Shadows From the Abyss

Therapy Session

Shawn watched out the passenger window of the Astra as it rolled down Market street towards downtown Greensboro. Mama K was driving him to his solo therapy today. A boring hour and a half session with Dr. Jayce. He was really cool but someone trying to dig through your brain gets really irritating after awhile. And this happened every two weeks for God knows how much longer.

"Oh my God, the guy behind us needs to get off my tail," Mama K mumbled as she changed lanes. "Stupid big ass trucks."

"So Dad asked if I wanted to go with them for the east coast leg of the tour coming up this fall," Shawn said, just throwing something out there to break the silence.

"Oh? When would that be?"

"Early September. So I have time to think about it."

"Don't you need to stay on a steady schedule with meds and sessions?" Mama K asked as she turned on to Greene Street towards the doctor's office.

"I doubt Dad would let me even be a minute late with any of that,"

"Well, talk to Jayce and see what he says. You have time."

Shawn rolled his eyes. Thanks for the support, Kelly.

*

"So how's the past two weeks been? Anything happen since the last time we spoke?" Dr. Jayce asked, sitting across from Shawn in the windowless office, a warm smile on his face as he filled out basic paperwork on his clipboard. He was a lot younger than most therapists with what Shawn dubbed a 'human teddy bear' body that made you want to hug him and half frame glasses that were constantly sliding down his nose, but he was one of the nicest people Shawn had met since he had moved back east. It was obvious he loved his career and genuinely cared about his patients, a very welcome change to the cold reception he had received in the past.

"I moved in with my grandparents," Shawn shrugged, looking down at his sneakers. Should probably clean them sometime soon.

"Oh yeah? How'd all of that go?"

"Eh. It's weird living with people again."

"Yeah I'd imagine. How long did you live alone for?"

"Two years. It was awesome because I could just be left along and do what I wanted."

Dr. Jayce suddenly lowered his clipboard and crossed his legs. He raised an eyebrow and gave Shawn a concerned look. "Alright, you're being really short today. What's up?"

Shawn just sighed.

"You know you can talk here."

"I feel like I'm under a God damn microscope, man. Like I know everyone wants to help and shit's been getting worse but I feel like I'm fucking suffocating," Shawn spat out sharply. "Did I take my meds? Did I eat? How am I feeling? Like fuck, if I want to talk to you, I will."

Dr. Jayce just smirked. "I feel like some of that is aimed at me."

"You're not wrong," Shawn mumbled, leaning forward and running a hand through his hair. "But that's part of your job description."

"So basically you just want everyone to get off your ass and leave you alone?"

"Yes. That would be fantastic. Hell, I'm surprised I still have a bedroom door."

"What do you mean?"

"Always asking me why it's closed. Surprised they haven't taken it off the hinges yet."

"Do they let you go out?"

"Yeah. But I have to be home by two. And not a minute later."

"I mean that doesn't sound too bad to me."