While it wasn’t easy to hear, I knew he was right. I always tried to make things easier for not only the boys but everyone in my life—sometimes to a fault. I’d often sacrifice my own happiness to make things better for someone else, and that wasn’t good for anyone, especially me. I nodded as I told him, “You’re right. I need to do better about that. I need to set firmer rules and stick to them.”
“I know it isn’t easy, but it will make your life much easier if you do.” His tone waivered with uncertainty as he said, “And if at all possible, those same rules and expectations should apply when he’s with his father. I know that can be difficult.”
“Very.”
“Dad should have his own rules and expectations,” Corry grumbled. “Maybe then he wouldn’t blow up on me for every stupid thing I do.”
“I agree.” I shook my head and sighed. “There’s not much I can do about that though.”
Corry glared at me as he snapped, “You could make it where I don’t have to go over there.”
“It wasn’t my choice, Corry.” I felt so helpless as I told him, “It was court- ordered.”
“Yeah, but you could make the judge change that,” Corry huffed. “I bet if he knew how Dad was always threatening to knock my teeth out of my head, he would change his mind about making me go.”
“Maybe.” I’d hoped that the anger management classes would’ve done more to help Marc with his temper. Even though he’d hit Corry and hurt him physically, I knew the verbal abuse was just as detrimental—if not more. It certainly had been for me. “I think it’s time to see about taking him back to court.”
“It won’t do any good. We’re stuck with him.”
“It’s worth a try.”
“If you decide to go that route, I will be glad to attend mediation,” Dr. Archer offers. I will let them know about my concerns.”
“Okay. I’d appreciate that.”
Dr. Archer doodled on his notepad once more, then shifted his attention to me. “You mentioned you were concerned Corry was still using marijuana?”
“Yes, I am.” I turned to Corry and studied him for a moment. “But honestly, I’m not sure if he is. It’s so hard to tell. I mean, I didn’t even know he was using until I got the call from the police officer.”
Again, Dr. Archer scribbled something on his notepad as he asked, “Have you considered testing him?”
“Yes, but I’ve been a little hesitant to try it.”
“And why is that?”
“I don’t want him to feel like I don’t trust him,” I admitted.
Archer’s brows furrowed. “Can you trust him?”
“For the most part.” I glanced over at my sullen child as I explained, “But there are times when I don’t think he’s being fully honest with me, and I can’t always trust him to do what he is told.”
“Considering his situation with his friends, there’s a good chance they will ask him to use with them again. If he’s being tested, he can use it as an excuse not to use.” Dr. Archer turned to Corry as he told him, “You can just tell them you can’t. That your Mom is drug testing you, and if you come up positive, you’ll be in a heap of trouble.”
Corry didn’t respond. He just rolled his eyes and stared up at the ceiling—which I thought was a good indication that Dr. Archer was right. His buddies were still trying to get him to use with them. I knew it was Corry’s choice whether or not he agreed to go along with them, but I hoped the drug testing would help alleviate some of the temptation. I looked back to Dr. Archer as I told him, “I think it’s worth a try.”
“I definitely think so.” Archer stood as he told us, “Well, that’s about all the time we have for today. I have Corry down for next Tuesday at four.”
“Okay, great.” Corry and I stood, and as we started out of the room, I said, “Thank you for meeting with both of us today.”
“I think it went very well.”
“Me too.”
Corry didn’t say a word as we walked out of the office and headed to the car. He maintained his silence as we got in the car and started home. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
“Are you sure?”
“Um-hmm.”
While he hadn’t admitted it, I knew he was frustrated. It was written all over his face. I’d hoped he’d open up to me a little and tell me what was on his mind, but like always, he kept it all bottled up inside. I could’ve pushed and tried to convince him that he could talk to me, but I knew him well enough to know I needed to give him some time. He needed a chance to think about everything we’d talked about with Archer, so I didn’t say anything to him when we got home. I simply watched as he went into his room and closed the door, shutting me and the rest of the world out.