Chapter 1: Family Matters

It was around six in the evening on a school day. Spring has just started, and the weather couldn't be much better in California. With the weather this nice you'd be stupid if you were doing anything else. Well, it couldn't be any more stupid than having to mindlessly sit inside a waiting room. To be fair, the waiting room wasn't all that bad and there were a decent number of people there just minding their own business. Most of these people looked like they were over the age of 40. There were a small number of people that looked to be around my age but not any I'd recognize from school. That was a good thing since I wouldn't want any person to know I was here much less in a place where I am with my mom of all people. While my mom was out talking to the receptionist and filling out some forms, I was trying to find internet connection on my phone. This place I heard is supposedly rated 5 stars on the internet and yet the internet connection is as good as McDonalds. Having given up on finding connection, I had to rely on the likes of Guy Fiere and those end-of-life infomercials to help me from not dying of boredom. Just when I was about to find out who would be the next Food Network star, I heard some older woman's voice call out my name. I looked back to see a woman in casual business attire. She was older than me, that's for certain, but not older than my mother. I'd say she was in her mid-30s. "Must be the therapist", I thought.

Therapist: "Daniel?"

My mother got up and directed me to do the same. For someone that has just gotten a divorce, my mother still manages to keep that happy go lucky nature that always seemed to annoy me whenever I was in public with her. My mother warmly greets the therapist as if she were some relative of mine.

Daniel's Mom: I'm so thankful that you are lending us your help in times like this.

Therapist: No problem. Would you all like to come to my office and get started?

Daniel's Mom: Absolutely! Where are our manners? Daniel, please introduce yourself.

I roll my eyes and give the most unenthusiastic yet sly hello. We started walking down the halls until we reached the therapist's office.

Therapist: You guys can sit wherever you like.

The therapist's office was small, almost smaller than the attic in my house, but it still managed to give off a comfortable vibe. I chose to sit on the left end of the couch and my mom sat beside me. The therapist sat in her chair, and we started the session.

Therapist: I don't believe we had a chance to properly introduce ourselves. My name is Dr. Melfi. Fun fact about myself, my aunt also calls herself Dr. Melfi to her clients. She was my inspiration for working in mental health.

Daniel's Mom: Wow! Well, isn't that something huh. See Daniel. Keep your grades up and maybe you'll be a doctor of some sort.

I rolled my eyes and checked my phone. The therapist asked my mom a question.

Dr. Melfi: I don't think I got your name. Is there a specific name you'd like me to refer to you throughout these sessions?

Daniel's Mom: I'm okay with you calling me Mrs. Dimarco. I'm still handling the divorce papers, and I wouldn't want to make this any more confusing on your end.

Dr. Melfi and my mom talked for a while. Mostly basic stuff about our living arrangements and how the separation went down. I answered a few questions, but they were mostly just one-word responses.

Therapist: Alright I think it would be great if I could be able to talk to Daniel alone. Is that okay with you Mrs. Dimarco?

Daniel's Mom: Of course. Bye for now Daniel, I'll be outside of the office if you need me.

Dr. Melfi opened the door for my mom. Now it was just me and this woman I barely know.

Dr. Melfi: Ok before we get started are you okay with the room temperature? I sort of feel like it's a bit chilly in this room right now.

Daniel: Nah the temperature is fine.

Dr. Melfi: Ok then. Can you tell me a bit about yourself. I don't think I heard a lot from you throughout this session.

Daniel: Well, what do you want to know about me?

Dr. Melfi: Could be anything. What's on your mind?

Daniel: I don't know. But I do know I could be anywhere but here right now.

Dr. Melfi: Why is that?

Daniel: It was my mother's choice to come here. She thinks divorce is going to have some big impact on me. Probably read it in one of those Psychology Today magazines that moms in my neighborhood read.

The therapist just nodded her head and there was this moment of silence. I don't know if I offended her or something or if it's some therapy mind trick to make you talk more. Shoot I give in…this is too awkward.

Daniel: It's like I wish that I can make my own decisions you know.

Dr. Melfi: Go on.

Daniel: She's always behind my back ever since I was young. I couldn't be five feet away from her even when I was old enough to play on the monkey bars without falling. Luckily, I was able to distance myself from her once I was in fifth grade.

Dr. Melfi: So, it seems that you feel your mother is invasive of your privacy. You mentioned something about distancing earlier. Tell me more about that because it seems you have positive emotions regarding that.

Daniel: Well yeah, I mean it's social suicide to have your mom following you around and embarrassing you in front of your friends.

Dr. Melfi: I understand. Tell me something about your father. I don't think we've really talked much about him throughout this session.

Daniel: My dad...well all I can say is I would have rather had him around me as a kid instead of my mom.

Dr. Melfi: How so?

Daniel: Well, he wouldn't have been as embarrassing to show off to my friends. For starters I'd be in the passenger seat of a sports car instead of some SUV. My dad always managed to look cool whenever he was out in public. He drove the best cars and wore the best clothes. If he were the one to have picked me up from school or taken me to little league all these years, I would have been the most popular kid. Well, I mean I guess I still am popular, but you get what I am saying.

Dr. Melfi: I see. You seem to have a deep admiration for your father.

Daniel: Of course.

Dr. Melfi: Yes. You had also mentioned that you wished he was more active in your life, well I guess in your words "more around you" instead of your mom. Am I correct?

Daniel: Yeah.

I look down and rub my head out of awkwardness. Who knew she'd be able to get this much information out of me. Hopefully she doesn't get the wrong idea.

Daniel: But I don't have daddy issues though.

Dr. Melfi: Pardon?

Daniel: Um, never mind.

Dr. Melfi: Its fine, say what is on your mind.

Daniel: Nah, it's nothing.

Dr. Melfi: Okay. How about we move onto your social life. You seem to have high regards about how you fit in with your peers.

Daniel: Yeah. Let's talk about that.

Dr. Melfi: So, are you in any clubs or sports?

Daniel: Sorta. I'm in the business club for my school and I do track.

Dr. Melfi: Those are some good extracurriculars. I heard track gives out a lot of college scholarships.

Daniel: Yeah, that's what my track coach always says

Dr. Melfi: Mhm. You're in your junior year of high school, right?

Daniel: Yep. My mom has been up my as...I mean up my behind about the SATs and the ACTs. She told me that taking those exams can help me get into a good college.

Dr. Melfi: What do you want to study when you get to college?

Daniel: I was thinking of going to business school. I heard UCLA has a good program. My father went there.

Dr. Melfi: Yes, UCLA is a good school.

The sounds of a phone timer start to go off.

Dr. Melfi: Looks like that is all the time we have. Do you have any questions?

Daniel: No.

Dr. Melfi: Well, that's good. Looks like we can talk more about this in our next session. I'll let your mom inside and we can decide when we can meet up next time.

Dr. Melfi opens the door and lets Daniel's mom in.

Dr. Melfi: Hopefully I didn't keep you waiting too long.

Daniel's Mom: oh, it's no problem. How was he? I know Daniel has a hard time opening up to new people.

Daniel sighs.

Dr. Melfi: Daniel was good. We were able to talk alot..weren't we Daniel?

Daniel nods his head. Daniel's mom smiles.

Dr. Melfi: So, the next meeting..when do you think we can schedule it? I can do every Thursdays at 6 pm if that's fine with you guys.

Daniel's Mom: 6 pm Thursdays fits my schedule…let me just write that down on my phone.

Daniel's Mom: And done. See you next week at 6 pm Dr. Melfi. Daniel say goodbye.

Daniel waves goodbye to Dr. Melfi.

While on the car ride home, Daniel's mom kept on bugging him about the therapy session and asking how it went. Despite answering her questions, she kept on talking. Daniel just put on his headphones and blasted music for the remainder of the car ride. She usually got the message whenever he put on his headphones mid conversation. While listening to music, Daniel couldn't stop thinking about his childhood and how absent his father had been throughout his life. He was cool and all but there was never really a moment where they spent a good 2 hours together. His dad always left the house before he went to school and came home at around 11 at night. When Daniel was a kid, he would try and stay up until 11 so he could be able to see his dad and tell him about school. Daniel would mostly fail in his attempts to stay up. There was one time, however, when he was able to stay up. The sound of the front door opening felt like hearing jingle bells during Christmas time. Daniel dashed downstairs like it was Christmas morning to talk to his dad.

Daniel: Dad! You're home!

Daniel's Dad: Daniel?

Daniel gave his dad a hug. Daniel's dad just looked confused.

Daniel: I have so much to tell you. Ok so today at school there was this...cool thing at science class...I scored a goal in gym today!

Daniel's Dad: uhuh..where's your mother? Shouldn't you be in bed?

Daniel: Yea but...

Daniel's Dad: Go to bed.

Daniel's dad turned on the tv and sat on the couch. Daniel felt a bit uncomfortable with his dad's response. He thought he would be happy to see him just like he does whenever he's out in public with Daniel and his mom. Daniel just obeyed his father and walked back upstairs to his room. From that moment Daniel stopped bothering to wait until 11 pm.

Author's Note: So, I decided to be one of the first people to write a story about some character that was only memorable for creating conflict with the MCs of the show and then vanishing. I saw some reddit posts talking about how the show should've made an episode on him which I think is not necessary but then again, I thought it could be fun to write something about this guy and where he ends up. In a time where manosphere content is on the rise, I thought who better than to write a story about toxic masculinity than a character that was nonexistent after the first season and gave off that vibe of someone that consumes manosphere content. To make this more interesting I decided that I want to include some characters that exist in the HBO television universe and have them crossover with the characters from Euphoria you know since Euphoria is an HBO show. Please note that Dr. Melfi in this story isn't the Dr. Melfi that gave counseling to Tony Soprano from The Sopranos. This Dr. Melfi is the niece of Tony's counselor from the series. She's an OC I created inspired by the characters from The Sopranos. More chapters probably on the way.