White text on a black background. The word Lily is highlighted in green.
My old therapist, Dr. Gerald Leroy, had been my therapist for years. He specialized in ADHD, so after my... falling out with my previous therapist, my parents decided he'd be the best fit. They had been driving me to his office when... that doesn't matter.
The point is, he and I had a routine. He asked, I answered. Usually I answered with a lie, but that's irrelevant. After the accident, he saw me for exactly one session, diagnosed me with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and then informed my aunt that he was not qualified to deal with what he called "the plethora of nuanced and complex emotions that arise out of adolescent trauma." What he meant was, I was officially too crazy for him.
So here I am. I've been to six different intake
appointments over as many months. Looking for a new therapist. Just like my new school, my new house, my new haircut. Everything has changed. The only thing that hasn't is my goddamn name. Yet. Aunt Tracy told me her name is Dr. Lily Marsheen. She specializes in child and adolescent trauma, as well as family therapy and Major Depressive Disorder. I've always wondered why they made the diagnosis for depression so long. I can't even muster the energy to get out of bed on the weekend, I certainly don't have the energy to say all that every time someone asks me how I'm feeling. Twenty-three whole letters. Fine is only four. A lot easier to say.
Wonderful. She's probably a blast at parties.
"So what have you been up to at work? " "Oh, not much, just learning more every week about the depths of human depravity!"
I wonder how many of her patients have killed themselves. It's gotta be at least one. That's probably not appropriate to ask, though.
Trying to get back into #WIPsnips again… the word for today is #lily. It might be cheating because it’s a name, but I know I’ve used flower before. Dr. Lily Marsheen is Cainen’s new (and corrupt) therapist. This scene is from early in the novel, when she’s introduced.
#queer #fiction #wip #writing