JCNT - May 2025 Release - Full Release - Flipbook - Page 39
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Shadow: Really??
[Shadow sounded shocked - as if his father had just made a truly absurd claim.]
Dad: Yeah.
Mom: Yes you do.
Shadow: [Sounding almost incredulous] No, I'm the opposite!
[It appeared Shadow had taken on some unfavorable views about the person he
was.]
Dad: No, Pa7.
Mom: No, you do.
Shadow: When was the last time I shared?
[Shadow threw out this question like a challenge as if he knew without a doubt
that he had just stumped his parents with an impossible task. He had also taken
the words right out of my mouth. I waited with anticipation to hear what example
they might come up with, and I was excited to find that they had no difficulties
conjuring up stories of Shadow’s generosity.]
Mom: When your cousins come- like, Ethan. You always like to share your toys.
Shadow: Yeah, but that's because if I don't he's gonna start crying and then Javier
will get mad at me.
Mom: [Sounding skeptical] Oh, really?
Dad: That's not true, Pa.
Shadow: Yes, it is!
[Shadow wasn’t convinced. He appeared to be ready to debate this
characterization of his generosity to the bitter end.]
7
Shadow9s parents often referred to him with this nickname.
The Boy Who Acted Out of Heart
Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy, May2025 Release, p. 29-62.
www.journalnft.com
