Desmond Bacall was born into humble beginnings as most children were growing up in the south. First child of a Louisiana detective and grade school teacher. His upbringing was comparable to most. In by sundown, church on Sundays and there was always a hot meal on the table by dinner time. It was all very simple but it was home. Through the simplicities of southern life Desi was able to thrive. An active child that preferred to be outside than inside. If he wasn't outside terrorizing the neighborhood by bike he was usually seen in his bedroom playing doctor with whatever stuffed animal he could find.
Schooling was where Desi found his escape. He enjoyed his classes and sucking in whatever knowledge possible. He chose different electives each year in order to broaden his horizons. Something his mother greatly encouraged. By the time he'd started school he had already decided he wanted to be a doctor of some sort. It wouldn't be until later in life that he realized his urge to be a psychiatrist. While social through school Desi was always more focused on his studies. His father was strict and A's were a must in the Bacall household. He wanted his children to grow up and do greater things with their lives. That meant A's and nothing less. Jon was the type that ruled with an iron fist. His way or the highway.
Desmond thrived through high school and managed to land himself a pick of scholarships to different well acclaimed colleges. Some in his home state of Louisiana while others were further away. Jon wanted his son to stay close so he could keep an eye on him. Not wanting him to get caught up in all that college life had to offer. But Desi felt the need to break free from the grip of his family. While he loved and respected them, he needed to become his own man and venture out in the world. There was more out there than what New Orleans had to offer. Alone he made the decision to attend Yale University and enrolled in their pre-med program. By then he'd realized he wanted to focus on psychiatry and amerce himself in figuring out the human brain. The ins and outs and why it worked the way that it did. It was all fascinating to him and made his college experience riveting.
Yale seemed to be the perfect fit for him. Choosing to finish out his residency there rather than seeking out another school. Desi felt strongly that Connecticut was were he was meant to be in that point of his life. Life had pulled him there for a reason. It also gave him the chance to experience the social side of school life. The parties and gatherings at football games, tailgating. He wanted to experience it all. College was meant to be some of the best years of your life after all. Graduation was easily the happiest day of his life. Everything was ahead of him and child psychology officially felt like his calling. Figuring it was his way of impacting the world in some way.
After graduation Desmond felt it was time to move on in life. He'd been in Connecticut for far too long and needed a fresh change. Something completely different than he'd been used to. He wanted to get away from the Eastern side of the country and move West. It was an easy decision to make. Especially when his best friend was by his side. It was a huge leap. One that took a lot of faith because California wasn't exactly the easiest place to make it in. But he felt confident in the move and life wasn't worth living without taking risks. It had worked so far for him.
Unlike Yale the transition into California life was a bit trickier. The weather and people were quite different. It took a few failed attempts before Desi finally got his feet on solid ground.
