Normal POV
The next morning Ji calls Traci's mom to tell her what is going on.
"Hi, Ji, what's wrong?" Ballade asks.
"Yesterday, Traci had a flashback of the day your ex-husband hurt her when he got drunk at home. I thought it would be a good idea for her to visit my friend Dr. Hernandez," JI answers.
"Is Dr. Hernandez a therapist," Ballade asks.
"Yes, Dr. Hernandez specifically works with victims of child abuse," JI replies.
"I've wanted to take Traci to see a therapist ever since that event happened, but I couldn't afford it," Ballade says.
"Okay, I've scheduled her appointment for 11:30," Ji says.
"Thank you, Ji," Ballade says.
"You're welcome," Ji says.
A few seconds after hanging up, he hears a knock on his door."Come in,"
"HI, Mentor, so you called my mom?" Traci says.
"Yes, I did. She is on board with you seeing Dr. Hernandez," JI says.
"That's good. Remember a few weeks ago when that bad thunderstorm hit," Traci asks.
"Yes," Ji answers.
"I stayed the night at the Ruiz house, and Mr. Ruiz is a therapist. We talked a bit about my childhood," Traci admits.
"Did you talk about your father?" Ji asks.
"No, we mostly talked about my life after the divorce," Traci answers.
"You know the best thing you can do to help you to get past the events of your life before the divorce is to talk about it," Ji says.
"I know," Traci sighs.
"We should get going," Ji says, looking over at the clock.
Traci nods. They leave and head out to the car.
Dr. Hernandez's POV
I got a call yesterday from my old friend JI. He said that one of the teens in his care, Traci, needed my help. I finish setting up my office for my first appointment. My assistant walks in carrying her trusty clipboard.
"Dr. Hernandez, you're eleven thirty is here," He says.
"Okay," I say.
We leave my office and go out to the waiting room. After we enter the room, Ji and Traci walk up to me. Traci is wearing a light pink t-shirt with a picture of a bike, a pair of paint-splattered jeans shorts, and a pair of white tennis shoes.
"Hello. JI," I say.
"Hello, Dr. Hernandez. Thank you for helping me," JI says.
"You're welcome," I say.
"Could we get this over with, please?" Tracy says politely.
"Sure, Ji, I need you to wait out here," I say.
"Of course," He says, walking back to his seat.
I lead Traci to my office. We enter, and Traci rolls her eyes, seeing the easel set up in the far corner.
"Dr. Hernandez, I'm not a child. I'm almost eighteen. Your office is set up to help a young child." Traci says.
"I'm sorry, Traci. My next patient is a bit younger than you. Please take a seat," I say, gesturing towards the couch.
Traci sits down and stares at her feet. I sit down in my chair and pick up my notebook.
"So, when is your birthday?" I ask.
"In a few weeks, on June 3rd," Tracy answers.
"Honey, can you look at me, please," I ask.
Tracy slowly looks up.
"I know Ji brought me here to help me get over that time. My "father" well- tried to kill me," Traci says.
"Yes, but before we get to that. I'd like to get to know you a little bit better,"
Traci's POV
"Well, I like to sing and draw. I had a tuff time in school after discovering I was dyslexic. The bullies forced one of their friends to date me to humiliate me. Another person in the group also pretended to be my friend." I say flatly.
"I take it afterward you've put up walls around your heart to protect yourself from getting hurt again." Dr. Hernandez says.
"Yes, I know it wasn't the best course to take," I sigh.
"True, but I have a feeling you've met someone who instantly broke down those walls," Dr. Hernandez says.
"Yes, his name is Antonio," I say, smiling like a cheerleader.
"I take it from the smile on your face. You're happy that you've found him," Dr. Hernandez asks.
"Yes, after what happened in school. I never thought I'd find anyone who likes me for me." I say honestly.
"Everyone is meant to find someone that makes you feel happy. So, could you please tell me about whatever memories of your father that you remember?" Dr. Hernandez says.
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly before I start telling my life story. Ten minutes later, I finished I was crying my eyes out. Dr. Hernandez hands me a box of tissues. I take a few out and dry my eyes.
"I'm sorry, Dr. Hernandez. Why did my dad treat me the way he did?" I ask.
"It's hard to say, but I feel that father was taking out his frustrations on you since he didn't get the son he dreamed of." Dr. Hernandez answers.
"It wasn't my fault that I was born a girl," I say, trying not to shout.
"I know, so after that drunken incident, what happened?" Dr. Hernandez asks.
"My parents got a divorce," I say meekly.
"Have you blamed yourself for the divorce," Dr. Hernandez asks.
"Yes, because it was. If I were born a boy, none of this would have happened," I snap.
"That's not true. A divorce is never the child's fault. I feel your mom didn't want you to be in that environment anymore." Dr. Hernandez says calmly.
"Okay, so can I leave, please," I ask politely.
"Sorry, Traci, not yet. We still have fifteen minutes," Dr. Hernandez says, looking at her watch.
"Okay," I sigh.
Dr. Hernandez tells me we'll spend the rest of the session using a technique to help me finally move past that memory of when my father got drunk and harmed me. I wasn't sure if it would work, but I wanted it to disappear. In the last few minutes, Dr. Hernandez knocks her glass of water to the floor. When it smashes, I start to have a flashback and quickly stand up. I back away and hide in the corner. Dr. Hernandez walks over to me and sets her hand on my shoulder. My vision is blurry from the tears falling from my eyes.
"I'm sorry, Dr. Henandez," I say tearfully.
"It's okay, Traci. It's going to take more than one session to help you get past this," Dr. Hernandez says.
After I calm down, we leave to meet back up with Ji.
"JI, I can keep helping Traci free of charge. Traci's next session will be at ten o'clock tomorrow morning," Dr. Hernandez says.
"Okay, I'll bring her back tomorrow," Ji says.
YOU ARE READING
A Dyslexic Ranger
Fanfiction~Prequel to Samurai Undercover ~ The day Traci De La Rosa has nervously been waiting for has arrived. She received the message arrow and now has to become a ranger. The only problem is she believes that she won't fit in with the others because of...
