PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Delicate as a spider-web sparkling with morning dew,
the mood in the room
could break at any time.
A mandated reporter sits opposite a young girl, the two of them alone in a world of sanitized surfaces, medical cheat-sheets, and rambunctious cartoon animals. After a moment of silence, the woman says,
“This is a safe space. You can tell me anything.”
***
This is my entry for Friday Fictioneers <- click the link to enter your own story or read others!
Thanks Rochelle for this week’s prompt!
Many years ago, I was a child abuse investigator for a county in Southern California so this sounds familiar. “Safe space” isn’t an absolute since the child may be terrified of the “mandated reporter” (counselor/therapist) reporting the abuse and the ensuing chaos of social workers, police, and the courts becoming involved, even if all that is necessary to protect the child.
Thanks for catching that James and also for your service. I originally titled this Safe Space? with a question mark for that reason. As a survivor, I feel all of that deeply. I sometimes think “what if” … someone had believed me … before more kids came forward. What if I had expressed myself more clearly.
And then, you can never know. Thanks again.
Why does it not feel safe to me?
Nicely donne, Anne.
The trust is implied, but doesn’t feel right.
This does have a sinister atmosphere I’m not sure you would feel safe in this space – good piece 🙌
When those who are supposed to protect you (i.e. your parents) don’t, there is no safe space to a child. I feel so bad for this young child, who may end up going to foster home just as bad if not worse than what she was taken from. Children are always the ones who suffer. Thanks for broaching this sensitive topic, Anne.
You are so right Lisa. Anne, this story is scarier than any creepy dolls heads. The well-meaning adults sometimes can do very little to make the child feel safe. As a former teacher, I was so upset when Virginia (USA) elected Youngkin governor and he gave all the rights to the parents and policed the schools and teachers. Sometimes, a parent can be a child’s worst enemy and an abuser.
❤
I hope it really was safe.
Great opening line. It sets the mood for what follows well.
I love the spider web analogy at the start. I hope this safe space is the beginning of a safer life for the little girl, but heart aches for how true this story is.
Dear Anne,
I have the feeling that the child isn’t feeling all that safe. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Oooooo i don’t feel safe at all. Beautifully written