Page 17 of Out Of A Fix

“And if I’m asking for my friend’s opinion?”

“I would say it depends on the sixteen-year-old, but I would always prefer to see a child treated with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia.”

“Because?”

“Because they need to learn to change their negative thoughts about sleep so they can rest without any kind of lifelong crutch.”

“Explain how you have negative feelings about sleep.”

“Sorry, not about sleep, but thoughts that keep you awake.”

I would have thought it all started with his mother leaving, but she’d been giving him edibles before she left, so the sleep thing was ongoing. Maybe his parents had been fighting for a while before she entered WITSEC and Griffin had heard them. Worst-case scenario, Griffin had heard about the affair, as well as whatever else, and had been worried for a very long time, internalizing everything.

“He needs to learn to turn off his brain,” Benji clarified, bringing me out of my thoughts.

That made more sense.

“Shaw says your waiver is now live.”

“Ask him if he would please forward it to the Eena PD.”

Benji was silent a moment. “He says yes, it’s there.”

“Okay, thanks, I’ll talk to⁠—”

“Wait,” he rushed out. “Listen, before jumping directly to cognitive behavioral therapy, there are things you can try.”

“Like what?”

“Like does he have a regular sleep schedule? That needs to be regulated so it’s the same seven days a week.”

“Is that fair on the weekends?”

“If he truly has insomnia, then yes. It’s very important. Also, it sounds ridiculous because it would seem to be simple common sense, but a relaxing routine before bed is paramount. For example, reading knocks me out, so you could have him try that. But no phone, no screens at all.”

“He’s sixteen, Benji.”

“I don’t care if he’s sixteen. The phone is off at ten or eleven. And the room needs to be dark and quiet and at the perfect temperature for him. Think of the three bears, not too hot, not too cold, just chef’s kiss right.”

“I’m thinking you don’t know many teenagers.”

“I know a lot, actually. I used to treat many. The point is, you’re not a friend, you’re a⁠—”

“Guardian.”

“That’s right. You have to be the hammer first. Then once the rules are established, you can be nice.”

“I’m not gonna be here long enough for that.”

“Then it’s your way or nothing.”

“Yeah.”

“And no caffeinated beverages at dinner, and he doesn’t drink alcohol, does he?”

“He does.”

“Well, that’s not helping.”