Empathy: The Remnant Pieces

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Empathy No. 105

empathynovel.substack.com

Empathy No. 105

12/04/02, Brawney off. 3:32 PM

Andrew Johnston
Mar 13, 2023
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Empathy No. 105

empathynovel.substack.com

DR. BRAWNEY: Roderick, I'm very glad that you've chosen to continue our sessions.

RODERICK: I'm only here because it makes Mom happy.

DR. BRAWNEY: First, I would like to ask you a few questions about your day-to-day experiences. We won't need to talk about anything specific in the past at this time.

RODERICK: Fine, go ahead.

DR. BRAWNEY: In the last few weeks, have you experienced any dizziness or nausea while at school or out in public?

RODERICK: No.

DR. BRAWNEY: Have you had any headaches that are worse than normal or last longer than normal?

RODERICK: No.

DR. BRAWNEY: Have you had any nightmares?

RODERICK: No.

DR. BRAWNEY: Roderick, I only want you to be honest with me. I have heard that your behavior has been different, that you have been more withdrawn. Can you explain that to me?

RODERICK: I don't know what you want from me.

DR. BRAWNEY: Have you been experiencing dizziness or nausea?

RODERICK: No worse that normal. I deal with it like I always do.

DR. BRAWNEY: You have had dizzy spells before? For how long?

RODERICK: I don't know. Since I was seven, or maybe before that. It doesn't happen that much.

DR. BRAWNEY: You never told anyone?

RODERICK: It's not that big a deal. I can cope.

DR. BRAWNEY: Was it ever concerning to you?

RODERICK: I told you, it's not a big deal. Sometimes I just need to sit down for a minute and then I'm fine.

DR. BRAWNEY: Are you being forthright, Roderick?

RODERICK: ...Sometimes I was afraid that I was dying. It was easier not to talk about that. Not worry anyone else.

DR. BRAWNEY: Do you ever feel that you're a burden on others?

RODERICK: I know that I am. I'm only here by mistake.

DR. BRAWNEY: Roderick, no one can medicate you against your will, but I do think that an anti-anxiety medication could improve your life. You're a very rational young man. If you can give me a rational reason why you are refusing, then I won't bring it up again.

RODERICK: I don't need it. You don't believe me, nobody believes anything that I say. Everyone thinks that they know my life more than me. All I can do is keep saying it.

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Empathy No. 105

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