Chapter 14: Dealing With Childhood Trauma
AN: Thanks to radarjackson12 for reviewing and following.
Normal POV
The next morning Ji decides calls Traci's mom to tell her what is going on.
"Hi, Ji, what's wrong?" Roslyn asks.
"Yesterday Traci had a flashback of the day your ex-husband hurt her with a beer. I thought it would be a good idea for her to visit my friend Dr. Hernandez," JI answers.
"Is Dr. Hernandez a therapist," Roslyn asks.
"Yes, Dr. Hernandez specifically works with victims of child abuse," JI replies.
"I've wanted to take Traci to see a therapist ever since that event happened but I couldn't afford it," Roslyn says.
"Okay, I've scheduled her appointment for 11:30," Ji says.
"Thank you, Ji," Ballade says.
"You're welcome," Ji says.
A few seconds after hanging up he hears a knock on his door."Come in,"
"HI, Mentor, so you called my mom?" Traci says.
"Yes, I did, she is on board with you seeing Dr. Hernandez," JI says.
"That's good. Remember a few weeks ago when that bad thunderstorm hit," Traci asks.
"Yes," Ji answers.
"I stayed the night at the Ruiz house, and Mr. Ruiz is a therapist. We talked a bit about my childhood," Traci admits.
"Did you talk about your father?" Ji asks.
"No, we mostly talked about my life after the divorce," Traci answers.
"You know the best thing you can do to help you to get past the events of your life before the divorce is to talk about it," Ji says.
"I know," Traci sighs.
"We should get going," Ji says looking over at the clock.
Traci nods. They leave and head out the car.
Dr. Hernandez's POV
I got a call yesterday from my old friend JI. He said that one of the teens in his care, Traci, needs my help. I finish setting up my office for my first appointment. My assistant walks in carrying her trusty clipboard.
"Dr. Hernandez, you're eleven thirty is here," He says.
"Okay," I say.
We leave my office and go out to the waiting room. After we enter the room, Ji and Traci walk up to me. Traci is wearing a light pink t-shirt with a picture of a bike on it, a pair of paint splattered jean shorts and a pair of white tennis shoes.
"Hello. JI," I say.
"Hello, Dr. Hernandez, thank you for helping me," JI says.
"You're welcome," I say.
"Could we get this over with please," Tracy says politely.
"Sure, Ji I need you to wait out here," I say.
"Of course," He says walks back to his seat.
I lead Traci to my office. We enter and Traci's rolls her eyes seeing the easel set up in the far corner.
"Dr. Hernandez, I'm not a child. I'm almost eighteen your office is set up to help a young child." Traci says.
"I'm sorry Traci. My next patient is a bit younger than you. Please take a seat," I say gesturing towards the couch.
Traci sits down and stares at her feet. I sit down in my chair and picks up my notebook.
"So, when is your birthday?" I ask.
"In a few weeks on June 3rd," Tracy answers.
"Honey, can you look at me please," I ask.
Tracy slowly looks up.
"I know Ji brought me here to help me get over that time my "father" well- tried to kill me," Traci says.
"Yes, but before we get to that. I'd like to get to know you a little bit better,"
Traci's POV
"Well, I like to sing and draw. I had a tuff time in school after I found out I was dyslexic. The bullies forced one of their friends to date me just to humiliate me. They also had another person in the group to pretend to be my friend." I say flatly.
"I take it afterward you've put up walls around your heart to protect yourself from getting hurt again." Dr. Hernandez says.
"Yes, I know it wasn't the best course to take," I sigh.
"True, but I have a feeling you've met someone who instantly broke down those walls," Dr. Hernandez says.
"Yes, his name is Antonio," I say smiling like a cheerleader.
"I take it from the smile on your face. You're happy that you've found him," Dr. Hernandez asks.
"Yes, after what happened in school. I never thought I'd find anyone who likes me for me." I say honestly.
"Everyone is meant to find someone that makes you feel happy. So, could you please tell me about whatever memories of your father that you remember," Dr. Hernandez says.
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly before I start telling my life story. Ten minutes later, I finished I was crying my eyes out. Dr. Hernandez hands me a box of tissues. I take a few out and dry my eyes.
"I'm sorry Dr. Hernandez. Why did my dad treat me the way he did?" I ask.
"It's hard to say, but I have a feeling for father was taking out his frustrations on you since he didn't get the son he dreamed of." Dr. Hernandez answers.
"It's wasn't my fault that I was born a girl," I say trying not to shout.
"I know, so after that drunken incident what happened?" Dr. Hernandez asks.
"My parents got a divorce," I say meekly.
"Have you blamed yourself for the divorce," Dr. Hernandez asks.
"Yes, because it was. If I was born a boy none of this would have had happened," I snap.
"That's not true, a divorce is never the child's fault. I have a feeling that your mom didn't want you to be in that environment anymore." Dr. Hernandez says calmly.
"Okay, so can I leave please," I ask politely.
"Sorry, Traci, not yet. We still have fifteen minutes," Dr. Hernandez says looking at her watch.
"Okay," I sigh.
Dr. Hernandez tells me that we're going to spend the rest of the session using a technique to help me finally move past that memory of when my father got drunk and harmed me. I wasn't sure if it was going to work, but I really wanted it to go away. The last few minutes Dr. Hernandez knocks her glass of water to the floor. I smile when I hear it shatter I didn't have a flashback to the event and wasn't trying to hide in the corner.
"I think you've finally gotten past that memory," Dr. Hernandez says smiling.
"I think so too, thank you for everything Dr. Hernandez," I say.
"You're welcome." Dr. Hernandez says.