– 6 –
Because Cory’s diminished schedule allowed time for community service, she had registered for pro bono work. Today, she was grateful for the distraction. Her first such patient was Elena.
Elena arrived disheveled, barefoot, and ten minutes late. Ambivalence about therapy is often the cause of lateness, remembered Cory, but she resolved to reserve judgment.
“I couldn’t find parking is why I’m late,” Elena blurted.
“I’m sorry. I should have mentioned the reserved parking spaces in my driveway.”
Elena glared at Cory. “Yeah, you should have, instead of making me look hard for parking.”
“I apologized.”
“Yeah, I heard you, lady.”
Elena’s confrontational style, her anger and rudeness were misplaced. Such overreactions usually caused discomfort to those on the receiving end, and Cory
