The next day, Dr. Keller had a session with Toni.
“Your father’s getting older, Toni. How do you think you’ll feel when he dies?”
“I—I don’t want him to die. I know I said a lot of stupid things, but I said them because I was angry with him.”
“You’re not angry anymore?”
She thought about it. “I’m not angry, I’m hurt. I think you were right. I did feel that the little girl was taking my place.” She looked up at Dr. Keller and said, “I was confused. But my father has a right to get on with his life, and Ashley has a right to get on with hers.”
Dr. Keller smiled. We’re back on track.
The three of them talked to one another freely now.
Dr. Keller said, “Ashley, you needed Toni and Alette because you couldn’t stand the pain. How do you feel about your father now?”
There was a brief silence. She said slowly, “I can never forget what he did to me, but I can forgive him. I want to put the past behind me and start my future.”
“To do that, we must make you all one again. How do you feel about that, Alette?”
Alette said, “If I’m Ashley, can I still go on painting?”
“Of course you can.”
“Well, then, all right.”
“Toni?”
“Will I still be able to sing and play the piano?”
“Yes,” he said.
“Then, why not?”
“Ashley?”
“I’m ready for all of us to be one. I—I want to thank them for helping me when I needed them.”
“My pleasure, luv.”
“Minièra anche,” Alette said.
It was time for the final step: integration.
“All right. I’m going to hypnotize you now, Ashley. I want you to say good-bye to Toni and Alette.”
Ashley took a deep breath. “Good-bye, Toni. Good-bye, Alette.”
“Good-bye, Ashley.”
“Take care of yourself, Ashley.”
Ten minutes later, Ashley was in a deep hypnotic state. “Ashley, there’s nothing more to be afraid of. All your problems are behind you. You don’t need anyone to protect you anymore. You’re able to handle your life without help, without shutting out any bad experiences. You’re able to face whatever happens. Do you agree with me?”
“Yes, I do. I’m ready to face the future.”
“Good. Toni?”
There was no answer.
“Toni?”
There was no answer.
“Alette?”
Silence.
“Alette?”
Silence.
“They’re gone, Ashley. You’re whole now and you’re cured.”
He watched Ashley’s face light up.
“You’ll awaken at the count of three. One…two…three…”
Ashley opened her eyes and a beatific smile lit her face. “It—it happened, didn’t it?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
She was ecstatic. “I’m free. Oh, thank you, Gilbert! I feel—I feel as though a terrible dark curtain has been taken away.”
Dr. Keller took her hand. “I can’t tell you how pleased I am. We’ll be doing some more tests over the next few months, but if they turn out as I think they will, well, we’ll be sending you home. I’ll arrange for some outpatient treatment for you wherever you are.”
Ashley nodded, too overcome with emotion to speak.
Chapter Twenty-eight
OVER the next few months, Otto Lewison had three psychiatrists examine Ashley. They used hypnotherapy and Sodium Amytal.
“Hello, Ashley. I’m Dr. Montfort, and I need to ask you some questions. How do you feel about yourself?”
“I feel wonderful, Doctor. It’s as though I’ve just gotten over a long illness.”
“Do you think you’re a bad person?”
“No. I know some bad things have happened, but I don’t believe I’m responsible for them.”
“Do you hate anyone?”
“No.”
“What about your father? Do you hate him?”
“I did. I don’t hate him anymore. I don’t think he could help what he did. I just hope he’s all right now.”
“Would you like to see him again?”
“I think it would be better if I didn’t. He has his life. I want to start a new life for myself.”
“Ashley?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Dr. Vaughn. I’d like to have a little chat with you.”
“All right.”
“Do you remember Toni and Alette?”
“Of course. But they’re gone.”
“How do you feel about them?”
“In the beginning, I was terrified, but now I know I needed them. I’m grateful to them.”