IT WAS A VERY HOT SUNDAY MORNING AND AS USUAL THE JOHNSONS WERE ALREADY AWAKE
Dominick: you know, this is so your job, not mine!!!
FROM THE COUCH SHE WAS SITTING ON, NATALIA SMILED WHILE SHE ATE HER DULCE DE LECHE ICE CREAM
Natalia: it was your sperm that got me pregnant. Last time I checked I didn't get on top of the bed and got pregnant, I got on top of you so the way I see it this is a 50/50 job sweetheart
Dominick: but I don't know how to change diapers
Natalia: don't worry you are doing a great job. You look hot!!
Dominick: shut up
LIKE 10 MINUTES LATER THE DOOR BELL RANG AND DOMINICK LOOKED AT HIS WIFE
Natalia: what?
Dominick: I'm holding Vero, go open the door!!
Natalia: I can't. I just did my toes nails and I don't want to ruin them. Do you like them?? I put a little flower on the big toe, do you love it?
DOMINICK DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING AND WALKED TO THE LIVING ROOM TO OPEN THE DOOR. SOMETIMES HE JUST WONDER ABOUT HIS WIFE'S MENTAL CAPACITY
Mariam: hey
Dominick: hey beautiful. How you doing?
Mariam: I'm good.
MARIAM GAVE DJ THE BAG SHE HAD BROUGHT WITH SOME BLOCKBUSTER MOVIES AND TWO ITALIAN SANDWICHES AND TOOK LITTLE VERO FROM HER FATHER'S ARMS
Mariam: hi beautiful. How is my little niece?
Dominick: come in
THE THREE OF THEM WENT STRAIGHT TO WHERE NATALIA WAS
Mariam: hey
Natalia: hi
Dominick: ok I'm going to take Veronica to the park with me and I'll see you girls later. Bye
Mariam: so I brought some movies maybe we could watch them all day and eat like old times
Natalia: about what I said
Mariam: don't worry about it
Natalia: ok. so which movies did you get?
Mariam: I got Kill Bill 4: The revenge, Catwoman III and that romantic comedy we wanted to see, remember?
Natalia: the one with Katie holmes? The wedding?
Mariam: yeah that one. Before we start watching the movies can you straighten my hair? When I got out of blockbuster it was raining a little so my hair got wet and now it's frizzy
Natalia: sure
NATALIA WENT TO GET HER BRUSH AND BLOW DRYER WHILE MARIAM SAT IN A CHAIR NEAR THE TABLE
Natalia: so DJ told me something about a psychologist
Mariam: yeah
Natalia: whatever it takes to help you, we are here for you
Mariam: I know
Natalia: female or male?
Mariam: male
Natalia: interesting
Mariam: uncomfortable at first but now it's ok I guess
Natalia: do you know anything about him?
Mariam: he is a psychologist
Natalia: no. I mean like his name and age and all of that
Mariam: I don't want to know any of that stuff
Natalia: well it's always good to know about the people you are talking to especially if you are telling this person everything about your life. He could be a stalker for all you know
Mariam: don't start
Natalia: hey you never know
Mariam: well I don't think that knowing what I have been through would make dr. Nicoletti recommend me a psycho killer so don't worry about it
Natalia: I still think you should go online and search to see if you find anything under his name.
Mariam: ok. so, I've feeling a little sick lately and
Natalia: that's because you haven't been eating
Mariam: I know but what I'm trying to say is
Natalia: I know, I know. When you are down food is the last thing on your mind but
Mariam: can I say something?
Natalia: trust me I understand but
Mariam: I'm trying to say something important here!!
Natalia: oh. You are? Sorry, I'm just gonna shut up now
Mariam: yeah you do that. Anyway what I was trying to say before you opened your big mouth is that I went to see Dr. Nicoletti because I wasn't feeling good and I had an idea why I was feeling sick but I wanted to make sure you know
Natalia: no I don't know. Wait I'm lost. You were sick and didn't know why but you had an idea why but you weren't sure but you wanted to make sure. Are you trying to get somewhere?
Mariam: I'm still trying to get there
Natalia: oh ok.
Mariam: yeah. Anyway I went to dr. nicoletti's clinic and I'm pregnant
Natalia: no way. Are you serious??
Mariam: ouch, ouch. You're burning my forehead!!!!!
Natalia: oh. Sorry! I was so surprised when you said that I forgot to move the blow dryer
Mariam: yeah well I know you've been wanting to kill me but can you find less painful death than burning me alive??
Natalia: sorry!! So how pregnant are you?
Mariam: two months pregnant
Natalia: I'm very happy for you. You are going to be a mommy. Wow. This is great. I know that it would've been better if
Mariam: yeah he would've been so happy. He wanted to be a father
Natalia: I would've loved to see him with a kid. He was still a kid himself
Mariam: I know. It would've been funny seeing him dealing with his own child
Natalia: I'm so glad you have this now. I know being a mom is going to be really good for you specially now
Mariam: thanks
Natalia: anyway when I'm done here which movie should we watch first?
Mariam: definitely Kill Bill 4 and I brought two Italian sandwiches
Natalia: good cause I'm hungry and you definitely have to eat now
AFTER TWO HOURS, DJ CAME BACK FROM THE PARK WITH LITTLE VERO AND BEFORE MARIAM COULD GIVE DJ THE NEWS NATALIA OPENED HER BIG MOUTH AND TOLD HIM
Dominick: that's great Mariam. That's really great. Congratulations!
Mariam: thanks
AFTER WATCHING THE REST OF THE MOVIES WITH DJ AND NATA, MARIAM WENT BACK TO HER HOUSE. SHE DECIDED TO DO A LITTLE CLEANING IN HER ROOM AND NOT JUST SIT AROUND BORED ALL DAY.
THE NEXT MORNING SHE ARRIVED AT J/A RECORDS AROUND 10 A.M.
Ana: good morning Mrs. Mariam
Mariam: hey Ana. Can you do me two favors please? First bring me a cup of water and two Tylenols. I woke up with the biggest headache and then call Soraide. Tell her that I need to talk to her about her album cover
Ana: no problem
Mariam: thank you
5 MINUTES LATER ANA CAME BACK WITH THE WATER AND THE TYLENOLS
Ana: Mrs. Mariam there is a woman outside asking if she can speak to you. She says she is from Rolling Stones magazine. Should I tell her that you are in a meeting?
Mariam: no it's ok. Tell her to come in
Ana: ok.
Alexandra: hi. I'm Alexandra Gertner from Rolling Stones magazine
Mariam: hi, I'm Mariam Timberlake. Please have a seat. How may I help?
Alexandra: the magazine is doing an article on your husband for next month's issue. But we don't want to just write and publish a bunch of facts that people already know about him, we want to write about his life and about you guys together from your perspective. We were wondering if you could give us an interview
Mariam: so basically in this interview I would tell you guys all about him and our marriage
Alexandra: yes
Mariam: look Miss Gertner I don't mean to be rude but I don't think that's going to be possible. I'm a very busy woman so I'm afraid I won't be able to give the magazine an interview
Alexandra: I understand
THE YOUNG WOMAN STOOD UP FROM THE CHAIR AND TOOK OUT A CARD FROM HER SMALL PURSE
Alexandra: here is my card. I know it's painful to talk about it but if you change your mind fell free to call me at any time. I would love to write that article myself. Have a good day Mrs. Timberlake
40 MINUTES LATER SORAIDE SHOWED UP AND THEY HAD A MEETING ABOUT SOME IDEAS AND DESIGNS THEY COULD USE FOR HER ALBUM COVER. MARIAM ENDED UP INVITING SORAIDE OUT FOR LUNCH AND AFTER THAT SHE WENT BACK TO J/A RECORDS WHILE THE ARTIST WENT TO A RADIO INTERVIEW SHE HAD.
Barry: hey
Mariam: hey boss
Barry: I heard somebody from the Rolling Stones came to see you this morning
Mariam: yeah. She wanted to write an article about Justin and our marriage but
Barry: you are not ready to talk about it
Mariam: yesterday I was cleaning my room, I opened the closet and I found this box I forgot I even had. It had pictures of me and him together, of our wedding, of DJ with him and of him with his mother. I tried to stop myself from crying but I couldn't. I thought it would get better as time would go by but the truth is I feel the same way I felt the day he died.
Barry: beautiful it's hard but give yourself some time. Take the rest of the day off if you want
Mariam: how about you give me tomorrow off instead. I haven't seeing or talk to Lynn in a while and I kind of want to go to Tennessee to see her so I wanted to leave tomorrow and spend the weekend with her plus I have something very important to tell her
Barry: ok
Mariam: so how would you like to hear that you are going to be an uncle. I'm pregnant
Barry: you are kidding right?
Mariam: nope. 2 months pregnant
Barry: that's great.
Mariam: I know
Barry: tell you what, I'll tell Lorenzo to get the jet ready to take you to Tennessee and whenever you want to come back you can call him and he'll go pick you up
Mariam: really? Thanks. I didn't really feel like dealing with airports and long lines
Barry: you are welcome. When do you want to leave?
Mariam: tonight if possible.
Barry: alright. I'll call him now and if you want I'll take you to the airport
Mariam: thanks. Did I ever tell you how great of a boss you are?
Barry: don't worry. I'm taking part of your next paycheck to pay for all these services
Mariam: see I knew nothing was free.
Barry: I'm just kidding. Now go home and I'll see you on Monday
Mariam: I can stay if you want
Barry: there is nothing else to do today
Mariam: ok. See you Monday
MARIAM GOT HOME AND THE FIRST THING SHE DID WAS CALL NATALIA AND LET HER KNOW SHE WAS GOING TO TENNEESSEE TO SEE HER MOTHER-IN-LAW. LATER THAT SHE GATHERED VERY FEW CLOTHES AFTER ALL SHE WAS ONLY GOING FOR THE WEEKEND. SHE DECIDED TO JUST SHOW UP AND GIVE LYNN A SURPRISE
A FEW HOURS LATER BARRY CAME AND TOOK HER TO THE SMALL AND SORT OF PRIVATE AIRPORT WHERE LORENZO, THE JET'S PILOT, WAS WAITING FOR HER.
Mariam: hi Lorenzo. I haven't seen you in a long time
Lorenzo: I know. How are you doing Miss Mariam
Mariam: I'm good thank you.
Barry: alright I'll see you when you get back.
Mariam: bye
THE NEXT DAY MARIAM ARRIVED IN MEMPHIS, TENNEESSEE AND BEFORE GOING BACK TO L.A LORENZO WAS KIND ENOUGH TO CALL HER A TAXI.
LYNN WAS MAKING DINNER WHEN SHE HEARD SOMEONE KNOCKING ON THE DOOR
Lynn: I'm coming!!!
Mariam: hi
Lynn: oh my god, what are you doing here??
Mariam: what! I can't come anymore??
Lynn: of course you can don't be silly, I'm just surprised
Mariam: well good. I wanted to give you a surprise
MARIAM GAVE HER MOTHER IN LAW A HUG AND THEN WENT INSIDE THE HOUSE
Lynn: so are you here on business?
Mariam: nope. I came to spend the weekend with you.
Lynn: really??
Mariam: yeah. I have something important to tell you plus I wanted to see you
Lynn: so what's so important you came all the way over here to tell me?
Mariam: don't worry, we'll talk later
AFTER PUTTING ALL HER STUFF IN THE GUEST ROOM MARIAM CAME DOWNSTAIRS TO FIND THAT DINNER WAS ALREADY SERVED
Mariam: all of it looks really good
Lynn: thanks. So wanna tell me now?
Mariam: you are gonna be a grandmother
Lynn: what? Are you trying to play a very mean and not funny joke on me?
Mariam: no. I'm two months pregnant
AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES OF CRYING TEARS OF HAPINNESS MARIAM AND LYNN SAT DOWN ON THE SOFA TO TALK AND DRINK HOT CHOCOLATE
Mariam: you know, of all the beautiful things your son gave me, this is the best one
Lynn: I know. He would've been very happy
SHE SPENT THE REST OF HER WEEKEND IN TENNESSEE GOING PLACES WITH LYNN AND ENJOYING HER FREE TIME AWAY FROM HOME. SUNDAY MORNING SHE CALLED LORENZO AND HOURS LATER SHE WAS BACK IN L.A.
A MONTH LATER MARIAM WAS STILL WORKING, STILL TAKING CARE OF HER AND HER BABY AND STILL GOING TO THOSE SESSIONS WITH DOCTOR STANDBACK. SOMEHOW THOSE ONE HOUR TALKS WITH STANDBACK HAD MADE HER REALIZED A LOT OF THINGS. FIRST THE FACT THAT SHE WASN'T LETTING HERSELF GET ANY CLOSURE AND HER FEAR OF BEING ALONE EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS SO USED TO FEELING ALONE. STANDBACK MADE HER REALIZED HOW BEFORE JUSTIN SHE FELT ALONE AND NOW THAT HE WAS GONE THE FEELING HAD COME BACK BUT FORTUNATELY FOR HER THAT WAS NOW GONE WITH HER BABY ON THE WAY. STANDBACK HAD TOLD HER THAT THE POINT OF HER SESSIONS WAS TO OBTAIN TWO GOALS: ONE TO GET HER TO ADMIT TO HERSELF THAT SHE WASN'T GETTING ANY BETTER BY NOT MOVING ON AND TWO TO SEE THE REASON WHY SHE WASN'T ALLOWING HERSELF TO GET CLOSURE AND TO HOPEFULLY DO SOMETHING TO MAKE THAT REASON GO AWAY. THE GOOD NEW WAS THAT SHE ALREADY KNEW WHY.
THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY NIGHT SHE HAD NOTHING TO DO SO SHE DECIDED TO GO ONLINE AND DO WHAT HER FRIEND HAD TOLD HER ABOUT A MONTH AGO. SHE FOUND MULTIPLE ARTICLES AND ESSAYS ON HIM AND HOW HE WAS AN EXPERT ON HYPNOSIS. ONE SIMPLE ARTICLE GOT HER ATTENTION AND SHE DECIDED TO READ IT
"Dr. Standback: Expert on Hypnosis and every subject related to that phenomenon"
AFTER READING THAT ARTICLE, MARIAM FOUND ANOTHER ONE ABOUT A DIFFERENT BUT MORE ADVANCED TYPE OF HYPNOSIS CALLED DEEP-MONITORED HYPNOSIS. AFTER REALLY THINKING ABOUT IT SHE DECIDED TO MAKE A PHONE CALL.
THE NEXT DAY MARIAM ARRIVED AT THE GREEK RESTAURANT NEAR DR. STANDBACK'S OFFICE. BY THE TIME SHE GOT THERE, HE WAS ALREADY WAITING FOR HER
Standback: so what's so urgent and important that you couldn't wait until your session next week
Mariam: well I was doing a little research last night and I came across a lot of articles and essays about you and deep something hypnosis and
Standback: monitored
Mariam: yeah that
Standback: and it's not gonna happen
Mariam: what!?
Standback: I already know what you are thinking!
Mariam: why not?
Standback: because it's something relatively new to science and it hasn't really been perform in a lot of patients
Mariam: so?
Standback: what do you mean so? What if something happens?
Mariam: ok doctor you know better than anybody that nothing it's gonna happen
Standback: what makes you so sure nothing it's gonna happen?
Mariam: cause you are going to do it and you are the best right?
Standback: ok fine
Mariam: thank you. So tell me exactly how it all works
Standback: ok well it's just like regular hypnosis but it's call deep because in normal hypnosis you go back to your past experiences but you can only see them and in this case deep means you go back to live the whole experience again and monitored because we use a brain and heart monitor that way we know how fast your heart is going and how intense your brain waves are in case something happens we can wake you up
Mariam: scary stuff
Standback: you don't have to do it. I know that with more sessions eventually you'll be ok
Mariam: I want to be ok now
Standback: alright
AFTER HAVING LUNCH WITH STANDBACK MARIAM DECIDED TO TALK TO NATALIA AND LET HER KNOW WHAT HER PLANS WERE. AT FIRST NATALIA WAS SHOCK, SHE THOUGHT HER FRIEND WAS JOKING.
Natalia: this is insane
Mariam: I know
Natalia: then why are you doing this?
Mariam: I need closure
Natalia: not this type of closure
Mariam: nata I'm not ok. I can be really good pretending I'm ok but I'm not. It's not normal thinking about suicide
Natalia: what???
Mariam: not now. I have a reason to be ok now but when he died that's all I could think about
Natalia: how come I didn't know this? How can you never talked to me about how you felt?
Mariam: I wasn't going to bother you with my drama
Natalia: it's not drama mariam. Look I could never know how you feel but I think about it and if I ever lost DJ I don't know what I would do
Mariam: I need to do this. I need to go back and live it all again and make myself believe that I can go on without him
Natalia: but how is seeing him again gonna help you?
Mariam: it will just trust me
Natalia: I don't know about this
Mariam: I do
DAYS LATER NATALIA WAS STILL THINKING ABOUT THE WHOLE THING. SHE WAS CONVINCED THAT DEEP-MONITORED HYPNOSIS WAS NOT THE RIGHT ANSWER OR THE RIGHT TYPE OF CLOSURE FOR MARIAM. SHE CALLED DR. NICOLETTI AND HE SO KINDLY GAVE HER DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO GET TO DR. STANDBACK'S OFFICE
Natalia: hello, I was wondering if there was any way for me to speak to Dr. Standback
Secretary: do you have an appointment?
Natalia: I'm afraid not but I'm willing to wait. Time is not a problem
Secretary: ok. I'll check with him. If you just give me a few minutes, I'll be right back
Natalia: thank you
THE SECRETARY TOOK ABOUT 5 MINUTES IN THE OFFICE AND THEN CAME OUT
Secretary: he'll see you now. This way
Natalia: thanks
Standback: hello. How may I help you?
Natalia: hi. My name is Natalia Johnson
Standback: Mrs. Johnson I heard a lot about you, please take a seat
Natalia: I'm sure you have. I'm here to ask a favor from you doctor. I'm sure you are very good at what you do and according to a lot of people, you are the best specialist in hypnosis but that doesn't change my mind. I don't think Mariam needs to go under hypnosis
Standback: Mrs. Johnson I don't think you are aware of mariam's case. She was in a deep depression case. It's true, she has gotten a lot better but as her therapist I believe that she still hasn't let herself move on
Natalia: it's been 3 freaking months doctor, I don't think a person can get over death that fast
Standback: I understand what you are saying, I do but the truth is she needs that closure. Not only for her, but for her baby.
Natalia: can you be honest with me? Is there any danger or any problems that she might have by doing this?
Standback: it's not very professional of me to discuss a case with another person but I'll tell something. She needs this. It's my job to know and understand what she is going through and that's why when she came to me saying she wanted to go under deep hypnosis I thought about it and I said yes. Trust when I say that nothing will happen to your friend. There is no danger in hypnotizing a person plus I'll be monitoring her heart and brain. This is important to her so don't try to change her mind
Natalia: ok. I always knew her ass was crazy but I don't know she was this crazy. Can I ask you something doctor?
Standback: go ahead
Natalia: can I be there? I mean I kind of want to be there when she wakes up
Standback: I usually don't allow it but for her I'll make an exception
Natalia: thank you
Standback: look. She is experiencing a lot of mixed feelings. She didn't have any closure after he died because she feels like their time together wasn't over. For some reason she feels guilty in a way for not making him go to the doctor when his knee pain started. As cruel as it sounds she needs to go back and see that it wasn't her fault and that even though he was a huge part of her life, she can manage without him. The way I see it, if she doesn't do this now, she'll be miserable for the rest of her life and do you know who's going to pay for that? Her baby.
Natalia: ok. I just ask that you bring her back safe
Standback: I will
3 DAYS LATER NATALIA FOUND HERSELF WAKING UP EARLY TO GO WITH MARIAM TO STANDBACK'S OFFICE
Standback: you ready?
Mariam: I think so
