Office Hours, 11/16-11/17

[b-chenowith.livejournal.com]

Brenda is wrapped up in some work (or possibly writing another thinly-veiled autobiographical novel) and barely leaves her office between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday night.

Clients would be a nice distraction.

Comments

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara arrives on time for her regular Wednesday appointment, looking tired and troubled.

"Hey, Brenda," she says, slumping down into her regular chair.

[b-chenowith.livejournal.com]

"Hi, Tara," Brenda says, saving her file and moving from her computer desk to her comfortable chair. "How have you been?"

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"I'm having a bad day," she says quietly. "And I think it's going to get worse."

[b-chenowith.livejournal.com]

""I'm sorry to hear that," Brenda says. "What's going on?"

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara takes a deep breath and sits forward, resting her elbows on her knees and her chin in her hands.

"Okay, hypothetically - if you knew a friend was going to get hurt, by another friend. Badly hurt, I mean. And you could stop that friend from doing it, but you'd have to hurt him to do so... what do you do?"

[b-chenowith.livejournal.com]

"Wow. That's a big one. I suppose I'd have to judge based on the specifics."

"But it's not my job to answer that kind of question for you," Brenda says. "The question is, what do you do?"

she is, of course, weighing her own answer.

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"I don't know!" Tara moans. "I can't stand by and watch someone get hurt when I could stop it, but... I can't justify doing something I know is going to hurt someone either! There has to be another solution, and I just can't see it."

[b-chenowith.livejournal.com]

"I think you need to break this down," Brenda says. "Weigh how the first person could get hurt against how the second person could get hurt, and then decide which is more of a threat."

"And if there is any chance of physical danger, of course, you should go to the police."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Okay," Tara nods, taking a deep breath.

"Person A... very hurt. Possibly fatal. And the police wouldn't be able to protect her. Not from Person B.

"Person B... it would be mean. Really hurtful, and a betrayal of trust. But, um, not physical, and not fatal."

[b-chenowith.livejournal.com]

Brenda gives Tara a long look. "So you're comparing physical injury or death with emotional betrayal," she says, finally. "Emotional betrayal can be harmful, of course. But I think it's clear A needs your protection more."

She frowns. "Why do you feel you have to make this choice?"

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"I've been asked to. It's, um... not so hypothetical, actually. And I have to make it quickly."

She sighs. "You're right. People heal from emotional betrayal, but... not so much from death. With, um, obvious exceptions."

Slowly, she nods. "Thank you. That helps."

[b-chenowith.livejournal.com]

"I'm glad I helped, anyhow," Brenda says. "And death tends to be .... kind of final. Most of the time."

She gives Tara a worried glance. "You're going to be okay, aren't you?"

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I'll be okay," Tara says quietly. "I just... I just might not like myself much for a while."

[b-chenowith.livejournal.com]

"And that's why you come here," Brenda says, resolute.

She leans forward in her chair. "But why is making a choice that would potentially save a life so hard for you?"

[OOC: Can we pick this up in my morning/your evening? I'm headed to bed in a bit.]

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Because... because what I have to do is wrong. I mean, taking a life, or standing by and doing nothing while one is taken is wrong, but that doesn't make what I'm doing any more right.

"I don't want to be a monster. And... and the spell that I'll have to do... it's more powerful than anything I've ever done. And that scares me, too."

[ooc: Of course!]

[b-chenowith.livejournal.com]

"So you have to pick the least of the evils," Brenda says, not unsympathetic but very flat. "And it sounds as though it will push some personal boundaries for you, as well."

After Tara

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

Marty knocks on the door to Brenda's office.

"Hi Ms. Chenowith. I'm here for my session. Do you have time for me today?"

Re: After Tara

[b-chenowith.livejournal.com]

"I do indeed," Brenda says. "What's going on with you?"

Re: After Tara

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

"Almost a normal week. You heard about that guy the Sheriff is looking for right? He was the one who attacked me and killed that girl. So I've been talking to people about that. A lot."

Re: After Tara

[b-chenowith.livejournal.com]

Brenda shifts in her seat, crossing her legs. "I heard, but I didn't make the connection," she admits. "But that's good news. What is talking about it -- a lot -- like for you?"