The Family Crucible by Augustus Y. Napier PhD

Author:Augustus Y. Napier, PhD [Napier Y., Augustus]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780062046666
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 1978-09-05T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

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Two months had passed before we heard from the Brices again. David made the call, and he didn’t tell Carl what the immediate problem was. He simply sounded worried.

We had begun therapy with the family at the beginning of summer. By August we had reached the point of early resolution or of plateau—we weren’t sure which. Now it was early October and still mostly warm, with a cool shadow moving for a few days over the land, then retreating. Still, one thought of winter. As I drove to the appointment we had set up for the Brices, I wondered about therapy and the season. Were we getting down to work with more seriousness, now that the work year was under way and winter coming?

The family greeted me cordially as I walked into Carl’s office. I hesitated at the edge of saying that I was glad to see them again, realizing that they were not glad to have to see us. Indeed, they looked anxious—not the happy group we had said good-bye to in summer. Only Laura seemed her cheerful self.

David was officiating for the family. He spoke to Carl. “I felt that we should schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Something happened with Don that concerned me, and I think it bothered Carolyn and Don, too.” His voice was as calm and reasonable as ever, though I realized as he talked that beneath his strained moderation he was upset. If only he could admit it openly!

Carolyn had an irritable air, her quick eyes glancing at me as she moved her chair to face David. She and Don were sitting in the two chairs in the center of the room, and David was alone on the couch to Carl’s right. Don sat between his parents. Claudia and Laura seemed miles away on the couch to the left, as though they were separate from the conflict that was emerging before us. As Carolyn began to speak, I noticed that Don looked worried and distracted. He had worn a light jacket to the session, and he showed no inclination to take it off even though the room was warm.

“I certainly am upset,” Carolyn said to David.

“What if Don tells his view of what happened?” David said, a somewhat scolding quality in his voice. He looked disapprovingly at Carolyn, and I was puzzled about what was happening. The couple were talking about Don, but they seemed to be fighting with each other.

Don’s attention grew more focused as the talk was directed at him. He spoke to his mother. “Well, I am still mad about what happened. It was the worst thing that ever was. Well, not the worst, but it really killed me!” His manner had a quality of panic and anguish new for him. This was more than childish anger; it was real pain, truly upsetting and confusing. He concluded, “What really bugged me was that you kept sounding like you were right about everything.”

Carolyn was immediately defensive. “I wasn’t saying

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