Jenny sat all the way up and fell against the back of the sofa.  “What do you want me to do?”

“What do you think you should do?”

“Maybe you should go back to Chicago for a while.  Maybe your mom and dad will help you,” Shane considered aloud.

“That’s not an option,” Jenny said softly.

Carmen stared at her, then turned to Shane.  She pressed her lips together, biting down on them and then she sighed. “All righty.  I’m going back to bed.”  She stood up and left the room.

“Shane, I’m so sorry.  I don’t want to encroach on your relationship with Carmen.  I know you’re just getting started.  I’m sorry I cut myself and I’m sorry I’m having these dreams and disturbing everyone.”

“Hey, Mark’s sleeping okay out in the shed.”

“Yeah, no matter what happens, Mark gets his 8 hours.”

“Carmen’s probably right,” Jenny said softly.  “I need something.  I don’t know what to do.”

“Do you think you can talk to your Mom?”  Shane didn’t know what Jenny’s history was, but she had a feeling her stepfather might have some involvement.  Shane had spent a long time on the streets and saw the result of childhood sexual abuse.  Jenny had all of the classic signs.

“Yeah, I could call her.”

“I’m thinking you might need more than a therapist.”

“What do you mean?”

“A clinic like Carmen said.” Shane tried to sound nonchalant, but she heard the meaning in her own voice.

“You think I need an insane asylum?”

“No.”  Shane laughed.  “No, no.  I was totally not saying that.”

“I think you’re right.”  Jenny nodded her head, lost in her own scenario of life in a sanitarium.  “I could rest, take long walks in the garden, play checkers, and do art projects, while listening to orderlies speak to me condescendingly.  That should make me better.”

“I think some in-patient like care would help you.”

“I know.  I am holding it together because of you, but I feel like…like I’m spinning out of control and at some point I’ll just spin out of the universe and not exist,” Jenny confided. 

“Carmen’s right.  We can’t help you through that.”

“I’m a burden.”

“You’re not Jen.  It’s just that your issues are bigger than us.”