microfiction:: EVEN HERE

“I have a client – a wonderful client – who’s all of eight years old and ready to take on the world,” the therapist tells her. “She goes to a special school for the gifted and is just …” The therapist’s voice trails off and her eyes go up to the ceiling as if seeing angels. Her chest swells pigeonlike.

“I asked her if she ever wished her parents would get back together. You know what she said?” the therapist asks but not really. The patient’s eyes widen; she shakes her head.

“Her exact words were: Dr. Doren, you don’t understand. My parents are like the separation of the Church and State – they just don’t mix.” A whollop shoots out of the therapist and she grins fiercely. “Can you believe it?! Now that’s a smart kid.”

The patient smiles wanly and says nothing. This sort of thing happens to her all the time.

The above image is titled Waiting Room by artist Lora Shelley. Her work can be seen at www.lorashelley.com.