Tag: Renee Broke

“So, uh, what is this thing?”

“It’s a device to detect your deepest troubles. The more progress we make in helping you, the more progress you’ll make into growing from a seedling to a sprout, then a flower… maybe you’ll make it all the way to a tall tree!”

“… I don’t think flowers grow into trees.”

“Oh the things I can teach you, dear.”

“So what do I do?”

“I need you to answer this one question: are you really happy?”

“I already told you, I feel fine.”

ZzzzZZAAP!!

“Gah! What the hell was that?”

“That’s the machine detecting that your inner troubles are being suppressed.”

“Ah, my head!!”

“Just be open and honest this time, dear.”

“Well, my head hurts, for one thing.”

“Mmhm…”

“And I’m frustrated I have a long way to go to get on testosterone.”

“Hmmnn….”

“And just talking and being outside is really draining.”

“See, wasn’t that easy? No zaps this time!”

“Here we are! The right room this time!”

“I’m going to ask you a few questions, and I’d like for you to answer as honestly as possible. Is that doable?”

“That seems pretty easy. I’m in!”

“Now, would you say you’re happy right now?”

“Right now? I’m… fine, I guess?”

“That’s a common response, but I have the perfect device to help you really tap into all your inner troubles!”

“That computer on your desk?”

“No, silly! That’s for Top Level readings. Since you’re just a little seedling, we need something a little… louder.”

“Welcome! Renee, is it?”

“Yeah, uh, for now, I guess.”

“I am so glad you saw that flyer at your school and thought to contact me! You have a bright future ahead of you! Imagine your name in lights! Real or stage name, we can make it happen!”

“Well, it wasn’t just the flyer. My new psychiatrist–”

“Oh hush about those people! I’m going to show you how you, yourself, can make everything happen!”

“Well, who’s gonna get me T?”

“I’ll make you some tea! Come on inside and we’ll get started! Follow me, please.”

“I want to thank you for opening up to me as much as you did. Next month I’d like you to bring your mother, if that’s okay.”

“Great! And then I can start T next month, right?”

“Um, about that…” 

“Hm?”

“You know the saying ‘Monte Vista wasn’t built in a day,’ correct?”

“Yeah…?”

“It will be a while, a long while, until I have enough information on your case to prescribe you with anything. This first session was a great start, but I can’t just hand you a referral to an endocrinologist until we’ve gone through all the steps required.”

“An endocri-what?”

“An endocrinologist. Someone who is specialized in hormones and hormone treatment.”

“So you wouldn’t be giving me testosterone anyway!?”

“I’m afraid that’s the case.”

“So what am I supposed to do until then?”

“Maybe find some way to pass the time? Like an activity of some sort.”

“Well, my friend Connor always wanted me to join him in a school play…”

“That’s a great idea! Which reminds me, I know someone who holds acting workshops on the weekends. Ever heard of a woman named Erin Beaker?”

“Yeah! Her name’s on the flyers outside my school!”

“Maybe pay her a visit sometime. Tell her Pascal said hi, too. Though she hasn’t wanted to speak to me for some reason…”

“Alright, can you tell me about why you’re here?”

“Well, I kinda was hoping here was where I can get started on testosterone.”

“I’m afraid we’ll have to do a little more before we can make a decision like that.”

“Yeah, I figured it wouldn’t be that easy. So, uh… what are those things I need to do?”

“Well, for starters, let’s start with some questions…”

“Hello! You must be Renee Broke?”

“Yup! Sorry my parents dropped me off. Dr. Curious, right?”

“You can call me Pascal if you like.”

“And you’re, like, gonna make my life not suck, right?”

“I can certainly try, but remember, this is just our first meeting.”

“Oh, yeah. I forgot.”

“Hey, Connor, wanna come to my house after school? My parents are picking up my grandma Brandi from my uncles’ house, so they’ll be out long enough for us to watch ‘Moonlight Massacre III: Uncut and Bloodier’!”

“Mmm… I’m sorry, I’ve got my first practice today, and I can’t miss it.”

“What kind of practice?”

“Well, you know that sports center down the street?”

“Yeah?”

“They’re starting a swim team there, and my parents knew how much I love Joel Vidal, so they signed me up for the team.”

“Oh my Watcher, the Joel Vidal? I know him! He’s the champion swimmer, right?”

“He’s so cute, right? Honestly, I’d say he was my first celebrity crush.”

“You have no idea how much I’d kill to have a body like his.”

“Ohmigosh saaaame! I hope if I swim enough, I can look as hot as he does in a speedo, ‘cause obviously, not everyone can pull that off.”

“Oh man, I hope you do!”

“I’d still really like to see the movie with you, though. But with this new swim team, plus homework, play rehearsal, piano lessons, tutoring, retaking all my standardized tests until I get at least 95%… It’s all so much, I can’t slack, especially for junior year.”

“Wow! Well, uh, good luck, I guess.”

“So, haven’t you… you know, come out to anyone yet? Even just to your parents?”

“I don’t think I understand. What’s to ‘come out’ about?”

“You know, that you’re gay. I mean, you did say you’re only into guys, after all.”

“I’m not sure I get it. It’s just something my parents know. No big deal, really. Do your parents treat it like one?”

“Well, yeah. I think. I guess, maybe. I never really asked.”

“So is that why you haven’t picked a name out yet?”

“Pretty much. Plus, you’d be surprised how little ‘R’ names there are that don’t sound like a middle aged dad.”

“Good point.”