrist. I did see him a couple times, when he asked. He was a charmin’ gentleman, but we disagreed about everything. Not to insult the dead or anythin’ but I don’t think he genuinely had my best interests in mind.” She placed her purse on the floor next to her chair and looked at him. “Now look here, I’m going to cut to the chase, Dr. Scott. Corinne here says I need a psychiatrist. Seein’ as how I disagree, she has informed me that in order to get what I want — I have to talk to you. So, I think you should keep in mind, your answers to my questions will be the decidin’ factor on whether I hire you or not.” She crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair.

Dr. Scott smiled. “I can understand that.”

“I will say, your baby face does not incline me to hire someone who seems so wet behind the ears, but I do consider myself a fair woman. So, I would like to know how you feel about helpin’ me start the process.”

Dr. Scott, confused, looked at Corinne who rolled her eyes painfully, but kept her mouth shut.

“Process,” he asked.

“Of course, Dr. Scott. As you can see by my outward appearance, I’m not what you would call a dainty girl. Although I would have loved to have been born that way, God just didn’t see it fit. So, I’m forced to go against Him and work my way through to becomin’ what he withheld—or didn’t give me by pure accident.”

“What’s that, Eleanor?”

Eleanor ’s eyes widened as she motioned down at her lap. Dr. Scott shook his head.

Eleanor looked at the psychiatrist empathetically. “Bless your soul, you are a baby.” She sighed. “Dr. Scott, I would like to start the process of becomin’ a whole woman. There’s no worse feelin’ than lookin’ at yourself in the mirror and findin’ that you’re inadequate, and lookin’ down at that horrible thing that shouldn’t be there—well, that can haunt a girl’s soul.” Pausing, Eleanor reached out to Dr. Scott; he took her hand out of reflex. Her smile was genuine and her eyes imploring. “I can’t live with a haunted soul, Dr. Scott. So I need to know if you can help me.” Dr. Scott released her hand and leaned back in his chair, looking at the man dressed like a woman. He realized at that point that it wasn’t Thomas Walling talking to him, a woman was. Eleanor searched his face waiting for his response. “Cat got your tongue, Dr. Scott?”

He smiled nervously. “N—no,” he stammered, still amazed by the rare reality sitting before him. “Eleanor, I’d love the oppor- tunity to help you find your true self. I think I can help you achieve the results you’re looking for.”

She beamed. “Oh, this is excitin’! You’ve made me a truly happy woman.” Turning towards Corinne, Eleanor said haughtily, “See here, Corinne, not everyone thinks as you do. This young man is goin’ to see me through this.”

Corinne nodded her head with a weak smile and sighed. “Eleanor?”

“Yes, Dr. Scott,” she said, turning to him.

“I want to explain to you— this process can take a while.” “I’ve waited this long sugar, what’s a little longer? I’m just

glad you and I see eye to eye. With this wonderful news, I just feel the need to go shoppin’! Let’s get goin’ Corinne,” Eleanor said, pulling her up abruptly.

“But we still have an hour,” said Dr. Scott looking startled. “I’m sorry, Dr. Scott, you don’t need me to write a letter of recommendation for surgery.”

“We actually have to talk about this. There’s a lot more to the process than surgery.”

Eleanor rolled her eyes, “I think a man with as many important papers hangin’ on his wall as you have, can figure it out. I’m goin’ to buy a new dress.”

Realizing that arguing with Eleanor was going to get him nowhere; Dr. Scott got up from his chair and moved to his office door. Corinne started to leave, but turned back to him. “I want to thank you again for seeing us on such short notice, and I’m sorry that Thomas was unable to be here,” Corinne said.

“Maybe next time,” said Dr. Scott grinning.

“Have a pleasant evening, Dr. Scott, and call me later please.” Corinne pulled her hand away from the psychiatrist’s.

“Corinne, don’t take up this nice man’s time, he’s my doctor not yours.”

“I will do that, Ms. Walling,” he said, before turning to Eleanor.

Eleanor paused, making sure Corinne was out of earshot, and then smiled at her new doctor. In a low flirtatious voice, she said, “You might be my first conquest when all of this is done. You’re a handsome gentleman, and I like the idea of a nice deflowerin’ by an understandin’ soul such as yourself. How do feel about that, Dr. Scott? I’ll forgive the fact you’re a Yankee and all.” Eleanor fluttered her eyelashes.

He replied, uncomfortably, “I will take it into consideration.” Eleanor smiled, “I look forward to it.” She kissed his cheek, leaving an almost perfect lipstick outline. Eleanor then reached around and grabbed a large handful of his buttocks and grinned. Sighing, Eleanor winked and waved at him as she strutted out of the office. Elsa shook her head and returned to her reading.

It was at that moment that Dr. Scott became obsessed with the idea that he could cure his newest patient. He called Corinne that evening, almost begging for the case. He even offered to treat Thomas for free for the first six months.

Corinne reluctantly accepted his offer.

Like a kid in a mental-case-candy-shop, and having only met Eleanor, the young psychiatrist was hungry for more. Dr. Scott decided he wanted Thomas taken off of his medication entirely. He wanted to see exactly what Dr. Pope had kept at bay for so long. He would need to do this, he explained to Corinne, so that he could come up with a better regimen once he could see the scope of the case. The new medications he had in mind, would allow Thomas to find a more normal life, without some of the side effects that he’d grown accustomed to over the years.

My Four Fathers & Eleanor

They say it takes a village to raise a child, unfortunately Thomas Walling has the whole village in his head!

ISBN: 978-1-78099-777-3, $18.95 / £9.99, paperback, 296pp

EISBN: 978-1-78099-776-6, $4.99 / £2.99, eBook

Thomas Walling, a man with Multiple Personality Disorder, learns to balance his mental illness and unconditional love after one of his other personalities fathers a child and he is forced to raise her.
They say it takes a village to raise a child, unfortunately Thomas Walling has the whole village in his head and they all want to lend a hand!

Autumn Rosen is a well traveled author. After years of having no real place to call home, she settled in Louisville, Kentucky with her husband, son and small herd of miniature dachshunds.