Empathy No. 021
ELEANOR: So how did your session go?
RODERICK: Just sitting and talking.
ELEANOR: Well, I figured that much. What did you think of Dr. Brawney?
RODERICK: I don't know...I don't know what you expect me to say.
ELEANOR: Some comment of approval or disapproval? I know you have an opinion.
RODERICK: I don't see how this is supposed to help.
ELEANOR: Well, we had a deal and I'll honor it. So...I took the whole afternoon off. What do you think? Ice cream?
RODERICK: Sure. I kind of thought you'd have more time now.
ELEANOR: I know. I haven't had much time for you lately, and I'm sorry.
RODERICK: It's fine, I know-
ELEANOR: It's not fine. This is a little confusing for me too, you know. That's why I think I might...keep seeing Dr. Brawney for a while. Because I think it will help.
RODERICK: You're just saying that.
ELEANOR: I'm not, and this has nothing to do with you. If you're not interested, then that is okay, I accept that. I'm scheduling a regular appointment, though.
RODERICK: You want me to keep going, don't you?
ELEANOR: It's your decision, sweetheart.
RODERICK: But what do you think?
ELEANOR: ...I want you to be comfortable here. That's what I want. That's the idea.
RODERICK: I just don't see how this can help.
ELEANOR: You really want my opinion?
RODERICK: Yes, I do.
ELEANOR: You internalize everything, you always have. I know that life hasn't always been very kind to you, but suffering in silence isn't going to help. I honestly believe that it would help you to have someone with a little distance to discuss these things with. But I'm not going to make you do anything, Lloyd isn't going to make you do anything. It's your decision.
RODERICK: Okay...if I agreed, when would I have time? School is starting-
ELEANOR: We can work that out. We could even arrange for you to sit out a class once a week - I'm not worried about you falling behind.
RODERICK: ...Allison invited me to see her boyfriend's band this Friday.
ELEANOR: I know.
RODERICK: She doesn't really want me to go, her father's making her.
ELEANOR: Are you going to go?
RODERICK: ...Yeah.
ELEANOR: That's good. I think you should try and do more things like that.
RODERICK: Maybe I will, I don't know.
ELEANOR: Really though, would you care for ice cream?
RODERICK: Yeah, that'd be good.