Jeremy was a little nervous about meeting with Dr. Adam Jones, especially when he learned that he was only 20 years old with a doctorate and two PhDs. But because of the insistence of his friend, he decided to give it a go.
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After describing Polly's transformation as a result of his attempt to cure her disease, Dr. Jones gave a startling answer for it.
"It would appear to me," said Dr. Jones, making some notes in his IPad, "that the reason for your focus on your sister is because you're only seeing the things you did wrong with it. You should never feel badly about making mistakes, because people often learn more by doing wrong for the right reasons than they do by being right for the wrong reasons. Also, innovation is never a straightforward linear process. We didn't start with sticks and stones and come all the way through to this current age without people making endless mistakes."
"Really?" asked Jeremy, not realizing that.
"But before I give you some advice, I'd like to know why you're so focused on your sister." replied Dr. Jones. Then Jeremy started telling him about how his parents had died from an incurable disease shortly after having Polly. When Polly was diagnosed with a similar disease, he changed his major so he could attempt to cure Polly's disease.
"Now everything makes sense." Said Dr. Jones, making some further notes. "You have a desire to become a polar bear because you won't let go of your parents."
"Wha...?" said Jeremy, not expecting that.
"While I manly dealt with teenage angst and young grief," continued Dr. Jones, "I did manage to find something similar in those who are 20 years and above. You are suffering the number one cause of grief in those over the age of eighteen: losing a loved one."
"Wha...?" said Jeremy again, certainly not expecting that.
"Grief is often the agony of an instant." continued Dr. Jones, "In order to truly heal, one needs to say goodbye to the past, and let got of anything they're still holding on to. First of all, try thinking about what you did right instead of what you did wrong with Polly's transformation."
"How...?" asked Jeremy, not realizing that that was his problem.
"Instead of thinking that you ruined Polly's life, try thinking instead that you enabled Polly a long life as a member of Animalia." continued Dr. Jones.
"I'm also going to sign you up with several joint counseling with Heather." Finished Dr. Jones.
"Why...?" asked Jeremy, still not knowing how a twenty-something with two PhD's and a Doctorate managed to figure all that out.
"It's both to help you get over the loss of your parents, and help out Heather with some relationship problems." answered Dr. Jones as clarification, "And by the way, if your parent's ghosts were here right now, they would tell you 'We love you, but we know you. Don't make us an anchor, promise us Jeremy.'"
At this point, Jeremy was at a loss for words at how Dr. Adam Jones managed to get all that with two short conversations, but fortunately, his face seemed to transmit the question to Dr. Adam Jones, and he was able to explain it.
"First of all, Dr. Gert Addams is my uncle. After both my parents died from different cancers when I was seven, he took me in, and I tended to entertain myself by reading his books on psychology, both those he wrote and those he kept in the house. When I was found to be capable of understanding what was in those books, I was given an IQ test at eight, and was found to be in the top ten percent of American intelligence. Second of all, when I was diagnosed with autism at age 10, Uncle Gert made me his protégé, so to speak. Third and finally of all, while I am one of the smartest people in America, deep down inside of me is still this geek and nerd that loves video games and comics, but my all-time favorite game is still Psychonauts."
"I've heard of that game." said Jeremy, finally able to form complete sentences. "It was an interesting take on combining psychic secret agents and psychology."
"Well now," said Dr. Jones, taking note of the time, "Your hour is up, and I need to get to my next patient. I'll see you and Heather next week in relationship class."
"Why her?" asked Jeremy, not realizing that it had only been an hour.
"She was in here earlier, and she admitted having feelings for you." explained Dr. Jones, as if it was obvious, "Also, it will help you lose the psychological weight that your parents have become."
"Oh." said Jeremy, having never noticed it during their brief time together.