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The next morning Seth was up and ready for the school bus. His sister, however, running late as usual.
"DaniMarie, get a move on or you are going to miss the bus." Lola yelled.
"You know we wouldn't be late if we didn't take the bus." Dani stated as she came walking down the stairs.
"No Dani, you wouldn't be late if you would pick out your outfit the night before." her mom reminded her.
"Why do we have to take a bus anyways? It's not like you have a life. Why can't you take us?" Dani's shoddy attitude was back.
"Dani, you know there are days I am in so much pain I can't even get out of bed." her mother explained.
"Whatever!" the teen said as she went out the door to catch the bus.
"I understand mom. I hope you have a good day." Seth comforted his mom. He gave her a kiss and he too went outside to wait for the bus.
Today Lola has an appointment with her counselor. Ever since her injury she has fought off depression. She found the best way to do this is by talking. Since she doesn't want to sound like she is complaining all the time she chose to talk to a professional instead of her friends.
From the day she got out of the hospital her best friend, Carrie, has been there for her. However, Lola felt Carrie had heard enough about it so she wanted to give her a break.
When she arrived at the counselor's office the secretary told her that the person she normally sees just received an emergency phone call and had to leave for the day.
"However, Dr. Litch is willing to see you. He is a very good counselor and I think you would like him." the secretary offered.
"Okay. I may as well since I am here." Lola agreed
He was maybe a few years older than Lola. He had salt & pepper hair with a beard and mustache.
"Hi Lola. I am Dr. Litch. How are you today?" He said as they walked into his office. "Fine." Lola answered.
"I will be honest with you. Without having the chance to read your chart I don't know a whole much about you. So please why don't you share with me why you started seeing a counselor to begin with." the handsome doctor said
"Okay. Well... Six years ago I was injured at work and I ended up having back surgery because of it. That surgery left me paralyzed for six months. I then had another surgery and tho it took me awhile I started walking again. However, I have to deal with chronic pain ever since. Because of this I am unable to work. I could feel depression setting in so I figured I better talk with someone." Lola explained.
"Oh my, that had to be very scary for you. Do you have help at home?" Dr. Ken Litch asked
"I have a ten year old son, Seth, who worries about his mom more that any ten year old should ever have to. And I have a sixteen year old girl, DaniMarie, who is very angry at me. According to her I have no life and I'm selfish." she answered.
"Have you ever brought your children into a session?"
"No, I would rather them not know I'm seeing a counselor."
"May I ask why?"
"Seth already worries enough about me and DaniMarie would just say "what ever." That is her reply to everything." Lola explained
"Lola, if it helps; that seems to be the word teens use the most these days. So what type of work were you doing?" Ken said as he tried to make her feel a little better.