silence control fear

~yes

line 1, it's the education director

~thanks...this is melissa

hi melissa...so have you heard?

~yes

we want you to take the case...the judge has referred her to you

~i heard that too

do you know the background?

~yes...i requested the chart from madisonville county, read up on it last night

what do you think?

~the same thing you do

you know she hasn't spoken to anyone in 6 months

~yes, i know

what are your thoughts?

~do you blame her?

for what?

~her silence?

....no...have you ever worked a case like this?

~no

you are quite? you are never quite...

~i haven't been shocked in a while...i thought i was passed that point professionally

(silence)

we are hoping you can work your magic... she likes to draw and she likes animals

~yes, i read

do you want this case?

~is this a trick question?...you know my thoughts already...it's why you want me to take the case...i will not see her without her mother being in treatment...if they want me to take the case...it is contingent upon her mother's involvement in her own therapy...dad is not allowed on these grounds...that's my recommendation and boundary...period

i know...that's why we chose you...(silence)....are you afraid of him?

~hell yes i'm afraid of him...everyone should be...and if i am afraid of him...think about her

he shouldn't be a problem...we have a restraining order against him

~the last thing he cares about is a restraining order...

(silence)

thanks for doing this...we'll do everything we can to help...just let us know

~listen...don't try to make her talk...she will when she is ready...just let her be in control for a bit longer...she needs that