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"I'm sorry to hear of your financial difficulties," Dr. Tripp put his pad down. "Unfortunately, my bookkeepers don't let me do pro bono work, so unless you can pay for the sessions, this will be our last one. Whatever they say, this one's on me."

"We're almost done anyway," Marilyn said.

"Actually, we're just getting started," Dr. Tripp leaned forward in his chair. "but finish telling me how you got here."

"After Marlene left, I sat in the dark for hours until ...