Page 11 of Toxic Salvation
“This is Dr. Christina Paige,” Dean Thomas explains. “She’s our school counselor and a licensed child psychologist. She’s been working with Luka.”
“‘Working with him’?” Kovan snarls. “What the hell does that mean?”
Dr. Paige doesn’t flinch. She meets Kovan’s intimidating stare with calm professionalism, completely unbothered and unmoved by his display of anger.
I like her immediately.
“It means,” Dr. Paige says evenly, “that Luka has been struggling, Mr. Krayev. And after the conversations I’ve had with him over the past few weeks, I’d say this meeting is long overdue.”
“Nobody told me he was seeing a therapist,” he says with a scowl.
“It’s standard protocol when a student is consistently disruptive in class,” Dean Thomas explains. “Luka has been acting out for several weeks now.”
“Acting out how?” I can’t help asking.
Kovan shoots me a warning look, but I ignore him.
“Fighting, mostly,” Dr. Paige says. “Both verbal and physical altercations with other students. Defiance toward teachers. Refusal to participate in classroom activities.”
My stomach drops. This doesn’t sound like the Luka I know at all.
“He’s just adjusting,” Kovan says tightly. “It’s been a difficult transition, but?—”
“Is that what you call it?” Dr. Paige interrupts. “Because Luka describes it differently. He tells me he’s angry all the time. That he can’t sleep. He doesn’t understand why the people he loves keep disappearing from his life.”
I sink into the chair next to Kovan without thinking, my legs suddenly unable to support me. “I’m not disappearing,” I whisper. “I would never?—”
“But you did,” Dr. Paige says gently. “From Luka’s perspective, you were part of his family one day and gone the next. Just like his father.”
The parallel she’s drawing is unmistakable, and it makes me want to vomit. Or cry. Possibly both.
“That wasn’t my choice,” I say, hating how defensive I sound.
“I’m aware of that. Luka is aware of that, too, which is why he’s so angry with his uncle.” Dr. Paige’s gaze shifts to Kovan. “He blames you for her absence, Mr. Krayev. And that anger is affecting every aspect of his life.”
Kovan’s hands are clenched into fists on his thighs. “What are you suggesting?”
“I’m suggesting that you allow Luka to spend time with Dr. Fairfax. Supervised visits, perhaps, with clear boundaries about?—”
“Absolutely not.” Kovan stands abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor. “We’re done here.”
“Mr. Krayev—” Dean Thomas starts.
“I appreciate your concern, but I know what’s best for my nephew.” Kovan’s voice is flat, final. “I expect Vesper’s name to be removed from Luka’s emergency contact information immediately.”
He’s already moving toward the door when Dr. Paige speaks again. “Mr. Krayev, you recently gained full legal custody of Luka, is that correct?”
Kovan freezes with his hand on the doorknob.
“If you want to keep that custody,” Dr. Paige continues, still calm but with an edge of steel beginning to show, “then I suggest you reconsider your position. Because right now, Luka is exhibiting signs of severe emotional distress. If that continues, Social Services might have to become involved.”
Kovan’s shoulders are so tense that I can see the muscles straining against his suit jacket. “Are you threatening me?”
“I’m informing you,” Dr. Paige replies. “As Luka’s advocate, it’s my responsibility to ensure his emotional wellbeing. And at this transitional stage in his life, he needs stability. He needs the people he loves to be consistent presences.”
“Iam a consistent presence.”
“You’re his guardian, yes. But according to Luka, you’ve been distant lately. Preoccupied. He feels like he’s lost you, too, in a way.”
