Diary/Journal/Whatever is Manly

Chapter 6

"Well, we still have to undergo some tests. But, for now let's just try to keep him out of high pressure situations."

"He's an university student, it comes with the territory." Misty interrupted the doctors instructions.

"I understand that, but..."

"Especially considering that it's crunch time with major works and all."

"Are you always so pessimistic? Cause I know a very good therapist." The doctor asked, concerned about the girl who was in front of him. It seemed as though she was completely unbothered by everything that was happening around her. 

"I have no use for your therapist, I already have one of my own. He says I'm a realist, not a pessimist, there's a difference." 

"Just try, as much as you can, okay?" Dr Travis was ready to bolt from the situation. It seemed as though he always got the crazy cases.

"I still don't know know why we are still here, or why you are directing these instructions to us. See this boy standing here, this is the person you should be talking to. Dennis this is the doctor, doctor this is Dennis. Dennis is Tyler's best friend. Seeing as though I have had one interaction with Tyler, any and all monitoring duties would be completely useless to bestow upon me, because we do not run in the same circles."

"I'm sure having a second opinion wouldn't hurt. I'm telling you, Stella is an excellent therapist." The doctor did not have an answer to Misty's bluntness. Completely, shocked by her apathy, he really felt as though a therapist would do her good.

"It is not my intention to sound apathetic. I am sure this is a trying situation, it's not like I do not care. It's just that..."

"That what?"

Misty was silent for a moment as she tried to filter through her emotions, she found it difficult to pinpoint the predominant one. "It's just that, I don't care?" She trailed off, squinting after her question-like sentence. She hoped she made sense.

"Misty!" Okay, that's a no to making sense, and a no in social acceptability. If Stacey's yell was anything to go by.

"I just mean, of course I would care if he died, like any other person. But, I don't know him?" Misty hated that she sounded confused, but she did not know how to articulate her feelings all that well. 

"Oh, this case is a pain." Dr Travis groaned out, rubbing his eyes in frustration. How did a seizure become so complicated? Here he thought his only problem, would be diagnosing the cause of the seizures. But now, he had an emotionally stunted girl, digging herself into a hole. 

"What?"

"You can't just say you don't care about someone, cause you don't know them. Especially with his friend standing right next to you."

"What I am trying to say is... It's like a celebrity right? You hear they died, and you are like 'oh that's sad'. But, I'm not going to lock myself in my room, depressed for a month. Life moves on."

"Misty honey, just let the doctor finish speaking." Stacey told her friend smiling sadly. She thought they had gotten somewhere. But, clearly they had a way to go, sighing she turned her attention back to the doctor. Misty, understanding her friend's tone, one she had heard her speak in many times, listened to her friend's advice. Staring down at the floor, she felt a wave of frustration and embarrassment fall over her.

"Just, try avoid stressing him out. No, telling him he's done something. Even if he has, if he believes he hasn't done it, just leave him in la la land. You know what they say; ignorance is bliss. He's free to go, anyone of you can sign him out, but he has to come back next week for extra tests." The doctor told the three kids in front of him. They were an odd bunch, and unfortunately he felt as though this was not the last time he would be seeing them. Handing them the discharge papers, and an appointment reminder for next week, he turned around to continue with his rounds. All the while thinking, 'I'm too old for this.'

"I am sorry Dennis if what I sad offended you, or made things worse for you. I did not have any malicious intent." Misty turned her attention to Dennis, once the doctor had fled the scene. Trying to show her sincerity through her eyes, she handed him the papers the doctor had thrust at her in his haste to get away.

"It's fine, I figured it's just how you're wired. The social experiment was the biggest clue. Besides, Tyler's worse."

"How so?"

"It's just, it seems he switches from one personality to another. He's so forgetful and just... It's how he got the nickname Tyke. He's a complete idiot, that no one can keep up with." Dennis talked about his friend with a smile on his face. Misty studied him, he seemed genuinely happy, recounting his friend's personality. She guessed he meant it when he said it was all worth it.

"I guess I was right Stacey," Misty told her her friend.

"About what?" Stacey wondered, confused as she was brought into the conversation.

"He is retarted."

"Misty!"