68 The Explosive ChildOnce again, the storm quickly subsided. “What medi-
cines are you taking now?” the therapist asked.
“Just something for my tics,” Mitchell replied. “And
don’t even think about telling me to take something else!
Let’s just get off this topic!”
“He doesn’t even take his tic medication all the time,”
said the mother. “That’s why he still tics so much.”
“MOTHER, STOP!” Mitchell boomed. “I don’t care
about the tics! Leave me alone about them!”
“It’s just that...” the mother began speaking again.
“MOTHER, NO!” Mitchell boomed. His mother
stopped.
“Mitchell, are you suicidal now?” the therapist asked.
“NO! And if you ask me that again, I’m leaving!”
“He still doesn’t feel very good about himself,
though,” the father said.
“I FEEL JUST FINE!” Mitchell boomed. “You’re the
ones who need a psychologist, not me!” Mitchell turned
to the therapist. “Can you do something about them?”
The father chuckled at this question.
“WHAT’S SO FUNNY?!” Mitchell boomed.
“If I might interrupt,” the therapist said, “I know you
didn’t want to be here today, and I can understand why
you might not have much faith in yet another mental
health professional. But I’m interested ...what is it
you’d like me to do about your parents?”
“Tell them to leave me alone,” he growled. “I’m fine.”