OS: Day One < | Challenge Home Page | > OS: Day Three

Meeting The Therapist

After a chaotic morning chasing the twins around and trying to get everyone off to school, the last thing Marnie really wanted to do was drag young Jaz off to some therapist. Unfortunately, that was exactly what she was doing.

Fuming internally, Marnie led Jaz to the bus, and then sat beside the silent youngster all the way to Newcrest.

Jaz wasn't quiet because she was being polite or giving Marnie her space. In fact, that wouldn't have even occurred to her. She was quiet because she was terrified. She had no idea how this was going to work. All she really knew was what Marnie had told her the night before, that she would be with Marnie during the visit today, and that after that, she would be on her own. Colin had made going to the therapist sound like it was a normal, easy-to-do thing, but she was still scared. And just how long was she going to have to continue to go?? Marnie hadn't exactly said. The more Jaz worried, the more she came up with to worry about. And still the bus ride continued on...

By the time they got to the correct bus stop, Jaz's stomach was wound in tight knots, and she was oblivious to anything Marnie might say. The best she could do was just follow along, and hope that would be enough. The walk from the bus stop to the Therapist-place (Jaz had no idea what to call it, she hadn't exactly been told that part...) helped to clear her mind a little, and by the end of it, she was able to look around her with curiosity.

The neighborhood looked nothing like the ones she'd ever seen, even the rich neighborhood that Colin lived in in Willow Creek didn't look like this.

Marnie turned down a sidewalk to get to the "Mental Health Center" (there was a sign out front that Jaz could clearly read), and Jaz followed, her eyes wide. She'd never, ever seen a building like this. She'd never thought a building like this COULD exist. Trees that looked like lollipops and wood and concrete that came together to form something that seemed completely fantastical.

Breathless, Jaz followed Marnie inside, and watched as she hung up her winter gear and headed to talk to the guy at the desk. Assuming she was supposed to follow suit, Jaz hung up her coat and followed Marnie to some couches in an expansive, hard to believe room.

Nervously, she fidgeted and tried to find a comfortable spot to sit, trying hard to take it all in. Feeling a disapproving glare from Marnie, Jaz finally settled on a spot next to Marnie, and tried not to look as afraid and overwhelmed as she felt.

The guy from the desk headed over towards them, and it wasn't until just then that Jaz noticed he was wearing a robe. Confused, Jaz glanced at Marnie, but Marnie seemed unfazed.

"You're here to see Dr. Fleming, right?" the man said, and Marnie nodded. "Good, just head up those stairs over there, and wait at the couches at the top. She should be finishing up with her last client and be right out to get you."

Marnie immediately stood up and looked at Jaz as if trying to hurry her up, leaving Jaz with no option but to follow her and try to ignore the fact that the man's pleasant tone was completely overshadowed by the frown on his face. Jaz wondered briefly if they were doing something wrong, but Marnie was already headed up the stairs, and Jaz certainly didn't want to be left down here all alone with a grumpy man in a robe, so she hurried to catch up to her mother.

Marnie was already sitting down when Jaz finally got to the top of the stairs, goggling at the plants that seemed to be everywhere, and the water running in fountains. Marnie patted the couch beside her, and Jaz, relieved to finally have a real direction, quickly sat down where she had indicated.

"The doctor should be out in a minute," Marnie said, almost seeming to reassure Jaz.

"Doctor?" wondered Jaz to herself.. she thought she was here to see a therapist. Was a therapist a doctor, too? Confused, she thought about asking Marnie, but just then the door in front of them opened.

A lady in a teal dress walked out, full of confidence, and sat down opposite them.

"Hi, I'm Gemma Fleming, are you here with Jazmyn Malone?" she started, pleasantly.

"Yes. This is Jaz," Marnie replied. "We were referred by Willow Creek Hospital to you. Apparently they think something's wrong with her - in the head - because she keeps skipping class to go to the bathroom at school."

Marnie started to say something else, but the woman suddenly chuckled, raising her hands to stop Marnie, "Whoa, whoa. First things first. I'd like to get to know you guys a little bit before we get to why you're here!" Jaz merely looked at her in wonder. Nobody interrupted Marnie. But the doctor seemed not to notice, looking straight at Jaz and continuing with her introduction.

"As I said, my name is Gemma Fleming. You're welcome to call me Gemma, or Dr. Fleming, if you feel more comfortable with that. Today, we're just here to get to know you a little bit better."

"Excuse me, DR. Fleming," Marnie said, "Can we just get this over with? I just want to settle what's wrong with Jaz and go home. I have chores to take care of and kids to watch at home. I don't have time for this "getting to know you" business."

"Oh, dear. Mrs. Malone, we're not here for you. We're here for Jaz. I'm afraid you'll just have to be patient." Gemma said, interrupting Marnie again.

This time, to Jazmyn's surprise, Marnie shut her mouth, and allowed the woman to continue.

"How about we start by going into my office?" Seeming to assume they were following, Gemma stood up and opened the door once again, waiting for them to go ahead of her.

Jazmyn followed, and sat in the chair indicated, wondering what was next.

"Now, Jazmyn, I imagine you're pretty confused. First, the school sends you to a doctor, then to me. They seem to be concerned that you're missing the same class everyday. Can you explain?" Gemma began, looking directly at Jaz, instead of Marnie.

"Well, I have to go to the bathroom." Jaz mumbled, wondering if she was going to get into trouble again.

"Every day? At the same time? Can't you go at another time?"

Sheepishly, Jaz replied, "Well, I can't go at lunchtime. That's when they said I'm supposed to go, but I can't. Benji said I could ask for a hall pass to go. I didn't know I was going to get into trouble for it."

"Benji?" Gemma asked.

"My brother." Jaz explained.

"Ah. Is there a reason you keep asking in the same class? Do you not like that class?"

"It has nothing to do with the class." Jaz replied, defensively, "I HAVE an A. I just have to go to the bathroom. I can't hold it all day."

"Why would you need to hold it all day?" Gemma asked.

"Because I can't go with people in there. The girls make fun of me because I went to the wrong bathroom the first day of school. I didn't know there even WAS a "right" bathroom." Jaz replied.

"Ah. So, you're afraid they'll make fun of you again?"

"I guess." Jaz paused, and Gemma seemed to be waiting for her to continue, so she blurted out, "I don't know. Why are there different bathrooms? And why is it wrong that I don't want to go with other people there?"

Gemma suddenly broke into a silvery laugh. "Oh, dear, Jaz. Did you not know that boys and girls have separate bathrooms?"

"Nobody told me that. I mean, I know which one to use now, but I still don't like it." Jaz said petulantly.

"Why don't you like using the girl's bathroom?" Gemma asked, tipping her head curiously.

"I don't know. It just feels wrong. We all use the same one at home. Why can't we do that at school?"

Suddenly, Marnie broke into laughter. "'Feels wrong'? What on earth is this nonsense. You're a girl. So you go to the girl's bathroom. It's just the way it is."

Glaring at Marnie, Jaz blurted out, "Well, maybe I don't want to be a girl. Most of them are mean."

Marnie laughed even harder, "You don't get a choice, honey. It's what you were born with. Deal with it."

Breaking back into the conversation, Gemma very firmly said, "Mrs. Malone, I beg to differ. Just because you're born a girl doesn't mean you are one. And it doesn't give you the right to laugh at Jaz."

Jaz looked at Gemma in wonder, speechless. What did she mean by that? The news that she didn't have to be a girl if she didn't want to and the fact that Gemma had dared to both interrupt Marnie again and tell her not to laugh was utterly mind-blowing.

Marnie, on the other hand, just laughed harder. "Of course it means you're a girl. What else could you be? You can't just decide to change your gender on a whim."

"I said nothing about whims, ma'am. However, there's a thing called gender dysphoria. Some people feel they're born into the wrong body. Perhaps it's something we need to explore with Jaz."

"I really don't like your tone, Dr. Fleming. Are you saying Jaz is really a boy? How ridiculous is that?!" Marnie exclaimed, her voice rising and laughter stopping abruptly.

"No, I didn't say that. I simply said it's for Jaz to figure out and decide on their own. For now, however, I need to wrap up this session. I have another patient coming soon. Will next Tuesday work for you for the next appointment for Jaz?" Gemma's bravery in standing up for Jaz had not gone un-noticed by the youngster, who was still silent, but watching Gemma carefully.

"Yes, next Tuesday is fine. Although - why do we have to do another session? What if I just don't bring her??" Marnie asked, still on the defensive.

"Because the school requires that we find out what's going on with Jaz. Not bringing her would probably result in possible action against you or Jaz." Gemma stated matter-of-factly, then turned abruptly to Jaz. "Are you okay, Jaz? Here's my card - I have my home number on it in case you ever need someone to talk to and you can't wait for next week, okay?" Her voice was gentle, and friendly, and she reached onto the table in front of them, and pulled out a small card to hand to Jaz.

"Yeah. I'm okay. I think." Jaz replied, taking the card quietly and holding it tightly.

"We'll talk more next week, okay, Jaz?" Gemma said with a smile, then turned towards Marnie, the smile disappearing. "Without your mother."

"We'll see about that." Marnie muttered under her breath and stomped towards the door, assuming Jaz would follow.

"It was very nice to meet you, Jaz." Gemma said, again ignoring Marnie completely. She held out a hand to Jaz, who shook it in wonder. This was the first adult who'd ever given her the respect of a hand shake... and Jaz was not altogether sure of how to take it.

"Thanks." was all Jaz could think to say, then turned and hurried after Marnie, the card gripped possessively in her hand.

They collected their winter clothes, and walked back the the bus stop in silence. Not a pleasant silence, but silence none-the-less.

Jaz was lost in her own thoughts, and the argument Marnie had with the school on the phone while they rode the bus back to Oasis Springs was completely lost on her. Otherwise, she would have known that even the school seemed to be standing up for her, telling Marnie in no uncertain terms it was this or suspension. Furious, Marnie arrived home and started rage cleaning the house.

Everyone else fended for themselves for the night. Brett discovered the popcorn machine, and is clearly a fan. Benji called his girlfriend and spent hours on the phone with her.

Bennie cooked some hot dogs on his new grill for dinner, but was a bit late on that idea.

Braydon had also discovered the popcorn machine, but was far less enthused by it.

Finally, everyone headed to bed in their own beds, content by the new anti-monster lights.

OS: Day One < | Challenge Home Page | > OS: Day Three