A Neat Mess

20.The Diagnosis Dilemma

After the session, they joined  Jenna  with Ben and Pip who were still talking. Their conversation, however, came to an abrupt halt upon Sam and Blake's arrival.

"We were just talking about how incredible this little one's brain is," Pip replied, her eyes widening as she raised both eyebrows and wobbled her head side to side. She glanced at Jenna, who was now hiding behind her dad, giggling.

"We've got to go now," Sam said.

"See you next week, Jenna!" Pip called out, clearly enjoying her time with the child.

As they walked back to the office, Blake asked, "I see some good chemistry going on there. What do you think? Do you want'm?"

"Well, he's certainly hot and charming. He knows his way with women, and the grey hair adds to his allure. But he's married, and that's where I draw the line. Although, based on their body language, the chemistry seems gone, and they might be stuck in a sexless marriage. I appreciate you looking out for me, but no thanks," 

Up until the last sentence, Pip had been gazing at the right corner of the ceiling, thinking out loud. She then turned her gaze to Blake, whose expression was priceless—mouth agape and eyes wide. Finally, he managed to compose himself, carefully pronouncing his next words: "THEM! My question was, do you want them? As in, the case? I was planning to give them to you as your first solo assignment, but now you're worrying me."

Pip was thrilled. "Are you serious? You're giving them to me?" She clapped her hands together excitedly, a broad smile on her face. Despite being thirty-eight and well-educated, she still had a childlike exuberance that showed, especially in safe environments.

"I was considering it, but now I'm wondering if you might get emotionally involved with our handsome, supposedly sexless dad," Blake teased.

Pip corrected him, "I said a sexless marriage, not that he's not getting any. And I did say I wasn't interested before knowing you were giving me the case."

Blake nodded. He really wanted Pip to build her confidence in handling patients and move forward; he believed she was a very talented woman who'd had a streak of bad luck and needed a break. He opened his office door for her, and they both entered. It was past seven, and their workday was done.

Pip was eager to learn more. "So what's the situation? What made you decide to give them to me?"

Blake, now seated behind his large desk, filled Pip in on the details of Jenna's early attachment issues. "What do you think, Pip?"

Pip was analysing the situation in her head. After a short pause, she responded, "Sam appears to be a disengaged and nervous person. I'm guessing since they spent a lot of money to have Jenna, she was well wanted—maybe too precious for Sam to trust herself with taking care of the baby alone. She hired someone experienced, and she doesn't equate love with quality care. I don't think she would ever hurt Jenna, and Jenna seems very sheltered and protected."

Blake was pleased with Pip's analysis and agreed with many of her points, but he didn't want to give her too much guidance. "Okay, go on then. What do you think happened?"

"I think when Jenna learned about her situation, she started comparing herself to other children and their parents—confirmation bias. Now everything becomes about her not being related to Sam. I believe that caused her early attachment issues to surface abruptly. All they need is to 'mend the bond.' That's why you're giving them to me."

Blake was proud of his student. "Good job. Still, I won't rule out the possibility of emotional and mental abuse. An absentee parent during crucial times is also incredibly damaging. Keep me updated with a summary of treatments and progress."

Pip's face lit up with a big smile. "Done and done, sir."

"Now get out of here and have some fun."

Pip got up to leave, smiling, but just as she was about to close the door behind her, Blake called out, "Oh! Before I forget, we need to find out if the surrogate had any history of drug abuse."

Pip's smile faded. Still holding the doorknob from outside, she stuck her head back in and asked with a hint of disappointment, "Oh... Do you think we should scan Jenna's brain for potential underdevelopment? I was thinking more along the lines of..."

Blake interrupted, "Anxious attachment, which I agree with, but we need to rule that out as well. No need for scans yet, just ask. I have a feeling they might not be telling us everything. Sam has an exceptional talent for summarising things. Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Are you changing the diagnosis to  non-attachment disorder? Isn't that usually from families with addicted parents or super-abusive environments, where they don't care or can't afford to come to us until the kids end up in prison or a mental hospital?" Pip asked.

Blake nodded. "Exactly, and they're harder to treat and rare. Our people seem well-adjusted, but we still don't know what's lying underneath. You wanted a challenge—this is yours. I don't see this as an easy case."