Chapter 169: The Start of A new therapy approach

"The hits just keep coming don’t they?" sighed Natsumi, looking over the genetic analysis data, as Kavitha and Alexandria sat opposite her in her office.

"Dr. Kitagawa, this just indicates a potential. It has no bearing on Annette’s psychosis as far as I know," said Alexandria.

"No bearing? That potential is the direct reason she’s bought into the whole dogma of her ideology. The timeline checks out. If she was fed her ideology during her more formative years, meaning during college. Those tenants would have stuck, and calcified long before this little mutation unlocked her full capacities. She now has the cognitive ability to question them, but the dogma is so entwined with her identity, that it twists any attempt to reason out of that box into a perceived attack on her identity, which in turn causes these meltdowns," sighed Natsumi.

"So that means, she knows her stance is flawed?" asked Kavitha.

"No, it is similar to how religious zealots operate. The more you try to push back on their convictions, the stronger they get. Each of Ivan’s interventions, only makes her more certain that he’s an evil patriarch she needs to fight. You need some serious deprogramming to fix that. Most people would rather die than change their views when they run that deep," said Natsumi.

"Is there any hope?" asked Alexandria, maternal concern written in her face.

"I honestly don’t know. Right now, I’m just relieved that she hasn’t killed herself or anyone yet. But that’s only part of the picture. Take a look at these," said Natsumi, showing Kavitha and Alexandria a stack of IQ test results.

"What are we looking at?" asked Kavitha.

"These are Aaron Zakhrov’s IQ tests and assessments from when he was 10. I was very lucky that Ivan still had them. As you can see, his scores are up in the 99.9th percentile. His spatial reasoning is somewhat lower than his other scores, so drawing isn’t his strong suit, but when it comes to engineering and software, the guy is unparalleled. Now take a look at Mikaela’s scores. They’re not as high, but they’re still in the 90 percentile bracket. The problem here is, both of them have cognitive intelligence that is an order of magnitude higher than Annette’s. She is completely outclassed by her kids, so any attempt at trying to teach them her ideology is going to get questioned and dismantled with an ease she cannot hope to match. This is a recipe for disaster," said Natsumi.

"What about Ivan?" asked Alexandria.

"I don’t have Ivan’s assessments, but from how he’s handling things, he’s right up there with Aaron and Mikaela on the smarts. It only creates further isolation for Annette," sighed Natsumi.

"Well, thanks for seeing us Doctor. I don’t envy your position," said Alexandria, standing up to leave with Kavitha.

"Still, this has given me some valuable insights, thanks Dr. Messerschmitt and Dr. Khan," said Natsumi, shaking hands with Alexandria and Kavitha before they left.

---

"You said I’d be out of these things, Doc," said Annette, twisting in her restraints, as Natsumi entered her room.

"One thing at a time. First, I want you to know, that you are not crazy. OK?" said Natsumi, unlocking Annette’s restraints.

"I could have told you that," said Annette rubbing her hands.

"Crazy people believe they are the sane ones and everyone around them is crazy. But I digress. What I’m trying to say is, I’ve finally got some clarity over what the hell is happening between you and the rest of your family. Hate to break it to you, Annette, but you’re a normal person surrounded by high IQ intellectuals. Mikaela’s IQ test scores are in the 90th percentile. She isn’t the certified genius Aaron is, but she is still on the very high end of the scale," said Natsumi.

"So?" asked Annette.

"So, a kid of her level of intelligence cannot be dictated to, or forced to accept beliefs. I’m not asking you to give up on your beliefs. What I’m begging you to do, is not try to force them on Mikaela, it will not work," said Natsumi.

"I can’t lose her to Ivan’s Patriarchal view, Doc. I simply can’t," said Annette, starting to cry.

"You won’t. Mikaela still has enough love and empathy for your position. But you need to show her love, and not try to put your beliefs into her. You do that, and she’ll respect your beliefs, even if she doesn’t agree with them. You force them, and history will repeat itself," said Natsumi.

"I don’t know how I can do that. She won’t eat what I give her, any kind of boundary I try to set gets violated, and any kind of discipline or correction gets Ruth and Edward involved and me thrown in a loony bin!" said Annette bitterly.

"OK, let’s take this one step at a time. First, the question of food. Why the boxed stuff? You can buy and cook fresh vegetables every day, so why force microwave dinners and other synthetic meat substitutes?" asked Natsumi, sitting down and holding Annette’s hands in hers to make her feel safe.

"It is far more convenient. Plus, cutting and cooking vegetables are far too cumbersome. I refuse to stay in the kitchen for more than the bare minimum necessary," said Annette.

"I see, and why is that?" asked Natsumi.

"Because I’m a working woman, not some suppressed housewife or maid," said Annette.

"Then why not hire a chef or a nanny? You could have easily afforded it before Ivan cut off the alimony checks, and even now he would definitely not have a problem with it," asked Natsumi.

"No. I’m not letting somebody else cook and clean for me. I do what I can, as independently as possible. Besides, I’m not contributing to capitalist exploitation of the less fortunate," said Annette.

"Why didn’t you let Ivan cook when you were married to him?" asked Natsumi.

"He makes dead animal! And when I ask him to go vegan, he condescends that if he’s doing the cooking, it’s going to be what he wants! And I’m not about to make my own things if he’s doing the cooking. That defeats the purpose of letting him cook in the first place!" snapped Annette.

"OK, why did you marry Ivan in the first place?" asked Natsumi.

"Hmph! That wasn’t a choice I went along with willingly, Doc. My misguided parents were terrified of what I had become, and practically forced the issue! Ivan was actually the son of their own close neighbors and friends. When they set us up, he was actually pretty progressive - he helped me with my studies, helped me get a teaching job at Boston Public, didn’t force me into the kitchen, or ask me to change my beliefs. My parents already did plenty of that with forcing me to the altar and then forcing me to have children. About the only thing I could push back on was to do it via IVF! Things only really started to get out of hand when Aaron hit twelve and developed his obsession with high heels. Can you believe that he forced me to wear a pair for him? That was the most humiliating experience I ever had! My own mother couldn’t get me into them, and my half-pint brat of a kid drags me to a shoe store to experience what he called the epitome of civilized society! I should have beat the stuffing out of him then and there!" ranted Annette.

"OK, ok. Maybe Aaron was a forced decision, why Mikaela?" asked Natsumi, trying to calm Annette down.

"Mikaela was my choice. My home had become far to alienating with Ivan and Aaron going full patriarch. I needed something to anchor me. I thought a daughter would be that. A child I wanted to give birth to on my own terms. Only that’s backfired as well, from what you’ve told me," said Annette, subdued again.

"Why not try again? Start over in Portland or Hollywood, or even here in Boston, just without Ivan and Mikaela? You’re still fertile, why not take another shot?" asked Natsumi.

"I can’t do that all by myself Doc. The idea of having some random man’s kid just sends a shiver down my spine! Plus, I’m now certified over trying to date another man. I might be willing if Ivan agrees to walk away, and not stake a claim if I have another girl, but we both know that’s not going to happen," said Annette.

"I see, so you’re not averse to the idea of having children, if it is from Ivan?" asked Natsumi.

"Don’t twist my words Doc! I’m saying I’m done with men, even Ivan! But if I’m going to try to have another child, I’d rather have one from someone I know, than from an anonymous sperm bank!" snapped Annette.

"We’re saying the same thing, but that’s neither here nor there as you pointed out. So, let’s work on your relationship with Mikaela shall we? First order of business is to validate her sacrifice. It is not her job to try and manage your anger and other issues. So I want you to make it clear to her that you’ll take care of yourself. That needs to happen," said Natsumi.

"You know, it was a lot easier for me when Sky was around," sighed Annette.

"In what way?" asked Natsumi.

"My life actually felt complete, having a non-binary ally who shared my views. My morning and evening commute with them was my bright spot, compared to the rest of Pine Springs that was being occupied by the SZPD at the time," said Annette.

"I see, why did Sky leave?" asked Natsumi.

"That wasn’t my fault! Ivan went full animal! He threw Sky right through the coffee table, and threatened to kill them! They left right after that disastrous incident," said Annette.

"Why did Ivan do that?" asked Natsumi.

"Because he disapproved of what I was trying to teach Mikaela! He called it poison," said Annette.

"I see, so you were happy when Sky was around. Why don’t Ruth and Edward give you the same comfort?" asked Natsumi.

"Despite their declarations to the contrary, they are not my allies. They fully align with Ivan’s worldview. Ruth has even gone so far as to quit being my lawyer, and hitch herself to Mikaela. And don’t get me started on Edward! Retired naval captain is bad enough! Him justifying police brutality and calling the cops on me is no way to treat me!" ranted Annette.

"All right, Annette. I want you to take deep breaths, in and out, in and out," said Natsumi, as Annette took deep shuddering breaths which calmed her down.

"Now, listen very carefully. If you want others to take your beliefs seriously, then you need to stop fighting them every step of the way. Do you understand?" asked Natsumi.

"Yes," said Annette, tears starting to form.

"OK. I’m bringing Mikaela in now," said Natsumi, rising to leave.