8
Scene XXXII: One week later, Dr. Greenberg's office
The entire family and Jen sit in the waiting room outside Dr. Greenberg's office. While Walter and Audrey casually leaf through magazines, Drake, Josh and Megan sit nervously. They've never seen a real "shrink" before. The thought of them sitting somewhere where real mentally ill people sit scares the shit out of them. Josh automatically begins to regret his thoughts, as his favorite cousin is one of those people. It wasn't fair to her. He shoots her a quick smile and a wink. Hopefully that allayed any of Jen's fears.
Dr. Greenberg opens the door with an engaging smile and welcomes the family into his office. His black leather couch is now flanked by two matching black leather loveseats. Jen looks at the new furniture and wonders if he brought these in just for this occasion. Could he have bought these just for this meeting? She was feeling worse and worse by the second.
The family fans out among the furniture. Drake and Josh sit on the left love seat, Jen and Walter take the couch, and Audrey and Megan take the right love seat. There's an awkward silence for the first few seconds.
Dr. Greenberg: Thank you all for coming here. I felt that it was important in Jen's recovery that we address some "family" issues. Now, I want to assure you all that there's nothing wrong with the family dynamic. In fact, Jen is extremely lucky to have such a caring extended family. Many of my patients aren't so fortunate in that aspect. Now, why we're here.
Dr. Greenberg begins the explanation for the meeting. He goes into how Jen feels that she's infiltrated a normal family situation, and has not felt comfortable in it. She feels like an outsider, looking in. Her recent past has caused her stress and feels regret that such circumstances have brought themselves into this household.
Audrey: Jen? Do you really feel this way?
Jen wants to fight back tears, but she is losing the battle. She allows the tears to stream down her face. She doesn't want to wipe them away. It would only further try to hide her true feelings.
Jen: Yes. You guys were just fine before I came along. I don't understand why you are being so nice to me. You went on vacation, and when you came back, virtually all of the trouble caused was caused by me. I didn't want this to happen, but it did. And you guys don't deserve it.
Walter reaches over to the end table and gives her a box of tissues. He pats her gently on the knee, telling her that she has support, but without overusing it.
Drake and Josh look at each other. This was an uneasy situation to begin with. But now seeing their cousin openly talking about her present feelings caused them to just sit there and soak it all in. They were troubled by the news, but didn't know what to do or say. This was virgin territory for them.
Dr. Greenberg: Well, now that Jen has said what she needed to say, I think we should all discuss this out in the open. I would like to start with you, Josh. Is that ok?
Josh looks at the doctor. He's shocked that he was picked first. The words don't come to him right away, so he stammers for a bit.
Josh: Ummm, well…. I really don't know what to say. But, the way Jen feels is not the way I feel. I think I can speak for myself here.
Dr. Greenberg: Josh, instead of saying this to me, why don't you tell Jen yourself. Look over at her and repeat what you just said.
Josh looks over at Jen's red and tearful eyes. He wants to go over there and just give her a hug to make her pain go away, but he feels that's it not the appropriate time.
Josh: Jen, I don't feel the way you do. When you came to live with us, I was so excited. And I still am. I'm so sorry that you're going through this, but I want to let you know that you're not alone. I'm here for you. It's what family does, right? I can't speak for anyone else, but I wouldn't have changed these past several weeks for anything. I love having you live with us. Really. I do.
Dr. Greenberg: Thanks Josh. That was very good. Drake? How about you?
Drake looks equally as shocked as Josh did.
Drake: Um, can you come back to me? I'm really not ready to say anything yet.
Dr. Greenberg obliges and looks over at Megan. During this time, Jen shoots a look at Drake, which he doesn't notice. She doesn't know how to take that. Is he just at a loss for words, or is he really feeling what she thinks he's feeling: she's been a giant inconvenience in this family, and he doesn't want her there anymore. She can barely get this out of her head, because she doesn't hear Megan begin to talk.
Megan:…… and since there's another woman in the house, I really like you being here. You're like the big sister I never had. I'm glad we got to know each other.
Jen nods at Megan and gives her a tiny little smile.
Dr. Greenberg then looks at Walter and Audrey. He doesn't have to prompt them. Walter begins speaking. He takes her hand in his and looks at her with comforting, fatherly eyes. Eyes she hasn't seen in a very long time. The tears begin rolling down her cheeks yet again.
Walter: Jen, there's nothing I would have wanted more than to have you live with us. Granted, circumstances presented themselves that caused you to have a setback, such as this one. But I would have felt much less at ease if you were on your own during this time. It was a Godsend that you were with us. I love you very much. There's nothing in this world I wouldn't give up to have you stay. You mean the world to me, and your Aunt Audrey too.
Audrey: I agree. We are here to help you. We're a family. You need all the love and support you can get right now, and I don't want you to think for one moment that it's not here for you anytime day or night. You can count on us. You're not an imposition. You're not interrupting any peace at all. We've had our share of experiences too. We're not the "perfect" family you think we are.
Jen smiles wider now. She really does have a family that loves and cares about her. But Drake still hasn't spoken. She doesn't know if she should hear it or not. But before she can stop the words, she asks.
Jen: Drake? I haven't heard from you yet. Do I want to hear this?
Drake looks over at her and feels a lump in his throat. The words still won't come to him. He gets up from his seat and sits on the other side of Jen. He gazes at her with his own tearful eyes, and puts his arms around her. This is the only way he can express his true feelings. His muffled sobs are the only sound in the room right now.
Drake: I'm so sorry. I didn't know what to say. I still don't know what to say. At first, I thought that you were imposing. But I'm so thankful that you've been in our lives. You helped with Megan. You've helped all of us. I don't want to think anymore about you not being in our family anymore. I just wish I had realized that from the beginning. There's a lot of things that we said to each other that we wish we could take back, but we can't. I just hope that you don't think I'm a bastard.
Jen: Drake. You're not a bastard. You have some character flaws, as do the rest of us, but we can get past that. I'm just hoping that I can get past my own. I need to learn acceptance. But before I can accept myself as a part of this family, I have to accept myself for who I am.
Dr. Greenberg: You took the words right out of my mouth.
The session ended a few minutes later. Tears were shed, smiles were cracked, and hugs were shared. Dr. Greenberg extended the invitation for another family session should it be warranted, but he was satisfied with how this one went. He shook Walter's hand and showed the family to the door.
Jen: Thanks, Doc. I'll see you next week?
Dr. Greenberg: You got it, kid.
