Just In Time (The Santa Clauses)

Look Around You

"George, thank you for coming." I followed suit with Kasey's example, keeping my voice low as I pushed my chair away from my desk.

"Of course. Kasey briefed me a little. I'm not going on a lot so I'm still going to need you to fill me in." He inquired, leaving the seat in the middle for his father when he arrived.

"When one of Mira's classmates realized she had cut herself, they told Mrs. Faraday. She brought her down to the office. I didn't get a lot from Mira, other than she didn't tell anyone about her cutting. We made the phone call to her father together. It's understandable he was having a hard time grasping that his daughter was cutting. He should be here soon."

"And Mira?"

"For someone whose world has just been rocked upside down, she's doing okay. She had a hard time talking to me and her father. I'm not sure how far we'll get, but I figured we better at least get a plan in place."

"Sounds like this isn't your first time dealing with the hard subject matter."

"Not even close to my first time. For every student who is thriving, there are a lot more like Mira who need our help and support."

"I can see why they hired you. You really do care about your students."

"Nick, please come in." I waved him in, as he hesitantly walked into the room. "George, this is Nick, Mira's dad. Nick, this is George Wilder, our school therapist."

"It's nice to meet you." Nick shook his hand, then moved so he was kneeling in front of his sleeping daughter. "Mira, honey." As soon as she heard his voice, she began to stir and rubbed at her eyes.

"Dad." Her voice was thick with sleep which did little to mask that unmistakable dam breaking in a child who was truly hurting inside. Her eyes filled with tears, a whimper escaping her lips as she saw her father for the first time since he found out. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to worry you."

"Sorry for what, Mija? Look around you. You are in a room full of people who want to help you. That's all I've ever wanted for you and Seth." Both George and I nodded in support as she looked over at us. "So let's get you the help you need."

"Mira, everything your father said is true." George backed him up, trying to start the conversation. I was completely okay with him assessing where Mira was at. "You are not in trouble. I do want to ask you some questions if that's okay with you?"

"Okay."

"Is there anything you want us to know, or want to know from us about what's going to happen before we start discussing a plan for you? Anything at all."

"No, I don't think so." Her voice faltered, the color fading from her cheeks as she stared hard at the edge of my desk. I noticed that seemed to be her way of coping when she got nervous.

"That's okay. Know that you can always ask if you ever have any questions, or if something we talk about doesn't make sense to you." Pausing for a quick second, he decided to change his direction of questioning. "Now, my duty as a school therapist is to make sure you are getting what you need to help you succeed in life. Is that something you would like to see happen?"

"I guess so."

"I'm aware this may be a difficult question to answer, but have you ever considered ending your own life?"

"No."

"Sometimes teenagers I've met tell me life isn't worth living. Is there one thing you look forward to each day that could help us in our plan for you? Something we can make a goal towards to help you feel like you have something you can look forward to each day."