Scene 7

Lights open up on two people on the other side of the stage, a mother and a father, sitting on a bed and reading a note, crying. The MOTHER folds the note up and hands it to the FATHER, who pockets it. MOTHER wipes away her tears

MOTHER I can’t believe she- I mean they -tried to… you know. You know?

FATHER nods and holds her comfortingly. I know, dear. It’s my fault too. I can’t believe she did that. And that she doesn’t want us visiting.

MOTHER They.

FATHER They. Right. Sorry. Beat.

MOTHER You know we need to change, right? We can’t just raise her like we always have. Them, I mean. We need to do something. Like…

FATHER Family therapy. I read about it online. Maybe we should give it a try? Like, just us at first, but when they get back, they can join us there, if they’re willing.

MOTHER nods That sounds like a good idea. God… I can’t believe we’re actually agreeing on something.

FATHER smiles, nodding I know. Me neither. You know, no matter how terrible this situation is, I guess that there’s always going to be some good in it. Right?

MOTHER I guess so.

FATHER So… let’s search for therapists then, I guess. pulls out computer, starts typing; there is a long beat here Okay…

MOTHER There’s one! Nearby, too. Let’s check it out! Let’s book an appointment for this evening to see if we like them. They look friendly enough.

FATHER Sounds good. types some more and then closes the computer, standing up. They both put on coats and walk to the other side of the stage awkwardly, looking for the office, ad libbing parts here. Near them is a THERAPIST, sitting in a chair casually with a clipboard, writing notes. THERAPIST rips off a page from the clipboard, crumples it up, and tosses it behind them. At that moment, MOTHER and FATHER walk in awkwardly, unsure of what to do.

MOTHER Umm, hello? Mr. Johnston?

THERAPIST smiles brightly, standing and shaking hands of MOTHER and FATHER Please, call me Nick.

FATHER Uh, sure. Nice to meet you, Nick. We, um, we signed up for the 4:00 today?

THERAPIST Ahh, yes! Wonderful! Have a seat, both of you. Can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee? Water?

MOTHER Um, I’m good. Thank you.

FATHER Me too. Thanks.

THERAPIST Very well takes a sip from a mug and sets it beside him but continues to drink from it throughout the scene How may I help you today? This is our first meeting, so let’s start with introductions. My name’s Nick, and I am from here in town. I live with my partner in a small apartment, and I have two cats. One is named Lemon, and the other is named Tinsel. They’re very soft, and I love them. I don’t have any kids despite being in my thirties, but I love working with children as well as adolescents and adults. Your turn! Tell me your name and something about yourself!

MOTHER I’m Karen, and I… have a husband and one kid named Robin, who will hopefully be joining us next time. We have one dog, a border collie named Star. Um… I don’t know what else to say.

FATHER I’m Jim, and I work at the bank with the technology department in the city. I… I don’t know.

THERAPIST Excellent! You must both have very interesting lives, it sounds like! Now, let’s get into more of why you’re here.

MOTHER bursts into tears Um, it’s Robin. She-They, sorry, are in the hospital because they tried to kill themself. I’m afraid that it may have been partially my fault.

THERAPIST Oh? What makes you say that?

MOTHER Well, I’ve really only realized this recently, but I… I’m really not the best mother out there…

THERAPIST Go on.

MOTHER Well, it’s just… when they came out to us as transgender, I kind of freaked out a little bit. I may have raised my voice a bit, and I got a little physical with them. I also kind of shamed them for putting this on us… and… and…

THERAPIST Shhh. It’s all over now. What’s happened has happened. We can’t change the past, we can only try to move on from it and resolve things for the future. Jim, how did you react? What did you do?

FATHER Well, I’m afraid that I may be part of the problem as well. You see, I tried to convince them that they were wrong… and then I left the house for a long time.

THERAPIST Hey, everything’s alright. You said that they are in the hospital, right? Well, I know many of the therapists that work in the hospital’s psych ward, and they’re all wonderful people who will take good care of them. It’ll all be okay. Now, first steps from here. You did the right thing, seeking out professional help. That was very, very brave of both of you! I’m so proud of you two for doing it! Now, to address the elephant in the room: what to do when Robin- Robin, right? -comes home. Well, first, let’s see if...]

MOTHER and FATHER exchange a hopeful look, freezing as the lights go down.

END SCENE 7