Psychotherapy

Liz hesitated for a moment but finally decided to call Lina, her psychotherapist.  The last time she saw Lina was 10 months ago. She remembered what Dr. Cruz used to say, “Go talk to a therapist. Their job is to listen. You can rest assured that what you discussed will stay in that room, unlike talking to friends and family members.”

Wednesday afternoon. Dr. Cruz was off. Liz drove to Lina’s office in Summerlin. She loved to go there. It was really a different city.

“Hi Liz! Come in!” Lina greeted her with the usual joyful voice. That was another reason why Liz kept going back to her. Lina had such a warm smile and good heart.

“Well, it has been ten months since I saw you. How are you? How is Peter?” Lina started the session with that question.

“Peter died.” Liz was trying to hold her tears but could not.

Lina quickly grabbed the tissue and gave it to Liz. “I am so sorry. What happened?”

“He got killed in a magic show.”

“In town?”

Liz nodded.

“But why? Just an accident?”

“No. It was intentional. He had been receiving death threats. Then that day they decided to kill him.”

“They? Was he involved in a gang?”

“I don’t know. I found the letters that were sent to him. It seems that it has something to do with his father.”

Lina followed, “Tell me more.”

“One of the letters said something like the son should pay his father’s debt.”

“Did you talk to his father?”

“I did. I actually went to Manila to visit him. I got nothing from him. But I heard from another Chinese who knew him that his father was very mad at him at one time because of his girlfriend, a Filipino.”

“You mean Peter’s grandfather was very mad at him.” Lina asked.

“Yes. One possibility is that Peter’s father was separated from his girlfriend who was pregnant at that time. Something probably happened to her. She family had been wanting to revenge. So they killed Peter.”

“Wait, why Peter? Why not just kill his father?” Lina asked again.

“Good question. I was thinking about it the same way. There must be a reason why they could not. Or maybe they want Benito, Peter’s father, to feel the pain that they went through.”

“Well, that makes sense. If Benito’s girlfriend died because they were separated, then her family wanted Benito to feel the pain. But, Benito’s father was the one who separated them. Right?”

“Another good point. You know that’s why I am here. I found another person who has the same name as Peter.”

“You mean like Peter Lu?”

“Yes. His name is Pei Sheng Lu. He just arrived from China a few weeks ago. He goes by Peter too.” Liz said.

“Wait. Are you saying that they might have killed the wrong Peter Lu?” Lina stood up, excited.

Liz smiled, for the first time that day. “That’s my latest lead.”