Back Roads

Harley goes to his appointment with Betty and refuses to take off his father’s jacket even though it is hot. He is distracted by a pretty woman in the parking lot outside. Betty notices and asks him what he finds attractive in women. Harley grows uncomfortable and tries to change the subject. Harley asks how someone who is abused could love their abuser. Betty tells him that sometimes an abused person comes to rely on the abuse, but each time she tries to ask Harley how he felt about his father, he refuses to let her make it about him. He sees the word “me” floating in the air. Then he asks about people who are sexually abused. Betty asks if he’s talking about Misty, and this causes Harley to ask her what she knows about Misty. Betty denies knowing anything since she only treated Misty for a short time. Betty asks if Harley believes Amber was sexually abused by their father. Harley denies it, claiming his mother never allowed Amber to be alone with their father during the day. Betty asks about the nighttime, gently asking him to consider how Amber felt about the physical abuse. Harley has a flash of memory that causes him to have a panic attack.