#Dr. Harding Hooten

[obeydontstray]

Molina-verse character playlists (edited, forgot two playlists!)

[illiana-mystery]

Here's a little something for my mutual @fabuloussisterofsin. Happy Reading!

Cycle of Care

Plot: After another long day in the OBGYN unit of Chelsea General Hospital (he's a gynecologist in this fic), Harding arrives home expecting his usual greeting from his beloved girlfriend and the smell of dinner welcoming him in. However, tonight, he receives neither usual welcoming gestures. Confused, he goes upstairs to investigate to find his dear love sick and weak in their bathroom. So he takes it upon himself to take care of her and make her feel better after her own long day of battling the first bout of her period.

⚠️ This is an 18+ fic with mild NSFW content. Minors do not engage. 🔞 Thank you. 🙂

Taglist: @goodoldcharley , @imwithyoutiltheendofthelinebucky, @braindead94, @curbitkirby, @freddiefredfive, @writingkitten, @iobsessoverfictionalmen

---

“Honey, I'm home,” the older man called from the front corridor as he put his briefcase to the side and hung his coats on the rack nearby.

He waited for your normal response, but to his surprise, it was silent.

He scratched his head in confusion, realizing that you were nowhere in sight.

Swiftly after, he noted that the lights were off in the kitchen and the living room.

That was even more peculiar.

You were always in one of those two rooms when he got home. And you always greeted him after work, especially on long nights like this.

And it was a very, long night.

He made you aware of that, as well as his growing annoyance with all of his fellow OBGYN's at Chelsea General Hospital at the time.

It worried you.

But you did your best to calm him down via text.

You kept sending him videos of apex predators being strong and steadfast in the wild. That, in turn, gave him the confidence and energy he needed to get through the rest of his hellish shift.

So he expected you to welcome him with big, open arms and a nice dinner as soon as he made it back home.

But nothing.

Still, he made his way upstairs to see if you were there. It didn't seem like the house was disturbed in any way and your car was parked outside.

So you had to be upstairs, right?

His inquiry was soon answered as he took his last step up to the top floor. In an instant, he heard you loudly throwing up in your shared master bathroom before the toilet loudly flushed after.

Harding was puzzled. He wondered if you were sick or if it was your monthly gift.

It made more sense that you were just sick, since you never threw up during your cycles.

But then again, you had started a new birth control he prescribed for you, so maybe that was the culprit.

Calmly, he walked into your shared room and then pried the bathroom door open to find you curled over the toilet still hurling into the bowl.

You had been in that same position for longer than 5 minutes and although you felt like you threw up all the remnants of your stomach lining, you still felt the urge to vomit more. So you didn't leave that spot.

However, your eyes did move over to your boyfriend. You felt horrible seeing how concerned he looked.

You could just tell his heart was aching from seeing you in such distress. It was clear as day in his dark eyes.

“Honey, are you okay?” he asked, before you threw up again.

“Hardy,” you started after you picked your head back up. “Babe, I'm fine. I promise. Just some menstrual sickness. I'll be okay.”

“You never have to vomit,” Harding swiftly replied. “This has to be a side effect of the new birth control I put you on.”

“Oh, right,” you responded. “Well, it'll pass. I trust your judgment. I like this birth control so far. If this is the only side effect, well that's fine with me.”

“Right,” he groaned. “How long have you been at the toilet like this?”

“About five minutes,” you admitted. “My period started this afternoon and you know how bad my cramps are. So I was resting, although this new birth control seems to make my cramps not as bad. Anyway, I guess I overslept and didn't have time to cook your dinner. I'm sorry, babe.”

“That's alright. I can warm some leftovers. That doesn't matter right now. What matters is you. Your dysmenorrhea is my main concern right now,” he clarified. “Is it just your normal cramps and this little side effect that's been bothering you today? Is that it?”

“Yes, I promise, Hardy. You don't need to worry about me. I'm okay.”

He wiped his brow in relief.

“Okay, good. I'm glad these new pills are helping your cramps a little, but I hope you won't be throwing up like this frequently. I guess we have to see throughout your cycle what happens,” he started. “But looks like you're done for now, so leftovers will have to wait. Let's get you cleaned up and ready for bed.”

“We don't have to eat leftovers, Hardy,” you assured him. “That Thai street food place is still open til midnight. Just call it in. I'll get my usual.”

“Okay, but after we shower,” he specified.

“Aye, aye captain,” you teased.

He chuckled, before walking over to you and giving you his hand. You took it and he helped you back on your feet.

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome,” he said back, giving you a sweet kiss on your cheek. You blushed, before he bent down lower and gave you another kiss on your neck.

“Hardy,” you cooed. “What are you doing?”

“Just because I can't kiss your lips right now, doesn't mean I don't want to kiss you at all,” he explained, as his hands moved to your clothes.

Gingerly, he took your tank top off before swiping your shorts and panties off too.

And when he glanced at your bare body, he couldn't help but lick his lips.

Sure, he had seen you naked plenty of times, but your natural curves and soft skin always made him go mad.

You were just so beautiful to him. It made him go crazy every time.

“Damn. You take my breath away every time I see your bare skin.”

You giggled, before blushing.

“Oh, you,” you chirped. “Now it's my turn.”

He snickered, before you moved forward and removed his bowtie. Once discarded, you began to unbutton his crisp work shirt and quickly threw it to the side to expose his peak form you loved so much.

Oh his titties and little paunch looked so nice under the bathroom lighting. And his little tufts of chest hair really were a nice garnish to his natural look.

But you had to see him bare like you were.

It wasn't enough to just see his glorious chest.

You wanted to bask in him, even if you couldn't have sex like you wanted to right now.

“Still admiring me?” he asked, thick eyebrow cocked up.

“When am I not? You're so damn handsome.”

He blushed before asking in a cocky tone,

“Are you gonna take off my trousers and boxers? Or will I have to while you watch?”

“I'm capable of taking off the rest of your clothes and admiring you at the same time,” you huffed as you began to take his pants off.

He just laughed, but loved the look on your face when you saw his unclothed, resting cock.

Well, it was half mast, but still a sight to behold to you.

It still amazed you how nice his cock was and how much his girth made up for his average length.

He had a nice, thick penis and he knew how to use it. And you were ever so grateful, especially on nights like these where he wanted to fuck his stress away.

You were so tempted to at least touch it, just to give him some sexual satisfaction. But to your surprise, he smacked your hand away.

“Oww, what was that for?”

“I don't need you to do that for me. I'm fine. Now let's get in the shower. Tonight, I'm taking care of you. Sex can wait until your cycle is over…that means any and all sexual activity.”

“Yes, Hardy,” you groaned before you followed him into the shower after he started the water.

After manureving to stand in front of your big and tall boyfriend, you sighed in relief as the gentle caress of warm water coated your aching body.

Harding always knew the right setting to put the shower spray on and tonight was no different. It felt like the soft pour of rain deep within the Amazon, and it was heaven to you.

He took notice of your euphoria, smiling at the sight of your content.

Your smile and the way your face would turn red at the slightest compliment or touch always warmed his heart.

He never liked to see you down or hurt or sick, so seeing this change in demeanor really helped him calm his worry for the moment.

“Relaxed?” he softly asked.

You nodded, running your hand through your now damp hair.

He lightly chuckled, before suddenly asking,

“Are your breasts tender?”

“A little,” you replied. “Why do you ask?”

“Because I forgot to earlier,” he clarified. “Allow me to help with that.”

You giggled, before the blush on your face exposed how excited you were for him to touch and massage your breasts.

Because you knew he wasn’t JUST gonna massage your breasts.

And you were proven right, yet again when you felt his soft belly against your back.

You mewed, before he bent down and began to track his lips down your jaw and into your neck. His gentle kisses made you feel all warm inside, before he finally moved his hands over to your bosom.

Gingerly, he rubbed the tips of his index and ring fingers on both hands against your nipples, moving them in a circular motion.

You bit your lip, trying not to scream at how good it felt. Harding was more than aware of how sensitive your nipples were, being your gynecologist first and all.

The memory of you moaning audibly when he gave you your breast exam during your first appointment with him still made both of you giggle.

“Still so sensitive,” he whispered against your shoulder he was now kissing. “Just like the first time I touched you there.”

“Yeah,” you hummed. “Your fingers and hands just feel so good.”

He chuckled.

“That's what made me fall in love with you,” he admitted.

“Really? You never told me that.”

“I guess I never wanted to admit it. But we've been together for a year now so might as well be honest. I never thought I would fall in love so quickly after my wife died. But then you came into my office, you beautiful ray of sunshine. My angel, sent to me from above. Your smile, your laugh, your timid voice, it all just sent my soul ablaze. I'm just glad you gave an old man like me a chance.”

“Oh, Hardy. I love you,” you hummed. “And I don't care that you're older than me. You know I like older men. You've been a heaven sent to me too. You're the best gynecologist and boyfriend a girl could ever hope to have. And between you and me, I've never had orgasms as good as you give me.”

He snickered before blushing himself.

“Thank you kindly, angel. I love you too,” he assured you with a quick kiss to your cheek.

His hands moved up to your soft flesh after, and gently he knead your boobs between his strong and sturdy hands.

You moaned loudly as he did so, leaning more into his belly as his massage became a little firmer.

“Still feels good, angel?”

“Yes, yes, Hardy. Please don't stop.”

“I’ll keep going for a little longer. But I have to address your cramps soon too,” he explained. “Looks like you don't have any lumps though. That's good.”

You laughed.

“It's not a breast exam, Hardy. You're always on, I swear.”

“Nothing wrong with checking on your breast health while I’m making you feel good,” he remarked.

“I guess you got me there,” you relented, before he slowly removed his hands from your breasts. “Thank you, Hardy. That felt so good.”

“You're welcome, angel,” he quickly replied before he took the handheld shower head off of its stand and angled it at your stomach and midsection.

“What are you doing?” you asked, annoyed that the water wasn't falling down on you anymore.

“Handling your cramps,” he swiftly said, before his thumb pushed the nob down and made the water spray out a little heavier and a bit faster against that skin.

“Ooh, okay. That feels really good,” you moaned, making Harding give you another cheek kiss.

“I know, love. I'm just gonna run this over your abdomen and midsection for a couple of minutes. Let me know if I need to change the speed or the temperature.”

“Okay,” you cooed.

He only snickered in response, keeping the shower head in his left hand while his right hand held your waist steady.

His hand holding your waist also moved in circles, gingerly tickling your skin there. It made you giggle and he gave you a sweet neck kiss after.

“Okay, you want me to run the water on your tummy a little longer? Or are you ready for me to wash your hair and body?”

“I'm ready for you to wash me,” you replied. “I miss more of your touch.”

He snickered in your ear.

“I'll wash your hair first,” he whispered, after he put the shower head back on its stand. “I want to take my time washing your beautiful body and praising it like I want to.”

“Okay…daddy…”

“What did you call me?” he asked, his voice oozing with intrigue.

“You heard me…daddy.”

He sinisterly snickered before pulling you closer to his paunch again.

“I'm gonna tear you up in 5 days,” he warned with a kiss to your ear and jaw. “But until then, I'm gonna make you squirm and beg for Wednesday night to come.”

“Oh, daddy,” you whimpered, as his teeth grazed your sensitive spot on your neck. He nibbled down, making you jolt a bit before you moaned in ecstasy.

“Sexy temptress,” he moaned, before he moved his head and hands from you.

You whined, but turned your head to see him gathering your shampoo in one hand as his other hand pushed down the pump.

“I'm coming,” he said when he saw you looking his way. “Be patient, little grasshopper.”

You giggled.

“Okay,” you playfully moaned before you felt his shampoo slathered palms moving around your scalp and hair.

His firm, big hands always felt so nice moving the shampoo around.

It was the most pleasant head massage.

“Rinse,” he instructed you before you ran your head right under the shower again and let the shampoo run down your skin and down the drain.

As you were doing that, Harding gathered some conditioner the same way as the shampoo.

You both met halfway again after and soon he was working the conditioner into your hair.

He was even more thorough, knowing that your conditioner of choice made your hair even more smooth and silky than it naturally was.

Because he loved touching and admiring your hair. It was one of his favorite ways to show affection to you other than the neck kisses and bites he always gave you.

“Okay. I'll let that sit while I wash you off,” he told you. “Would you like me to bathe you with your lavender wash or cucumber melon wash?”

“Lavender, please,” you answered.

“Your wish is my command, angel,” he replied, before he put some of the liquid on your favorite purple loofah.

He started moving the loofah against your back, making sure to make his fingers slip from the material so it could graze your back.

You whined at the teasing touch, so he began to kiss every area his fingers and loofah traced.

And to your delight, he got on his knees to playfully smack your ass before he moved the loofah over and kissed right where he smacked you.

“Oh, daddy. You're so naughty,” you teased to get a reaction out of him.

“I'll definitely be Wednesday,” he promised as he got off his knees.

He turned you around after, fully intending to wash off your breasts first.

He was gentle though especially when he got to your pussy.

And his kisses felt even nicer as he went on while you were facing him.

“Okay, you can rinse again,” he told you after he got back up on his feet again.

“Yes, daddy,” you teased again, as you did as he said.

Once you were done rinsing your body and the conditioner out of your hair, you returned the favor by washing Harding off with his favorite Old Spice gel.

He was practically mewing at your soft touch too, since you let your fingers slip past the loofah like he had. And you gave him many many kisses upon his body as well.

You just had to show him how much you loved him and appreciated his care.

“That was quite a shower,” Harding said after he turned the water off.

“Yeah, it was. But I'm hungry now.”

“Ditto,” he replied. “But let's get dried off and dressed first. Then I'll order dinner.”

“Sounds good to me,” you said back, following him out of the shower.

As expected, Harding insisted on drying your body and hair off before he dried himself off.

Then, of course, he also dressed you in your favorite pajamas once you put some new pads and panties on.

You threw your now dry hair into a bun after, while he got into his own pair of favorite pajamas.

You stared intently, but he didn't notice until he pulled his pajama pants up. Then he chuckled once he noticed.

“Like what you see?”

“Of course, handsome,” you said, reassuring him with a warm hug.

“Angel, you're too kind,” he said, his face turning completely red. “Now let's get you to bed. I'll order our food after.”

“Okay,” you hummed, rubbing your head against his arm.

He chuckled again, kissed your forehead, and then led you back into your room.

Without hesitation, you crawled to your side of the bed and let him tuck you in before he gave you another kiss upon your cheek.

“Take it easy, angel. I'm gonna go back downstairs, order the food, and wait for it while you rest up here.”

“Sounds good to me,” you chirped, before he left you, snickering all the way downstairs.

Luckily, you weren't by yourself in bed for too long. Between Harding ordering the food and him waiting for it, it was about 25 minutes of wait time.

And when he made his way back upstairs, you got really excited because you could hear his loud footsteps.

You smiled as he made his way back into the room. And you noticed that he had a tray with two bowls and two tea cups in his hands.

“Dinner is served,” he announced. “I got us Pad Thai to share, some roti bread, and green tea. I just wanted some tea, but I figured that you could have some too. It does help with cramps.”

“Aww, Hardy…thank you!,” you said as he came over to your side of the bed and placed the tray down by your feet.

Carefully, he gathered the teacup and put it on your nightstand before he handed you your bowl he topped with the roti bread.

You grabbed it and smiled at him, then watched as he moved the tray over to his side to get his bowl and teacup.

And once he got his self straightened out, he got closer to you in the bed.

“You can eat now, angel,” he said after he noticed you hesitating. “You don't have to wait for me.”

“I know. But I wanted to,” you clarified. “Thank you for making my first night of shark week better. You always have a way of picking me back up.”

“Funny, I could say the same,” he said with a hardy chuckle. “You're welcome, though. Guess this night wasn’t a complete bust on my end either.”

You giggled, before you leaned against his arm.

“I love you so much, Hardy. I'm so glad you're off tomorrow so you can take care of me more.”

He laughed.

“I love you more, angel. I'm glad to be off too. Because there's no patient I rather be with and care for than you,” he assured you...

...making you blush even more.

[lokirulesmidgard]

Here's all my art related to Molina characters that I've done recently. I've not drawn this much in years. And I'm proud of each one.

[plush4bunny]

unsolicited headcanon: dr. harding hooten has those pen sets with snarky remarks. he probly loves how these precedes his reputation.

[plush4bunny]

only heaven knows how Dr. Harding Hooten would react if he saw this kind of sign somewhere in his hospital 😂

[bedpolls]

Harding hooten (Monday mornings)

Please reblog for a larger sample size.

[reuripotte]

Alfred Molina as Dr Harding Hooten

[plush4bunny]

Maxim Horvath or Harding Hooten with their partners, in a nutshell 🙈

[gifsofhubris-a]

Alfred Molina as Dr Harding Hooten & Sarayu Rao as Dr Sydney Napur | 1.07 + Blue Lighting

[obeydontstray]

((I posted the original chapter forever and a half ago so I hope interest is still lingering for it. I FINALLY wrote a second chapter for my fic of Dr. Hooten finding an abandoned baby at the hospital. Originally it was only going to be two chapters, but eventually there will be a third. Sorry in advance for the emotional turmoil. Doubly so if you take my suggestion to listen to 'Are You Alright?' by Lucinda Williams as well.

I miss my nephews and niece terribly, one will be a middle schooler this year! They are amazing kiddos, but sometimes I miss them being itty bitty babies. Time really flies when there's kids involved))

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

A noise roused Harding from the sleep he hadn’t noticed he had slipped into. The baby lay on his shoulder, one of her little hands grasping the lapel of his jacket like a lifeline as her soft breaths fanned against his neck.

Another knock sounded. “Come in!” He hissed. “Quietly!”

The door swung open and an olive-skinned woman with long dark hair stuck her head in. Harding held his finger to his lips in a ‘be quiet’ motion. She nodded and disappeared behind the door momentarily. Then she slipped into his office with a tall, dark-skinned cop behind her. Harding nodded towards the seats at his desk. “Sit. But quietly. Don’t wake her.”

The woman was the social worker he had been waiting on. She quietly introduced herself and then the cop, who nodded solemnly at Harding. Harding began telling them the entire story of his morning, from arriving at the hospital and finding the baby to the crew checking over every detail of her to make sure she was okay and finding no evidence or parentage, to being designated as her caretaker for the day since all the surgeons were busy today.

Towards the end of his account, the baby began to fuss. She mouthed his coat, tiny fists bawled up and smacking against his shoulder. Harding stood with the baby safely against his chest without missing a beat of his story and began making her a bottle.

“And that’s the story of how I ended up here, being abused by an infant,” he said loudly over the cries and thumps of the baby’s fists on his shoulder. She wailed and mouthed at his neck. “Wait a minute little one, I’ve nearly finished. I won’t let you starve.”

(Continued on AO3)

[illiana-mystery]

The Doctor is In.

[lokirulesmidgard]

Here's all my art related to Molina characters that I've done recently. I've not drawn this much in years. And I'm proud of each one.

[plush4bunny]

kinky and an intimidating figure is found in @chrism02’s Snake zodiac, Dr. Harding Hooten 😍🔥which will be the spicy date for the 12th chapter of their multi-molina character fic.

[slxsherwriter]

Hello and welcome to my depraved little corner of tumblr. Here I write for a variety of slasher and horror characters. Primarily will be featuring drabbles with the occasional longer piece. Headcanons will feature from time to time

At the time I do NOT consent for my work to be translated or posted anywhere else.

Below you will find some more information on who and what I write.

MINORS DNI. Due to the nature of these characters and potential content, only 18 and older are allowed.

Characters || Rules || Masterlist || Masterlist mobile friendly || Non-slasher writings blog: @rewritethisstxry

What I will write:

Angst

Fluff

Smut

Platonic relationships

Alpha/Omega dynamics

What I won’t write:

Snuff

Rape, rape play, non con

Underage

Inc*st

Who I write for:

Michael Myers (primarily Rob Zombie based)

Corey Cunningham

Bo Sinclair

Vincent Sinclair

Lester Sinclair

Rusty Nail

Eric Newlon

Jesse Cromeans

Asa Emory

Billy Loomis

Stu Macher

Ethan Landry

Mickey Altieri

Jedidiah Sawyer

Tex Sawyer

Thomas Brown Hewitt

Jason Voorhees

Evan MacMillan

Frank Morrison

Caleb Quinn

John Ryder

Leslie Vernon

Ethan Belfrage

Dr. Richard Sommers

Lawrence O'Neill

Lawrence Gordon

Robert Englund characters

Wayne Jackson (A Good Day for It)

Stuart Lloyd (The Last Showing)

Dr. Peter Andover (Fear Clinic)

Professor William Wexler (Urban Legend)

Doc Halloran (Behind the Mask)

Dr. Anton Rudolph (Python)

Jim Bickerman (Lake Placid)

Mayor Buckman (2001 Maniacs)

Warden Kane (The Funhouse Massacre)

Inkubus (Inkubus)

Sheriff Richard Berger (Heartstopper)

Scratch Monahan (Windfall)

Detective Gassner (Criminal Minds)

Mr. Meredith (Natty Knocks)

Tim Wexler (MacGyver)

Vaughn (Hunter)

Lyle Eckert (Walker Texas Ranger)

Costas Mandylor characters

Mark Hoffman (Saw)

The Warden (Death Count)

John Shepherd (Bloodthirst)

Agent Cole Bennett (Night of the Sicario)

Cylus Atkinson (The Horde)

Raymond Crowe (Saints & Sinners)

Jim (Blackout)

Chase Harper (Primal Doubt)

Stephan Lang characters

Norman Nordstrom (Don’t Breathe)

The Party Crasher (The Hard Way)

Miles Quartich (Avatar)

Fred Parras (VFW)

Holt Ramsey (A Good Marriage)

John Korver(Gridlocked)

Tony Cobb (Monkey Paw)

Nathaniel Taylor (Terra Nova)

Richard Brake characters

Winslow Foxworth Coltrane (3 From Hell)

Doom-head (31)

Dean Portman (Doom)

Otis Clairborne (RIPD 2)

William Colcott (The Gates)

Mr. Big (Bingo Hell)

Dr. Henry Augustus Wolfgang (The Munsters)

Norman Tyrus (A Good Day For It)

Bill Moseley characters

Otis Driftwood

Luigi Largo (Repo)

Darryl (Old 37)

Logan Burnhardt (Dead Air)

Frank (Fair Game)

Doc (Shed of the Dead)

Zach Garrett (Halloween)

Jake Spooler (The Practice)

Abner Honeywell (Natty Knocks)

Gimple (Minutes to Midnight)

Captain Harris (Welcome to Horrorwood series)

Farmer Sam (Hayride to Hell)

Bruce (Boar)

Jacob Sutter (The Horde)

Peter Van Hooten (The House of the Witchdoctor)

Deputy Henry Depford (Dead Souls)

[movieexpert1978]

Just Listen

link      

I wrote this story a while back and I finally got around to typing it. This is based off of Alfred’s character in Monday Mornings. I’ve never seen the show, but I plan to some day. I got inspired by a post that I put in the link about. 

credit to the post goes to @illiana-mystery​    

This scene really hit home for me and helped me write this story as a little venting. TW suicide attempt, self harm, issues with mental health, swearing, 

The drive to the hospital was a bit of a blur. She hears people talking about all sorts of things. She thinks someone tells her to stay awake, but she doesn’t want to listen. She feels tired and her stomach is bothering her. There’s a lot of pain in her arm as well. She feels her body being wheeled around inside. She thinks people are asking for her name. she mumbles when someone flashes a light in her eyes. She hears more talking and something is put over her face. She thinks she feels something pinching her before she passes out.

Xxxxxxx

When she wakes up again everything is sore. Her stomach hurts and her throat feels so dry. She sits up only to yelp in pain from her arm. She looks to see the stitches are bandaged carefully. She goes quiet as she last back down wanting to curl up and disappear. When a nurse comes in she answers her questions and gets her blood drawn.

“Do you have anyone that you want us to call?” She asks.

“No, thank you.” The nurse nods quietly and leaves. She stares out the window for a while. She doses in and out of sleep as a nurse comes in to check on her. When a doctor comes in finally, she’s already got a good impression of him. He does an introduction before he sits down and starts to ask question.

“What made you want to attempt suicide?”

“I’m not sure…it’s complicated.”

“Trouble with the family or a significant other?”

“No, I live alone.”

“Any pets?”

“No, I wanted a dog but I haven’t gotten around to it.”

“Are you taking any medications?”

“Just birth-control.”

“No anti-depressants?”

“No, I haven’t had them since I was about eighteen I think.”

“You’re…thirty now,” he comments looking at his notes. “Do you work?”

“Yeah, full time in a factory and this summer part time at a park.”

“You sound like you have it made,” the doctor shrugs.

“I still feel like I don’t. I feel random shots of pain through my body. I have horrible thoughts at night when I lay in bed. I just feel like I’m going through the motions of life half the time,” she explains.

“Well thirty is a significant point in life. You could go see a therapist. We’ll set you up with one before you leave. You’ll be going up to they psych ward for observation,” the doctor says. He tucks his pen away and leaves without another word, making her frown.

“Thanks for the talk,” she huffs. She picks away at her food, not really eating much except for the Jell-o. She’s only allowed water for the moment too.

“Am I going to see the doctor again?” She asks when the nurse comes back in.

“Probably not, he has more severe patients,” she answers.

“I thought every case was severe,” she nearly snaps. The nurse doesn’t say anymore as she writes down her notes and leaves. After awhile she gets up and heads into the hallway. She sees a woman working at the desk so she heads over there. “I want to be discharged,” she states.

“I’m sorry but I’m not in a position to do that,” she says kindly.

“I don’t care, I want to get out of this hospital now!” She snaps/

“Miss please, if you go back to your room I’m sure we can figure something out.”

“No one is listening to me! I want to get out of this fucking hospital now!” She shouts.

“Excuse me, young lady.” A concerned doctor hurries over to her. He’s tall, wearing glasses and a bow tie. “I’m Doctor Harding Hooten, perhaps I can help,” he suggests gently. She couldn’t help but think that with his size he’d be a security guard instead of a doctor. “Come on…let me take you back to your room and we can talk,” he says offering his hand. She hesitantly takes it and guides her slowly back to bed. He makes sure that she’s comfortable and the blankets cover her nicely.

“What’s wrong?”

“I tried to kill myself and all they say is go to a therapist and you’re having a sort of mid-life crisis. We’ve got more severe patients to look after.”

“What? Who said that!?” He gasps.

“I don’t know the nurses name, but that’s what she said when I asked if he would come back.”

“I’m very sorry you have to hear that,” he says with true sympathy. She looks away to hide her sudden tears.

“I don’t know what to do. I just feel like I’m here…so what,” she sniffles wiping her eyes.

“Do you have any family or friends I can call for you?”

“No, they’re all over the place and I don’t really have much friends.”

“Well could you talk to me?” He asks hesitantly.

“Only if you listen.” He squeezes her hand gently.

“I’m listening.”

“I turned thirty this year. I think that’s when it started.”

“What did?”

“Just overthinking a lot of things. I mean I over think a lot. I have a house, a car, a full time job with benefits…a lot of people seem to think that I have my life sorted out, but I don’t really feel that way,” she admits.

“To be honest, there really is no right age to have your life in order. I’m sixty and sometimes I look around and wonder what the hell am I doing?” He smiles.

“What! You’re sixty?” She gasps, making him nod. “You don’t look a day over forty-five.” Hooten gave a hearty laugh at that.

“I certainly wish,” he smiles. She looks down at her hands, picking away at her fingers, another sign of anxiety.

“So am I just going to go up to the psych ward and be left alone in a room all weekend?” She mumbles sadly.

“No,” Hooten stated. She looked up at him hesitantly. “I’m not going to send you up there. you’ve been through enough. It might take another day or so but I’m going to set you up with a therapist and a psychologist before you leave here. I will also get you set up with some medication as well.

“I can start with that,” she says quietly.

“Also I’ll need some information about your place of work. I’m going to put you on sick leave for at least a month.”

“A month! No, I can’t do that!” She gasps.

“I saw notes that said you’re working two jobs. To be blunt you’re burnt out, but that’s ok,” he says gently. “I’ll do most of the brunt work. You need healthy coping skills so this doesn’t happen again. I know I certainly don’t want this to happen again,” he says giving her hand another squeeze. “I’m going to be checking up on you too. Don’t think for a second that I see you as another patient to just shove off to others,” he huffs. She smiles a little.

“Thank you…this really means a lot to me,” she whispers, tears stinging her eyes again. He wraps an arm around her and finally starts sobbing. He just carefully rubs her back in comfort. She cries long enough to get his shoulder wet, but he doesn’t mind at all. He does stop her when she starts to hyperventilate. He guides breathing along to help her avoid a panic attack.

“Thank you for listening doctor I wish there were more people like you.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

[unprofessionalclownartist]

My husband @heartofhubris saw my pride art and asked me to make one for them with Dr. Harding Hooten.