Blue blurts out, "I knew you would panic!"
"That's because we love you," Skylar's voice breaks.
Blue shrugs. "Love doesn't always help."
The words land like a slap.
Adrian pushes forward on the couch, forearms on his thighs. "You're telling me this man—" he jerks his chin toward me "—is the one you talk to about this instead of us?"
"Yes," Blue says without hesitation.
Every muscle in my body goes rigid. I keep my voice level. "Blue, this is important. I want you to answer carefully."
Her eyes flick to mine, sharpened. "I will."
I inhale through my nose. "Why do you choose to talk to me instead of your parents?"
She doesn't answer immediately. She slides off my desk with infuriating grace and returns to her chair, crossing her legs, then recrosses them, never taking her eyes off mine.
"Look at them and tell them," I push.
She slowly spins. "Because he listens. And he doesn't make it about himself or my siblings."
Adrian bristles. "That's not fair."
"It's accurate," she counters.
I step in before this escalates. "Blue, listening doesn't replace parental support. It complements it. And therapy isn't a substitute for family. It's a container to help make family conversations safer."
She considers that, then nods slowly. "Okay, Dr. Mercer."
Skylar exhales like she's been holding her breath for an hour.
Adrian's eyes stay locked on me. Assessing. Measuring. Hunting for something unnamed. He finally asks, "What exactly do you do in these sessions?"
It's a reasonable question. It's also a dangerous one. I gather my thoughts and carefully answer, "We identify triggers. We build alternative coping mechanisms. We work on impulse control and distress tolerance."
"For the cutting?" he presses.
"Yes. And other things."
"What other things?" His tone sharpens.
I ask, "Have you noticed Blue has periods with high energy, hyperfocus, and obsession with people or things?"
"She's driven," Adrian declares, while Skylar bursts out, "Yes!"
They look at each other.
Adrian's expression looks like she's betrayed him.
Skylar tearfully insists, "We can't keep pretending something isn't wrong, Adrian."
Blue snaps, "Nothing is wrong with me!"
"You cut and stab yourself!" Skylar cries out.
"It's not a big deal," Blue hurls back.
