35
MOTHER: I think we'd better take you back to the doctor.
CYNTHIA: I don't think they'll be able to help me.
MOTHER: Rubbish, of course a doctor can help.
COUNSELLOR: You know, Cynthia may be right.
MOTHER: What do you mean?
COUNSELLOR: Don't get me wrong, I think she should see
someone, I'm just saying that maybe a G.P. isn't
your best bet. The problem may be psychological.
MOTHER: No, you don't understand, I...(turns to CYNTHIA,
handing her the keys) Cynthia, do you want to go
and wait in the car for me?
CYNTHIA: And leave you two here to talk about me? (pause)
Fine. (snatches the keys and exits)
MOTHER: You see, the first time it happened, the first
time she's ever fainted that is, was the other
day. We'd been having an argument and I slapped
her - not hard mind you and I've never really hit
her before, but she fell to the floor and was
unconscious for a while. I was so worried, but
she came round after a little while and seemed to
be okay. But then the next day she said she
wasn't feeling well and then she fainted at
school. I thought maybe I'd really hurt her but
the doctor said no, although now I'm not so sure.
COUNSELLOR: Are you having a lot of problems with your
relationship?
MOTHER: Well, she's changed a lot lately. You know what
teenage girls are like.
COUNSELLOR: Look, the reason I think it may be psychological
is because it appears the fainting isn't the
only aspect of the problem. Look at her school work,
test results and that sort of thing.
MOTHER: Cynthia's always done very well at school.
COUNSELLOR: Yes, up until a couple of months ago when her
marks started to slide until it seems she
effectively stopped working. She hasn't spoken
to you about it?
MOTHER: (shocked) No. (pause) She's started keeping
pretty much to herself. I had no idea. She's
alway worked so hard at school, why would she
stop?
