[RACHEL02189]

This story is a personal one because I suffer from depression and I've come close to 'jumping the fence'
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The city of Las Vegas is buzzing with people getting ready for the day but for world famous illusionist Criss Angel he was getting ready for some company at his house Serenity. The door bell rang and Criss went to get it. He answered it and at the door is a lovely lady in a pair of black pants, glasses, white shirt, and heels. “Nice to see you Christopher is this your new house” she asked. “Yea Serenity come in Mrs. Sonnytag” Criss replied. She walked in with her briefcase. “I got to say Criss you’re looking much better than how you look a year ago” she replied. “Thanks why don’t we sit outside I have some tea waiting for us” Criss remarked. Back at The Luxor Costa and JD were working as Dave walked in. “Where’s Criss?” he asked. “What do you mean he told me he had a meeting with you” Costa replied surprised.

“That doesn’t sound like Criss consider half his job is to pull misdirection” Dave stated itching his head. “Let me give him a call” JD suggested. At Serenity Criss and Mrs. Sonnytag were talking outside as Criss ignored the ringing phone. “So how’s everything going?”she asked. “Pretty good I’m dating a nice woman named Sandra. Mindfreak is going on its sixth season and my show Believe has been selling out like crazy” Criss replied. “That’s wonderful it seems since you moved out of The Luxor your mood has changed” she stated as Criss smiled. “Yea from a guy who was hiding fifteen pounds of fat, eating fried and high calorie foods, spending any time I had to myself in bed in the dark to the guy who sits in front of you making the most out of life” Criss remarked smiling. “Well I’m glad you’re doing better but I have to ask you one thing why hide what you went through from your brothers?” she inquired.

“Embarrassment probably they know me as a guy who is the life of the party, who never let anything get to him, to the way I felt when my dad died” Criss replied twiddling his fingers. She put her hand on his. “Christopher it’s nothing to be embarrassed about being diagnosed with this” she assured him. “I know” as he let a sigh come out.

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“Christopher you here?”a voice called out. Criss looked up and saw David and JD standing there. “What are you guys doing here?” Criss asked getting up. “Us who’s this?” JD asked back. “I’m going to leave I’ll call later about our next appointment Christopher” she stated. “All right” as Criss walked her to the door. After she left Criss went back outside to clean up. “Criss who is that lady and why are you keeping her a secret from us?” Dave asked. “It’s private” Criss replied being vague as they followed Criss into the kitchen. “Come on Criss what’s going on are you in trouble with the IRS?” JD asked. “Guys it’s something I’m not ready to talk about all right” Criss replied. Dave and JD didn’t know what to say so they left. Criss sighed and finished cleaning up. While he cleaned up he started to remember what happened a year ago.

(Past)“Now after that Criss you’ve got two shows to do” Gerard said. Criss twirled his finger in air. “What’s that about?” JD asked him. “Nothing just in one of those moods I need a candy bar or something” Criss replied getting up. “We just had a lunch a hour ago Criss and considering what you had I’m surprised your stomach isn’t rebelling” Gerard remarked. “Yea fried chicken soaked in butter milk, a vanilla shake and cheese fries god I was feeling sick when I looked at it” Banachek stated. Criss left the room. (Present) God I was a mess he said to himself. When Criss got to The Luxor his assistant Nikki was arriving herself. “Hey Criss how’s it’s going?” pulling out some stuff from the back seat of her car. “Pretty good but I’ve got a problem which I have no clue on how to deal with” he replied leaning against her car. “My mom told me JD and Dave walked in on your session at Serenity” she replied shutting her door. “They thought your mom was an IRS agent than a therapist” Criss stated chuckling. “Criss why don’t you tell them what you’re going through” she suggested. “And get laughed at you and my mom are the only ones who knows and I want to keep it that way until I can figure out how to do this” and they walked in.

“Criss there’s no shame with having this problem it’s a treatable problem” she remarked. “Your mom said that the first time we met but it’s just something that I’m not ready to admit to my brothers” as Criss got the door for her. “Criss you make it sound like you’re being treated for drug dependence when it's something people get now and again” she replied. “I know maybe it's because of the feelings I was having and finally figure out how to fix myself” Criss explained. “Before I forget my mom gave me that prescription you needed a refill on” giving him the slip. “Thanks you can fill that later” Criss remarked. They walked in and Costa was waiting for him. “Hey Cost where’s JD?” Criss inquired as Nikki went over to her desk. “Do I look like his keeper?” he said angrily. “Don’t bite my head off what’s wrong with you?” Criss asked hanging up his coat

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“Criss are you sick?” he asked looking straight at Criss. “Why do you ask” Criss inquired getting a little nervous. “Was that lady JD saw helping you put your affairs in order” Costa asked. “Costa I’m fine I’m not dying” Criss replied. “Than who was that woman at Serenity don’t tell me you’re living beyond your means” Costa remarked. “Costa relax I’m not in debt either” as he sat down to work. “Well if anything is wrong you can tell us”. “All right thanks Costa” Criss remarked. Not realizing it Costa took Criss’s jacket and left the room. After Costa left Criss asked Nikki to go run some stuff up to Felix. “Sure Criss” and she left. After she left Criss looked at a photo of his father. (Past) “Christopher”. Criss opened his eyes as his brothers pulled up the shades. Criss pulled the sheets over his head. “Come on you’ve got a lot to do today” Costa remarked pulling the covers off of him. “Leave me alone!!” Criss replied. “Stop being a baby you’ve had a week to yourself so let’s get going” JD stated. As Criss set up JD noticed some sores on his back. “What’s up with your back you’ve got blisters or something” looking at them. Criss said nothing and went into the bathroom and slammed the door behind him (Present) The phone rang and Criss saw it was his mom. "Hey mom what can I do for you?” he asked. “I was wondering how you were” she remarked. “Pretty good but JD and Costa are acting crazy”. “Why?” she asked. “JD walked into my session with Mrs. Sonnytag this morning now they’re thinking the worst”Criss replied. “Why don’t you tell them the truth Christopher?” she suggested.

“I really don’t know how to mom” Criss said. “Why don’t you call your therapist and see if she can help you”. “All right I’ll see you soon mom,” and Criss hung up as Nikki came in. “Nikki I have some stuff to do in Believe if anyone comes looking for me”Criss said. “Sure” and Criss left. An hour went by and Nikki was working with JD when Costa came in. “Where’s Criss?”he asked. “Why?” JD inquired. “I must of taking Criss’s coat by mistake because I found this” showing JD the prescription. JD went to look it up on the computer. “Anti-anxiety medication why would Criss need this for?” JD inquired.

[RACHEL02189]

“Doesn’t mom have a cousin that has Bi Polar?”. “Yea you think Criss is Bi Polar” JD said. “Maybe but we have to see Criss’s medical file” Costa remarked. “Not with out Criss’s permission maybe if we find out who that lady was at Serenity,” JD suggested. “Nikki can you bring up Criss’s schedule for today”. She brought it up. “This doesn’t make any sense it just says meeting at Serenity-tell JD and Costa I’m with Dave” Costa read. “We need to talk to Criss when he gets back” JD remarked. “And find out who that lady is too” and they left. After they left Nikki went into Believe where Criss was rehearsing. Nikki started to remember how Criss was like a year ago.

(Past) “Nikki have you seen Criss?” Gerard inquired. “He told me he was in Believe” she replied. “No god what is up with him” Costa asked. “One of his bikes are gone” JD added coming in.. “I think I know where he is let me go get him” Nikki stated. She grabbed her coat and left. She found Criss on a hillside that could see the strip including The Luxor from. “There you are everyone is wondering-“. Criss turned his head and tears were falling down his face. “Just leave me alone I just want to be alone!!” he said with angry as Nikki walked over to him. "Christopher I think I know what’s wrong with you and I can help you” she stated. “Nobody can help me not even me” he said turning back. “Criss you’re suffering from Depression. You have some of the signs: The weight gain, feeling of hopelessness, withdrawing from usually activities”Nikki explained. “Bull I know depression I suffered from it when my father died” he replied in angry. “Christopher I think it’s come back but it’s worse than what you went through the first time. If you don’t let me help you’re going to end up hurting yourself and I don’t want that,”she stated. Criss said nothing as he sat there. “How about this Criss I call my mom she’s a therapist maybe she can help you get out of this before it gets to the point where you may need to be commited for seventy-two hours"Nikki suggested. “All right” Criss remarked and she went to call her mother.

(Present) “Hey Nikki” Criss called out. She walked down as Criss jumped off the stage. “We’ve got a problem Costa found that prescription and they’re trying to figure out who my mother is to you. Criss you have no choice you have to tell them the truth”Nikkie stated “All right can you do me a favor give your mother a call. I’m going to need her help with this” Criss replied itching his head. “Sure and your mom called she got an early flight so I’m going to give her a call and see if she can join us” Nikki suggested. “All right” and Criss sat down. (Past) When her mother pulled up Criss was still in the same place. “Nicole what’s the matter why the emergency?” she asked getting out of the car.. “It’s my boss Christopher I think he’s suffering from moderate case of depression. I’m afraid it might jump the fence to severe” Nikki remarked as her mother went to talk to Criss. “Hello Christopher I’m Julia Sonnytag and my daughter think you’re suffering from depression” she stated sitting across from him. “I honestly don’t know what’s going with me. I feel helpless that I’m just in so much chaos I feel like I’m drowning” Criss replied wiping tears away. “Christopher why don’t we go to my office and we’ll talk” she suggested. “I’d rather stay here this is the only place I feel happy instead being in that jail” pointing to The Luxor. “Maybe you need to move out of The Luxor” Nikki suggested. “And go where I’ve got no home!!”he declared. “Christopher maybe it’s time to build Serenity” Nikki suggested. “Where?” he asked. “How about here I looked it up the land is for sale you can finally have the house you always wanted” Nikki remarked. Criss calmed down. “Christopher my daughter has filled me in on what’s going on and I think she's right you are suffering from depression and if we don't take control of it you may hurt yourself and I know your fans and family wouldn’t like that”. “So how do I take control?” Criss asked

(Present) “Criss you ready?” Nikki inquired coming back in. “Yea” and they exited Believe. As they headed to the door George and JD came out. “Where are you going?” JD asked. “Got a meeting to go to” Criss remarked. “And his meeting is on my way so I’m dropping him off” Nikki added and they left.

[RACHEL02189]

*These celebrities actually do suffer from Depression


As Nikki drove Criss was leaning back feeling frustrated. “You all right Christopher?” she asked. “Yea I just hate lying to them” Criss replied. “It’s all right Criss after you talk to my mom and figure out how to tell your brothers about what’s going on they’ll understand” she assured him. When they got there Nikki went to park the car as Criss went in. Criss walked in and Mrs. Sonnytag was waiting. “Thanks for meeting me” Criss said. “It’s no problem” she remarked. “Hey mom” Nikki stated coming in. “Mrs. Sonnytag since your daughter was the one who involved you do you mind if I involve her in this?” asked Criss. “No Christopher I think it would be a good idea” and they all went into the office. Once they walked in Dimitra was there waiting. “Hey mom thanks for coming to help” Criss stated hugging her. “It’s no problem Christopher” she replied. They all sat down and started to talk “So Christopher tell me exactly what your brothers are thinking is wrong” Mrs. Sonnytag inquired. “A lot of stuff from I’m in trouble with the IRS, into drugs, or something else. It’s just so difficult to figure out how to tell my brothers that I’m suffering from Depression” Criss remarked. “Criss I know it’s hard to tell people especially family that you have this I remember how hard it was for you just to involve your mother considering she saw you go through this when your father passed away” Nikki stated.

“Christopher I remember how much it hurt and the way you were acting when we told you to go to magic after your father died” Dimitra remembered. “Yea yelling at everyone to leave me alone, losing my interest in magic, crying at the stupidest times” Criss said. “That’s how depression is Criss. It affect your moods” Mrs. Sonnytag stated. “I know that’s why I feel embarrassed about it” Criss replied. “Criss you shouldn’t feel that way you know I suffer from it” Nikki stated. “I feel like I’m the only celebrity that has this” Criss replied. “Criss that’s not true they are a lot of celebrities that suffer from depression: *Billy Joel, Sheryl Crow, Simon Cowell, Ashley Judd, Delta Burke, even Jim Carrey so you’re not alone” Mrs. Sonnytag stated.

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Tears started to fall down Criss’s face. “You all right Criss?”Nikki's mom asked giving him some tissues to wipe his tears away. “I'm just apprehensive about how JD and Costa will act to this news” Criss remarked. "Christopher they'll understand"his mother assured him. I hope so Criss thought When Criss finally got back to Serenity with his mom JD and Costa were waiting with his manager. “What are you guys doing here?” Criss asked hanging up his mother’s coat. “We wanted to talk to you about what’s going on” JD replied. Criss got nervous as they walked over. They sat down as Criss started to crack his knuckles. “We just wanted to tell you that we’re here for you Criss and no matter what happens we have your back” Costa remarked. “That’s good because that’s the one thing I’ve been worried about” Criss replied. “Now we have a bag pack for you-“. “Wait a minute why do I have a bag pack for?” Criss asked a little confused. “Because we found a great place that can help you with your disease”Dave replied.

“What disease?” Criss asked thinking he about to be put into a psychiatric hospital. “We know that you’re Bi-polar Criss and this center can help deal with it” Costa stated. “JD, Costa, David Christopher isn’t Bi-polar” Dimitra replied. “Mom you don’t have to protect Criss anymore and neither does Nikki” JD stated. “Now why don’t we get going Criss before the press find outs” Dave suggested. Criss got up and felt like he was about to blow the roof off his own house. “I would rather let the press know what I’m going through. You know what JD, Costa, Dave get out now!!!”. Criss went into his office slamming the door shut. They all got up wondering what just happened. “Mom come on this isn’t good for Criss to ignore this” JD remarked. “Just leave and we’ll talk about it tomorrow” she said and they all left. After they left she walked to Criss’s office and heard him crying. She opened the door and saw Criss on the floor with his arms cross on his knees.

“They’re gone Christopher” she replied. Criss lifted his head as his mother sat next to him. “I can’t believe that they thought I was Bi-polar” he said. “It’s all right Christopher” she assured him. “This is why I hid this from them they’re not going to understand mom. Maybe I should just suffer in silence” Criss replied. “Christopher Nicole told me you were close to the serve side of depression and I don’t want you to suffer in silence your brothers need to know” she remarked . Criss said nothing as he put his head on his mother’s shoulder. Back at The Luxor Nikki was leaving when JD and Costa walked in. "What are you guys doing here?"she asked surprised. "Criss threw us out of his house when we mentioned sending him to a center that deals with Bi-Polar" JD remarked. "I think we should go to court and have Criss's medical rights taking away"Costa suggested. "JD Costa I think you need to lay off Criss" and walked off.

When she got to her car she called Dimitra to see how Criss is. "Hello". "Hey Dimitra it's Nikki how's Criss?" she inquired. "Frazzled and upset"she replied looking at him sitting outside looking at the stars. "Yea I just heard about it from Costa and JD". "Nicole I'm nervous about leaving him alone" she stated. "If you would like I'll join the sleepover so to speak"she suggested. "Thank you" and hung up. When she got there Criss was outside as Dimitra was making herself a sandwich. "Christopher do you want a sandwich?". "No thanks"he called back. A knock came to the door and Dimitra got it. "Nikki hello thanks for coming" giving her a hug. "No problem I talked to my mom she said if you need to ask her anything about Criss's condition she'll answer all your questions"she stated. "Thank you I'll give her a call" and she went into the office while Nikki walked outside. "Hey Criss" she stated. "Nikki what are you doing here?" he said surprised. "Would you like the truth or would you like me to lie to you?" sitting next to him. "Lie"he remarked chuckling. "I'm having an affair with JD so I'm just waiting untill Lynn leaves so I can go to his house"she remarked Criss laughed as Nikki did too.

"I swear I love it when you do that"he said smiling. "That's good your mother was worried you might jumped the fence to the severe side of depression" she admitted. "I never told anyone this but when you found me here on this land I was thinking of it" he admitted. "Well I'm glad you didn't I'd miss having you as a boss" she replied. "Do you think you can get a hold of your mom I want to tell the guys the truth tomorrow" he asked. "Sure why don't you go find your mom she's probably talking to her"she replied. The next day Nikki and her mother arrived and saw JD and Costa looking at them. “Those are Criss’s brothers JD and Costa over there” Nikki stated pointing to them. “I wonder where Criss is” she asked. "I hope he's all right "Nikki said. Her mother was about to call Criss when Criss walked in with his mother. “Thanks for coming I know we were going to wait a while but I need to tell them” Criss stated. “Where do you want to do this confession Christopher a church maybe?” Nikki joked which made everyone chuckle. “How about Believe Christopher” his mother suggested