Chapter 11: The appointments
Julie had her appointment with a therapist named Dr. Anna Peck and Tim had his right next door with Dr. Amy Hart. He was going to have a male therapist but the guy had called out sick and Dr. Hart was taking his new patients.
Julie and Dr. Peck
In Julie's one hour session they discussed many topics. They started with the tornado and her nightmares and then shifted to Tim making her feel safe and then shifted to school and then her parents and then back to the tornado and the nightmares and then finished with an interesting conversation about Tim.
Dr. Peck: "Do you care to elaborate on that one?"
Julie: "I just mean… we just started dating. I don't know what I am comfortable with."
Dr. Peck: "That's not the same thing… you said you want to please him…"
Julie: "I do. It's complicated. He has done everything with girls. I've only kissed and held hands… I want to please him and make him… um… satisfied… but I don't know if I'm comfortable with that or how far to go."
Dr. Peck: "I think this is homework for you. You like to write correct?"
Julie: "I do."
Dr. Peck: "Your homework before the next session is to write up what would be absolutely too far and what you would be okay with trying. You are only sixteen so even if kissing and handholding is ALL you are okay with that is perfectly alright. You said Tim is a year older and has done everything. I think you need to figure this out though before you send Tim the wrong signals."
Julie: "Okay… and should I talk to him about it?"
Dr. Peck: "Maybe not yet. Give yourself a few days to figure it out alone first. Then if you feel comfortable you could ask him what would please him without being out of your comfort zone. You may be surprised by his answers and maybe he hasn't done everything."
Julie rolled her eyes.
Tim and Dr. Hart
Tim's hour session went a little differently.
Dr. Hart: "Can you tell me why you are here today Tim?"
Tim: "The Taylors think I may need to talk about some traumatic events."
Dr. Hart: "Yes… okay what events?"
Tim: "Uh… tornado." He mumbles.
Dr. Hart: "Okay, and how was the tornado traumatic for you?" She taps her pencil on her yellow legal pad.
Tim: "Uh… I was in a store and the windows blew in. I protected Julie and I got hurt."
Dr. Hart: "Hurt? How are you hurt? And who is Julie?"
Tim: "I have some cuts on my back from some glass. Uh… Julie is… um... I live with her… and her family. I mean… She's a Taylor… like Coach Taylor. I live with the Taylors right now. We went to the store to get formula for baby Gracie belle… uh... her little sister."
Dr. Hart finally writes somethings on her legal pad.
Dr. Hart: "Do you like Julie?"
Tim: "Um… is that important?"
Dr. Hart: "Humor me."
Tim: "Yes… we just… she is my girlfriend."
Dr. Hart's eyebrows go up and she scribbles on her pad.
Dr. Hart: "Did this happen before or after the tornado?"
Tim: "After."
Dr. Hart: "Have things gotten physical between you two?"
Tim: "uh… not really. Look… I'm not comfortable talking about Julie with you. Is that okay?"
Dr. Hart: "Sure… tell me about your family. Why do you live with the Taylor's?"
Tim sighs and tries to think of a nice way to explain Billy.
Dr. Hart: "Hmm. Is that more of a touchy subject than Julie?"
Tim: "Yes."
Dr. Hart: "Okay… how about football? I see you have on panthers clothing."
Tim rolls his eyes.
Tim: "Yeah… I love football but… I can't play tonight because I have stitches. Thanks doc. This is going so well." He sighs again.
Dr. Hart: "Well Tim, what do you want to talk about?"
Tim: "Honestly?"
Dr. Hart: "Sure, this is for you."
Tim: "Well… honestly… I don't really want to talk. Mrs. Taylor said for me to give it a try and I have. I just don't have a whole lot to say to you or anyone else really. I'm a simple guy."
Dr. Hart: "Okay, simple guy, tell me three things you enjoy."
Tim: "Football."
Dr. Hart: "Of course…. And….?"
Tim: "No judgements right?"
Dr. Hart: "Right."
Tim: "Beer…. And women."
Dr. Hart: "All women or just Julie?"
Tim grumbles. Tim: "It's new, okay… brand new. We haven't even been on a date. We have just kissed and held hands while watching tv at her house. Okay?"
Dr. Hart: "That sounds sweet Tim."
Tim: "Maybe it is. Is it bad to want someone sweet and beautiful and innocent for once?"
Dr. Hart's eyebrows go up again.
Dr. Hart: "No, it's not wrong. And those describe Julie? Sweet? Beautiful? And innocent?"
Tim: "Yes."
Dr. Hart: "What words describe you Tim?"
Tim: "Uh… I think we are done here. Right?"
Dr. Hart checks her watch and notices it's been 50 minutes.
Dr. Hart: "We can stop here if you want Tim but I think you should try to figure out what words you would use to describe yourself. It sounds like you think highly of Julie so maybe she can help you too, maybe you should ask her what three words she would use to describe her new boyfriend. And you should think about coming back next week. I'd like to chat again."
Tim: "I'll think about it."
Both Tim and Julie come out of their respective doors at the same time. Julie blushes when she sees Tim.
Julie: "Hey, Yours go alright?"
Tim: "Yeah… it was interesting. Yours?"
Julie: "Yep. Um… ice cream?" She asks sweetly.
Tim smiles and wraps his arm around her shoulder guiding her to the exit and her mother.
"Yes… I want 2 scoops!" He says with a chuckle.
In the car Tami asks about the appointments and both give similar vague answers but then Julie shares.
"She asked me to come back at the same time next week. I said yes."
"You did?" Tim asks.
"Yes, I think she is a good person for me to talk to… do you plan on going back Tim?"
He sighs. "Well she did say she'd like me to come back… I didn't say yes or no. She kind of gave me an assignment to complete before coming back. I might actually do it."
Julie smiles brightly. "Mine too!"
Tami thinks over this information… they both got asked to come back and they both got homework… hmm… maybe this is good for them.
After enjoying their ice cream they head home to get ready for the game.
Reviews?
Thoughts on their new homework?
Will they go back to therapy?