The Truth of Right Now by Kara Lee Corthron

Author:Kara Lee Corthron
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon Pulse

BOUNDARIES

Monday morning. Shit. This weekend almost made me forget that Monday would eventually come. Yet here it is. Like always. One thing is different: I had the privilege of walking to school next to Dari. He has this amazing way of giving me happy amnesia. When I’m around him, I forget everything terrible in my life. I’m not so sure that’s a good thing, because it all comes back to me in dizzying, vivid detail as I walk into Mrs. Waters’s office.

“Good morning, Lily. How are you?” Her attempts to sound casual have the opposite effect. She’s usually anxious—not an ideal state for a guidance counselor.

“I have to, um, report an issue.”

“Oh, no. What’s happened?” she asks, trepidation in her voice.

I never actually thought the school would allow this to be published. But if I don’t say anything, if I just roll with it, I’ll feel like the biggest victim that ever lived. With shaking hands, I show her the photo.

Mrs. Waters sighs and shakes her head. “Where did you get this?”

“The literary office.”

She nods. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it. Before lunch,” she promises.

“Thank you,” I say, feeling a bit relieved. I stand to leave, but she stops me.

“Lily? It isn’t any of my business, but are you talking to anyone?”

I’m talking to you, right now, aren’t I? I think it, but I don’t say it. I know what she’s asking.

“Yes. I just started seeing a therapist.”

“Oh, good. Which one?”

Which one? We live in New York City. The number of practicing psychologists here could very well be in the seven-digit range.

“Dr. Maalouf,” I reply.

Her face lights up. “Ariel Maalouf?”

Wow! How did she do that?

“Yeah. That is her name.”

“She’s young, but smart. Please give her my best.”

I leave her office dazed. No matter how much I think I know, I am always surprised.

* * *

Ariel Maalouf is pretty cool. My first session with her was last week. I wasn’t sure about her at first, but I think she might get me. Still too early to tell.

But I was impressed with her questions.

“What’s your favorite band?”

“That’s the first question you’re gonna ask me?”

“I heard you were into music.”

“I like a lot of bands,” I said.

“What if you had to pick one today? Which would it be?” she pushed.

Since I wasn’t prepared for this topic, I had to give it some thought. I like lots of bands, and I LOVE fewer, but the list is still lengthy. I rarely pick a “favorite” because I think that’s for laypeople who don’t understand the infinite possibilities of music. One day you might desperately need to hear power chords and indulgent drum solos. Another might be a day for orchestral sounds. Picking one band above all else is just wrong. But, then again, it’s not like what I say has to be etched in blood. Changing my mind later doesn’t necessarily mean I’m a total waffler.

“I’ve been really into Sleater-Kinney lately.”

“Cool. What is it about them?”

“Have you heard of them?”

“Nope. My music tastes tend to be a bit poppy.

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