Therapy for Fantasy

In making his daughter right, Richard must deal with failure. However, how will he explain his bank account and keep her trust?

Harry Hogg
4 min readSep 8, 2024

--

Image: Jenny Hogg— when a daughter’s fantasy came true!

Richard was anxious about his visit to the therapist, even though she came with the highest recommendations.

In truth, he had not come to the idea of therapy himself, rather than having it suggested by his family; it would help him let go of his fantasy life.

Fantasy, you see, had been a significant part of Richard’s success, what he’d become known for — and in the end, what had brought about his ruin. His daughter had found him out.

What follows might be a lie, of course. Richard is a writer; he tells lies. Of course, he has his accomplices, his support team, and those demons in his head that talk him through every day.

Strangely enough, Rachel lives in LA, where fantasies become real, right? Where every young (and not so young) dreamer hopes to become a celebrated personality. Why else would one go to Hollywood?

Fame! Yea! Richard was Rachel’s third father. Her biological father became an alcoholic and later addicted to pain pills. He was a kind, generous soul who managed a chain coffee shop. Her second father was a corporate guy who loved his job more than his children.

--

--

Harry Hogg

Ex Greenpeace, writing since a teenager. Will be writing ‘Lori Tales’ exclusively for JK Talla Publishing in the Spring of 2025