Eupepsia
By Roger Arsht
For Annie, leaving work a few hours early on Fridays was starting to feel comfortable. She thought it frivolous that some of her colleagues would regularly leave early on Fridays or travel Thursday evenings to the Hamptons or the East Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. She had often complimented herself on being one of the rocks of her firm; one of those key players who kept the organization from spinning off its axis.
Brooke, another rock, held Lina in her lap as the two drove south toward Annapolis. Instead of driving one of her Porsches, Brooke had switched to one of the larger vehicles in her collection so that they had room for the dog and their luggage. The 1997 Land Rover Defender 90 was one of her younger cars. Sometimes Annie bought vehicles because they had a classic design. She bought the Defender because it looked bad ass. Every head on the highway turned as they passed. This Defender was rare. Its Kahn Design Edition with its X-Lander stainless steel grill and bonnets screamed to car enthusiasts that they needed to have one. When she passed other cars, their jealousy intensified and caused other drivers to question why their life didn’t include a truck like hers.
When Annie called Alex during the week to ask if Brooke could come with her, Alex’s answer was confusing. He asked Annie why Richard needed the company of two women. His words were so awkward that Annie needed a few seconds to process what he had said.
“She’s not for him. She’s coming to meet you.” Annie said slowly.
Then he asked her if she had checked with Richard to see if she had his permission.
“You don’t need his permission. You can decide for yourself if you enjoy her company.”
Alex’s silence told Annie that there was another side of the man behind the glib stories and ample drinking. It hadn’t occurred to Annie how difficult it might it was to be the younger brother of a famous author who needed constant attention. Eventually, Alex agreed to Annie’s plan.
When they arrived at the marina, Captain Ed, Cathy, and Alex were on deck. Richard was missing. Annie hoped he was editing or watching football. She knew in her gut it wasn’t that simple. After Ed welcomed everyone aboard with a glass of wine, he asked Annie to join him at the bow of the ship where they’d have privacy.
“He’s not here,” Ed said sadly.
“Where is he?”
“He’s in a facility.”
“A psych hospital.”
“Not exactly. It’s a private facility.”
“For the famous and wealthy,” Annie said sarcastically.
“Please. It’s not like that. We have a relationship with Eupepsia. It’s…”
“I know where it is. Damn it, Ed. He needs professional help. Eupepsia is a wellness retreat. If this environment doesn’t soothe him,” Annie said while pointing to the yacht, the marina, and the water, “then I don’t know what will. All you’ve done is allow him to escape social interaction.”
“His psychiatrist, Dr. Bloom, drove him to Eupepsia. She lives here in Annapolis. She’s used to Richard’s unusual needs,” Ed said flatly. It was obvious to Annie that she had stepped over a line when she verbally accosted the captain. “I’m sorry. I was hoping for a better experience for all of us this weekend.”
“I don’t know what to say. We thought some of what happened last weekend signified improvement. Richard’s psyche is like a rubber band. You, we all, asked him to stretch his boundaries. Unfortunately, the rubber band contracts to a size smaller than it was originally, at least for a while before it returns to its original shape and size.”
“Whose idea was it that he goes to Eupepsia?”
“It was his.”
“And you accommodated his wish?”
“I’m an employee. I work for Richard. I don’t have the authority to override his decisions.”
“Richard doesn’t need a crew that answers his every beckon call. He needs a family who confronts him when he’s being selfish or entitled. You, as his caregiver, should know that.” Annie said as she stormed to the salon. “I’m leaving now for Eupepsia to see Richard.”
“I think we should check with Dr. Bloom to see if that is advisable.”
“I could care less what Dr. Bloom thinks.”
“That’s regrettable,” Ed said testily. “However, you might want to read the letter he left you.”
Ed reached inside his sports coat, handed Annie an envelope, and then said, “Excuse me, I’d like to check on our other guests.”
Annie found a chair, opened the envelope, and began reading.
The gossamer threads that obscure my vision and bind my desires have relented - a bit, but they remain stubbornly formidable. My feeble attempts to clear them, leave me spent , and my resolve routed, while those same threads reconstitute themselves again, thicker, stickier, and with more weight. You, you…you have given me the strength to fight my way through the maze, but I still fall prey to the darkness that mystically revives itself after each attempt to break free, and for that I both love and hate you. The solution is to relent, become listless, and fall through the weave into the safety of your arms. But I fear you are the progenitor of this web and you will come to collect your reward and drain carcass to fuel future traps for those that follow, and hence I write so that I can escape, survive, battle with my demons, and one day stand as a complete man – organically capable of providing the bliss and despair you deserve.
Annie exhaled and read the prose again. She couldn’t describe what he wrote as a letter. It was a howl like so much of Richard’s other writings, which meant she was now part of the cycle of darkness and light that surrounded this man. So far, she had danced and dodged her way through Richard’s eccentricities, but like every relationship, she realized there is a point of denouement that occurs and a path must be chosen. Annie stuffed the paper in the pocket of her jeans and rolled her bag off the boat.
“You’re not leaving me here without you,” Brooke asked as she ran after Annie. “I don’t know him.”
“You’ll be fine. Alex won’t take you to a crappy motel.” Annie stopped and turned toward her friend. “I’m sorry. That was unfair. He’s a good guy. Enjoy yourself.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m on my way to Eupepsia.”