A Room of Their Own by Rakefet Yarden (best summer reads of all time .TXT) 📕

Tal had saved her own number on my phone during a bout of affection a few months ago.

“Hi, Dani. What’s up?”

Strange, I thought to myself. She never calls just to see how I’m doing. She always has to announce something. Update, coordinate. And even that doesn’t happen very often.

“I thought that maybe you’d like to get together sometime,” Tal eventually asked after a moment of silence.

“Oh . . . … Okay. We can. Sometime,” I answered.

“So when do you think you’ll be free?”

“Oh . . . I don’t know. In a couple of weeks, maybe?” I answered, surprised. I didn’t think it was a genuine invitation to meet.

“A couple of weeks? Why, what are you doing up until then?” There, now that’s the Tal that I know. Condescending, dismissive.

Yes, I’m the unemployed and idle Dani who does nothing meaningful with her life. How could it be that I can’t meet with you the moment you squawk about it? “Nothing, nothing special. Just a suggestion,” I tried to explain.

“Then how about tomorrow morning?” she asked. “How about 9;00?”

I thought for a moment. I have a session with that Rotem Golan therapist tomorrow at nine. “I can meet you at 10:30,” I finally answered without elaborating or apologizing, unlike my usual self.

“Okay. Want to meet at the mall? Café Tamar?”

Third Meeting

It was five minutes to four, third session with Dani. Yoni had returned from his trip and asked for his usual time slot, so Dani and I agreed on Tuesday at 4 p.m. I hoped it would be easier for her to talk in the afternoon, since she’d hardly let out a single word during our two previous morning sessions. Dani walked in alone this time.

“I left Miko at home to rest. He’s already cased the joint, so I can come here on my own.”

She really did seem to be a bit lighter at that hour, as though she’d finally managed to recuperate from the night. It was still difficult for her to talk, and she hardly made any eye contact with me, but she shared a little bit more, enabling the bigger picture to become clearer. Provisional diagnosis: Adjustment Disorder, which is the therapist’s adjustment regarding the system’s need to put the client into categories.

Intake: Dani Freedman

Dani is 25, the middle child of three. Her parents are married. No suicidal tendencies or aggression. I’ve clarified that this document is part of the mental health records, and that her family doctor will be able to read the diagnosis. Her father is a doctor, head of an ob-gyn department; her mother owns a law firm. Older sister is a 27-year-old medical student. Younger brother is 20, in the army. She claims to have estranged relationships with them. Started economics and computers at Tel Aviv University but dropped out after two weeks. Now works as a dog-sitter, and is looking for an occupational direction.

Dani dresses plainly, is skinny and tall, speaks slowly and quietly, has difficulty sharing her inner world. Already undergone numerous treatments with various therapists. Her past includes a number of hospitalizations due to depression and eating disorders that had disrupted her daily life. Attributes that to the reason for her reduced current social life.

Had taken prescribed medication in the past, claims that she no longer needs it, that she’s recuperated and that it’s been behind her for a few years, and that it’s just difficult for her to find her place because what’s expected of her is different from what she wants to achieve in life, and says she has difficulty withstanding the great pressure from her parents.

Her paternal grandfather passed away two months ago. She claims to be surprised by the influence this has had on her, and tells of troubling thoughts experienced since his passing. She doesn’t recall much from her childhood. She didn’t have a good time at school, only a few friends. Studied practical subjects because she was good at them and it was considered prestigious, while she was actually more attracted to studying literature and art. Was released early from the army for medical reasons. Says that she’s currently in a relatively calm period, except for acute stomach aches. Medical test results came back normal, then was referred by her family doctor to assess mental state. Also reports trouble falling asleep as well as early awakening. Sleep lab report rules out organic difficulties and recommends CBT. She wants help but is ambivalent about the treatment and my ability to help her.

Provisional diagnosis: F43.2 - Adjustment Disorder

Treatment plan: Single weekly sessions in order to transform beliefs, become familiarized with the conflicts running her life, increase her sense of control via emotional regulation skills, and if necessary possibly have a joint session with her and her parents in the future.

Dani

I woke up to the sounds of Miko’s cries and his leg scratching the edge of my bed.

I realized that I’d dreamed it again. A nightmare. I couldn’t remember it, and Miko must have woken me up before the alarm.

I looked at my phone and saw that it was 7:40. Five minutes earlier than my alarm.

I quickly got dressed and grabbed the leash. Miko was already sitting by the door in anticipation, and I opened it for him. The second it opened, Miko leaped out as though he’d been caged. While walking down the stairs, I debated whether or not to leave him at home. I was worried that Tal wouldn’t approve of his presence. I continued anyway towards Rotem Golan’s clinic on Rehov Ahad Ha’am, not before attaching him to his leash. Miko’s used to running around freely on our little street, but I always make sure to tie him up on busier streets. Not because he’s aggressive or would run away, but rather because of his strange appearance that scares passersby.

On the way there, I thought about Tal.

Tal, my successful older sister. The sister who never has any problems, who always knows what she wants and what she needs − and gets