Backing Up To Therapy

Chapter 1
Worries and Concerns

Chapter Description: Tom did a bad thing again, and this time it's to big to go away. His parents made a deal with the judge for an alternative to incarceration. Well, they found one.

Tom was arrested for being involved in a crime. For Tom’s parents, it was a "not again" situation. Tom has been arrested multiple times before, and his parents had to go at the police station in order to bail him out. He was arrested for at least 10 times a year. And since he was a minor, the authorities decided, for most of the time, to let the matter drop and ordered Tom for counseling and such. However, it wasn’t that effective, and his parents have the right to be concerned.

They should be, because Tom had been arrested for an involvement in a bank robbery.

"I don’t know what to do, Jim," said Teri, Tom’s mom. She was crying her heart out while resting her face on her husband’s shoulder. The news of Tom got involved in such things devastated her.

"Me too," Jim said in a sad tone, "We’ve tried everything, and nothing worked,"

"Tell me something I don’t know, Jim," Teri said again, sobbing harder, "Out Tom was a good little boy. I don’t know why he did such a thing,"

The hall outside the courtroom was an atmosphere of eerie calm. A few minutes ago was when Tom was sentenced to juvenile detention until he turned 21. Apparently, the judge was quick to make that decision. Unsurprisingly, though, considering how cumulative Tom’s record was. Further investigation revealed that Tom was an accessory to murder, involved in illegal substance sales, possessing a firearm illegally, and committed some really heinous stuff that really disgusted his parents.

One thing Jim and Teri didn’t understand was why their sweet, nice, and caring only son turned into a monster of biblical proportions. They raised him for 17 years and they had been striving to be good parents. This thought made Teri sobbed harder. Jim was in a dilemma, as well, and seemed to want to break down and cry, too.

Before long, however, there was one person appeared in front of them. It was Judge York, now out of his judge’s robe and wig.

"Your honor, how can we help you?" Jim said.

"Actually, it is really about how I can help you, Mr. and Mrs. Salem," Judge York said, "If you really think Tom deserves a second chance, there is one way,"

Teri quickly stood up, eager to hear it. "What? There is a way to get my baby out of jail?" she said.

"And expunge his records forever, but it’s a little complicated than that, which is why I would like you to come with me right now," Judge York said.

The Salems followed the judge’s car for about 20 minutes around the city. Of course, they had no idea where they were going but if it’s about getting their son out of jail and no rap sheet to come with it, they followed closely and patiently. Then, after a left turn on the traffic light, the Salems got to the hospital, which is also for medical research and training.

"Well, he could say go to the hospital," Jim said.

As they found a parking space, they followed the judge to enter a building they never entered before. This was the newest section of the hospital built after it was renovated 6 months ago. Inside, it wasn’t like a regular hospital, but rather like a corporate building with a receptionist on the front desk and elegant furnishing and internal decorating.

"I would like to see Doctor Jamil, please," Judge York told the secretary, "Tell him it’s Judge York and it concerns a matter of only he can know,"

"One moment please," the receptionist said.

Judge York turned to the Salems, who were in confusion and wonder.

"Excuse me, your honor, but how does a doctor can help our son out of jail and his records clean?" Teri said.

Judge York only smiled at them, saying, "I think you will have a second chance, as well,"

The receptionist told them that the doctor was ready to see them, so the judge led the Salems to an elevator and went up to the third floor. This time, it looked more like a research lab, with multiple rooms and laboratories. They saw medical students went up and down the halls, and a cadaver passed by them, freaking out Teri for a moment. After a short walk around the corner, they reached a door. The judge knocked on the door and opened it.

"Hey, Judge York! Nice to see you! Come in," Doctor Jamil said, "And you brought some people with you too,"

Jim and Teri walked in behind Judge York. Jim had the courtesy to close the door behind him and he sat down beside his wife. The doctor only smiled the whole time. They introduced themselves and exchanged greetings

"Nice to see, too, doctor," said Judge York.

"So, why are you here today?" said Doctor Jamil.

"The son of these two, well, I’ve sentenced him to juvie. I think I felt that the kid should get a second chance," said York.

"Oh. Then you want your son back, huh?" said the doctor again.

"Yes! And Judge York said you can help him, and help us," Teri said, "How is that, exactly?"

"I will explain to you in a moment, but it is more complex than you might think. Please bear with me," said Doctor Jamil.