Take any character from one of your books and put them in a therapy session. Write a (short!) scene about what happens. (You can include multiple characters and make it a group therapy session.)
Grace chose the loveseat furthest from the therapist’s. Unlike so many of the others, Grace knew why the sessions were required. She certainly couldn’t deny that the events of the past several years might have left her emotionally unstable and scarred.
However, that certainly didn’t make it any easier. She was not looking forward to talking to a stranger about her problems. Then again, she wouldn’t want to talk about her problems with anyone she knew personally, either.
The therapist, a woman with dark hair and light eyes, gave her a small smile.
“It’s nice to meet you, Grace. I’m glad you’re here, and I’m glad we can talk.” The therapist glanced down at the manila folder sitting in her lap. “It looks like we’ve got a lot to talk about.”
Grace glanced out the window. “Maybe.”
“I’d like you to be comfortable here, so I’m going to let you choose our discussion topic for the day. I have a list here. Are you ready?”
Grace nodded.
The woman consulted the folder and began with the first item on her list. “Your sister.”
“No.”
“Lance McConnell?”
Grace’s eyes flashed, but she tried to keep her voice steady when she said, “Definitely not.”
The therapist cleared her throat and continued. “Your involvement in Project…”
Grace snorted. It was answer enough.
“Grace, we’re going to have to talk about something. That’s why you’re here.”
“Yes, yes, I know. I’m sorry. Maybe…something else on the list? Something a little less…difficult?”
The therapist nodded. “Your fears?”
Grace stood abruptly and clenched her fists at her sides.
“You know, I’m suddenly feeling very uncomfortable. And I really don’t think I want to talk about any of those topics with you…ever.”
Her tone was a little sharper than she’d intended it to be, and she knew she’d offended the therapist (and really, she shouldn’t be taking her anger out on this woman), but she hardly cared. She wasn’t ready. It was too soon, and the pain was so fresh. This was a bad idea.
“You know who I am, right? You know what I do, don’t you?” Grace asked softly.
The therapist’s eyes widened. She nodded.
Grace smiled and continued, “Good. I’m going to walk out, but only if you tell my superiors this session was incredibly successful, I really opened up to you, and I’m returning several more times this month.”
The therapist hastily began scribbling notes in Grace’s file. Satisfied, Grace quickly exited the building. Her step was light, and she thought that maybe, just maybe, the session hadn’t been a waste of time after all.
Be sure to visit the other participating blogs!
Participants:
5th – http://novelexemplar.wordpress.com/
6th – http://veewhoa.wordpress.com/
7th – http://bloodoverithaca.wordpress.com/
8th – http://www.brookeharrison.com/
9th – http://themagicviolinist.blogspot.com/
10th – http://fida-islaih.blogspot.com/
11th – http://musingsfromnevillesnavel.wordpress.com/
12th – http://maralaurey.wordpress.com/
13th – http://miriamjoywrites.wordpress.com/
14th – http://insideliamsbrain.wordpress.com/
15th – http://charleyrobson.blogspot.com/
16th – http://www.oyeahwrite.wordpress.com/
17th – http://insatiablebeforedeath.wordpress.com/
18th – http://www.indianawriterblog.wordpress.com/
19th – http://akwardlywriting.blogspot.com/
20th – http://alifeonmission.wordpress.com/
21st – http://whimsicallyours.com/
22nd – http://theteenagewriter.wordpress.com/
23rd – http://dreamerheadquarters.wordpress.com
24th – http://weirdalocity.wordpress.com/
25th – http://missalexandrinabrant.wordpress.com/
26th – http://teenscanwritetoo.wordpress.com/ (We’ll be announcing the topic for next month’s chain.)