Dr. Michael S. Anders (doctordominator) wrote in voicesinmyhead, @ 2007-06-17 17:11:00 |
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Entry tags: | michael simon anders, prompt #01 |
Prompt #1: "Who are you?"
Character: Michael Anders
Fandom: Original
Word Count: 407
I was really hoping that, about now, my answer to that would be different than it's turned out to be. When I planned out my life, people asking that question today were supposed to get the answer:
"Lieutenant Michael Anders, U.S. Navy, Top Gun."
I had it all worked out and it was going so smoothly, too. Summers at Aviation Challenge every year, NROTC, everything. I was go for launch.
But there's this joke I heard once. "How do you make God laugh?"
The answer: "Tell Him your plans."
I hadn't planned on a drunk driver when I was figuring my life out. I hadn't planned on encountering him while I was driving back to my dorm one night. I guess he was so drunk he thought he was a moth or something, because he went straight for my headlights. That night, he died and my life ended. At least, the life I'd planned for.
I was a Freshman at the time. I'd been so pleased with myself; going to college a year early and all. I guess it was lucky for me that I did, because the physical therapy took a year before I was even ready to go back to classes; instead of ending up behind, I was more or less right "on schedule." Just not any schedule I'd filled out. I was lucky. By graduation, I was able to walk up and receive my degree without any really noticeable limp.
My dreams of being a Navy pilot were ended, though. I'd recovered and I was even in damned good shape, but I couldn't pass the physical and no way would they let me play air-jockey in a multi-million-dollar plane. Fortunately, I'd found a new set of goals. It was my physical therapy that started it, along with the therapy I got to work through my feelings of loss and frustration. Post-trauma therapy fascinated me. I ended up majoring in Psychology instead of Aeronautics, and going to medical school after my graduation.
So now, here I am. I started my practice a year ago, and it's finally starting to go somewhere. And when people ask me that question, this is what they hear:
"Dr. Michael Anders, Psychiatrist."
That's not who I planned to be, but it's definitely who I am. And it turns out that it's more than enough.
And yes, there is another answer to that question... but that answer can't be given here.