Same time every week. I've stuck to it. Regular counseling sessions, though he objects: Thursdays, 15:00 hours, thirty minutes, my office staring at each other if nothing else. We'll be here. He hates it, but I'm his safety valve.
Someday it will pay off. He'll break finally, or maybe just bend a little.
Today, for the first time, I saw it: the hesitation, the question almost asked.
I glance up from my screen (no sense totally wasting my time.)
"Your mom's birthday today." I note crisply.
He swallows twice, nods sharply, and looks away.