Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35111 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35111 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
It’s been tough?
Under-freaking-statement of the year.
And so she had to mentally chant ‘weak is a dick’ several times before she could make herself look at the policewoman and say, “Yes.” In minutes, they were ensconced inside a private office. Dotty answered the questions honestly, leaving nothing out. When it was over, she made a move to stand up, but the policewoman told her to stay because someone else wanted to talk to her.
A woman in a lab coat came inside the room right after the policewoman. Shrink, Dotty thought. Maybe they thought she was about to have a nervous breakdown?
“Hello, Dotty. I’m Dr. Nelson,” the woman said with a smile that was just the right mix of friendly and impersonal. She claimed the seat the policewoman had just vacated, which placed her directly across Dotty.
“Are you talking to me because you guys think I need therapy?”
“I volunteered to talk to you.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Why would you do that?”
“Because,” Dr. Nelson said gently, “I was once in your position, too. My parents were like yours, and when I found out about what happened, I thought you might need someone to talk to.”
How...nice. It was really nice of the doctor, and since that kind of niceness hadn’t been much in evidence in the past few weeks, it had Dotty’s hands curling into fists on her lap. Weak is a dick, weak is a dick, WEAK IS A DICK.
Elizabeth sensed the young girl’s struggle to maintain control, and her respect for Dotty Garfield grew. She was an exceptionally beautiful girl, but unlike most pretty girls the doctor had come across, her looks didn’t appear to have any effect on Dotty’s ego.
Instead, she looked to Elizabeth as someone well-rounded, sensible, and composed. Too composed for a girl her age, Elizabeth thought with a pang, and because she, too, had once been like that, she knew it wasn’t a good thing at all.
“The reason I wanted to talk to you is because what happened will cause changes in your life, and I do not want you to feel alone when those changes occur.” At the young girl’s nod, Elizabeth continued softly, “Your parents need to go to rehab. I want to be frank with you about this. If you don’t get them to go, I don’t think they’ll last the year.”
“I see.” Weak is a dick, weak is a dick, weak is a dick.
“If you manage to get them to rehab, it will, however, mean you’d be all alone. Normally, in cases like this, someone from Social Services would ensure you’re taken care of. But you’re already eighteen, and I just learned that your parents have no direct relatives to take you in temporarily. Do you know of any friends of your parents...”
“They’re all like them.” Weak is a dick. Weak is a dick. Weak is a dick. “I’ll figure something out. I’m used to doing things on my own.”
“But that’s just one of the changes, Dotty,” Elizabeth said quietly. “There’s also the financial aspect to consider. Do you know if your parents have money set aside for your college education? There will be regular bills to pay for your home. Also, rehab costs money...”
“I...see.” Weak is a dick. Weak is a dick—-
A choked sob escaped Dotty, and the sound of it horrified and shamed her that she quickly covered her mouth and did her best to keep it inside.
“Dotty—-” Elizabeth reached out to the younger woman but when Dotty shook her head profusely, Elizabeth knew better than to insist on comforting her.
“I’m...okay.” Dotty managed a smile.
The way the girl was trying to be so brave made Elizabeth smile, too, albeit shakily. She just saw herself too much in Dotty that it was hard to maintain a professional distance. “Just this once, Dotty, I’m going to forget I’m a doctor. Just this once, I want to talk to you as one survivor to another. Because you will survive this—-”
Dotty almost wanted to cover her ears. Cruelty, she could handle. Idiocy, she was used to. But this kind of niceness? This kind of support? She squeezed her eyes shut. Weak is a dick, weak is a dick, weak is a dick.
“I know that right now, you’re thinking you can do it on your own. And maybe you can, but that’s not the point. Don’t let your pride force you into a corner, Dotty. Accept help when you can but be wise, be careful, be selective about the people you trust.”
She forced the words out. “I’m scared.” Dotty felt like she was drowning in shame as she admitted the truth. “Mom and Dad were supposed to be there for me, but they weren’t. I know they need help, I know I shouldn’t be angry, but I am...I hate myself for hating them, but I do.” She struggled to control the emotions rising inside her, but it was too late. Dotty started to cry. “Why can’t they be strong for me? Why do I always have to be strong for them?”