The Past is Another Land

Sammy held Adam's hand while the she, Adam, Lennon, and Monte sat in Elliot's office. They'd been there for a half an hour almost, and so far no one was talking. Elliot sat up in his chair as he turned to face the family. "Monte, why don't we start with you, okay?" Monte gave a shy nod. "What do you like to do for fun Monte?" Elliot asked. "I play baseball," said Monte. Elliot nodded. "Lennon, what about you?"

"I dance." Lennon said, shrugging his shoulders, not looking up from his phone. "...and play guitar." He added after a pause, a small smile on his face.

Adam was watching Lennon and frowned at his not so enthusiastic response. He didn't bother saying anything though, seeing as he didn't really want to talk either about the reason they'd actually agreed to come for.

Monte nodded and smiled at his brother's response. "Len's a real good dancer," he said. Elliot nodded. "You like watching your brother dance, Monte?" Elliot asked. Monte nodded again. "Uh huh." Elliot gave a small smile. "And why's that?" "Len's happy when he dances," Monte replied. "I like it when he's happy."

Hearing Monte's words, Lennon slowly looked up, smiling at his younger brother. "That's part of why I play guitar," He said to Monte. "You like it when I play..."

Monte nodded with a smile. "Uh huh." Elliot watched the two with a smile.

"Oh, Monte," Lennon said, temporarily forgetting where they were, talking to Monte as if they were sitting at home. "Dad said he'd teach me how to sing that song from Chess..."

"The one Mama likes?" Monte asked.

Lennon smiled and nodded. "Yeah that one," He said before quietly muttering "Lennon likes it too."

Monte laughed softly. "Why do you do that?"

"Do what?" Lennon asked, frowning. "It's a good song, people are allowed to like it."

"Not that," said Monte. "The way you said it."

"What about it?" Lennon asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It sounds funny," Monte chuckled.

"Didn't do anything funny though," Lennon said, looking back down at his phone. "Just said I liked the song."

"Gimme that thing," said Monte, taking the phone. "You're always doin' somethin' on it."

"Hey!" Lennon said, frowning and reaching out for it. "Give it back!"

"Lennon...we're supposed to be here to talk." Adam said quietly.

"Well I don't wanna." Lennon said, folding his arms.

"Nope," said Monte, putting it in his pocket. Elliot chuckled. "Are they always like this?"

"But it's miiiiine." Lennon whined, pouting.

"Either this or they're very close, like how they were talking before." Adam said, smiling.

"It was yours," said Monte, poking Lennon's side. "Now it's mine." Elliot nodded. "They're very close to each other, I can tell."

"No...no it's not..." Lennon said, giggling as Monte poked him.

"Very protective of each other too." Adam nodded.

"Is so," said Monte. Elliot nodded. "What about you, what's your relationship with them like?"

Lennon shook his head, sticking his tongue out at Monte afterwards.

"Pretty good." Adam said, glancing over at Sammy.

"Monte tends to have a closer bond with Adam," said Sammy. "Lennon more so with me." "You've mentioned this in previous sessions," said Elliot. "Adam, would you aggree that's an accurate observation?"

Adam nodded. "Yes, I would. Obviously though were very close to both the boys."

Elliot nodded. "Of course, it's not uncommon for a child to favor one parent over the other, it happens in almost every family." Elliot turned to watch the boys again. "Lennon seems to be the more guarded of the two," he commented. "He gets that from you Adam, does he not?"