Her voice went on and on, whining and cackling and blaming. Peter knew she spoke out of deep unhappiness, a defensive sense of irrelevance to the rest of the world. She deserved some compassion.
She was entitled to that.
He hoped his listening would create an opening, planting a seed of self-acceptance from which she’d learn to accept others. It’d happened before in his work as a therapist. It was his job; he was the best.
In her position of National authority, however, she continually damaged millions.
He assumed an understanding expression, gritted his teeth, avoiding checking his watch.
© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2020)
Carrot Ranch Prompt (07/15/2020): In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that expresses the phrase, “scream inside your heart.” Who is involved and why is the scream contained? Go where the prompt leads!
Valley of the Trolls 
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Ha! Great twist in this (clearly fictional) tale.
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Yeah, when would someone in our current Admin take the risk of psych therapy!
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Dang, there are so many politicians that would be driving their therapists to the edge these days, if they actually went to see a therapist! Great story!
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Thanks, Ann!
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It might take some time and grind down some teeth. A while ago on FB I share the original “Coke and a Smile” ad and that comes to mind — if only Peter could hand her a Coke and teach her to sing with the world and not rant against it. Sigh. We need therapy Coke dispensers.
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Can we send a 24 pack or two to the Whitehouse?
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