AN: as promised, here's chapter 4. I kept the script form slightly, because that was IMO the best way to write this chapter. Have fun!
Jerbal Argon
Report of the therapy session with Grub Kelp, by Jerbal Argon
Patient made an appointment on June 12, the year of the Demon Return.
Given reason: broken heart.
Session date: June 13, the year of the Demon Return
14.30
'So, mister Kelp, what's bringing you here?'
He answered with the standard sentence: 'Doc, I need help. My brother is marrying the girl I love, my mommy won't listen to me, and if I tell someone else I feel miserable, they don't listen to me. They all laugh, and nobody understands me.'
At that point, he started sobbing, and grabbed a tissue.
O dear. This is not going to be your standard psych talk, I'm afraid. Be very careful in what you say.
'I see. And your brother knows that you are in love with his fiancée?'
He's biting his lip now. O dear.
'Well… I think so….'
'Did you ever tell him?' I guess not, but I have to ask. Speaking out is an essential part in therapy.
'No… not really,' he says, reluctantly, 'but I told my mommy, and I mentioned her name often enough, so I think he might know…'
'But you never told him right away?'
He's staring at the floor, and I know he hasn't.
'No.' It's more a squeak than an actual word, and again he grabs a tissue. Never, in all my centuries as a psychologist, I've heard or seen something like this. I actually have to think about what to say next.
'Right.' Lovely word, that. Gives you something to say, and it actually means nothing.
'You really love this girl?' That seems an appropriate question here.
He looks up, offended. 'Sure I do. She saved my life more than once, and she's the only girl who is nice to me. I mean, the other girls I know, all talk to me like I'm a baby or a cuddly-bear. She's the only one who doesn't. Yes, I love her. I really do.
'I see.' Another amazing phrase, just like 'right'. 'Well, you could start with a talk to your brother, to explain him you're not happy. I think he will listen to you, and it will help him to understand.
Now he's looking either sceptical or sick. 'Don't think so.'
Sceptical it is. 'Why not?' I ask.
'Because he's so selfish. He hasn't listened to me for once in my life, so why would he now? And even if he does, he won't break up with Holly. It won't help me.'
Gosh, he really doesn't think much of his brother. I don't know Trouble Kelp like that, and I wonder how the patient came to see him that way. However, I don't have the time to try and change his point of view on his brother. I wonder if that is what he wants, by the way. The only thing I can do now, is making him feel better by speaking out. So that's what I tell him.
'I do think that it will help you to speak out, actually. Even if you don't get what you want, it might help you to relieve your disappointment, and eventually to rest with it.'
He's doubting. 'Yeah… maybe. Maybe I'll try to talk to him. And if it doesn't help? What must I do if he still won't listen?'
Man o man. Do I have to tell him everything?
'Shoot him?' Oops. Ahem. 'I mean, just kidding. If he doesn't want to listen to you, so be it. Then there is nothing you can do but accepting it. Maybe you could tell your mother… you still live with her, don't you?' He nods. Gods, this guy is eighty-two, and he still lives with his mom. No wonder he has trouble. Haha.
'She won't listen to me,' he wails suddenly. 'I told her everything, and all she does is talking about the wedding and how cute they are together, and she even told me she wouldn't do anything to help me…' He grabs another tissue.
'And why don't you talk to Holly? Explain her how you feel. I know her, she will listen to you.'
His eyes are suddenly widening with fear. 'No! She'll laugh at me too, just like all the others do!'
'So you are too scared to tell your loved one how you really feel?'
He turns red, and is silent. I get it.
'I see. Well, I give you the same advice again: talk to her. If your brother won't listen to you, maybe she can persuade him to do so.
I can see he hates the idea, but tries to be cooperative. 'Well… I don't know…'
'Just try it,' I say in my friendliest voice, 'and if you really don't feel up to do it, just call me and I'll help you. That's what I'm here for.
Patient left.
Conclusion from this session
Grub Kelp needs intensive therapy. I mean, more than just a few talks, spread over a couple of months. His self-confidence is extremely low, he still acts like he's forty and he is afraid everything. I would have suggested to take him into a clinic, if I didn't knew his mother would do everything to keep him with her. I think she's the main part of the problem. To solve all the things I said about him, I think we should get him out of his mother's arms. You'll see how fast he'll learn to have faith in himself, instead of in others.
I wish I didn't make that joke. Because when I said 'shoot him', I saw something in his eyes… it disappeared almost immediately, but I saw it, that look of: hey, that's right, I could do that. And for one moment, I believed him to be able to do such a thing. Then the look on his face turned normal again, and I reminded myself this was Grub Kelp.
But, as we all know, desperate needs call for desperate deeds. And he looked desperate enough to do something really stupid. I've just blamed his mother for treating him like a baby, but I hope she can hold him back, or else, it would not be a surprise for me if he does what I (stupid, stupid, stupidly enough) told him to do.
Chapter 5 will be up ASAP