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Dr. Balis:
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Hello Sylvia. How are you? How are the twins?
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Ms. Bows:
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Hello Doctor. We're doing fine. Thank you.
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Dr. Balis:
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Good, good. How is the paternity suit?
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Ms. Bows:
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Now that's the real question.
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Dr. Balis:
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Well?
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Ms. Bows:
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It looks like it's going to take longer than I thought. I spoke with Kelly and she started to cite all kinds of problems and complications. The up-shot is that I have to live with Tom until all this gets sorted out.
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Dr. Balis:
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Why? What's the problem?
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Ms. Bows:
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He is pursuing the notion that I'm not responsible enough to deal with this pregnancy on my own and that I need guardianship. His argument is that since the children are legally his and that he is fighting for full custody, until all this gets settled he wants to be in a position to "protect" them.
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Dr. Balis:
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Protect them from what?
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Ms. Bows:
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That's what I said. It's clear to everyone that I went to extreme measures to get these children. So why on Earth would I do something to jeopardize my chances of becoming a mother now? Not to mention that Tom went to extreme measures not to have children and he has plenty of motive to see that the twins are never born.
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Dr. Balis:
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Sylvia are you saying that you believe that Tom is doing all this to harm the twins? Do you think that he will hurt you?
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Ms. Bows:
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No. I'm not really saying that. Kelly was saying most of this. It's her argument.
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Dr. Balis:
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But you don't believe that Tom would do anything to harm you or the twins?
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Ms. Bows:
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No. I don't know what his motivations are anymore. But I know that he would never harm me physically. Mentally and spiritually...well that's another matter.
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Dr. Balis:
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So in the meantime you have to live with Tom?
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Ms. Bows:
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It looks that way. It won't be for long. What judge in the world wouldn't take my side? It's just that things always take longer than we expect.
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Dr. Balis:
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How do you feel about living with him?
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Ms. Bows:
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As long as he stays out of my hair it will be fine. And when it gets to be too much, I'll stay with Rene for a couple of nights.
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Dr. Balis:
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How is Rene?
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Ms. Bows:
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She's been terrific. I don't know what I would do without her. She has been so supportive--taking me maternity shopping, talking to my mother, making me dinner, keeping me sane in general.
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Dr. Balis:
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Do your parents know about Tom's custody suit?
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Ms. Bows:
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I didn't tell them. My mom is still feeling rather fragile and I don't want to add to her plate of worries. Plus it's just a matter of time. Tom doesn't have a chance and in a few weeks it will all be over. Maybe I'll tell her then.
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Dr. Balis:
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So your mother is still feeling sick?
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Ms. Bows:
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Off and on. You don't have to tell me that I'm the primary reason for her ailment.
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Dr. Balis:
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I wasn't planning on it Sylvia. Your mom has heart problems, right? You are not responsible for heart disease.
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Ms. Bows:
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No, that's not what I meant. I feel responsible for adding so much stress to her life. She should be somewhere nice and warm with soothing music playing in the background. Instead she has me and all my problems.
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Dr. Balis:
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I'm sure she doesn't see it that way.
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Ms. Bows:
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My father does. But I guess it will all straighten out in about twenty weeks.
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Dr. Balis:
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Dr. Malleson thinks you will deliver at thirty five weeks?
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Ms. Bows:
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He didn't exactly say that. But from what I read it seems to be the average length for twin pregnancies. I obviously want to have them as late as possible, but I'm just being realistic.
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Dr. Balis:
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You seem to be in a very calm and resigned mood today.
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Ms. Bows:
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Yes I know. I've just decided to take things as them come. I'm letting other people worry for a change while I stand back and just observe.
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Dr. Balis:
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Hmm. Did anything else happen last week?
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Ms. Bows:
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Why? Am I making you nervous Doctor?
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Dr. Balis:
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No. I just thought I'd ask. How is work?
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Ms. Bows:
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Well everyone knows. And I mean everyone. I'm the current topic of conversations. I think there might be bets going around the office on who the father is.
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Dr. Balis:
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So people in SII know that the twins are not Tom's?
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Ms. Bows:
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Apparently some people know. I guess men are just not very good at keeping their mouths shut--but I learned that in high school. I assume that one or more of my conquests talked.
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Dr. Balis:
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Seeing you so pregnant they just might be nervous. You told me about David and a little about Hal. You also mentioned that Richard's been acting a bit strange too. Anyone else?
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Ms. Bows:
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Well let me fill you in on all the dirt. I just assumed that you would be on top of it since everybody else seems to be.
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Dr. Balis:
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No. I'm pretty isolated out here. I only get to hear what you tell me.
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Ms. Bows:
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Let me see. I told you that Hal was acting like a lunatic. In fact I suggested that he should come and talk to you. But by the reaction I got from him when I said that my guess is that he didn't run to the nearest phone to call you. He is such a strange man.
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Dr. Balis:
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You talked about firing him at one time. Are you still considering it?
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Ms. Bows:
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The man is an idiot and a spineless creep. But he has two children and a wife to support...he is also not a bad writer when he actually does it. I don't know. Maybe it will pass. I gave him a big assignment and told him...no rather insisted that he should work at home more. It's been better this way.
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Dr. Balis:
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I see. And what about Richard and the rest?
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Ms. Bows:
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Richard I just don't understand. He is a very smart man. I would love to be friends with him and share his company. But he is just so over the top.
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Dr. Balis:
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In what way?
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Ms. Bows:
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I think that he honestly believes that there is some kind of conspiracy going on. He follows me around trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. But he has this bright red car. I always know when he is behind me.
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Dr. Balis:
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Richard is following you in a car?
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Ms. Bows:
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Hard to believe isn't it? About a week and a half ago he was staking out me out--he was parked a couple of driveways away from the front of my house. He's done this a few times before. So I went outside and walked to his car. I was going to talk to him. As I approached, he ducked and covered up. I asked him what was he doing there.
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Dr. Balis:
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And?
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Ms. Bows:
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He said that he was just trying to make sure that I was all right. When I asked him why wouldn't I be, he mentioned Tom. I think he believes that Tom is trying to do something bad to me or something. Not that he is wrong but--I told him that I can take care of myself and that, as touching as his attempts to protect me are, I want him to cut it out.
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Dr. Balis:
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Why do you think Richard believes that Tom is out to get you?
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Ms. Bows:
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I'm not sure. Every one knows that I had affairs. But I don't think anyone knows that Tom had a vasectomy. I was always very careful to keep it a secret from everyone at SII. I wanted all the prospective fathers to believe that my child could be Tom's. This way I was hoping to avoid all the fuss. Although it didn't seem to help.
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Dr. Balis:
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San Francisco is a small town. Your friends knew about Tom. It's not inconceivable that the news has spread.
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Ms. Bows:
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Could be.
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Dr. Balis:
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Did you ever sit down with Richard and have a conversation about what your plans for the future are?
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Ms. Bows:
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We spoke a little. But I got an impression that Richard didn't believe me when I told him that the twins were not his. More than that, he acted as if what I was saying had a double meaning, with the real message being that I simply couldn't talk to him about my pregnancy and my plans for the future before my divorce with Tom is final. I tried to convince him otherwise but the more I talked the more conspiratorial he got. I had to just let it go.
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Dr. Balis:
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Do you think that Richard might be in love with you?
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Ms. Bows:
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I have no idea. He certainly expresses it in a strange way. No. I really don't think so.
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Dr. Balis:
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So what about others?
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Ms. Bows:
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I got an e-mail message from Bruce. He is in Italy and is having a great time. Said that he missed me and wished I would join him.
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Dr. Balis:
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Bruce is the sculptor.
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Ms. Bows:
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Yes. He doesn't know about the pregnancy. I saw Matthew the other day. He congratulated me on being pregnant. Asked how far along I was. I told him that I was about halfway. I saw him do the math in his head and then he was visibly relieved.
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Dr. Balis:
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Why did you lie to him?
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Ms. Bows:
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What difference does it really make whether I told him I was fifteen or twenty weeks pregnant? I told him what I thought he wanted to hear.
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Dr. Balis:
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So Matthew believes that he cannot be the father.
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Ms. Bows:
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Right. And then there's Victor.
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Dr. Balis:
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He's the one who works with Richard?
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Ms. Bows:
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You have a very good memory Doctor.
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Dr. Balis:
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I made a list of all the prospective fathers.
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Ms. Bows:
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Did you? I would like to take a look at it sometime.
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Dr. Balis:
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You're welcome.
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Ms. Bows:
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I would want to check it for accuracy, fill in any omissions, compare it against my list...
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Dr. Balis:
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Oh come on. You have a list too?
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Ms. Bows:
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Well it's not actually my list. It's Rene's. She said that her memory is just not good enough anymore to remember them all. She even has all the dates.
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Dr. Balis:
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So Rene can potentially extrapolate who the father is?
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Ms. Bows:
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She would never do that. She is interested in keeping that information a mystery as much as I am. I think she is feeling very possessive of my babies--she doesn't want to share them with some father or something.
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Dr. Balis:
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I see. Are there more?
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Ms. Bows:
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You mean do I have more to tell about the men on the list?
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Dr. Balis:
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Yes.
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Ms. Bows:
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No. I think I got you up to date more or less.
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Dr. Balis:
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Thank you. Well out time is up for today.
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Ms. Bows:
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Yes I can see. With the time change it gets so dark so fast. Shall we make an appointment next week?
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Dr. Balis:
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Next Tuesday, November 5th at 4 pm?
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Ms. Bows:
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That's good. I'll see you then Doctor. Goodbye.
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Dr. Balis:
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Goodbye Sylvia. Have a happy Halloween.
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Ms. Bows:
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Oh, you too Doctor. Enjoy the show.
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Dr. Balis:
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Are you dressing up on Halloween?
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Ms. Bows:
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Yeah, I'm thinking of Humpty Dumpty. How about you Doctor?
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Dr. Balis:
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I just thought I'd throw on a white lab coat and a stethescope.
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Ms. Bows:
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Wow, that's very original. I bet you've never worn that costume before.
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Dr. Balis:
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Yeah, every year.
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Ms. Bows:
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Why don't you go as a caveman? I think you'd make a good primitive. Give you a chance to exercise your id.
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Dr. Balis:
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Gee thanks Sylvia. See you next week.
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Ms. Bows:
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Bye.
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###
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Doctor Balis' Notes on this Session
Transcripts of Sylvia Bows' Therapy Sessions
