Michelle was checking that the arrangements were all in place for the meeting with the entire Tracy family. In the week since Scott had been sentenced to death she had been busy.
She had even been able to see Scott but she knew that his family would not like what she had to say about his condition, which had her worried, he was not reacting well to the current situation which concerned her.
Dr Abigail Cassidy, the psychologist assigned by the court to help Chloe recover from the trauma of her ordeal, had agreed to watch over Chloe and her sisters whilst the difficult meeting was in progress.
Chloe was still refusing to talk to anyone verbally but had improved enough to use occasional sign language, when she felt like it, which had made communication with her easier at times.
Michelle had already had several long discussions with Abigail because Scott had given very specific instructions regarding Chloe, Abigail and Michelle were both in agreement about the validity of the instructions despite the fact that they could prove to be detrimental for Scott himself in the long term.
Michelle, although fully understanding, was slightly frustrated by Abigail's blank refusal to allow Chloe to be questioned in any way about the events surrounding her mother's death.
She had come to know Abigail well enough to recognize that the psychologist's determination to protect her patient would make her more vigilant than a lioness guarding her cubs and that any requests for information would be ignored unless Chloe herself agreed, and if it was in Chloe's best interests to divulge the details.
Michelle noticed that Abigail had placed a sketch book down on the small table in the room where she would be looking after the three girls.
At Michelle's questioning look Abigail decided to offer an explanation
"It's Chloe's book, I'm encouraging her to write or draw whatever she wants" Abigail explained.
"Can I see?" Michelle had to ask even though she knew what the answer would probably be a very definite NO.
"Even I can't look without Chloe's permission" Abigail shrugged before continuing "I promised her that whatever she's written or drawn would be private"
"Any reason why?"
"Chloe needs to have an element of control and I need to earn her trust"
"And the book gives her that?"
"In a matter of speaking it does. It allows her to express her feelings without any fear of censure and the fact that I've promised not to look will allow the trust to develop" Abigail explained.
Michelle nodded thoughtfully at the explanation realising that, although it was only a simple sketchbook, it was the perfect way for Abigail to connect with Chloe without Chloe realising the importance of the connection. Hopefully it would be the beginning of Chloe being able to move past the traumatic events surrounding the death of her mother.
"Is that the only book?"
"Actually it's the third one" Abigail admitted "everytime Chloe completes one book she asks me to keep it safe for her." she indicated the locked document case that she carried "I write the dates on the front and keep the books in here and let her see them whenever she asks"
"So she knows that you're keeping your promise" Michelle observed.
"Exactly"
Their discussion ended as they heard the sound of someone entering the adjacent conference room so they both went to see who'd arrived.
Michelle had been very much in awe when she first met the indomitable Tracy matriarch, Sally Ruth Tracy (Ruth, Mom or Grandma to the family and Mrs Tracy to everyone else unless you'd been told to call her Sally), but she was surprised at how frail she now appeared to be. She knew that Scott's conviction and sentencing had to have had an effect on the family but the change in Mrs Tracy was almost heartbreaking to see.
She started to worry about how this meeting would affect the elderly woman.
How would she react to the news that her grandson was not dealing well with either his conviction or the sentence that had been passed.
Michelle's train of thought was broken by Abigail's actions once she identified the entire Tracy family and more importantly Chloe. To the surprise of everyone, except Michelle, she knelt down and signed to Chloe.
"Hello Chloe, are you going to talk to me today" she spoke aloud as she signed so that everyone knew what was being said.
At Chloe's resolute head shake, indicating that Chloe had no intention of talking ahe just sighed before continuing.
"Ok, we'll just sign then"
Chloe just shrugged as she indicated OK.
"Will you introduce me?" Abigail asked even though she knew who everyone was she'd never been, formally, introduced to most of the family.
Chloe thought for a moment before shaking her head.
"Can you help me look after your sisters for a bit then?"
Chloe appeared to think a bit more before looking to her grandmother, as if asking permission.
Abigail mentally noted that Chloe appeared to look more to her grandmother for approval rather than her father, something to be addressed further down the line but could be left for now.
Chloe looked back to Abigail and nodded before making her way over to the two youngest Tracys.
Chloe stopped, almost as if she'd just remembered something, and turned back to Abigail before signing.
"books?"
"They're right here" replied Abigail as she indicated the locked case "do you want to see them"
At Chloe's nod she opened the case and removed the two sketchbooks and passed them both to Chloe.
"Can I look at them?" Abigail asked, it was almost a routine question whenever Chloe asked to see the books.
There was just a hint of a pause before Chloe shook her head.
She handed the books back to Abigail before signing "keep safe. No look"
"I'll keep them safe for you" Abigail said as she accepted the books and placed them back into the case before locking the it.
She continued to sign but did not vocalise as she spoke to Chloe.
"I'll need to tell them about the books"
Abigail knew that as the family were now aware of the existence of the sketchbooks they would probably demand to see the contents.
A look of panic flashed across Chloe's face before she made a decision.
"Tell. don't show"
"Don't worry, I keep my promises"
The look of relief on Chloe's face was worrying for Abigail, did Chloe believe that the books would be just handed over without her permission.
I'll take the girls into the other room while you explain how you're working with Chloe" Michelle said as she indicated for Tintin to help her with the three girls.
"Are you ok with that" Abigail asked Chloe again speaking as she signed, so that everyone else knew what was going on.
Chloe looked from her sister's, back to Grandma before looking back at Abigail, she nodded her agreement before taking her sisters' hands and leading them over to the door where Tintin was waiting for them.
Abigail turned to face the rest of the Tracy family, she'd met Jeff and Virgil before but had only seen the other family members from a distance, she knew that they would have questions for her.
"Everyone this is Dr Cassidy, the psychologist appointed by the courts to assess and evaluate Chloe's ability to testify at Scott's trial" Jeff started the introductions "Dr Cassidy this is the rest of my family, you've already met one of my sons Virgil" Jeff indicated Chloe's father, who Abigail already knew, before continuing "my other sons John, Gordon and Alan and finally my Mother" Jeff indicated each person as he named them.
"Please call me Abigail, it will probably be easier with group discussions. Is there anything you want to know before I return to Chloe and her sisters?"
She was surprised when the question came from Mrs Tracy and not Virgil.
"The sketchbooks?"
She knew that there was far more in that question than she could answer, especially without Chloe's permission, but she could give an answer.
"Chloe needs to find a way to process what happened as well as learn how to trust again" Abigail paused, marshalling her thoughts, before continuing "the books allow her the privacy of self expression and she trusts me enough to keep them safe for her"
Mrs Tracy nodded her approval but it was Virgil, predictably, who was the one to ask the question that she couldn't answer.
"When do we get to see them?"
It was more of a demand than a question and she knew that he wouldn't like the answer.
"Not until Chloe wants you to see them." her answer had to tone of finality that most of her patient's families accepted but she knew that, with this family, it wouldn't be the case.
"She is my daughter and I have a right to see anything that concerns her" Virgil insisted.
"Chloe maybe your daughter but she is my patient. Her wellbeing is far more important than any petty desire of yours to see whatever she's drawn" Somehow Abigail managed to keep her voice even despite her internal fury at the presumptive attitude of Chloe's father.
"Has Chloe allowed anyone to see the books?" the question from Mrs Tracy managed to defuse most of the escalating tension in the room.
"No she hasn't"
"Aren't you curious?" this question came from John, the eldest of Mr Tracy's sons present.
"Curious about what's in the books, yes. Willing to betray Chloe's trust by looking, no"
"Give me the books" Virgil demanded as he made to reach for the case.
"Hobroti jās"
The outburst from Abigail left most of the room looking at her in shock, most wondering what she'd actually said, but John's gaze was one of shocked admiration - just who was this beautiful enigma?
Before anyone could react Michelle's voice could be heard
"Language Abs" she admonished before continuing "you'd better get back to Chloe and the girls"
Abigail just glared at Virgil as she retrieved the case that he'd tried to grab.
" 'Chelle" Abigail started to speak before Michelle interrupted,
"Don't 'Chelle me, Chloe needs you to be calm, now go"
Abigail didn't spare Michelle from the glare as she turned from the others and, muttering something under her breath, stalked towards the room where Chloe and the others were waiting.
Michelle took a deep breath to calm herself before turning to the family. She noticed the range of expressions on their faces, from the calm concern of Mrs Tracy to the outright fury of Virgil but it was John's gaze as his eyes followed Abigail that caused her to inwardly smile (Scott definitely knew his brother)
"What happened?" she asked
"She refused to let me see the books" Virgil's fury was very much apparent in his manner.
"She couldn't without Chloe's permission" Michelle tried to be diplomatic but Virgil wasn't having it.
"I want her replaced"
"She can't be replaced"
"Why not"
"Several reasons but primarily as she was assigned by the courts to Chloe's case you'd have to apply to the courts for a replacement psychologist"
"Then submit the application" Virgil wasn't going to let it rest.
"On what grounds?" Michelle knew that any application to replace Chloe's psychologist would have the potential to be extremely detrimental, to Chloe, if approved, she had to stop this before it went any further.
"She's not telling us anything about how Chloe's doing"
"Chloe is improving, she's now communicating with non-family members and she's even willing to allow her sisters to be around Abigail with no other family member present. Do not underestimate the magnitude of this in Chloe's recovery."
Michelle could see the rest of the family beginning to accept the situation with Chloe but Virgil still wouldn't let it rest. Thankfully Mrs Tracy intervened before Michelle was forced to reveal the truth about who was actually paying Abigail's fee, especially as he would never sanction Abigail's removal unless it was in Chloe's best interests.
"You had no right to see those books without Chloe's permission"
Virgil's reaction to his grandmother's statement was to sit down in shocked silence, surely he couldn't be wrong.
"You called her Abs?"
Michelle almost laughed at that comment from John.
"She never swears in english and she hates being called Abs" Michelle shrugged "I had to get her attention"
"What language was that?" asked a very confused Alan, although he knew some languages he had no idea what Abigail had said.
"High Valyrian" the answer from John surprised everyone "and no I'm not going to tell you what she said" that last comment being directed at Virgil.
"Chell?" John turned his attention to Michelle with that question.
"Revenge for me calling her Abs" Michelle admitted with a rueful smile.
"I wonder why she doesn't swear in english?" Gordon mused.
"Most of her patients are children" John commented
"More like John's reason for swearing in other languages" Alan couldn't help the grin which only got wider with John's next statement
"I never did like the taste of soap" he admitted causing both Alan and Gordon to laugh out loud, even Jeff smiled at that.
"So, how is my grandson?"
That question from Mrs Tracy immediately ended the levity in the room as it reminded everyone of why they were all here.
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Sally Ruth Tracy - many stories are split as to Grandma's name so I've taken inspiration from my husband's family regarding naming traditions. My father-in-law was always known by his middle name within the family as his father also had the same first name, a tradition that was broken when my husband was born in 1969 (He's called Neil, not John)
Abigail doesn't swear in english, not because of the taste of soap, but she doesn't limit herself to High Valyrian either.
"Hobroti jās" - F*k off