"Let's focus on confidence building for those with low self-esteem . " Dr . Moore looked at all three of us and didn't just focus on me, making me feel more comfortable . "I honestly believe the best way to build someone's self confidence, is to give them challenges that they can accomplish . Because, you can give someone all the 'pats on the back' in the world, but that won't build their self confidence . It'll just comfort them . You can tell them, 'you don't have to be afraid anymore', but it's not going to make their fear go away . " He faced me . "Right?"
I nodded . It was all comfort phrases . It didn't make me any less afraid . Just less alone .
"So, I think it's important to put them into situations where there's a challenge . A challenge that provides an appropriate amount of fear . But not too much that it'll overwhelm them and incapacitate them . Just start working at the little things until you feel comfortable then find an even bigger challenge . " Dr . Moore said . "Like this weekend, Noah said you spoke more than normal?" He looked at Noah to confirm .
Noah nodded . "Yep . Jake spoke to us . My brothers . Our teammates . He was very outgoing . "
"Well it's normal to start talking around those you live with . " Dr . Moore said . "But I'm curious as to what made you feel like you had to talk to your teammates?"
"Baseball, of course . " Noah answered for me . "He really only talks about baseball . Jake doesn't waste words . He treasures them like gold . But if he doesn't understand something about baseball, he'll ask me or Zeke . But yesterday, he even spoke to this guy named Jordan . "
"So baseball really brings you out of your shell?" Dr . Moore asked me directly .
I shrugged . I guess it did . Looking back, it started at the cages with Noah . Even when I was scared with those guys hovering over us, I also didn't pass out of fear .
"Okay . So we'll start with that . Starting tomorrow, I want you to try and talk to a different teammate a day, excluding the Atkins . You can say anything you want . A simple hi . Or a more in-depth question like how are you . Or just ask anything related to baseball . One word is all you need . "
I gave a quick nod . I could try that . It sounds easy enough .
"Alright . We can check in on that next week to see how it goes . Is there anything else you would like to share today?" I shook my head no, and he looked to Mr . Atkins and Noah . "And would either of you like to talk about something today? It can be about anything related or unrelated to Jake . "
No one had anymore to say . We all stood up and headed for the door . Dr . Moore walked us out of his office and out of the building . As Noah and I got in the car, Mr . Atkins and him stopped to exchange a few words . Then Mr . Atkins got in the car and we started to leave .
"What were you guys talking about?" Noah asked .
"He and Mr . Duncan have been in contact . He was just telling me that we'll have another visit soon . "
"Why?" Noah asked, very blunt . "When other kids stayed with us, their social worker only visited once a month . "
"Jake has a lot going on compared to others . He's a special case . I'm sure Mr . Duncan wants to make sure he's doing well and whatnot . There could also be things that he would like to talk about like his mom's court case or finding a lead on his dad . "
Noah glanced at me, then looked at his dad as he wove through traffic . "What if Jake doesn't want to go back to his dad? I mean, that man did leave his with a crazy lady . He could be crazy too . "
Mr . Atkins sighed . "I'm not entirely sure how that all will work out . The tricky thing is that the state doesn't really know who his dad is . He isn't on the birth certificate so they can only go off some secondhand information . Then there'll be a blood test and custody exchange . There's a lot to go into it . There's also a possibility that he wants to sign his rights as a parent away . He could even be dead already . I really don't know how they'll go about this situation . " He paused . "I'm sure it would be easier if they had a name to look up . Right now they're just going off his moms known associates . " He glanced in the rear view mirror to make eye contact with me . "Do you have anything you want to share to help the search?"
From the corner of my eye, I could see Noah slightly shaking his head . I cleared my throat with a light cough . "I have my mothers last name . My dad left when I was three . " I shared a little . Mr . Atkins waited for more, but that's all I was willing to share . If Noah thought it was a bad idea to find this man, then I shared the same sentiments .
Chapter end
Report
|
Donate
Oh o, this user has not set a donation button.
|