Melissa Ashwood. Therapy Session #?

The following audio log is a recording of one of Dr. [----] Carter's therapy sessions with a client, Ms. Ashwood. The tape is dated [--/--/--01], and is one of the few remaining tapes that gives us insight into the events leading up to [--- -------- --------.]

[The audio starts.]

"Welcome back, Ms. Ashwood. How are you feeling today?"

"I'm feeling fine, Doctor, thank you for asking."

"I'm glad to hear that. Our last meeting we were discussing your relationship with your daughter's father and how that affected you, your daughter and your lifestyle. Is there something else you would want to discuss about that topic?"

"Actually, I wanted to talk with you about my daughter. Me and Erin, you see... we've been drifting apart for some time now and..."

[Ms. Ashwood sighs.]

"I've noticed that lately her behavior has become even more distant.. And ever since this freakish incident at school happened, she's become even more closed-off. I'm afraid that I'm going to lose her completely."

"And since when, do you think, you began to 'drift apart'?"

"About when she was twelve years old... after we have moved out of that town in Wisconsin. As shy as she was back then, Erin became friends with this one girl there – they were practically inseparable."

[She chuckles softly.]

"But we had to move, unfortunately."

"I see. And can you tell me more about her recent behavior? How does it manifest itself?"

"She's avoiding me. She's already gone by the time I wake up, and I only hear her coming back when it's late at night. When I do manage to catch her, she gives me the cold shoulder. And yesterday I saw her hands were all covered in bandages! When I asked her about it she told me that she 'just fell from her board'! What if she's hurting herself, or someone is hurting her, and she's not telling me?!"

"Ms. Ashwood, I need you to take a deep breath and count to three."

"Yes.."

[She inhales deeply, and exhales shortly after.]

"Sorry for that, Doctor."

"No need to apologize, Ms. Ashwood, your emotions are completely understandable. Her behavior, especially if the bodily harm you described is self-inflicted, might be a response to a deep emotional distress that has recently occurred. Can you tell me about this 'incident at school' you mentioned earlier?"

"This is a small town, Doctor, you must have heard all about it yourself."

"What I heard were rumors. If you want to help your daughter, Ms. Ashwood, I need to hear the truth."

[Ms. Ashwood exhales deeply.]

"You're right. Erin, she.. she got into a fight with her friend."

"The same friend from the town in Wisconsin?"

"Yes. Hayley was– is her name. It was a very public fight, and very ugly."

"Did they fight physically?"

"The Principal told me that it was a very heated argument, with a lot of shouting, but there was no physical violence."

"And what was the argument about?"

"She accused Erin of abandoning her. But it wasn't Erin's fault, it's.. Oh my god..."

[Ms. Ashwood starts crying, but her sobs are muffled, most likely due to her covering her face.]

[There is a sound of a paper tissue being taken out.]

[Ms. Ashwood whispers 'Thank you', takes a moment to wipe away her tears.]

"She had always blamed me for leaving that town. But now.. she must truly hate me."

"Ms. Ashwood, I doubt that she 'truly' hates you. As I see, this issue stems from the lack of trust you have shown to your daughter before. I presume that you haven't told her your reasons for moving out? The true reasons."

"But... how could I?"

"You have told me."

"Yes, but... I don't want to hurt her."

"I will be frank with you, Ms. Ashwood. You have hurt her already, and you only keep hurting her further by hiding the truth from her. Erin, simply put, is doing the same. She doesn't know if she can trust you with what she's going through at the moment, she doesn't know whether she wants to trust you with that.

"If you want to shorten the distance that has grown between you, if you want Erin to trust you again, then you will need to be honest with her."

[There is a long pause.]

"I.. Thank you, Dr. Carter. I will think about what you've said today."

"You are always welcome, Ms. Ashwood. I simply advise you the course of action – whether or not to take it is up to you to decide. I only hope that the relationship between you and your daughter will mend."

"Thank you again, Dr. Carter. Same time next week?"

"Yes, Ms. Ashwood. See you next Sunday."

"Until then."

[The door clicks open, then shuts close, creaking all the while. The lock on the door clicks. Footsteps are getting closer to the audio recorder.]

[The audio ends.]