The hypnosis did the job - you are comfortable 'faking' with the social worker

You couldn't put your finger on the precise change, but you immediately noticed a difference when Pam walked in. "Hey, P...Pam," you greeted her.

You still knew her as your wife of 13 years, the woman you loved more than anything. But you also felt a little intimidated in her presence, now seeing her as some kind of authority figure. You were slightly uncomfortable around her and felt weird calling Pam by her first name.

She picked up on your discomfort. "Steve? Are you feeling okay? Nervous?"

"Yeah, a little," you admitted. "But...that's not it. I just feel a little weird, ya know." You hesitated and added "What should I call you? For now, I mean. With the social worker?"

"I suppose it's too soon for 'Mom'" she said laughing. You frowned at her joke. "How about 'Mrs. Meadows' for now?" she said.

"Mrs. Meadows..." you repeated. "Pretty strange to call my wife that but I guess so..."

Dr. Saunders walked in. "Ready?" he asked. "The social worker is waiting outside. Her name is Jane Peters. I don't really know her but she has worked with the hospital before. Shall I bring her in?"

"Sure," you shrugged. Pam looked at him and said "we may as well get this over with." Dr. Saunders nodded and stepped back out of the room.

You used the time to recall on what Dr. Marks had gone over with you. You focused on the idea of being Jonas rather than Steve. "I'm Jonas Wright, a teenage boy," you repeated over and over. You felt yourself drifting somewhat, almost like when you were in the trance. You relaxed just as a fiftyish, heavyset woman came in.

"I'm Ms. Peters with Social Services," she said introducing herself to Pam. She then looked at you. "Of course Jonas and I are well acquainted, right?"

You nodded casually, amazed that you no longer were nervous. You found it easier and easier to slip into the role of an indifferent teen. "Sure," you said in an bored tone.

The interview didn't take very long. Ms. Peters was polite but had a firm demeanor. She asked you a few questions that you easily answered, focusing her attention more on Pam. She seemed concerned that Pam didn't realize exactly how much she was taking on, pointing out how difficult Jonas had been for his previous foster parents. But Pam deftly addressed all her worries.

She ended the interview convinced to let Pam give you a try. "We'll do an in-depth follow up in a week. I'll come by your house to check on everything and talk to both of you. I'm sure you'll do fine, but the state does have its rules and process to follow."

Pam didn't seem enthused by that prospect but she kept a pleasant smile and thanked Ms. Peters for her time. She visibly relaxed once she left. "Thank goodness that's over!" she said in relief.

Dr. Saunders came in seconds later wanting to know how things went. Pam caught him up while you waited impatiently. Growing bored, you pulled out Jonas's laptop and started browsing the web. You initially planned to catch up on the news but you quickly found that uninteresting and wound up on facebook, looking through Jonas's friends. One of the girls he knew - Nina - caught your eye and you started flipping through her pics.

You tuned out the adult's conversation so well that you missed Pam talking to you. "Steve? ....Steve?" she repeated several times before finally calling out "Jonas!" in a frustrated tone. That grabbed your attention. "Huh? Oh, sorry," you said, embarrassed at not responding to your own name.

Dr. Saunder broke in "Actually Mrs. Meadows, it's probably best to get used to referring to him by that name. You'll be interacting with other people shortly - not to mention the second interview with the social worker. You don't want to slip up."

Pam frowned. "I suppose you're right, but this all feels so strange." She turned back to you. "Well then, 'Jonas'," she said, emphasizing your new name, "the doctor said we can go home. So let's gather your things and get out of here."

You pack your stuff while Pam finishes the paperwork, and you are discharged within the hour. You get back home, hoping to finally relax and 'be yourself'. You start to head to your bedroom when Pam stops you. "Steve, uh, I mean, Jonas....you have your own room now," she said, pointing you toward one of the guest bedrooms. She opened the door and you saw the room had been redecorated for a teenage boy. She had even put up some of Jonas's posters on the wall.

"What are you talking about?" you exclaimed in shock. "I'm going to our room." You turned to go into the master bedroom and she grabbed your arm. "Listen to me!" she said forcefully. "My mom and sister are coming in tonight to stay. 'Steve's' funeral is in two days, and they wanted to come to comfort me and help out. And we'll probably have other visitors. So we better act appropriately for at least this next week; my new teenage foster son would be in his own bedroom, not sleeping with me!"