She nods. "Yes. Because I know where to put them now."
The answer is too open-ended to be safe, but I make a decision. "Where do you put them, Blue?"
Her gaze sharpens into further engagement. "Here. With you, Dr. Mercer." The edges of her mouth curl.
The word drops into the room like a match.
Skylar says, "I don't understand."
Blue turns toward her. "Dr. Mercer listens. He doesn't judge me. He tells me what to do when I feel like hurting myself."
Skylar's mouth drops toward the floor. Her eyes tear, and she blinks hard. "H-hurt yourself?"
Mr. Ivanov's jaw tightens. His eyes widen.
"Were you not aware that Blue hurts herself?" I ask.
"She cut herself. We told you that," Adrian defensively answers.
My heart races. "So you weren't aware it wasn't the first time?"
Adrian's cheeks turn red.
Skylar sharply inhales. Her forehead creases, and she puts her hand on Blue's back. "Sweetie?"
"It's not a big deal," Blue declares.
"It's not a big deal? Of course it's a big deal," Skylar half shrieks.
"It's not, Mom!" Blue insists.
Adrian's accent grows stronger. He lowers his voice. "What have you done, Blue?"
Blue looks at me and shakes her head. "I told you they'd blow this out of proportion."
"Hurting yourself is serious. We've discussed this," I remind her.
She licks her lips, and her gaze falls to my clipboard.
"Tell me what you've done," Adrian demands, grabbing Skylar's hand, his jaw twitching.
She blinks harder.
"Tell your parents," I order.
Blue slowly meets my gaze.
"It's okay. They need to know. You're safe here," I push.
"Safe here? She's always been safe with us," Adrian snaps.
I put my hand in the air. "I didn't insinuate that you had an unsafe household."
"Didn't you?"
"No." I lock my eyes on his, not flinching.
"Adrian," Skylar softly says, her voice shaking.
