Page 1 of The Paradox Club

THERAPIST N + 1

“Do you have any place to go?”

“No.”

“There must be someplace.”

“No.”

“Where do you feel safe?”

“The island.”

“An isolated, uninhabited island is probably not the best place for someone suffering a mental health crisis.”

“Is that what this is?”

“When you called, you said you felt like a marble falling off a table, Tess. You told me a dark wave was cresting over you. These are not healthy metaphors. You didn’t get out of bed for three days. And before you sat down just now you had to tap the arm of the chair three times. Yes, this is a mental health crisis.”

“I always tap the arm three times.”

“Tess.”

“Okay, fine, it’s a mental health crisis.”

“Do you feel stressed?”

“Are you kidding? Papers due, exams coming up, and every time I try to do any work, I have to tap the arm of the chair or…or something. And if I make it through this year, what then? I’ve always had school. What do I do without it?”

“You like having structure?”

“Doesn’t everyone?”

“Are you having suicidal thoughts?”

“I don’t know. I want to feel safe.”

“Who makes you feel safe?”

“Harry.”

“Your father?”

“Yes.”

“Why do you call him Harry?”

“It’s his name.”

“But people don’t usually call their parents by their first names.”

“Don’t they?”

“I’m glad you have happy memories of Harry, but you do know that he’s dead.”

“Of course I know that.”

“What about your mother?”