A Father's Concerns

Posted on Tue Nov 11th, 2025 @ 8:40pm by Business Employee Kaden Martell & Counselor Kaelyth Solmarr

Mission: What Lies In The Darkness
Location: Kaelyth's Office
Timeline: 248001.02 1100

Kaelyth sat at his desk going over his appointments for the week. Already, there were a good number, though not overwhelmingly so. He looked at each name, then read the dossier that went with it. He had made his way as far as three days from now when the sound of the door chime called his attention. Glancing up, he called, "Enter."

The door opened and Kaden stepped inside. He immediately took in the room. It was modern, comfortable, and had a homey feeling. Knowing Kaelyth hadn't been expecting him for a couple more days and that it had been a long time since they last talked, he then gave his usual uneven smile before saying, "Long time, no see."

Kaelyth blinked, head canting off to the side in his customary pose of confusion. He was not scheduled to meet with Kaden for a couple more days, and so the man's presence here today was unexpected. But the well-trained Counselor in him took over almost immediately and pointed out that there must be something wrong.

"It has, but we are scheduled for two days from now," he answered, motioning for Kaden to take a seat and make himself comfortable. "Has something happened?" He stood and moved to the table that held his tea as he asked that.

Kaden breathed in deeply, through his nose, before nodding as he went over to the proffered seat. He sat down, running his hands down his legs. "I got a job," he said. It was a big deal, his first one since the accident. "I guess I'm feeling a little apprehensive, though I'm uncertain why I would." he looked away as he thought about it. "It's Jacob's first day at school, too."

Kaelyth silently poured two mugs of an herbal tea that was meant to be relaxing. One of these, he handed to Kaden as he sat on the couch across from the other man. "Such apprehension is understandable, Kaden," he told the other with his usual warmth and kindness. "This is the first time you have been back to work since the accident, yes?" The questioning end of that statement was an encouragement for Kaden to not only confirm this -- both men already knew this fact -- but to elaborate on the feelings that fact brought forward in his mind. Jacob's return to school would be addressed as well, but one thing at a time.

One corner of Kaden's mouth had lifted in thanks for the tea. He then nodded at the question. "I know I shouldn't, but I feel guilty," he admitted.

Taking a sip of his own tea, Kaelyth studied the other man for a moment. "Guilty for what precisely?" he asked, a gentle prod.

Kaden took a needed moment before answering. "Moving on without my wife. I know..." he lifted a hand, "I've been through all the counseling for survivor's guilt, and I know it wasn't my fault, but when I got the job, I just wanted to tell her the good news, but I can't. It's just..." He leaned forward to rub his hands together. "It's just hard taking another step forward without her."

As a Counselor, Kaelyth was trained to sympathize with his patients but maintain a professional distance. This, however, was something he could completely understand and empathize with. He took a breath and let it out. "I will spare you all of the things that we are taught, as Counselors, to say to that," he began, lowering his mug to his knee. "Instead, I will tell you that I understand this place you are in emotionally. And you are correct; it is difficult. But this is one of those times when the only way out is through." He let some of the true understanding slip into his voice as he spoke, showing the other man that not only was he not alone, but that Kaelyth could say this because he had walked the path himself. Sometimes all the platitudes in the multiverse were meaningless and what a patient needed was for someone to say 'Hey, I've done it, and you can too. You're not alone on this road." So that was what kaelyth was offering just now, even though he really did not want to rehash that particular horrible time in his life.

Kaden nodded as the meaning of what Kaelyth said soaked in. "Yeah. I have to...even more for Jacob than myself. It's just..." he pictured her, falling onto the couch next to him, them laughing and both tickling a very young Jacob as he climbed over both their laps, "she was the glue that held us together, and some days are just hard."

Kaelyth nodded, images of Enyrra and Siyarra invading his consciousness then. "Again, I understand," he told Kaden. "But I encourage you not to make the very common mistake of trying to protect him from your pain. I know that, as a parent, we feel that we must be strong for our children. But sometimes, what they need more than our strength is our connection. They need to see that they are not alone in their pain. Help each other heal and move forward... together." The words were meant as encouragement, and his tone showed that as much as he radiated that feeling.

Kaden exhaled heavily before nodding. "I've tried. It's just... I'm just not always good at opening up," he replied, and, trying not to resign himself to that fact, extended his hand toward the counselor, "Well, you know...but I'm going to keep trying."

Kaelyth nodded. He did know. "That is not uncommon in your situation, Kaden," he told the other man truthfully. "The key is that you keep trying. He may resist; that is the nature of teenaged boys. But never give up on that connection. Eventually, he will respond and be grateful for it."

One corner of Kaden's mouth lifted to his usual half-smile again as he listened to what Kaelyth had to say. "We've been getting along lately, and I'm grateful for that, but I know how that can change easily. Things could easily go back to where it feels like I can't say anything right."

Kaelyth nodded. "That is true, but that is also normal. Teenagers can be very... moody." Was that the correct word in this language? It sounded correct. "But that also means that, if you give them long enough, their mood swings back in your favor," he counseled, the words being serious and true, though there was a note of levity to his tone that implied that the wording itself was meant to be somewhat in jest.

Kaden nodded in understanding. "Considering I'm bartending again, I'll be working a split shift. This way I can still be there for him, available, when he's not in school."

Kaelyth nodded. "That is a good plan," he encouraged. "But at the same time, the trick with teenagers seems to be to let them come to you, but I am certain that you already know this, yes?" The questioning tone was designed to elicit more of an affirmation than to question whether or not Kaelyth had 'guessed' correctly.

Taking in another deep breath, Kaden replied, "Although I've had to learn the hard way, yes, I do." He then started to stand, taking in a quick swallow of his drink, before saying, "I should be going, counselor. Thank you for giving me this time. I just needed to talk."

Kaelyth stood with him, nodding. "Of course. That is what I am here for. My door is always open."

"And I appreciate it. See you in a couple of days." Kaden gave him one last smile and left.

~END~