Page 12 of Innocence

Seated in the backseat of the SUV, she was quiet on the drive into New Orleans and to the campus of UNO. They knew that Tracy was a psych student, so they planned to visit that building and just look around. As they walked across campus, Ghost kept her between him and Trak.

“Look, honey. It’s beautiful, isn’t it,” he said, smiling down at her.

“I don’t know, Dad. It’s not really my kind of place,” she grinned. Trak let a grin slip from his lips, admiring her excellent acting skills. Then, in a whisper, she spoke to the two men. “I do have an idea.”

Walking to the psych building, she went inside and found one of the lecture halls for Tracy’s class. She entered, and the professor was seated at the front of the room.

“Can I help you? Class doesn’t start for another fifteen minutes.”

“I’m just wondering if I can sit in on the class,” said Victoria. “This is my dad and my uncle. We’re walking the campus today.”

“Oh, of course,” he said, smiling at her. “We love having interested students visit our campus. It’s a beautiful place with a lot to offer. Do you plan to study psychology?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe something along the lines of computer engineering or programming, but I had a neighbor that was in this class. She recently died.” His face had a terrible sadness to it, and he nodded.

“Tracy Bingham. I’m so sorry about what happened to her. She was a great student and a lovely young woman. A bright future was ahead of her.”

“It’s pretty sad,” said Victoria. “She loved the school, though, so I thought I’d give it a chance.”

“Well, you’re welcome here. Please just take a seat.”

The three of them took their seats at the back of the room and watched as dozens of students walked in, finding their place in the lecture hall. He didn’t acknowledge the three at the back but began immediately talking about the subject for the week.

“We started talking about phobias and fears last week. Remember, there are three types of phobias. Social phobias are more commonly known as social anxiety disorders. This phobia is marked by a fear of social situations where a person might be judged or embarrassed. Then we have agoraphobia. This is an irrational and extreme fear of being places that we don’t think we can escape from or leave, or even leaving one’s own home. The third class typically listed is specific phobias, like being afraid of something specific. Snakes, spiders, needles, blood, that sort of thing.”

There were moans and groans as people shivered from the thought or laughed at others for their seemingly silly fear.

“Mr. Rivers, my assistant, is passing out a form with common phobias. Take a moment to review it and make a mark next to any you feel you may have. You may have none, but I would assume if you’re in this class, you’re at least curious.” The young teaching assistant walked up and down the steps, then walked toward Victoria.

“She doesn’t need one,” said Ghost.

“Actually, Dad. I’d like to just take a look if that’s okay,” she said, smiling at the assistant.

“Absolutely,” he smiled, handing her the form.

Ablutophobia: Fear of bathing

Achluophobia:Fear of darkness

Acrophobia: Fear of heights

Aerophobia: Fear of flying

Algophobia: Fear of pain

Agoraphobia: Fear of open spaces or crowds

Aichmophobia: Fear of needles or pointed objects

Amaxophobia: Fear of riding in a car

Androphobia: Fear of men

Anemophobia: Fear of air

Anginophobia: Fear of angina or choking

Angrophobia: Fear of anger

---