16. Chapter 16

Chapter sixteen

Session Transcript: March

Dr. Liu: What is your biggest fear?

Caleb: I don't think I'm afraid of anything.

Dr. Liu: Hm.

Caleb: No, really. I'm only afraid something bad might happen. To Kelsey. Or my family. Or Juliette.

Dr. Liu: What are you most afraid of for yourself?

Caleb: Aside from death? I fear what everyone fears. That no one will ever need me?That their lives would look the same or better without me? That I- I'll keep finding out I'm disposable.

Dr. Liu: Does everyone fear that?

Caleb: Just look at my friends! Who I thought were friends. I guess we still are. One day I'll text them back when I'm not so angry at them. But one whiff of scandal and they ran with it. Like they didn't even know me. Like I was capable of something like that. They're not even checking in on me. But they sure as hell are watching my social media. I stopped posting. I bet the group chat is having a field day with that. I might delete it all.

Dr. Liu: Most people are untrustworthy.

Caleb: Yeah. Learning that the hard way. The worst part is that every time I find out, I'm always shocked. I guess, when it boils down, I'm just afraid that no one will ever love me. Everyone's afraid of that. Kelsey's the only person that matters now, so why bother dwelling on the others?

Dr. Liu: What would love look like to you from Kelsey? Under the current circumstances.

Caleb: I suppose, my bar is so low that she already loves me by my standards. I just want her to tell me about her day, and care about mine. I guess-I guess she tolerates me enough for me to call it love, at this point.

Dr. Liu: What is your biggest fear, Kelsey?

End Transcript

Notes: Patient wept remainder of session. Refuses hour-long sessions.