No One Likes Their Shrinks
Author's Note:
My sincerest apologies; my friend pointed out that I was a bit repetitive in the opening chapter, but I will not be changing it. I myself like how I did that chapter, though I will attempt to be less repetitive in future chapters. I also understand that this chapter is unfortunately short, but my stress levels right now mean I can't write extensive chapters without panicking over screwing it up. (I'm a bit of a perfectionist.)
Please note that the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is that a psychiatrist looks for medicinal solutions- pills, shots, therapy- while a psychologist looks at the cognition, behavior and general interactions with the patient's current (daily or new) environment.
Ms. Rasok was a sadistic little woman. She was short and thick- dumpy really. She had plain brown hair with streaks of grey throughout it and her face was unfortunately toad-like. Kali was not surprised by the lack of a wedding ring; the woman's personality was about as attractive as her appearance.
Rasok's small office was the same shade of puke green as her pantsuit. The office offered hard vinyl seats for visitors and no window to distract oneself with. Ms. Rasok offered D'Amico coffee, sitting once she had tended to the needs of her fellow staff member.
Kali would have killed for some caffeine. She needed to be fully alert.
Though no caffeine was offered, an uncomfortable vinyl seat was assigned to her.
Once the staff members had their coffee, they sat, D'Amico next to Kali, facing her and the desk dividing them and Rasok, who faced Kali with a concerned look.
"Ms. Wilson, do you understand why you are here?"
Ms. Kosar stared at her hard, apparently wishing to see through Kali to the answer to her question. Kali squirmed.
"Yes. You and Ms. D'Amico are under the impression I assaulted another student with fire, which is preposterous."
D'Amico looked at her with a look of disappointment. "Ms. Wilson, we can't help you if you won't admit your mistake. You hurt another student, and if you don't let us help you, you will be punished to the fullest extent of the—"
Kali slammed her hands on the table. "I DIDN'T DO IT! I'M UNDER TOO MUCH GODDAMNED STRESS FOR THAT!"
Rasok glared. "Kali Wilson, you will not speak to us in tat tone." Her look softened after another moment. "If the stress is why you did it, we can help with that. Just admit you did it and we can help you. You're an adult, but the fact is, if you're under too much stress and the girl's parents are willing to take a deal, we may be able to get you some psychiatric help."
Kali fell back in her seat, hanging her head on her chest for a moment, thinking. I'm 18. I can either be charged with assault with a deadly weapon, which apparently tons of people seem to think I had on my person, or I can take a plea bargain and get help. It might be easier to just take the help, but I don't really have time. I have to keep track of my rent, as well as try to pull in more clients to make up for the lost money from the destroyed school supplies. I also need to watch my little brother since Mom won't be able to pick him up until 5- after she picks Michelle up from Marching Band. Kali shook her head, trying to clear her head. The administrators stared at her, waiting for a response. She sighed.
"I have a lot of things to do. I have my job training animals, which will require more clients if I'm to pay off the ruined school supplies and keep up on my rent. I also watch my little brother from 3 to 5 in the afternoon. I also have my homework to take care of and notes to catch back up on. I do not understand how I am to manage psychiatric as well as all of that."
Kali was assured she would be given time to pay off her debts to the school. She was also told that as punishment for fighting, she would be suspended for two weeks, giving her plenty of time to catch up on notes.
Kali was still confused. "I am 18- I should not be given this opportunity. I'm not complaining, but I do think that is going to fail and then I'll be screwed."
Rasok looked like she wanted to answer, but D'Amico beat her to it. "The school can't afford another lawsuit. It would be easier to give the family a reasonable settlement than to go to court over not only allowing a student to bring something like a lighter into class, but also teacher incompetence resulting in the harm of a student."
Kali was shocked, but nodded. She'd never realized how desperate a school system really could be for money. She wasn't complaining, however. She was getting off easy. She was told she would not be arrested, though she would be under house arrest (could leave the house between the hours of 7:30 and 4:30) until arraignment. The resident officer told her to pack her things and then go to the main office to sign herself out- there were various procedures she would have to go through before she could go home.
