Smoke and mirrors

I SAT ON THE OTHER SIDE of the mirror, observing an interview between a counselor and a victim of sexual abuse. I was at a private center that provides a safe site for videotaping investigative interviews with kids who have been sexually or severely physically abused, or who have witnessed violence. My charge: to take notes for a case manager who couldn't leave the office to attend this forensic interview.

The volume on the computer was turned down so low I had difficulty hearing the young person's voice. The counselor's words were as clear as the ringing of a bell. Luckily she did a lot of echoing back to her young client. I found a volume control on the speaker and cranked it up as loud as it went. Still the child's words were mere mumblings.

I finally got up out of the chair I'd been sitting in -- in the tiny little room that held the video equipment and computer -- and sat down on the floor where I could both hear the counselor and read the child's lips. I didn't want to miss a thing.

After the family left, the counselor and I sat on a couch and discussed the case. I stayed at the center until 8 p.m. (I had arrived at 3:20 p.m.)

I am exhausted. And I feel honored to have been allowed to witness this process.

~Ms. T. J.

Smoke and mirrors